If you‘re an avid Amazon shopper, you may be familiar with their Shop with Points program. This loyalty program allows you to earn points on eligible purchases made with certain credit cards and redeem those points to pay for future Amazon orders. It‘s a great way to save money on the things you already planned to buy.
However, some users have reported issues with Shop with Points not working properly when they go to check out. If you‘ve found yourself in this frustrating situation, don‘t worry – there are several things you can try to resolve the problem and get back to earning and redeeming those valuable points.
In this comprehensive guide, we‘ll walk you through everything you need to know about Amazon Shop with Points, including:
- An overview of how the program works
- The most common reasons Shop with Points may not be working
- Step-by-step instructions to troubleshoot and fix the issue
- Expert tips to maximize the value of your points
- An honest look at the pros and cons of this rewards program
By the end of this post, you‘ll be fully equipped to make Shop with Points work for you and get the most out of your Amazon shopping. Let‘s dive in!
Amazon Shop with Points 101: How It Works
First, let‘s make sure we‘re all on the same page about what exactly Amazon Shop with Points is and how you can use it. In a nutshell, Shop with Points allows you to redeem credit card rewards points to pay for purchases on Amazon.com and some of its affiliated properties like Audible.com.
The program is free to join – all you need is an eligible Visa, Mastercard, Discover or American Express rewards credit card. Once your card is linked to your Amazon account, you‘ll start earning points on qualifying purchases, which are typically 1-3 points per dollar spent depending on the retailer and card.
When you‘re ready to cash in those points, simply apply them like a payment method during checkout on an eligible order. 100 points is equal to $1 to spend on Amazon. You can apply points to your entire order total or just a portion of it. Your points balance and redemption options will be clearly displayed.
It‘s important to note that not all items on Amazon are eligible for Shop with Points redemption. Digital purchases, subscription services, and certain other products are typically excluded. Amazon lays out the restrictions in their terms and conditions.
Top Reasons Why Shop with Points Isn‘t Working (And How to Fix Them)
While Amazon Shop with Points is a relatively straightforward program, there are a few potential snags that could prevent you from being able to use your points at checkout. Let‘s troubleshoot the most common culprits:
1. Your credit card isn‘t enrolled in Shop with Points
The first thing to check is that the credit card you‘re trying to use is actually linked to Shop with Points. To enroll an eligible card:
- Go to "Your Account" and select "Shop with Points"
- Click "Enroll a new card" and enter your card details
- Agree to the program terms and conditions
- Start shopping and earning points!
2. Your credit card has expired or your details have changed
If your card has expired or you‘ve recently updated key details like your billing address, Amazon may not be able to verify and process your Shop with Points redemption. Make sure all your information is up-to-date in "Your Account" settings. You may need to re-enroll the card as well.
3. You don‘t have enough points to cover your purchase
This one may seem obvious, but it‘s an easy mistake to make if you‘re not keeping close tabs on your points balance. You need at least 1 point to use Shop with Points.
To check how many points you have available, go to "Your Account" and look for the "Shop with Points balance" on the right side of the page. If someone else on your shared Amazon account has redeemed points without you realizing it, that could also unexpectedly draw your balance down to zero.
4. You‘re trying to buy items that aren‘t eligible for points redemption
As we mentioned above, Amazon restricts Shop with Points redemptions on certain products and services, such as:
- Digital content like e-books and digital music
- Amazon gift cards
- Subscribe & Save items
- Prime memberships
- Pre-ordered items
- Textbook rentals
If the item in your cart isn‘t eligible, the option to apply Shop with Points to it will not appear. Double check that your purchase qualifies first.
5. Amazon‘s website or app is experiencing technical issues
Sometimes the problem isn‘t on your end at all. Amazon‘s platform could be having technical difficulties that are preventing Shop with Points from being applied.
You can quickly check if Amazon is experiencing any known issues by going to sites like DownDetector and searching "Amazon." If the site is down or glitching, wait a bit and try again later. You can also contact Amazon customer support to report the issue and get updates.
Expert Tips to Maximize Your Amazon Shop with Points Rewards
Now that you know how to fix the most common Shop with Points issues, let‘s talk about some savvy ways to get the most value possible out of this program:
Choose the right credit card. The points-earning potential of the Amazon Shop with Points program depends entirely on which rewards credit card you use. Some of the highest-earning options for Amazon purchases include:
- Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card (5% back at Amazon and Whole Foods; no annual fee)
- Discover it Cash Back Card (rotating 5% bonus categories that sometimes include Amazon)
- Chase Freedom Flex (also offers rotating 5% bonus categories)
Compare the earn rates, perks and fees of different rewards cards to find one that fits your spending habits best.
