How I would use 50,000 American Express Membership Rewards points (and enter to win a $100 Amex gift card!)


Thank you to everyone who has left suggestions on ways to redeem 25,000 and 50,000 American Express Membership Rewards points! It looks like electronics and travel experiences are top favorites for ways to use your points to make some great memories with your friends and family. Of course, there are over 1 million kinds of rewards in the Membership Rewards catalog to choose from, so whatever it is you and your family would love to have or do, I'm sure you'll find something in the catalog to suit your fancy.

Now, fantasy time. What would I do with 50,000 points?

1) Shred some powder. 50,000 points is more than enough to give you and your family a great day of skiing at some of the best resorts in North America. A 1-day adult pass at Mammoth Mountain is just 8,000 points, and a child pass is just 4,000 points, and a night at their Grand Sierra lodge is just 25,000 points, so a family of 4 can enjoy a ski weekend for under 50,000 points! If you don't have kids, you and a lucky friend can stay even longer: a 5-day pass is just 25,000 points. And this deal at Mammoth is good till June, so you've got lots of hours of great skiing ahead. If you don't live near California, you can also redeem your points for ski experiences in Colorado, Utah and Canada.

2) Jump for Joy. Spring has sprung, and my kids are dying to get their winter wiggles out and hop like Easter bunny! There's no better to do that than with a fun SkyWalker Trampoline. Our backyard is pretty tiny, but fortunately the Membership Express Rewards catalog offers a small-ish 8-ft. trampoline for just 40,100 points. I swear, the trampoline would be for them, not for me. If you ever catch me jumping on it, it would be only because I'm testing it for safety. All afternoon.


3) Bake up a storm. After years of indecision, I finally bought a Kitchen Aid Classic Mixer last November, and immediately wondered how I could have waited so long. It has made baking so easy and fun -- even my daughter has gotten into baking because of it! I could have cheaped out and bought a hand mixer, but I'm glad I made the investment. If only I had known that the exact same Kitchen Aid mixer was in the Membership Rewards catalog for 43,800 points! All this time I could have been treating the family to some fresh-baked dough, without spending any dough in the bank.


4) Wish my daughter a Happy Birthday. The Pea's 10th birthday was on April 6, and one of the things she really, really wanted for her birthday was an iPod Touch. She already got an iPod for her birthday last year, so we told her that getting yet another iPod device this year was not in our budget -- but if I had 50,000 points, I would have loved to put a smile on her face by redeeming those points for an iPod Touch (40,700 points for the 8GB model, 47,400 points for the 8GB model plus a $25 iTunes gift card).


5) Wish myself a Happy Mothers Day. Okay, I know I said I would be generous and spend these fantasy points on my family, but hey, if momma ain't happy, no one is, and a girl has to treat herself once in a while, right? I've never owned a really nice bag, but I could never justify spending actual money for one, so using Membership Rewards points to get one would be perfect. I could pretend to be practical and get a Kate Spade laptop bag (38,500 points), or I could justify this Kate Spade Knightsbridge Darcy bag (49,400 points) by saying I would use it forever. Pah -- who needs an excuse, I birthed three children! Bring on the Kate Spade!


Next week I'll be publishing my top 5 finds for rewards at the 75,000-point level. I know, 75,000 points might seem like a lot, but if you keep using your American Express card, you'll be there before you know it. Here are three great tips to help you earn the most Membership Rewards points you can:


1) Shop at the Membership Rewards Bonus Points Mall
When you use your American Express Card and shop via bonuspointsmall.com, not only do you get 1 point for every dollar spent, you also get 3x bonus points. You still get to shop at your favorite online retailers, but you also rack up points much faster.


