When planning my trip to visit my Dear Daughter in Jackson, Mississippi, she was trying to help me scope out possibilities for flights as opposed to my driving down- solo. The short version of the story is that for the time span I wanted, the flights weren't really cheap.
It's cheaper to drive. Then I have more flexibility, too.
And, I said to my daughter, I don't mind the drive.
Also- I didn't mention, but I will mention now, in this current quarter, I get additional reward points when I use my credit card at gas stations.
I work all the reward and rebate angles I can.
This quarter, my main credit card, in addition to the 1% on all purchases, is awarding 5% on purchases at gas stations.
When I accumulate enough points, I ask them to cut me a reward check for real money.
But that's not the only way I'm accumulating points. Because, during the month of July, if I make purchases on 10 separate days at my usual gas station, and use *their* reward card, I will get 7000 bonus points on my gas station rewards card.
I can't get *cash* back with this card. However, when I accumulate enough points, I redeem these rewards for gift cards. One holiday, I was able to get 3 different $25 gift cards just with reward points.
I have so many reward cards that it's hard to keep track of them all. I have reward cards for gas, office supplies, printer ink, pet supplies, groceries (2 different chains), cinema, restaurants, department stores. I use some cards more than others, but I have a ton.
Plus the credit card reward program.
One of my restaurant cards is a "club". We pay $59 a year for the club; in return, we get $59 credit towards food, 20% discount on food at the restaurant, a free brunch for me on my birthday, and a free brunch for my husband on his birthday, a free brunch on our anniversary AND on the anniversary of the restaurant. AND 20 free passes to the Comedy Club in the basement of said restaurant. SUCH a deal!
Since we dine out, and enjoy taking friends to the comedy club, it feels like a deal to us. And since we buy drinks- which aren't covered by the discounts or credits- and because when we redeem the free birthday brunch we buy brunch for the one who *isn't* having a birthday, it works out well for the restaurant, too.
I love working the rewards system. This is how I score better wine: I look at what wine is on sale. I see a nice pinot noir, regular price $23.99, on sale when I use my card for $14.99. BUT WAIT! If I buy 4 or more bottles of any wines, I get an additional 10% of the sale price! Winning!!
AND, with this grocery reward card, every time I use the card, the store donates a percentage of what I spend to the charity of my choice. I have them donate to my theater troupe.
WINNING!
What was I saying? Oh, yeah...
So, I drove to visit Dear Daughter. Next quarter, though, gas stations are done- we are on to Amazon gift cards and department stores for the holidays. So then I could fly.
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