Back-to-school shopping season represents one of the biggest spending moments of the year for many families. Between expenses like school supplies, tech upgrades, new clothing and dorm gear, the overall back-to-school expenses can come with a hefty price tag for any family. And if you have multiple kids in different grade levels, the challenge of staying on budget can be even harder. Parents planning for back-to-school expenses often need to carefully manage their budgets and prioritize spending to meet the needs of their family.
On a positive note, you can learn how to use credit card points for school supplies. Using credit card rewards is a smart strategy to help manage back-to-school expenses throughout the school year and stretch your budget in unexpected ways. Whether you’ve been saving up points and cash back all year or you’re just getting started with a new credit card, it might be a great time to put those rewards to work on your behalf.
Here’s how to maximize credit card rewards for education expenses and get more value from your spending this back-to-school season.
Why the back-to-school season is the perfect time to leverage credit card rewards
It goes without saying that families across the country experience higher expenses when back-to-school season arrives, especially as the new school year begins in the fall. According to the National Retail Federation, families with school-aged children (elementary through high school) have spent or plan to spend an average of $875 this year, while college students and their families plan to spend around $1,365. The cost of back-to-school shopping can add up quickly, so it can be a great time to consider redeeming credit card rewards if you’re looking for creative ways to cut costs. More than half of parents plan to use credit cards or take advantage of sales to help manage these expenses.
It’s also worth pointing out that the back-to-school season could also be an easier time to earn new welcome bonus offers, thanks to elevated spending. If you’re already shopping for extra back-to-school products (especially big-ticket items like tech upgrades), it could be the perfect opportunity to meet a spending requirement without putting any extra strain on your budget.
Strategies to use credit card rewards for back-to-school savings
Redeem points or cash back for gift cards
One of the easiest ways to use credit card rewards for school shopping is to redeem them for gift cards to major retailers like Amazon, Apple, Target, Walmart, or office supply stores. You can use gift cards to pay for purchases in place of cash at the store, and often earn rewards per dollar spent or saved. When you do, that means no complicated redemption process is required.
Some card issuers may even offer discounted gift cards through their online shopping portals from time to time. These offers (when available) let you stretch your points further by taking advantage of sale events or special prices. For example, you might be able to redeem $45 worth of rewards for a $50 gift card. This rewards redemption strategy could be a practical way to save if you’re planning to shop at those stores anyway.
That said, it’s important to know that redeeming rewards for gift cards usually doesn’t offer the best value per point. In many cases, especially where travel rewards cards are concerned, you can get better value redeeming points and miles for flights, hotels, or other travel-related expenses.
Still, if your current priority is reducing school costs with credit card benefits, redeeming points for gift cards could make a lot of sense. After all, your rewards belong to you and the “best” way to use them depends on your personal financial goals. So, you shouldn’t feel pressured to wait for the perfect redemption opportunity. Sometimes, the most valuable use of rewards is simply easing the strain on your wallet when you need it most.
➤ SEE MORE:Which credit cards earn cash back at Walmart and Target?
Use sign-up bonuses
If you’re in the market for a new credit card, back-to-school season may offer great timing to earn a sign-up bonus. Many rewards cards offer hundreds of dollars’ worth of cash back, points, or miles when you spend a certain amount in the first few months after account opening. Since school shopping often comes with a big price tag, paying for these purchases during a sale can be an easy way to hit the spending requirement on a new card, without going over your regular monthly budget.
Of course, it’s important to be sure that the card’s ongoing benefits and bonus categories are also a good fit for your everyday spending habits beyond the back-to-school season. And pay attention to other details like annual fees, minimum credit requirements, and more to find the best fit for your situation.
➤ SEE MORE:What are the best credit card bonus offers?
Add more points you might already have
Before you begin back-to-school shopping, take a moment to review your current credit cards and loyalty programs. There’s a chance you might have earned rewards you’ve forgotten, and those could come in handy this time of year. Also, consider reviewing what you’ve already spent on back-to-school shopping to better manage your budget and maximize your rewards.