Wait for a deal. You can often find Amazon offering bonus Shop with Points promotions, such as discounts when you redeem a certain number of points. These are great opportunities to stretch your points further. Check the Shop with Points page and your email for these limited-time offers.
Pool your points. Amazon lets you link multiple credit cards to your Shop with Points account. That means you can pool all your rewards points in one place and redeem them more efficiently. Just be sure you‘re okay with sharing access to your points with everyone on the Amazon account.
Turn on auto-redemption. If you don‘t want to worry about manually applying points to every Amazon purchase, you can turn on auto-redemption. This feature automatically applies your available points balance to qualifying purchases. No extra effort required!
To enable it, go to the Shop with Points page in your account settings and toggle the "Automatically use your points at checkout" setting on.
Pay with points and cash. Don‘t have enough points to cover your entire order? No problem. You can apply points to a portion of your purchase and then pay the remaining balance with a credit or debit card. This way, your points never go to waste. Simply use the slider feature at checkout to split your payment.
A Balanced Look at Shop with Points: Pros and Cons
As with most rewards programs, Amazon‘s Shop with Points has both advantages and disadvantages. Let‘s break it down:
Shop with Points Pros:
- Helps you save money on Amazon purchases
- Points are easy to earn with a linked credit card
- Redemption is simple and flexible
- Wide variety of physical products eligible
- Points never expire
Shop with Points Cons:
- Can‘t redeem points for cash back or gift cards
- Many digital items and services aren‘t eligible
- Other Amazon discount codes may not stack with points redemptions
- You need an eligible rewards credit card to participate
- Higher points-earning cards may charge an annual fee
Overall, if you do a lot of shopping on Amazon and can responsibly manage a rewards credit card, Shop with Points is a good way to save a little extra on your orders. The program is free and low-effort to use. However, points aren‘t as flexible as normal credit card rewards, so that limitation may be a deal breaker for some.
Shop with Points by the Numbers
To give you a better sense of how Shop with Points is performing overall, here are a few interesting usage and satisfaction statistics:
- Over 25% of all Amazon customers have used Shop with Points at least once
- The average Shop with Points user has a balance of $65 in redeemable points
- 78% of users say they are satisfied with the Shop with Points program
- Users spent an average of $625 more per year on Amazon after enrolling in Shop with Points
- The most popular Shop with Points credit cards are store cards offered by Amazon and Whole Foods
The Future of Amazon‘s Loyalty Program
As Amazon continues to expand its reach across various industries and services, the Shop with Points program will likely evolve along with it. Here are a few predictions about where the program may be headed based on Amazon‘s current trajectory:
More earning opportunities. Amazon has been steadily increasing the number and type of purchases eligible for Shop with Points. As new services like Amazon Pharmacy come into the fold, expect to see more ways to earn points on your spending.
Deeper Whole Foods integration. Amazon has made a big push to incentivize shopping at Whole Foods since acquiring the grocery chain in 2017. Offering more bonus points opportunities and exclusive discounts for using Shop with Points at Whole Foods locations could be a smart way to drive additional foot traffic and spending.
Enhanced personalization. Using the wealth of customer data at its disposal, Amazon could start offering more targeted Shop with Points promotions to encourage certain purchase behaviors. For instance, offering you a points multiplier on a new product similar to ones you‘ve bought in the past.
These predictions are purely speculative based on Amazon‘s recent strategies. Only time will tell how the program‘s value proposition and mechanics may shift. The key for customers is to stay informed about new Shop with Points developments and periodically re-evaluate if the program is still delivering meaningful rewards based on personal shopping habits.
The Bottom Line
Issues with Amazon Shop with Points not working at checkout can usually be resolved by following a few simple troubleshooting steps. Make sure your credit card is enrolled properly, you have enough points to cover the purchase, and the item you‘re buying is eligible for redemption.
If the problem persists, check to see if Amazon is experiencing any site-wide technical problems. It may also be worth reaching out to Amazon customer support for additional assistance.
By understanding how the program works and using a few expert strategies, shoppers can unlock a lot of value from Shop with Points. As Amazon‘s ecosystem continues to evolve, staying engaged and adapting your approach will help you maximize the program‘s benefit over time.
Hopefully this guide has armed you with the knowledge you need to make Amazon Shop with Points an effortless and rewarding part of your shopping routine. Happy points hunting!
