Amazon’s Kindle Rewards program is a unique way for readers to earn Kindle points when they purchase Kindle books. These points can be redeemed for reward credits to save money on next book purchases.
There are various terms and conditions associated with the reward system, but in this Guide I have simplified it for you, So you can make the most of it.
How to earn Kindle Points?
To earn Kindle Points you have to buy Kindle Books. For every $1 spent you earn 3 Kindle Points. If the book is Paperback (printed book) then you earn 1 point per dollar spent.
- Kindle eBooks – 3 points per $1 spent
- Paperback books – 1 point per $1 spent
Previously, Amazon’s Reward Program offered 5 points per dollar for Kindle books and 2 points per dollar spent for paperbacks. Amazon has now reduced the points reward for the Reward Program, making it less beneficial.
Excluded items
But if you buy digital and print newspaper, magazines, textbooks, comiXology unlimited, kindle unlimited, audible and kindle vella you don’t earn any points. These are excluded.
Special Offers
Amazon occasionally gives limited time offer to earn double points or triple points when buying books. During these promotions also called Double Points Days or Triple Points Days, you can earn maximum of 9 Kindle points for every $1 spent on Kindle eBooks. These offers makes it easier to earn Kindle Points.
You can redeem Kindle Points once you get a 300 total points. This means, you have to buy a lot of books to get the benefits of this Kindle Points. This is particularly beneficial for bookworms who buys books very frequently.
Now, that we know how to earn Kindle Points lets talk about how to redeem these points.
How to redeem Kindle Points?
You have to have 300 Points to redeem them. You get $3 as reward credit per 300 points. So, to earn $3 you have to spend 300/3 = $100.To sum it up, per $100 you spent you get $3. But if you shop during offers like Double Points day, it becomes 300/6 = $50. You earn $3 per $50 spent on books. This way it is much easier to reach the 300 points threshold. Once you reach 300 points, you need to go to the redeem page and collect the reward credit.
Under the old system it had more benefits as the points were doubled. You only had to spend $60 to earn a $3 reward. On double points day it was $30. The good old days when earning reward was easier.
Here comes the Plot twist – The Downsides Of Kindle Points
Point Expiry
These Kindle points actually expires after 3 months. Earlier it was 6 months but Amazon reduced it to half. For infrequent buyers this short duration makes it harder to collect enough points to redeem. So, that’s kind of not good.
Reward Credit Expiry
The second downside is even after you redeem the points, you only have 30 days to use the credit, after that it will expire. For example, The $3 reward credit expires in just 30 days. So, that’s another problem. Come on Amazon, you should either extend the validity or make these points not expire at all.
Tips to Maximize Kindle Points
Buy during promotional days
Keep an eye for Double Points day or another offer to get more points for same purchase.
Plan your purchase
Group your book purchases within the same timeframe to collect points before they expire.
Use Credit on time
Always spend your reward credits within 30 days to avoid losing them.
Conclusion
The Kindle Points are a good system from Amazon for readers even though there are some limitations like – short expiry periods. Now not only have the points been reduced, but their validity has also been halved. They just made it worse, that’s a very big difference, and it’s definitely not good for users. If Amazon extends the validity of points and rewards, this program could become more beneficial for readers. It’s Still a good system if you use it wisely.