Tap Credit Card Rewards to Slash Your Holiday Gift Bill
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And, now, with the election over at last, Americans can shift their focus to something a little less stressful: Holiday shopping.<br />
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And if you're looking for a way to save on gifts this season, you might want to tap your credit card. No, not by charging up a big fat bill -- but by maximizing your rewards points.<br />
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Here are six ways to do just that and in turn, stretch your gift-giving budget.</p>
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Check out American Express' (<a href="http://www.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/american-express-company/axp">AXP</a>) <a href="http://www.membershiprewards.com/catalog/thematic/Default.aspx?themeId=469&mrexc=704bapr0812glbamumu">Membership Rewards catalog,</a> where you'll find discounts on a range of gifts: from Dell notebooks and TUMI luggage to Michael Kors handbags and iPads.</p>
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Citi's <a href="https://rewards.thankyou.com/b2r/merchandise/mobileAppLanding.do">Thank You Rewards App </a>allows cardholders to download an app and shop in store at Best Buy (<a href="http://www.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/best-buy/bby">BBY</a>). Shoppers can scan the item they want in store,<strong> </strong>see if they've earned enough points to make a purchase, pay with those points and leave the store with the merchandise.</p>
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Chase Ultimate Rewards members <a href="https://www.chase.com/ccp/index.jsp?pg_name=ccpmapp/shared/marketing/page/chase-ultimate-rewards-cashback">can get cash back via check or direct deposit</a> starting at $20 for 2,000 points by shopping via the Ultimate Rewards Mall, featuring retailers such as J.C. Penney (<a href="http://www.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/jc-penney-company-inc/jcp" target="_blank">JCP</a>), The Body Shop and Staples (<a href="http://www.dailyfinance.com/quote/nasdaq/staples/spls" target="_blank">SPLS</a>), among others. Or, use your points to pay yourself back for anything you've bought with your Ultimate Rewards in the last 60 days.</p>
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Consider buying all your gift cards via your credit card rewards. Most credit card rewards programs work on a 1 point to 1 cent ratio, so racking up 2,500 Points can earn you a $25 gift card.<br />
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The American Express Rewards card requires even fewer points <a href="http://www.membershiprewards.com/catalog/productdetail/Default.aspx?ResetBreadcrumb=true&result_id=American+Express+Gift+Cards-excel&N=11700000&GroupId=274">to earn a gift card</a>.</p>
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Capital One's (<a href="http://www.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/capital-one-financial-corp/cof" target="_blank">COF</a>) Venture Rewards and American Express Membership Rewards cards let shoppers donate points to a range of charities such as UNICEF, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and local Toys for Tots chapters, in addition to colleges and universities.</p>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/b/ref=swp_mp_bc_ch30?node=2634438011"> Amazon.com</a> now allows holders of the Amazon (<a href="http://www.dailyfinance.com/quote/nasdaq/amazoncom/amzn" target="_blank">AMZN</a>) Rewards Visa card, American Express Membership Rewards card, Chase (<a href="http://www.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/jpmorgan-chase-co/jpm" target="_blank">JPM</a>) Ultimate Rewards card and Discover (<a href="http://www.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/discover-financial-services/dfs" target="_blank">DFS</a>) Cashback Bonus card to pay for an order using their credit card points.</p>
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