2) Take advantage of Bonus earning offers
From time to time, select partners offer bonus points when you make a purchase; go to the Bonus Points Offer section to see the latest bonus points earning opportunities (up to 10x bonus points)


3) Volunteer
Helping others is its own reward, but getting points for doing is always a nice perk. When you volunteer through the Members Project® program, you can earn 500 Membership Rewards points per hour of volunteer work, up to 10,000 bonus points per year. How awesome is that? They have a database of eligible volunteer opportunities and there a bit of paperwork/red tape involved (i.e. logging hours, getting them approved, redeeming bonus points certificate) but it's probably to prevent fraud, and totally worth it. Go to TakePart.com/MembersProject for more information, to find volunteer opportunities and to register. I love, love, love American Express for providing members with such a great incentive to help their communities!







Win a $100 American Express Gift Card!
American Express is giving away a $100 American Express Gift Card to one lucky Bonggamom Finds reader!


Required Entry
Browse the American Express Membership Rewards catalog at www.membershiprewards.com , then leave a comment on this post telling me which reward(s) you would choose if you had 75,000 Membership Rewards points. This entry must be completed before you can complete any of the extra entries below.

Extra Entries
For extra entries, you can do any or all of the following (maximum of 4 extra entries for this post). Please leave a separate comment for each extra entry with a way to verify the entry (i.e. tweet link, blog post link, Facebook id, Twitter id, etc.).


1) Follow Bonggamom Finds on Blogger(1 entry).

2) Subscribe to Bonggamom Finds updates (1 entry).

3) Share the link to this post (http://ow.ly/4xK2t) on your Facebook page wall, along with the following text (1 entry):

If you had 75,000 American Express Membership Rewards points, what would *you* redeem them for? Share your answer with Bonggamom for a chance to win a $100 Amex gift card!

4) Tweet this (1 entry):
What would you do with 75k Amex rewards points? Tell @bonggafinds for a chance to win a $100 Amex gift card! http://ow.ly/4xK2t #giveaways

For more entries to this giveaway, check out post #1 and post #2 in my AmEx post series. That's a total of 15 entries, but hurry, this giveaway ends on April 14! I'll be announcing the winner of the $100 American Express gift card on post #4, coming up next week.


The Rules
This giveaway ends at 11:59PM PST on April 14, 2011; I will draw a winner at random on April 15 from all valid entries on my AmEx posts on March 28, April 4 and April 11. Winner will be announced on my April 18 AmEx post. Due to time constraints, winner will have 24 hours to respond to my email, otherwise I will draw an alternate winner. Continental US residents only. For additional giveaway rules, click here. Good luck!


Disclosure: I am being compensated for my participation in American Express' Membership Rewards Program via complimentary Membership Rewards Points. Thanks to American Express for providing the $100 American Express Gift Card giveaway prize. Information about the Membership Rewards Program has been provided by American Express and is indicated in italics. The views and opinions expressed here are my own.

84 Comments, Leave yours here:

Mami2jcn on April 11, 2011 at 10:47 AM said...

If I had 75,000 points, I'd get the
Le Creuset Cast Iron Six-Piece Set.

mami2jcn at gmail dot com

Mami2jcn on April 11, 2011 at 10:48 AM said...

I subscribe to your email updates.

mami2jcn at gmail dot com

Mami2jcn on April 11, 2011 at 10:48 AM said...

tweet:

http://twitter.com/mami2jcn/status/57500275237330944

mami2jcn at gmail dot com

Mami2jcn on April 11, 2011 at 10:49 AM said...

Shared on Facebook:

http://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=217252354959006&id=100000611160195

mami2jcn at gmail dot com

Domestic Diva on April 11, 2011 at 11:38 AM said...

I'd love the 6-piece LeCreuset set. I've been wanting a cast iron cookware set.

lovelydomesticdiva (at) gmail (dot) com

Domestic Diva on April 11, 2011 at 11:38 AM said...

I follow on gfc

lovelydomesticdiva (at) gmail (dot) com

slehan on April 11, 2011 at 2:42 PM said...

I'd get the
Nikon® COOLPIX® 14.1 Megapixel Digital Camera with Built-In Projector & 2GB SD Memory Card.
Thanks for the contest.

slehan on April 11, 2011 at 2:44 PM said...

