Smart Shoppers Who Do This Could Pocket an Extra $298 This Summer

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Whether you’re loading up on necessities for a family vacation or simply treating yourself, summer shopping doesn’t mean your wallet has to feel the burn.  

In fact, if you plan things wisely, you can find ways to pocket a little extra dough this summer — up to $298. Just follow these smart shopping tips:

1. Pocket an Extra $298 Just for Doing Your Everyday Shopping  

Shopping is part of your regular routine, whether you’re pushing a grocery cart or testing camping gear at your favorite sporting goods store. And that routine likely includes a credit card. With the Navy Federal More Rewards American Express® Card, you could pocket an extra $298 just for doing your everyday shopping. 

Every time you swipe or tap your Navy Federal More Rewards American Express® Card at the mall, the grocery store, or shopping online for plane tickets, you accumulate more points. You can earn three points for every dollar you spend at the grocery store, as well as restaurants, food delivery, gas and transit — all everyday purchases. Even other purchases, like those hiking boots you’ve been eyeing, can help you earn one point for every dollar you spend¹.  

If you spend $2,000 within 90 days of opening your account, that could translate to a whopping 20,000 bonus points, or a $200 value².  

And if you’re a regular Walmart shopper, you could benefit from a limited time offer to get a one-time $98 credit statement when you pay $49 or more for an annual Walmart+ membership³. 

That’s $298 back in your pocket this summer. 

2. Take Advantage of Seasonal Sales  

Christmas may get all the credit as peak shopping season, but summertime gives the most wonderful time of year a run for its money as the best period for taking advantage of sales. Of course, there are the famed Fourth of July sales, where you can find everything from mattresses and blenders to designer shoes for lower prices, along with special summer shopping events like Prime Day.  

However, many outlets are already looking to offload their inventory to prepare for fall with end- of-summer sales in July and August. This is prime time to snatch up deeply discounted items you’ll want for next year, like swimsuits, camping equipment, outdoor and gardening gear, as well as clothing and shoes you could even wear into the fall. You might be surprised at how much you can save this year — and into next year — just by timing your shopping splurges wisely.  

3. Think Seasonally at the Grocery Store   

To save the most money at the grocery store, think seasonally: The fruits and veggies that we most associate with summer, like peaches and melons and tomatoes, are often cheaper and fresher during this time.  

When you’re planning your meals and your grocery shopping haul for the week, you’d save more money — and savor a lot more flavor — by choosing meals based on what’s in season. You can also compare prices and sales at different supermarkets to find where you’ll get the best deals on the most goods. And, if you’re feeling adventurous, you can even do your shopping across various markets to make sure you’ve got the absolute lowest price. 

4. Book Your Hotel Stays Wisely  

Summer is also known as peak vacation season, and planning your trip can test the savvy shopper’s mettle. To keep your bill as low as it can possibly go, timing is everything. For example, try booking your domestic hotel stay on a Sunday.  

Think of it this way: Weekend vacationers are already gone, and since business travelers aren’t likely on the road during weekends, you might get a cheaper rate if you book on Sunday. Whatever you do, don’t book for a Friday, which is usually more expensive than other days of the week.  

5. Splurge Strategically  

Sometimes, you just want to live a little. And you should! But you can find a way to make your urge to splurge serve your interests better.  

Instead of indulging in a free-for-all, you should consider planning your purchases to help you earn credit card rewards and take advantage of special discounts. For instance, if your town has a restaurant week, pick one night at one establishment that perhaps you’ve wanted to try, but were held back by the regular prices. Budget ahead for the meal, and make sure you find a way to earn points for it. Your wallet and your belly will thank you.  

Bottom Line

If you’re a smart shopper, summer is a time for savings. You could even pocket nearly $300 for your efforts when you use the Navy Federal More Rewards American Express® Card. It’s easy to apply here.

The Navy Federal More Rewards American Express® Card is issued and administered by Navy Federal Credit Union. American Express is a federally registered service mark of American Express and is used by the issuer pursuant to a license.

¹Navy Federal More Rewards American Express® Cards earn 3 points for every $1 of eligible purchases made for gas, transit, restaurants, food delivery, and supermarkets, and 1 point for every $1 of other eligible purchases. Eligible purchases are purchases for goods and services, minus returns and other credits. Eligible purchases do not include fees, interest charges, balance transfers, gambling, convenience checks, cash advances, or other cash-equivalents (e.g., money orders, gift cards, prepaid cards). Merchants are assigned codes by payment networks based on what they primarily sell. We rely on this information to identify gas, transit, restaurant, food delivery, and supermarket purchases. If the purchase is not identified as a gas, transit, restaurant, food delivery, or supermarket purchase, it will not receive additional points. For example, purchases for transit that are identified as railway, ferries/water trip, taxi, limousines, bus lines, charters, tour buses, tolls, road/bridge fees, and parking/lots will receive 3 points for every $1 spent. However, purchases at restaurants located within another establishment (e.g., hotel, casino, commissary, grocery store, event venue), and purchases for gas at superstores, supermarkets, and warehouse clubs, may earn 1 point per $1 spent because they typically are not assigned codes identifying them as restaurant or gas purchases. For more information, view the More Rewards American Express® Card Program Description.

² Offer valid for cardholders issued new Navy Federal More Rewards American Express® credit card accounts. To be eligible for the 20000 points offer, you must make $2000 or more in eligible purchases within 90 days of account opening. Eligible purchases are purchases for goods and services, minus returns and other credits. Eligible purchases do not include fees, interest charges, balance transfers, gambling, convenience checks, cash advances, or other cash-equivalents (e.g., money orders, gift cards, prepaid cards). Please allow up to 8 weeks after the 90-day period for the 20000 points to post to your rewards balance. Account must be open and not in default at the time the 20000 points are scheduled to post to your rewards balance. Limit of one promotional offer at account opening. Offer valid for accounts applied for between 04/01/2025 and 01/01/2026.

³One-time statement credit of $98 when you pay $49 or more for an annual Walmart+ membership. Excludes monthly Walmart+ membership. Annual Walmart+ membership must be purchased within 1 year from More Rewards American Express® Card account opening date to receive the one-time statement credit. Please allow up to 30 days after the annual Walmart+ membership fee posts to your account for the $98 credit to post. Your annual Walmart+ membership will auto-renew annually following enrollment, and your credit or debit card on file will be charged for an additional term at the fee(s) in effect at the time. You may cancel your annual Walmart+ membership by calling Walmart Customer Care at 800-924-9206 or through your Walmart Account. Walmart is a registered trademark of Walmart Apollo, LLC.

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