How to Unleash the Power of Your Capital One Points on Amazon: A Comprehensive Guide
Hey there, savvy shopper! Have you ever wondered if those Capital One points you've been diligently accumulating could help you save on your next Amazon haul? Well, you're in luck! Using your Capital One rewards on Amazon.com is a convenient way to stretch your budget and get more out of your everyday spending. This detailed guide will walk you through every step, ensuring a smooth and rewarding experience.
Let's dive in and unlock the potential of your points!
Step 1: Confirm Your Eligibility and Understand Point Value
Before you get started, it's crucial to understand which Capital One cards are eligible and how your points will be valued when used on Amazon.
Sub-heading: Which Capital One Cards Work with Amazon's "Shop with Points"?
Most Capital One rewards credit cards, including both cash back and travel rewards cards, are eligible for the "Shop with Points" program on Amazon. This includes popular cards like:
- Capital One Quicksilver Rewards Credit Card (and QuicksilverOne)
- Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card (and VentureOne, Venture X)
- Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card
- Capital One Spark Cash (and Spark Cash Select, Spark Classic for Business)
- Capital One Spark Miles for Business (and Spark Miles Select for Business)
Only primary cardholders are eligible to link their accounts.
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Sub-heading: What Are Your Capital One Points Worth on Amazon?
This is a critical point to understand, as the value of your points can differ based on the type of rewards you have:
- Cashback Rewards: If you have a Capital One cash back card, your cash back rewards are generally valued at 100 cashback rewards equaling $1 on Amazon. This is often a good value, as it's equivalent to redeeming for a statement credit.
- Travel Rewards (Miles): If you have a Capital One travel card (like Venture or Venture X), your miles are typically valued at 125 miles equaling $1 on Amazon. This means every 100 miles is worth about 80 cents on Amazon. While convenient, this is generally a lower redemption value compared to using your miles for travel through the Capital One Travel portal or transferring them to airline partners.
Pro-Tip: If your primary goal is to maximize the value of your Capital One miles, consider using them for travel. However, for sheer convenience and if you frequently shop on Amazon, using them here can still be a good option, especially for cashback rewards.
How To Use Capital One Points On Amazon |
Step 2: Linking Your Capital One Account to Amazon
This is the initial setup that connects your Capital One card with your Amazon account, enabling you to use your rewards.
Sub-heading: Accessing the "Shop with Points" Enrollment Page
- Open your web browser and navigate to Amazon.com.
- Log in to your Amazon account if you aren't already.
- Once logged in, the easiest way to find the linking page is to go directly to Amazon's Capital One "Shop with Points" page. You can usually find this by searching for "Capital One Shop with Points" on Amazon or through your "Your Account" section, then looking for "Shop with Points."
Sub-heading: Enrolling Your Capital One Card
- On the Capital One "Shop with Points" page, you'll see an option to "Link your rewards account" or "Enroll now." Click on it.
- Amazon will prompt you to add a new rewards card or select an existing Capital One card if it's already saved as a payment method.
- Enter your Capital One credit card details:
- Name on the card
- Credit card number
- Expiration date
- Click "Add your card" or "Enroll."
Sub-heading: Confirmation and Activation
- You should receive an email confirmation from Amazon once your Capital One card is successfully linked and enrolled in the "Shop with Points" program.
- Sometimes, Amazon might automatically enroll eligible cards that are already saved as payment methods. Always verify in your "Shop with Points" preferences.
Step 3: Making a Purchase and Applying Your Points
Now for the fun part – using your hard-earned points to pay for your Amazon purchases!
Sub-heading: Shopping as Usual on Amazon.com
- Browse Amazon.com and add your desired eligible items to your shopping cart.
- Proceed to "Checkout."
Sub-heading: Selecting Capital One Rewards as Your Payment Method
- On the checkout page, under the "Payment method" section, you will see your linked Capital One card.
- You should also see an option to "Use Capital One Rewards" or a similar toggle/checkbox next to your Capital One card.
- Click on this option or check the box.
Sub-heading: Applying Your Points
- A pop-up or section will appear, displaying your available Capital One rewards balance in both points/miles and their equivalent dollar value for your Amazon purchase.
- You can then choose how many rewards you want to apply:
- Apply the full amount to cover the entire purchase (if you have enough points).