FB share:
http://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=193189260722147&id=100000229693838

slehan on April 11, 2011 at 2:45 PM said...

http://twitter.com/slehan/status/57559749759217664

slehan on April 11, 2011 at 2:46 PM said...

subscribe email: slehandwc at gmail dot com

slehan on April 11, 2011 at 2:46 PM said...

GFC: slehan

bikeohio on April 11, 2011 at 7:34 PM said...

With 75,000 points, I would get the Specialized Crosstrail Freeroad Bike.

bikeohio on April 11, 2011 at 7:35 PM said...

I follow you on Blogger. bikeohio2010ATgmailDOTcom

bikeohio on April 11, 2011 at 7:38 PM said...

I subscribe to your e-mail updates: bikeohio2010ATgmailDOtcom.

bikeohio on April 11, 2011 at 7:39 PM said...

Shared on FB as Jay Cee: http://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=195839910457041&id=100000195939837

bikeohio on April 11, 2011 at 7:41 PM said...

http://twitter.com/bikeohio/status/57634202845319168 tweet

bayctygrl on April 11, 2011 at 8:02 PM said...

I would get the Sony 32" BRAVIA Series LCD TV Widescreen 720p HDTV

hippopurplemonkey at yahoo dot com

bayctygrl on April 11, 2011 at 8:02 PM said...

follow on blogger
hippopurplemonkey at yahoo dot com

bayctygrl on April 11, 2011 at 8:03 PM said...

subscribe to email
hippopurplemonkey at yahoo dot com

bdiane34 on April 11, 2011 at 8:04 PM said...

I would get the Nikon® COOLPIX® 14.1 Megapixel Digital Camera
sweokgrl@gmail.com

bdiane34 on April 11, 2011 at 8:04 PM said...

I am a Blogger follower
sweokgrl@gmail.com

bdiane34 on April 11, 2011 at 8:05 PM said...

I am a email subsriber
sweokgrl@gmail.com

bdiane34 on April 11, 2011 at 8:06 PM said...

I shared on FB
sweokgrl@gmail.com
http://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=208338582526940&id=100000894830549

bdiane34 on April 11, 2011 at 8:08 PM said...

I tweeted
sweokgrl@gmail.com
http://twitter.com/bdiane34/status/57641183014424576

JC on April 11, 2011 at 8:21 PM said...

I'd choose MontBlanc Meisterstuck Classique Gold-Plated Ballpoint Pen - Set of Two Pieces

JC on April 11, 2011 at 8:21 PM said...

Blogger follower

JC on April 11, 2011 at 8:21 PM said...

I'm a subscriber

JC on April 11, 2011 at 8:21 PM said...

Shared on FB@tcarolinep JessieKatie S

JC on April 11, 2011 at 8:21 PM said...

http://twitter.com/tcarolinep/status/57643871269683200

LAMusing on April 11, 2011 at 8:47 PM said...

With 75,000 points I'd book 3 nights at a Hyatt or Omni hotel - my best friend has a 50th b'day coming up - we have flight points enough to fly anywhere in the US and this would pay for the hotel!
adrianecoros(at)gmail(dot)com

LAMusing on April 11, 2011 at 8:50 PM said...

I subscribe by email
adrianecoros(at)gmail(dot)com

Anonymous said...

i would stay at the radisoon hotel- a couple of nights
tcogbill at live dot com

fostertam on April 12, 2011 at 9:31 AM said...

I would start with the Karcher 1850 PSI Electric Pressure Washer--I've always wanted one for the house and I would use the balence to buy some tickets to Shrek the Musical--its coming to ORlando.

fostertam on April 12, 2011 at 9:34 AM said...

Following on Blogger

fostertam on April 12, 2011 at 9:36 AM said...

fostertam22 (at) yahoo (dot) com is an email subscriber

fostertam on April 12, 2011 at 9:39 AM said...

http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/lisa.s.foster/posts/10150159816283270

FB share

fostertam on April 12, 2011 at 9:40 AM said...

http://twitter.com/#!/fostertam/status/57845470336266240

BethElderton on April 12, 2011 at 4:36 PM said...

