Best Buy is one of the most common retail stores for movies, games, music, electronics and appliances. Stores are located nation-wide, and it is the perfect place to shop when you’re looking for a variety of products. You can see their online inventory at BestBuy.com, or use their store locator feature on the website.
The Best Buy Rewards program was launched as a way to reward frequent customers for their purchases. Members who sign up receive a membership card, which has a unique number used for storing points and recording transactions. The membership card is not a credit card, but rather a points system through which shoppers can earn gift certificates for certain purchase amounts.
For every dollar you spend at Best Buy or at BestBuy.com, you earn 100 reward points toward free merchandise. When you accrue enough points, you can redeem them for any product you choose in the store, which means free merchandise. This is a unique program in that you don’t have to participate in any other offers, and you don’t have to be eighteen in order to participate.
Since the Rewards Zone program is not a credit card, but a membership program, US citizens over the page of 13 are eligible to sign up, and the membership fee is $9.99 per year. Applications must be filled out at Best Buy stores, as registration is not available online.
Also included with a Rewards Zone membership are exclusive previews of new merchandise, access to VIP events, invitations to special promotions held by Best Buy, and seasonal reward offers. Purchases made online and in the store are eligible to earn reward points. All you have to do is show your membership card at the register, or enter your unique membership number in the space available online.
Reward Zone members can check their points status online or by phone, though purchases will not usually show up as “approved points” until a validation period of approximately 30 days has concluded. If a member forgets to show their Reward Zone membership card when they make a purchase, they can enter the transaction number from their receipt online and recover the lost points. This is also unique to the Reward Zone program; most membership promotions require you to show your card in the store, or you lose the rewards.
Reward Zone points are deducted from an account if an item is returned. This doesn’t apply for exchanges – points remain the same – but it does apply to merchandise bought both online and in the store. Once you have reached a level of points that will allow you to redeem them for a gift certificate, simply call the 800 number on the back of your card and order the gift certificate. They usually take about six weeks to arrive.
When you receive a Reward Zone gift certificate, it can be redeemed for nearly any in-store item costing more than $10.00. Items that are out-of-stock or available only online do not apply, and there are certain exceptions. Reward certificates expire 90 days after they have been issued, so members are encouraged to use them quickly. Reward certificates are available in combinations of $5, $10 and $20 certificates, which means that customers are able to select which denominations they prefer.
The Reward Zone program is also unique because it doesn’t take thousands of dollars in purchases to earn rewards. The points system is as follows:
PURCHASE |
POINTS |
REWARD CERTIFICATE |
|
$150.00 |
15,000 |
$5.00 |
|
$350.00 |
35,000 |
$10.00 |
|
$450.00 |
45,000 |
$15.00 |
|
$750.00 |
75,000 |
$25.00 |
|
$1,200.00 |
120,000 |
$40.00 |
|
$1,650.00 |
160,500 |
$55.00 |
|
$2,100.00 |
210,000 |
$70.00 |
|
$2,400.00 |
240,000 |
$80.00 |
|
$3,000.00 |
300,000 |
$100.00 |
|
$3,450.00 |
340,000 |
$115.00 |
One of the current rewards for members, in addition to points, is the ink cartridge reward. Members receive one free ream of paper for every purchase of two ink or toner cartridges. Members can choose any type of paper they would like as long as it doesn’t cost more than $9.99. This can include copy paper, high bond paper, card stock and glossy photo paper.
The Best Buy Reward Zone program is great for people who shop frequently at Best Buy, or who spend more than the membership fee every calendar year at BestBuy.com or in Best Buy stores. Used in conjunction with the Best Buy credit card, you can earn hundreds of dollars in rewards each year, especially if you shop Best Buy for large appliances or electronics, such as computers, televisions, refrigerators, vacuum cleaners, washer/dryers, or stereo systems.
If you would like more information about the Reward Zone program, simply visit BestBuy.com or call their toll free number, 1-888-BEST BUY (237-8289). You may also check out thier site at MyRz.com to print out your $5 rewards certificate.
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