Does anyone EVER redeem reward points for merchandise?
 

Every once in awhile with my Discover or UR points I will browse through the redeem for "stuff" categories and never once have I seen anything that was remotely worth it. Meaning I could redeem for a gift card and buy the item and it would cost much less or I could simply buy it and earn points and still come out way ahead.

Just wondering if anyone ever does this and/or if companies ever put things on sale that makes it worth it?

I've used airline miles for magazines when I haven't been anywhere close to earning a flight and had no interest in flying on the airline on a regular basis.

I probably will soon if the AMEX 50k points card is still available at my next churn in March. My wife reluctantly lets me use her credit so we can play the game twice as fast, but she misses getting the cash back, even at 1%. So that 50k will get me a $500 Home Depot gc, her a much-needed new dishwasher, and keep the peace.

I redeemed 500 US miles for a magazine subscription. Part of the grand slam promo.

Airline miles for Economist subscriptions are a good deal.

Bought pair of cheap earphones because my 2k thank you points were about to expire.

I regularly use miles for an Economist subscription -- better value than redeeming for flights.

Only when there is a danger of expiring miles....usually small balances on airline I may not use often. Magazines are the best bets.

All other merchandize is overpriced.

Anecdotaly from friends and co workers, I think it's a lot more common among the general public than FT ers.

I've redeemed for mags before, Economist in particular.

i redeemed for amex gc,when i didnt know much
i think redeemed 70k spg to delta to amex gc

nov 2011. the Ultimate Rewards/Best Buy deal. got two blu players, microwave oven, and 19" tv.

what's this grand slam promo a part of?

and what points are best for economist subscription?

Indeed.

Won't I get my FlyerTalk membership revoked if I do (Economist aside, of course)? I thought I read that in the TOCs somewhere ;)

I've done the exact same thing for the exact same reason.