8 strategies to save money on Amazon purchases

It's time for Amazon Prime Day — one of the prime opportunities to snag discounts on everything from headphones to everyday essentials. Whether you're ready to score deals on Prime Day or hunting for savings on any other day, here are some tips to help you save money on your next Amazon shopping spree.

Redeem points

When you've filled your Amazon cart, you may have seen the "Shop with Points" option at checkout. However, this may not always provide the best value for your credit card points when considering monetary value, as you often receive more benefit by redeeming points for travel instead.

Nonetheless, certain promotions may offer discounts on your Amazon order even if you use a minimal amount of points.

At any time, various targeted American Express promotions provide cardholders with chances to save. Recently, TPG staffers with eligible Amex cards were offered discounts ranging from 10% to 40% on Amazon orders by using as few as 1 Amex Membership Rewards point. While the terms of the offers may differ, the concept is generally consistent. If an offer is available for your account, it can be an excellent way to save on your next Amazon purchase.

You need to link your eligible Amex card(s) to your Amazon account to use Membership Rewards points for shopping.

You can visit these links to find some of the latest offers related to points on Amazon:

• Save up to 40% on Amazon purchases by redeeming just 1 Amex point
  
• See if you can save $10 on your next Amazon order using only 1 Chase Ultimate Rewards point
  
• Receive $20 off your next Amazon order by using just 1 Citi ThankYou point
  

Accumulate bonus points with the right credit card

If you possess an American Express card, check to see if you've been selected for any Amex Offers. These promotions differ by account and can be a fantastic way to earn extra Membership Rewards points or save on purchases you would normally make.

Amazon frequently appears in Amex Offers.

The key is to check your Amex account regularly to see if you're eligible for bonus points or extra savings. You need to manually add these offers to your Amex account and then use that card to complete your Amazon purchases.

TPG's June 2024 valuations estimate Amex Membership Rewards points at 2 cents each, so earning 5 points per dollar spent at Amazon equates to 10 cents in rewards per dollar spent. To start taking advantage of these Amex Offers, consider a couple of solid American Express cards that don't charge annual fees:

• Blue Cash Everyday® Card by American Express (see rates and fees)
• Hilton Honors American Express Card (see rates and fees)

Consider an Amazon credit card

While we’re on the topic of top credit cards for Amazon purchases, let’s discuss Amazon's own offering — the Prime Visa.

It has no annual fee, and new cardholders will receive a $200 Amazon gift card instantly upon approval. You can use this gift card right away for purchases on Prime Day. This card is exclusively for Prime members, so keep that in mind when deciding if it suits your needs.

You can check out our comprehensive review of the Prime Visa card.

The card typically offers 5% cash back on purchases at Amazon and Whole Foods Market; 2% cash back at restaurants, gas stations, and local transit; and 1% cash back on all other purchases.

Utilize coupons

This tip might not be new, but if you spot a coupon on Amazon, make sure to click on it.

You'll be able to tell if a coupon is available for your item, as an icon labeled "Coupon" will appear below the price. The coupon will activate if you check the box next to it. While some coupons may only save you a few cents or dollars, every bit of savings counts.

Some products will also allow you to save by subscribing for recurring deliveries.

Monitor prices and set price alerts

It can be tough to determine the quality of a sale if you haven't tracked a specific item for some time. A useful site that provides historical pricing for Amazon items — and can even notify you of price drops — is CamelCamelCamel.

This website helps you assess the value of a sale. If your purchase isn't urgent, you can also use this tool to decide whether to wait for a better deal during a sale or price reduction.

Earn rewards for no-rush shipping or pickup

If you have some extra time, you can choose no-rush shipping for your items and save them for an "Amazon Day Delivery." This option allows you to earn a credit that can be used for future digital purchases like select e-books, music, videos, and apps. The credit amount varies but often totals a few dollars based on my experiences.

You will see this option at checkout when entering your shipping details.

If you opt to send your order to an Amazon pickup location instead of your home, you might receive a special promotion. Previously, we've observed $10 credits on future $20 Amazon orders by using a code and picking up orders at an Amazon Hub, such as an Amazon Locker or Locker+.

You might also be eligible for a free 30-day trial of Amazon Prime. It's an excellent, no-cost way to experience the service if you haven't yet. With it, you'll enjoy free two-day shipping on qualifying items and access to Prime Video, among other benefits. If you don’t cancel after the trial, the subscription fee will increase to $14.99 per month.

Buy Amazon gift cards

If your credit cards don’t offer rewards or cash-back bonuses for Amazon purchases, consider buying Amazon gift cards at grocery stores that provide bonus rewards with specific credit cards.

For instance, if you purchase a $100 Amazon gift card at the grocery store using the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express, you can earn 6% cash back on that transaction (up to $6,000 per year at U.S. supermarkets, then 1%). Cash back is provided as Reward Dollars that can be used as a statement credit or at checkout on amazon.com.

In summary

From selecting the right credit card to leveraging American Express Reward Dollars for your purchases, there are multiple ways to save money while shopping on Amazon—be sure to bookmark this page for the upcoming Prime Day sale and more.