If you shop Macy’s during the holiday season, then you need to know how to use Macy’s Money. It’s store credit (essentially a gift card) that you receive for spending a certain amount of money at Macy’s during annual promotions. And between Macy’s One Day Sales and Macy’s Clearance, there were plenty of plum opportunities to snag some of this promotional money during the last earning period of Dec. 7 – 14, 2023.
I’m going to walk you through how Macy’s Money works, when you should expect to see special promotions, and how to work these promotions for the maximum payout.
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1. How does Macy’s Money work?
It serves as in-store credit that you can earn when you shop during what Macy’s calls a “special earning period.”
Like with Kohl’s Cash and Old Navy Super Cash, there’s a period of time when these credits can be earned, and then a later period of time it can be redeemed. Typically the earning period is one week and then the redemption period is around 10 days, immediately following the end of the earning period.
By the way, you can use up to five of these rewards in one transaction. Macy’s will apply your money after any other promo codes.
2. When are the earning and redemption periods?
Earning periods only happen a few times each year. We recently saw one in Dec. 2023, but it isn’t ‘uncommon for them to pop up around Mother’s Day or other gift-giving seasons.
3. How will I receive my Macy’s Money?
If you shop in the store, you’ll get a physical card with your reward loaded onto it right at the cash register after you check out. If you shop online, Macy’s will send you a confirmation email soon after your purchase with your reward code.
4. Do I need to be a Macy’s Star Rewards member to earn Macy’s Money?
No. Anyone who shops during the earning periods can earn Macy’s Money. However if you’re a Star Rewards member you do get to earn points toward Star Rewards Money (a different program but one that works in a similar way) outside of those special earning periods. However, Star Rewards members only earn $10 in Star Rewards Money for every $1,000 spent. Not the best return but something is better than nothing.
In a nutshell:
- Macy’s Money = 20% cashback
- Star Rewards Money = 1% cashback
5. Can I earn Macy’s Money by requesting no-hurry shipping?
Sometimes! In the past, the retailer has offered $10 in Macy’s Money for anyone who chooses no-hurry shipping (minimum $25 on your order). Like with those designated periods, I’ve only seen the no-hurry shipping offer around Black Friday.
“No Hurry” shipping means that instead of getting your order in 3-6 days, it’ll arrive in 6-9 days. Typically there is no limit to the number of times you can place an order at Macys.com for $25 or more to get that $10.
So, instead of spending $75, split up your purchase among three separate orders and end up with $30 when you see these promotions for shipping at checkout.
6. How do you redeem it online?
If have a Macy’s account, your money will show up in your Macys.com Wallet. For those who don’t have an online account, just hold on to that email you received after your purchase, and use the code provided in the email to access your discount.
7. Can you use an expired reward?
No, once it’s expired, it’s expired, dunzo, gone. In this sense Macy’s is stingier than, say, Old Navy, who at least allows you to convert expired Super Cash into Old Navy rewards points.
8. What exclusions are there for using this “money”?
Macy’s has very few exclusions regarding how you can spend your earned money — you can’t use it on gift cards or to pay down your Macy’s credit account.
But there are several exclusions concerning how you can earn the promotional cash. Macy’s excludes the following items:
- Apple products
- Watches, jewelry, accessories
- Tech
- Macy’s Backstage
- Beauty Box subscriptions
- Gift cards
- Mattresses
- Rugs
- Furniture
9. Can I stack my earned money with Macy’s coupons?
You can, and you should. This “money” works exactly like a gift card. But while you can use up to five Macy’s Money Rewards in one transaction, you can only use one promo code (or coupon) online per order.
10. What if I want to return an item I bought using this promotional money?
You can make your return just like any other Macy’s return, but sadly you won’t get the Macy’s Money refunded to your account.
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