Can You Use Reward Points to Pay for Shipping on Holiday Orders?
See which credit card points cover holiday delivery fees and why store rewards often leave shipping to you.
Yes, you can use some reward points to pay for shipping on holiday orders. Card-linked points often cover the full checkout total, while many store rewards exclude delivery fees. Reward points here means credit card rewards or retailer loyalty credit applied toward a purchase.
Holiday orders often add rushed shipping, gift wrap, or delivery fees, so the program rules decide whether points touch those charges.
Verification note: Program terms and availability can change. This page was checked against linked sources on November 04, 2026.
Which card points cover shipping at checkout?
Amazon states that enrolled cardholders can redeem rewards for all or part of eligible Amazon.com orders, including taxes and shipping where applicable, as described in Amazon's Shop with Points details. That means points can reduce the merchandise total and the delivery charge together when the order qualifies. Chase notes that Ultimate Rewards members can redeem points for all or part of eligible orders at select partners, including taxes and shipping, with redemption values varying by partner, as explained in the Chase guide to maximizing rewards.
Enrollment, eligible items, and the partner checkout matter, so review the payment screen before placing the order.
Can you pay part of the shipping with points?
Yes, partial redemption helps when your balance does not cover the whole holiday order. You can apply available points to lower the total, then pay the rest with your card. This split approach helps with higher holiday shipping costs for fast delivery or multiple addresses.
Check the checkout summary to confirm the points amount, the remaining card charge, and the final shipping fee.
- Confirm your card is enrolled for points checkout
- Select points as payment before submitting the order
- Compare the points value against paying cash for shipping
Why do some store rewards exclude delivery?
Target states that Circle Rewards apply only to eligible merchandise or services and cannot be redeemed for taxes, shipping, delivery, or handling charges, as listed in Target's Terms and Conditions. For a holiday delivery order, points may lower the gift total but leave the shipping charge to another payment method. Starbucks reports that delivery orders placed through its app or website are not currently eligible for Rewards benefits, and those orders cannot be paid with a Starbucks Card or app wallet, according to Starbucks Delivery Help and FAQs.
A gifted drink delivery or holiday order through that channel stays outside the rewards payment path.
What should you check before you redeem?
Start with enrollment and eligibility. Card points usually require an enrolled card and an eligible retailer checkout, while store plans limit rewards to selected merchandise. Then look at value and timing.
Point values can differ by partner or redemption choice, and holiday deadlines can affect delivery options more than the points balance. If shipping is the main cost, a program that applies points to the full total will stretch further than one that covers items only. Review the checkout breakdown for shipping, tax, and fees before confirming redemption.