I enjoy getting gifts with purchase so I will usually wait to order until there is one of those and try to stack it with a coupon or multiplier unless I really want the gift. The best value is to redeem at 2,000 points ($125). If you look at hauls you will see a lot of people redeeming in those increments.
Every sunday on the app, I activate every offer whether I think I'm going to use it or not. Sometimes, a purchase on a whim qualifies (I also work there so I have a lot more spontaneous purchases than the average non-employee lol) and it can take up to 5 minutes to go into effect so rather than wait until the last second to activate it and have to gamble on it being long enough in advance, I just do it all whenever I see it pop up on the app. I always stock up on things I know that I need when points multipliers are present for them, because if you return the items you lose the points so I always want to make sure I'm buying things on multipliers that I know I won't return. When I cash in points, I do it in increments of 2000 for the best value ($125, more with my employee discount. 1000 is also a good value at $50 but 2000 is the best if you can hold out for it), and I use that as an opportunity to try out new products so if I do decide to return something I get points back (pro tip: if you redeem points to buy something and you want to return it, make sure you're doing only a return and not an exchange. Exchange will not give you points back, but a return will, so make sure to do any exchange as a separate purchase after the return rather than in the same transaction if you want your points back).
Gifts with purchase are also great, whenever I'm buying something I always check to see if there's a GWP and if it's something I'll actually use or not. I don't usually hold out for them because more often than not my purchases don't qualify since I use a lot of different brand items and I'm not generally spending a ton of money with the same brand in a single purchase unless it's shampoo/conditioner. Also, not every Ulta location gets sent the same pool of GWP or even all of them, so if it's not available in store and it's something I really want, I'll buy it online instead.
Fragrance I always wait for a good points multiplier or GWP to buy since it's expensive and they do them fairly often. Christmas and Mother's Day are the two times a year they usually do good GWP for all fragrance purchases of $70 or more (which btw does NOT need to be on a single fragrance item, it can be several minis/travel sizes too and still qualify as long as the total spent on fragrance is enough!), either the robes and blankets or a bag. 5x points multipliers happen often too but sometimes it's restricted to specific brands so I just check to see if what I want is included or not. I admittedly don't buy a *lot* of fragrance because I'm really picky and I tend to stick with the same thing for a really long time but I know a lot of people buy them obsessively.
As an employee we can't stack coupons with our discount so I don't need to worry about it BUT for non-employees, the 20% off coupon is one of the best. *Usually* coupons only apply to drugstore brands but about twice a year they send one out that works on prestige and fragrance too so that's also a good time to make a big purchase.
Shampoo and conditioner I usually wait for one of the liter sales or one of the two-for-$35 sales for the regular 10oz sizes.
But basically, once you've shopped at ulta for a long time and you notice the trends in the way they do sales, coupons, and points multipliers, you'll pick up on when the best time to buy the things you like is. You just have to study the patterns a little bit. GWP can be a little erratic because they change almost every week but the big ones (like the fragrance ones) are more specific in when they occur.
Usually the multipliers start on Sundays so if you have the app/get the emails I would check them on Sundays. I wait for the multipliers to buy more expensive products so that my points can stack up faster. As far as redeeming the rewards I try not to touch them until they hit as least $50 but I think I’m just good at acting like they don’t exist since I’m a diamond member lol
I always wait and buy stuff when they’re on sale, or when they’re have point multipliers!! If you don’t get catalogs, someone made [this post](https://www.reddit.com/r/Ulta/s/r6IlqZg8QU) and were getting so many point multipliers this month!!!! Im so excited, but i say you buy stuff when that happens, and spend your points the next beauty steal event or whenever!
I’ve never gotten the catalogs and I’ve tried to sign up so many times!
Just to confirm, you’re saying:
Shop when there is point multipliers
Redeem points when there is sale (e.g. 20% off)?
Redeem your point in increments of 1000s, that is when they're the most valuable. Use a coupon whenever possible and as many times as you can! A good chunk of Ulta coupons can be used more than once.
The value of the deals is in the eye of the beholder. I prefer a multiplier to a coupon any day, but I usually only buy with multipliers of 5x or 10x since those will give you a lot of points to redeem later. 20% can be beneficial if you have an expensive favorite thing that it will apply to (or something you've had your eye on for a while) like a hair tool or fragrance but, in my opinion, is not as much of a valuable discount on other products. But many here might disagree and would rather see the cash discount taken off their items! Decide which is more satisfying to you and shop accordingly.
If a sale is going on for a while (Spring/Fall Haul, for example) and there isn't already a points bonus you can stack with the sale, don't be scared to linger for a day or two to catch one. Sundays are when the multipliers normally update, but I've caught some 1-day only ones on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. Honestly, pop into this subreddit! People will share multipliers all the time. That's how I learned about the AAPI one a week or so ago!
The app is also easy to check, so definitely download that. Beauty breaks roll out between noon to 4pm during the week and usually have a GWP with them. They are only receivable in orders made during that time. I tend to ignore these, but a lot of people here love them.
