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Does anyone EVER redeem reward points for merchandise?

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Does anyone EVER redeem reward points for merchandise?

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Old Feb 28, 2013 | 7:45 am
  #1  
slider34
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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?
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Old Feb 28, 2013 | 7:56 am
  #2  
DallasEsq
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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.
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Old Feb 28, 2013 | 8:07 am
  #3  
KennyBSAT
 
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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.
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Old Feb 28, 2013 | 8:34 am
  #4  
Gamecock
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I redeemed 500 US miles for a magazine subscription. Part of the grand slam promo.
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Old Feb 28, 2013 | 8:40 am
  #5  
rajin
 
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Airline miles for Economist subscriptions are a good deal.
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Old Feb 28, 2013 | 8:41 am
  #6  
ThePointsCollector
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Bought pair of cheap earphones because my 2k thank you points were about to expire.
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Old Feb 28, 2013 | 8:42 am
  #7  
freezefactor
 
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I regularly use miles for an Economist subscription -- better value than redeeming for flights.
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Old Feb 28, 2013 | 8:44 am
  #8  
HMPS
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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.
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Old Feb 28, 2013 | 9:49 am
  #9  
84fiero
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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.
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Old Feb 28, 2013 | 9:52 am
  #10  
newbieflyer1
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i redeemed for amex gc,when i didnt know much
i think redeemed 70k spg to delta to amex gc
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Old Feb 28, 2013 | 10:17 am
  #11  
mrredskin
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nov 2011. the Ultimate Rewards/Best Buy deal. got two blu players, microwave oven, and 19" tv.
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Old Feb 28, 2013 | 11:40 am
  #12  
vmsea
 
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Originally Posted by Gamecock
I redeemed 500 US miles for a magazine subscription. Part of the grand slam promo.
what's this grand slam promo a part of?

and what points are best for economist subscription?
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Old Feb 28, 2013 | 11:53 am
  #13  
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Originally Posted by rajin
Airline miles for Economist subscriptions are a good deal.
Originally Posted by freezefactor
I regularly use miles for an Economist subscription -- better value than redeeming for flights.
Indeed.
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Old Feb 28, 2013 | 11:57 am
  #14  
Mile-a-holic
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Originally Posted by slider34
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?
Won't I get my FlyerTalk membership revoked if I do (Economist aside, of course)? I thought I read that in the TOCs somewhere
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Old Feb 28, 2013 | 12:01 pm
  #15  
dontippet
 
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Originally Posted by HMPS
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.

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