- Apply a partial amount and pay the remaining balance using your Capital One card (or another payment method). You'll typically have a slider or an input field to specify the amount of points/dollars you wish to use.
- The order summary will instantly update to show the applied dollar value of your rewards and the remaining balance.
Sub-heading: Review and Place Your Order
- Review your order details carefully, ensuring the rewards have been applied correctly.
- Click "Place your order" to complete the purchase.
Important Note: Your rewards will be deducted from your Capital One account as soon as you confirm your Amazon order. You won't earn new Capital One rewards on the portion of the purchase paid for with points, as you're redeeming existing rewards.
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Step 4: Managing Your "Shop with Points" Preferences
You have control over how your Capital One points are used on Amazon.
Sub-heading: Setting "Use Rewards First" as Default
- Log in to your Amazon account and go to "My Account."
- Select "Shop with Points" to manage your preferences.
- You'll likely see a toggle or option labeled "Use rewards first" or "Set as default."
- Toggle this option "On" if you want your Capital One rewards to be automatically applied to eligible purchases at checkout. This can be very convenient for frequent Amazon shoppers.
Sub-heading: Disabling "Use Rewards First"
- If you prefer to manually select your payment method and apply rewards for each transaction, simply toggle the "Use rewards first" option "Off" in the "Shop with Points" preferences. This allows you to decide at checkout whether to use your Capital One points or not.
Step 5: Understanding Eligible and Ineligible Purchases
While most items on Amazon are eligible, there are a few exceptions. Knowing these can save you a headache at checkout.
Sub-heading: What You CAN Purchase with Capital One Points
- The vast majority of physical products sold and shipped by Amazon.com.
- Many items sold by third-party sellers (if fulfilled by Amazon).
- Eligible Amazon gift cards (though Amazon.com gift cards are often excluded from promotional point redemptions).
Sub-heading: What You CANNOT Typically Purchase with Capital One Points
- Individual digital music titles
- Amazon Appstore Apps
- Amazon Fresh and Whole Foods Market purchases (sometimes)
- Amazon Kindle eBooks
- Cellphones with service
- Digital downloads (like Apple Care)
- Items ordered through "Buy Now" or "1-Click"
- Prime memberships (like Hilton Honors)
- Prime Video titles
- Subscribe & Save items
- Textbook rentals
- Certain pre-order items or subscriptions
Always double-check the specific terms and conditions on Amazon's "Shop with Points" page for the most up-to-date list of exclusions.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 10 common questions about using Capital One points on Amazon, with quick answers:
How to check my Capital One rewards balance?
You can check your Capital One rewards balance by logging into your Capital One online account or through the Capital One mobile app.
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How to link a new Capital One card to Amazon?
To link a new Capital One card, visit Amazon's Capital One "Shop with Points" page, select "Enroll a new rewards account," and enter your new card's details.
How to unlink my Capital One account from Amazon?
You can unlink your Capital One account from Amazon by going to your Amazon "Shop with Points" preferences and removing the linked Capital One card.
How to use only a portion of my Capital One points on Amazon?
During checkout on Amazon, when you select Capital One rewards as your payment method, you'll be given the option to input the specific dollar amount or number of points you wish to apply to your purchase.
How to know the value of my Capital One points on Amazon?
For cashback cards, 100 cashback rewards usually equal $1. For travel cards, 125 miles typically equal $1 on Amazon. This value will be displayed when you apply your points at checkout.
How to earn points on Amazon purchases with Capital One?
You will still earn your regular Capital One rewards on the portion of your Amazon purchase that is paid for with your Capital One credit card (not the portion paid with points).
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How to fix issues if my Capital One points aren't showing on Amazon?
First, ensure your Capital One card is correctly linked to "Shop with Points" on Amazon. If it is, contact Capital One or Amazon customer service for assistance, as there might be a technical issue.
How to use Capital One points for Amazon Prime membership?
Generally, Capital One points cannot be used to pay for Amazon Prime memberships or renewals. These are typically excluded from "Shop with Points" redemptions.
How to get the best value from Capital One miles, not on Amazon?
For Capital One miles, the best value is typically achieved by redeeming them for travel through the Capital One Travel portal (1 cent per mile) or by transferring them to Capital One's airline and hotel partners (potentially higher value).
How to contact Capital One customer service for rewards questions?
You can contact Capital One customer service via the phone number on the back of your card, through their online banking portal, or their mobile app for any rewards-related queries.
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