Utilizing Your Amex Platinum Lululemon Credit
As I dive into my travel experiences, I find myself keeping track of various elements, like new hotels, airline routes, and of course, those enticing rewards points. Recently, I picked up one of those “saving money” credit cards—the Amex Platinum, which just got a significant upgrade.
This card now offers an interesting perk: you can earn up to $300 each year to spend at Lululemon, distributed as $75 credits every quarter. Just activate the credit when shopping online at Lululemon, and, well, you get that nice little reimbursement from Amex every three months.
But here’s the catch: the quarter is nearly over, and there are only a few days left to make the most of this opportunity. Sure, shopping for your Lulu gear either online or in-store is the simplest option, though it’s not your only choice.
The official guidelines say gift card purchases don’t qualify, but some folks from the Thrifty Traveler team have been experimenting. There’s a good chance you could buy gift cards—both online and in-store—and still benefit from the credit. So, if your favorite item is out of stock now or you want to save for later, gift cards could be a flexible route.
Make sure you read up on how to tap into this credit before the deadline hits.
Understanding the $300 Lululemon Credit
With the Amex Platinum, cardholders can snag up to $300 a year for Lululemon shopping. Seems straightforward, right? But you might want to note a few essentials before heading to the store.
First off, you need to register for this credit before making any purchases. You can easily log into your Amex account online or through their mobile app and check under the “Rewards and Benefits” area of your card.
Typical of Amex, you won’t snag the whole $300 at once; it’s divided into four $75 segments:
- Quarter 1: January – March
- Quarter 2: April – June
- Quarter 3: July – September
- Quarter 4: October – December
And here’s a bummer: if you don’t use the full $75 in any given quarter, the leftover doesn’t roll over. So, if you’ve got a purchase in mind, best to do it a few days ahead of the quarter’s end. Sometimes online purchases show up as “pending,” which can be confusing, so it’s wise to plan accordingly.
As the end of the quarter approaches, I suggest finalizing your online shopping soon. If you’re closer to a Lulu store and thinking about going in-person, it might help, but don’t leave it too late.
How to Utilize Your First $75 Credit
Lululemon is a go-to for athletic clothing and accessories, and even if you’re not the most active, chances are you’ll find something appealing. Just a heads-up: their items can be pricey—like, $140 for a pair of pants pricey. So, while the $75 credit is nice, don’t assume you won’t need to add a little more cash.
It’s a bit of a strategy here. These credits, while valuable, are designed to keep you spending more than the initial amount offered. It’s a clever way for Amex to make their offering appear more enticing, all while increasing their annual fees. If sticking to the $75 credit is a must for you, perhaps checking out the clearance rack in-store or online can be the solution. You could filter prices to find the lowest options.
Gift Cards: A Viable Option
Despite what the fine print says, purchasing a Lululemon gift card can indeed trigger those credits! Some members of the team tested it out, discovering that whether you buy gift cards in-store or online, it seems to qualify for those credits. Just remember, these gift cards are treated just like regular purchases.
But there’s a bit of caution here: while this workaround is working now, it might change. When buying gift cards online, you usually choose between an e-gift card, which arrives instantly, or a physical one that can take several days to arrive. The e-gift option might not always reflect in the Amex credits, just a heads-up.
If you plan to utilize this method, it’s best to act quickly. If your credits don’t update as expected within a few days, you might still have time to make purchases before the quarter closes.
Wrapping Up
The Amex Platinum card provides an attractive $300 Lululemon credit per year, split into quarterly amounts. With September nearly wrapping up, it’s crucial to make your purchases known before the deadline sneaks up on you. If you’re not eyeing anything urgent or would rather save your credits for something larger down the line, gifting yourself a gift card could be a smart move—just ensure you register for this perk first. And, you know, don’t leave it until the last minute!