If I could spend 75,000 points I'd get my husband the
Nikon® COOLPIX® 10.1 Megapixel Digital Camera with 7.1x Wide-Angle Optical Zoom & 2GB SD Memory Card
for 71,360 points--it's regularly 89,200! (I'm looking for bargains even in fantasy spending!)
bethelderton59 at gmail dot com

BethElderton on April 12, 2011 at 4:39 PM said...

tweet:
http://twitter.com/#!/mbm218/status/57950552851628032
bethelderton59 at gmail dot com

GoldenOrchard on April 12, 2011 at 4:55 PM said...

I'd choose Canon Wireless Inkjet All-In-One Photo Printer Package with Full HD Movie Print

goldengoddiss09(at)gmail(dot)com

GoldenOrchard on April 12, 2011 at 4:56 PM said...

Bongamom email subscriber

goldengoddiss09(at)gmail(dot)com

abitnerdy on April 12, 2011 at 5:08 PM said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
abitnerdy on April 12, 2011 at 5:30 PM said...

I would <3 to redeem 75K points for the bose headphones and ipod nano or a luxurious night at the wynn's parlor suite! :D

abitnerdygirl @ gmail dot com

abitnerdy on April 12, 2011 at 5:31 PM said...

I follow Bonggamom on Blogger as 'abitnerdy' :)

abitnerdygirl at gmail dot com

abitnerdy on April 12, 2011 at 5:32 PM said...

I subscribe Bonggamom Finds updates via this e-mail

abitnerdygirl at gmail dot com

abitnerdy on April 12, 2011 at 5:32 PM said...

I shared the msg and link on facebook! :)

abitnerdygirl at gmail dot com

abitnerdy on April 12, 2011 at 5:33 PM said...

I tweeted the msg! http://twitter.com/abitnerdy/status/57964455409106945

abitnerdygirl at gmail dot com

Crystal said...

i like the Concerts, live events, and sporting tickets from Ticketmaster

cyclona66 at aol dot com

Cori Westphal on April 13, 2011 at 7:09 AM said...

I'd get the Apple iPod® Touch - 64GB with $25 iTunes Gift Card! Awesome!

coriwestphal at msn dot com

Cori Westphal on April 13, 2011 at 7:10 AM said...

I'm a Google Friend (follower): Cori Westphal

coriwestphal at msn dot com

Cori Westphal on April 13, 2011 at 7:10 AM said...

Tweet: http://twitter.com/coriwestphal/statuses/58170189199577089

coriwestphal at msn dot com

Melissa O. on April 13, 2011 at 8:03 AM said...

I would get two of the iPod 8th nanos with $25 iTunes giftcards for my two oldest!

Sonya Cocherell on April 13, 2011 at 8:40 AM said...

I would get 3- $100 GC and bank the rest of the points

Sonya Cocherell on April 13, 2011 at 8:42 AM said...

I follow you via GFC as Sonya

Sonya Cocherell on April 13, 2011 at 8:42 AM said...

I'm an e-mail subscriber,

Tina on April 13, 2011 at 5:37 PM said...

I'd get the restaurant gift cards
merleandtina@yahoo.com

Tina on April 13, 2011 at 5:38 PM said...

http://twitter.com/#!/HappyTina0115/status/58328132926717952
merleandtina@yahoo.com

Tina on April 13, 2011 at 5:38 PM said...

subscribe via email
merleandtina@yahoo.com

Tina on April 13, 2011 at 5:39 PM said...

follow you on blogger
merleandtina@yahoo.com

Cujo hmb on April 13, 2011 at 7:50 PM said...

With 50,000 points, I would get the Sony 32" BRAVIA Series LCD TV Widescreen 720p HDTV.

hmb@fortaj.com

Cujo hmb on April 13, 2011 at 7:52 PM said...

