Don't Miss This Often Forgotten Way to Save Money Using Credit Cards When Holiday Shopping

Now that the holiday season is upon us, you're probably doing some holiday shopping. Many people purchase gifts for their friends and family this time of year. While saving money by shopping holiday sales is possible, that's not the only way to land a deal while spoiling your loved ones. 

Maximizing your savings opportunities as you shop this holiday season can allow you to keep more money in your checking account. If you usually pay for your purchases with credit cards, you could miss out on additional savings. Discover how to save even more money as you shop. 

Don't ignore money-saving credit card offers 

Some credit card issuers have offers or deal programs available to cardholders. You can activate these special offers through your online account to save money when you shop. Each program features offers from various popular retailers. 

Most offers provide a discount as a statement credit to your credit card once you activate and make an eligible purchase with a participating retailer. While you won't get a direct discount through the retailer, you'll get a statement credit, which can reduce your credit card bill. 

What programs should you use? Here are two programs to consider using: Chase cardholders can use the Chase Offers program to save money when making eligible purchases. American Express also has a program called Amex Offers. 

You must activate offers and meet the offer terms to qualify for a statement credit. If you don't activate an offer, you'll miss out. You can browse available offers by logging into your online account through the credit card issuer's website or mobile app. Reviewing these offers every so often is worthwhile, because they can change frequently. Don't ignore these programs if you like getting a deal when you shop. 

Do this before you make a purchase

You're ahead of the game if you're already using rewards credit cards. These credit cards provide an excellent way to earn rewards when you make everyday purchases. But ensure you're not missing out on additional ways to save money and earn more rewards. 

It's a good idea to take a few extra steps before you make your next purchase -- especially if you're planning to buy a costly item. Otherwise, you may spend more money than necessary or miss out on the chance to earn extra rewards. Here are some steps to take before you shop:

1. Review current credit card offers: Activate any offers for retailers you may shop with in the coming weeks. Check current offers before buying a pricey item because you don't want to miss out on the chance to save more money. 
2. Look for coupon codes:  You could get a bigger discount online by entering an active coupon code at checkout. You can use one of the best coupon apps to find active promo codes. Why pay more than necessary if you can avoid it? 
3. Use cash back apps: Don't forget to use cash back apps to earn cash back rewards. When you activate offers, and make eligible purchases, you can get rewarded with real cash using cash back apps like Rakuten. It's easy to earn cash when you shop. 

Every time you save money, it adds up and impacts your wallet. Check out our free personal finance resources to discover additional ways to save money and earn rewards.