In addition to forgotten points balances, look for active promotions and seasonal bonus offers available through your card issuer’s rewards portal or shopping platform. Some credit card companies also partner with retailers to offer limited-time deals, sales, and opportunities to apply coupons at checkout. Others may boost rewards for online purchases during peak seasons. Be careful not to let these offers influence you to overspend, but do look for savings opportunities on purchases you already planned to make.
Combining points from multiple sources can be a smart way to use rewards programs for back-to-school purchases. Many retailers allow you to redeem points, so if you can score a few money-saving discounts or reward bonuses along the way, even better.
Smart planning tips to maximize credit card rewards
Add an authorized user (your teen) to help earn more
If your student is responsible and ready, consider adding them as an authorized user on your rewards credit card. Taking this step can help you earn points on their everyday purchases, like gas, food, school supplies, technology, clothes, or even expenses for field trips. Encourage your student to look for student discounts when shopping, as many retailers offer special savings on items such as tech, clothing, and supplies. At the same time, responsible credit card use can give your child valuable budgeting experience for the future and could help them establish credit.
Just be sure to monitor the card closely since you’ll be responsible for all charges. It’s also important to talk to your teen to establish ground rules and to explain responsible credit card usage.
➤ SEE MORE:Guide to adding children as credit card authorized users
Set a back-to-school budget around reward categories
Not all credit cards earn rewards the same way. So, if your goal is to maximize the credit card rewards you earn while back-to-school shopping, it’s important to be strategic about which card you use and where.
Start by reviewing your supply list or supply lists from your child’s school to plan your purchases. Common back-to-school supplies include school uniforms, hand sanitizer, and other classroom essentials. To achieve a lower cost, consider exchange programs for electronics, buying refurbished items, or splitting bulk purchases with other parents. Always check last year’s backpack for reusable items before buying new ones. For the best buy, compare prices at different retailers and use tools like Google Shopping to ensure you’re getting the best deal. Planning ahead for next year can also help you spread out expenses and take advantage of sales or tax holidays.
➤ SEE MORE:Teachable moments from back-to-school-shopping
For example, if one of your cards earns 5% cash back at office supply stores or department stores, it may make sense to shift more of your spending to those types of retailers. But if you plan to shop online, it’s probably better to use a card that offers bonus points for e-commerce or higher rewards through a shopping portal.
➤ SEE MORE:Best credit cards for online shopping
Take a little time to create a basic plan that matches your school shopping list with your credit card’s bonus categories. This exercise requires some effort, but it can be worthwhile in the end when you’re earning more rewards on purchases you were going to make anyway.
Best types of credit cards for back-to-school rewards
Below are some of the best credit cards for back-to-school shopping if you’re looking for a new rewards card that offers solid value. Back-to-school shoppers and many shoppers can benefit from these cards, especially when schools provide supply lists and resources to help families prepare. Taking advantage of sales tax exemption offers during this period can also lead to significant savings.
- Flat-rate cash back cards: With the best cash back credit cards, you can often earn 1%-2% on every purchase (no bonus category tracking required). These cards can be a solid option for a parent who values simplicity when it comes to rewards.
- Bonus category cards: These types of reward cards offer up to 5% or 5X points in rotating or fixed spending categories (like Amazon, office supply, or department stores). Be sure to review your card’s current offers before you shop. Learn more about how cash back credit cards work.
- Travel rewards cards: If you’re a frequent traveler, you might prefer a card that earns travel rewards. These rewards cards let you earn points or miles you can redeem for flights, hotel stays, and more, plus other travel-related benefits. For college students, using a travel rewards card can help offset major expenses like tuition, in addition to travel costs.
Remember, back-to-school season comes and goes quickly. So, it’s important to choose a rewards card that works well for not only this shopping season but also for your year-long spending habits.
The bottom line
Whether you’re loading up on pencils and paper or you’re splurging for a new laptop or tablet, back-to-school shopping can easily put a strain on your household budget. But the season doesn’t have to cause financial stress. By taking advantage of credit card rewards you’ve already earned and making strategic decisions, you may be able to save real money this year.
Between gift card redemptions, sign-up bonuses, and smart bonus category spending, credit card rewards could go a long way toward lowering school-related costs. Consider how much you’ve already spent and how rewards can offset those expenses. And remember, the best reward redemption is the one that works for your goals—whether that’s saving money on school supplies today or saving up for a future vacation.
