How I Got £695 Worth of Stuff For Absolutely Nothing
Let me open with the numbers because I think they tell the story better than anything else I could say. A Nintendo Switch 2, which retails at £395.99. A Shark CryoGlow Under-Eye LED Mask worth £299.99. Grand total of what I actually paid out of my own pocket for both of those combined: nothing. Absolutely nothing. Both came entirely from loyalty points that I had been quietly, patiently, strategically collecting while living my completely normal everyday life.
The Nintendo Switch 2: £395.99 Via Amex Gold
My Nintendo Switch 2 came entirely from points on my American Express Gold card. Amex has a rewards portal where you can redeem your accumulated points against purchases, and one of the options is to shop through linked retailers and use your points to cover the cost. I bought my Switch 2 through Argos, picked it up in store the same day, and paid nothing in cash. I previously had an Amex Platinum but moved down to Gold when the Platinum price increased to a level where the benefits no longer justified the annual fee for my lifestyle. The Gold still gives me excellent value.
The Shark CryoGlow Mask: £299.99 Via Boots Points
The Shark CryoGlow Under-Eye Cooling and LED Anti-Ageing Mask retails at £299.99 and I got it for free using Boots points that I had been saving for approximately a year. I maximised every double and triple points event, checked the app for personalised bonus point offers before every shop, and used the Boots recycling scheme which gives you points for returning old product packaging. A year of strategic saving and I walked out of Boots with a £299.99 device and an empty basket at the till. I am currently doing the exact same thing again with the Dyson Airwrap as my target.
How to Start Doing This Yourself
Think about your lifestyle first. Where does your money actually go every month? If you spend significantly on everyday purchases and travel, an Amex card is your starting point. If beauty and health is where your budget goes, Boots is your best friend. Pick one or two schemes that genuinely match how you live and focus there first.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you redeem Amex points for products?
Through the American Express rewards portal you can shop with linked retailers and use your points to cover purchases. Argos is one of the retailers available. You can also use points to pay your card balance, book hotels, or transfer to Avios.
How long does it take to save enough Boots points for something significant?
Saving consistently over around a year while shopping strategically during double and triple points periods I accumulated enough for a product worth £299.99.
What is the Boots recycling scheme?
Boots offers points in exchange for returning empty product packaging through their in store recycling points. It is a straightforward way to earn extra points on things you would otherwise just throw away.