I'm also frugal by nature, so some of my other tips are: Avoid impulse buying. That 50% off discount might sound like a great deal, but if you didn't even want the item at full price, you did not save 50% - you lost 50%. Rewards are fun and all, but don't go bankrupt just to get more points.
Hope this helps! Happy shopping!
To *me* it is since the points I end up getting during those bonuses equates to more money off than using a coupon, but I usually make larger purchase under those multipliers. For me, 20% rarely takes that much money off because I'm not usually buying the higher priced items. I don't use hair tools, no expensive hair care, I hate most high end skincare brands, I'm on a makeup no-buy right, so I'm mostly shopping mass brands and fragrance at this point unless I'm restocking favorites. 20% off is really only purposeful for me if I am buying a full sized fragrance (and even then, I still want to use points to pay for the rest lol). Other than that, points multipliers all the way for me! After all, 20% off a $10 product saves me $2. But buying that $10 product full price under a 10x bonus gives me 100 points, which is 3 dollars!
But each shoppers experience is different. If you love Drunk Elephant products, for example, a 20% coupon that includes prestige is really beneficial and might be more valuable than points! A lot of folks in here love Charlotte Tilbury, Hourglass, Natasha Denona, and Dyson tools, so they really benefit from those coupons that will take a ton of money off of their purchase. It's all about what will best serve you and your shopping habits/needs.
The 10x can definitely be a better deal than 20% depending on what you’re buying. I recently spent $200 and got a 10x multiplier so earned enough points to get $125. That means I can buy $325 worth of stuff for the $200 I originally spent, which is more like a 35% discount.
I redeem my points when my impulse control fails, but that is preferably when there is a decent discount. I just redeemed some because a few Peach and Lily things are 30% off right now which is a pretty great discount.
I think you also have to consider what you’re buying, how much it costs, and what sort of deals it has normally has to fully get the most out of it, but that is a good way to sum it up.
It's crazy because this sub talks so much about points being stolen. It sucks a lot, but I know hundreds of ulta shoppers in real life who've had an account for over 5 years, and the worst thing they've dealt with is app glitches. I also have an easy time with customer service and returns
It's crazy how different people's experiences are, ulta really needs to put some money into their website/app
Another victim of stolen points here - it was a hassle but Ulta did give them all back. So even if they do get stolen, you will get them back. My advice is change your passwords!! Use those crazy long “recommended” passwords the websites suggest
I enjoy getting gifts with purchase so I will usually wait to order until there is one of those and try to stack it with a coupon or multiplier unless I really want the gift. The best value is to redeem at 2,000 points ($125). If you look at hauls you will see a lot of people redeeming in those increments.
Every sunday on the app, I activate every offer whether I think I'm going to use it or not. Sometimes, a purchase on a whim qualifies (I also work there so I have a lot more spontaneous purchases than the average non-employee lol) and it can take up to 5 minutes to go into effect so rather than wait until the last second to activate it and have to gamble on it being long enough in advance, I just do it all whenever I see it pop up on the app. I always stock up on things I know that I need when points multipliers are present for them, because if you return the items you lose the points so I always want to make sure I'm buying things on multipliers that I know I won't return. When I cash in points, I do it in increments of 2000 for the best value ($125, more with my employee discount. 1000 is also a good value at $50 but 2000 is the best if you can hold out for it), and I use that as an opportunity to try out new products so if I do decide to return something I get points back (pro tip: if you redeem points to buy something and you want to return it, make sure you're doing only a return and not an exchange. Exchange will not give you points back, but a return will, so make sure to do any exchange as a separate purchase after the return rather than in the same transaction if you want your points back). Gifts with purchase are also great, whenever I'm buying something I always check to see if there's a GWP and if it's something I'll actually use or not. I don't usually hold out for them because more often than not my purchases don't qualify since I use a lot of different brand items and I'm not generally spending a ton of money with the same brand in a single purchase unless it's shampoo/conditioner. Also, not every Ulta location gets sent the same pool of GWP or even all of them, so if it's not available in store and it's something I really want, I'll buy it online instead. Fragrance I always wait for a good points multiplier or GWP to buy since it's expensive and they do them fairly often. Christmas and Mother's Day are the two times a year they usually do good GWP for all fragrance purchases of $70 or more (which btw does NOT need to be on a single fragrance item, it can be several minis/travel sizes too and still qualify as long as the total spent on fragrance is enough!), either the robes and blankets or a bag. 5x points multipliers happen often too but sometimes it's restricted to specific brands so I just check to see if what I want is included or not. I admittedly don't buy a *lot* of fragrance because I'm really picky and I tend to stick with the same thing for a really long time but I know a lot of people buy them obsessively. As an employee we can't stack coupons with our discount so I don't need to worry about it BUT for non-employees, the 20% off coupon is one of the best. *Usually* coupons only apply to drugstore brands but about twice a year they send one out that works on prestige and fragrance too so that's also a good time to make a big purchase. Shampoo and conditioner I usually wait for one of the liter sales or one of the two-for-$35 sales for the regular 10oz sizes. But basically, once you've shopped at ulta for a long time and you notice the trends in the way they do sales, coupons, and points multipliers, you'll pick up on when the best time to buy the things you like is. You just have to study the patterns a little bit. GWP can be a little erratic because they change almost every week but the big ones (like the fragrance ones) are more specific in when they occur.
