Reading Time: 3 minIf you're buying gifts for yourself or your loved ones this holiday season, make every dollar count. Not only does this mean shopping around for deals, but it also means maximizing credit card rewards on everything you buy.
You can do this with rewards cards you already have, shopping portals, special offers, and non-card loyalty programs.
Here's an overview of the best ways to boost rewards on holiday shopping in 2025.
Cash-back portals like Rakuten and TopCashBack are a no-brainer when it comes to shopping year-round, but especially over the holidays.
These portals let you earn anywhere from 2% to 10% cash back on purchases at eligible stores, and all you have to do to take advantage is log into your account and "click through" the portal before you shop.
This means you can earn cash back on top of rewards you earn with your credit card. While retailer options change, deals are often found at stores like Lululemon, Macy's, Ulta, Nike, and more.
Plus, Rakuten just launched a partnership with Bilt, letting you earn Bilt points rather than cash back or Amex points when you click through the Rakuten shopping portal.
Don't forget programs like Amex Offers, Capital One Offers, and Chase Offers to earn additional points or cash back on eligible purchases.
These programs all work similarly, with the main requirement being that you need to activate each offer before you make a purchase. They also stack on top of rewards you earn by paying with an eligible rewards credit card in the first place.
What kind of offers can you find? Current Amex Offers let you save up to 15% off at stores like Express, Levi's, and L.L. Bean, whereas Chase offers can help you earn cash back at stores like Cole Haan, Dollar General, Kohl's, and Zales.
Capital One Offers frequently has exceptional deals as well. Current offers let cardholders earn up to 15x miles at stores like Lululemon and Petco.
Check your cards for unused statement credits, especially if you have a premium credit card.
For example, the newly refreshed Amex Platinum Card comes with statement credits for stores like Lululemon and Saks Fifth Avenue. The quarterly Resy credit (worth up to $400 annually) can also be used in restaurants to purchase gift cards that can be used for holiday gifts.
Another example: The new Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business comes with statement credits for purchases at GiftCards.com.
You still have time to sign up for a new rewards credit card, and you can use your holiday shopping bills to meet the minimum spending requirement to earn a bonus.
The best credit card sign-up bonuses available right now can easily help you earn 50,000 to 100,000 points within a few months of account opening.
Make sure to activate quarterly bonus categories on cards that have them like the Discover it® and Chase Freedom Flex.
Discover's bonus categories for Q4 include Amazon.com and drug stores, and Chase categories include Old Navy, Chase Travel, and department stores. You can also earn Chase bonus rewards on PayPal purchases during December only.
Signing up for multiple store programs can feel tedious, but many let you earn other types of "points" that directly translate to savings at eligible stores.
For example, Macy's Star Rewards lets customers earn 1 to 5 points per dollar spent, and 1,000 points equal $10 in Star Money (store credit). Ulta's Ultamate Rewards is another useful program since it gives users points for spending that turn into savings. For example, spend $100 and get $3 off your next purchase, or spend $750 and get $30 off. You can also earn more points if you spend a lot at the store and climb the programs' loyalty tiers.