Cujo (HMB99) follows you on Blogger (is that the same as GFC?)

hmb@fortaj.com

Cujo hmb on April 13, 2011 at 7:53 PM said...

email subscriber

hmb@fortaj.com

Cujo hmb on April 13, 2011 at 7:54 PM said...

facebook share -http://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=194855923883237&id=100001107597416

hmb@fortaj.com

Cujo hmb on April 13, 2011 at 7:56 PM said...

http://twitter.com/#!/HMB99/status/58362726161985536 - tweet

hmb@forrtaj.com

kilda on April 14, 2011 at 9:02 AM said...

I'd pick the Lagos Gold Station Beaded Earrings for 71,400 Points
eagjolly at gmail dot com

kilda on April 14, 2011 at 9:03 AM said...

I follow on google friend connect/blogger
eagjolly at gmail dot com

kilda on April 14, 2011 at 9:03 AM said...

I subscribe by email
(at ajolly1456 at gmail dot com)

Cori Westphal on April 14, 2011 at 1:53 PM said...

Tweet: http://twitter.com/coriwestphal/statuses/58633918907301888

coriwestphal at msn dot com

Matty and Sarabeth on April 14, 2011 at 3:15 PM said...

I would get the Dyson DC24 Animal Vacuum by Dyson.

mattyandsarabeth(at)gmail(dot)com

Matty and Sarabeth on April 14, 2011 at 3:17 PM said...

Email subscriber

mattyandsarabeth(at)gmail(dot)com

Matty and Sarabeth on April 14, 2011 at 3:18 PM said...

Tweeted: http://twitter.com/#!/MattyNSarabeth/status/58655321295556609



mattyandsarabeth(at)gmail(dot)com

Matty and Sarabeth on April 14, 2011 at 3:20 PM said...

Shared on fb (Matty N' Sarabeth): http://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=123151281095825&id=100002264820400

mattyandsarabeth(at)gmail(dot)com

Lois on April 14, 2011 at 4:09 PM said...

Hi and Happy Thursday! :) Well, it says I could use them to shop at Amazon, so amazon.com, here I come! :) I'd put in preorders for all the books I have on my list for the rest of the year, go for ones that are used in my wish list, maybe finally get those binoculars I keep looking at for astronomy! :)

Lois
OV_099@yahoo.com

Lois on April 14, 2011 at 4:09 PM said...

and already an email follower...

Lois
OV_099@yahoo.com

Lois on April 14, 2011 at 4:10 PM said...

and already following by GFC too! :)

Lois
OV_099@yahoo.com

Nadi on April 14, 2011 at 5:17 PM said...

I would get the Bulova Ladies' Diamond Bracelet Watch! So gorgeous!

treflea4 at gmail dot com

Nadi on April 14, 2011 at 5:18 PM said...

I subscribe via email

treflea4 at gmail dot com

Nadi on April 14, 2011 at 5:18 PM said...

I follow with GFC

treflea4 at gmail dot com

Heather! on April 15, 2011 at 7:23 AM said...

I would ensure my husband and I have at least a few good date nights by choosing the AMC Theatres reward pack and a few dinners at LongHorn Steakhouse and the Olive Garden. Wow...those sound like fun dates, and it IS Friday...hmmm...! :)

Thanks!
h4schaffer at gmail dot com

Heather! on April 15, 2011 at 7:23 AM said...

I follow via Blogger.
h4schaffer at gmail dot com

Heather! on April 15, 2011 at 7:24 AM said...

I subscribe via email.
h4schaffer at gmail dot com

Heather! on April 15, 2011 at 7:25 AM said...

I shared on Facebook!

http://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=211532138875694&id=100000567286198

h4schaffer at gmail dot com

Heather! on April 15, 2011 at 7:26 AM said...

I tweeted!
http://twitter.com/#!/hybroanglid/status/58898765288980480

h4schaffer at gmail dot com

bonggamom on May 5, 2011 at 10:16 AM said...

Thanks to everyone for entering! Congratulations to the winner: #248 from post #1, cmacaran!

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