I hate shopping. Hate shopping. That’s probably why my wardrobe is as varied as that of a cartoon character. As I get ready to move over the next couple of weeks I’m basically having to start from scratch as far as furniture goes. I asked y’all for suggestions as far as travel related items you can’t live without at home, and I really appreciate all the helpful responses.
But I was still kind of dreading the thought of shopping… until I realized how many miles I can potentially rack up with the purchases I need to make anyway.
For example, I’m in the market for an iMac, given that I’ll have a more normal “9-5 schedule” with my new “gig,” working from home. Right now I primarily use a Macbook Air (which I love), though I need a desktop as well.
Originally my plan was to purchase an iMac through MacMall.com, which would have earned me three AAdvantage miles per dollar through the American AAdvantage eShopping Toolbar. Apple directly charges $1,199 for the iMac and MacMall charges $1,120. But Mommy Points just posted about the holiday bonuses that the Ultimate Rewards shopping mall is having over the coming weeks.
Specifically, Best Buy is offering 10 Ultimate Rewards points per dollar spent on November 25 and Apple is offering 10 Ultimate Rewards points per dollar spent on November 28.

That’s in addition to the one point per dollar you earn anyway, for a total of 11 points per dollar. I value Ultimate Rewards points at two cents each, so that’s essentially a 22% return on brands that are rarely discounted, which is amazing.

Best Buy charges $1,133 for the iMac, so I’ll earn 11,330 points for my purchase. Unreal! I’ll also need some accesories (wired mouse with numerical keypad, Airport, etc.), so I’ll probably earn close to 15,000 points for that purchase, points that would have otherwise been left on the table.
Then I’m in the market for a new bed, and Rue La La supposedly has a sale on the W Bed this Thursday.

If the deal is half decent I’ll buy a W bed, and I’ll be sure to go through the AAdvantage eShopping toolbar which will earn me an additional three points per dollar (in addition to the point per dollar I earn on my credit card). That’s probably another “easy” 4,000 American miles.

Anyway, color me mildly excited, not at the prospect of spending money or going shopping, but at the prospect of earning lots of miles for purchases I have to make anyway.
I’ll report back not only on how many miles I earn, but how my travel related purchases go. I might even post a few pictures, or if y’all keep being so helpful I might be forced to invite all of you over for a house warming party (serving nothing but the finest Diet Coke with lime and hot nuts, of course).
As I purchase furniture (desk, couch, etc.), are there any mileage mall related offers you can think of that are worth keeping in mind?
And along the same lines, this proves yet again that not all mileage malls are created equal. The Ultimate Rewards Mall really is by far the best online shopping mall/portal, not just because it has some of the best offers, but because the points usually post within a few days.
All the more reason to get the Chase Sapphire Preferred card, of course!