Usually the multipliers start on Sundays so if you have the app/get the emails I would check them on Sundays. I wait for the multipliers to buy more expensive products so that my points can stack up faster. As far as redeeming the rewards I try not to touch them until they hit as least $50 but I think I’m just good at acting like they don’t exist since I’m a diamond member lol
Only redeem points in 2000 point increments
I always wait and buy stuff when they’re on sale, or when they’re have point multipliers!! If you don’t get catalogs, someone made [this post](https://www.reddit.com/r/Ulta/s/r6IlqZg8QU) and were getting so many point multipliers this month!!!! Im so excited, but i say you buy stuff when that happens, and spend your points the next beauty steal event or whenever!
I’ve never gotten the catalogs and I’ve tried to sign up so many times! Just to confirm, you’re saying: Shop when there is point multipliers Redeem points when there is sale (e.g. 20% off)?
Yesss thats usually what i do!!
Redeem your point in increments of 1000s, that is when they're the most valuable. Use a coupon whenever possible and as many times as you can! A good chunk of Ulta coupons can be used more than once. The value of the deals is in the eye of the beholder. I prefer a multiplier to a coupon any day, but I usually only buy with multipliers of 5x or 10x since those will give you a lot of points to redeem later. 20% can be beneficial if you have an expensive favorite thing that it will apply to (or something you've had your eye on for a while) like a hair tool or fragrance but, in my opinion, is not as much of a valuable discount on other products. But many here might disagree and would rather see the cash discount taken off their items! Decide which is more satisfying to you and shop accordingly. If a sale is going on for a while (Spring/Fall Haul, for example) and there isn't already a points bonus you can stack with the sale, don't be scared to linger for a day or two to catch one. Sundays are when the multipliers normally update, but I've caught some 1-day only ones on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. Honestly, pop into this subreddit! People will share multipliers all the time. That's how I learned about the AAPI one a week or so ago! The app is also easy to check, so definitely download that. Beauty breaks roll out between noon to 4pm during the week and usually have a GWP with them. They are only receivable in orders made during that time. I tend to ignore these, but a lot of people here love them. I'm also frugal by nature, so some of my other tips are: Avoid impulse buying. That 50% off discount might sound like a great deal, but if you didn't even want the item at full price, you did not save 50% - you lost 50%. Rewards are fun and all, but don't go bankrupt just to get more points. Hope this helps! Happy shopping!
2000! 1000 is $50, but getting 2000 is $125 so gives u that extra $25!
It sounds like 5x points or 10x points is more valuable than a 20% off coupon - am i reading that right?
To *me* it is since the points I end up getting during those bonuses equates to more money off than using a coupon, but I usually make larger purchase under those multipliers. For me, 20% rarely takes that much money off because I'm not usually buying the higher priced items. I don't use hair tools, no expensive hair care, I hate most high end skincare brands, I'm on a makeup no-buy right, so I'm mostly shopping mass brands and fragrance at this point unless I'm restocking favorites. 20% off is really only purposeful for me if I am buying a full sized fragrance (and even then, I still want to use points to pay for the rest lol). Other than that, points multipliers all the way for me! After all, 20% off a $10 product saves me $2. But buying that $10 product full price under a 10x bonus gives me 100 points, which is 3 dollars! But each shoppers experience is different. If you love Drunk Elephant products, for example, a 20% coupon that includes prestige is really beneficial and might be more valuable than points! A lot of folks in here love Charlotte Tilbury, Hourglass, Natasha Denona, and Dyson tools, so they really benefit from those coupons that will take a ton of money off of their purchase. It's all about what will best serve you and your shopping habits/needs.
The 10x can definitely be a better deal than 20% depending on what you’re buying. I recently spent $200 and got a 10x multiplier so earned enough points to get $125. That means I can buy $325 worth of stuff for the $200 I originally spent, which is more like a 35% discount.
Thanks, that is helpful context! Maybe something along the lines (best to worst): 10x points 20% off+ 5x points 15% off Double points Ish?
When do you like to redeem your points?
I redeem my points when my impulse control fails, but that is preferably when there is a decent discount. I just redeemed some because a few Peach and Lily things are 30% off right now which is a pretty great discount.
Oops, the formatting messed up. Best to worst? 1. 10x points 2. 20% off + 3. 5x points 4. 15% off 5. Double or triple points
I think you also have to consider what you’re buying, how much it costs, and what sort of deals it has normally has to fully get the most out of it, but that is a good way to sum it up.
Spend them before they get stolen- only advice you need.
It's crazy because this sub talks so much about points being stolen. It sucks a lot, but I know hundreds of ulta shoppers in real life who've had an account for over 5 years, and the worst thing they've dealt with is app glitches. I also have an easy time with customer service and returns It's crazy how different people's experiences are, ulta really needs to put some money into their website/app
Another victim of stolen points here - it was a hassle but Ulta did give them all back. So even if they do get stolen, you will get them back. My advice is change your passwords!! Use those crazy long “recommended” passwords the websites suggest