With all the hoopla going on with the DDD 20% off sale, let's not forget about our Borders Rewards Holiday Savings Account. Starting 11/15 (this Wednesday) and going through 1/15, it's time to treat ourself to something as a reward for, well treating ourselves to things all year. How about we use this thread to talk about what you plan to buy, suggestions for certain price ranges, and if there's any solid deals going on (as there was with the Bogart Signature Vol. 2 box not too long ago)

Don't forget, you can still use RZ coupons, either:
$10 off $35 which CAN be applied to sale items
or
30% off any purchase of $10 or more, which CANNOT be applied to sale items

BOTH scenarios allow you to use your Personal Shopping Day, AS WELL AS your holiday reward balance.

30% off ( http://www.visitborders.com )
$10 off $35 ( http://f.chtah.com/i/9/276579820/couponerewards0905.htm )

i have 23.08 ...figured i would use the 30% off coupon and get a gift for the wife for Xmas...or grab the forbidden planet tin

For the last couple of years, they have always had the Buy 3 Get 1 Free deal in January, so I'm waiting for that - if it doesn't pan out, then I'm guessing they will still have coupons.

Thinking I might wait a week for Pandora's Box to come out, despite selling at msrp, $39.99 - $10.00 - 10% - my holiday rewards = about $4.00

Stupid question, but how do you find out how much you have in your holiday account??

Log in to your account at bordersrewards.com then right on the pain page in the middle will be three listings...Total amount of purchases this month, Personal Shopping Days available, and amount in your Holiday Rewards account. You also should get an email telling you how much you have (I got one at 7 this morning)

After $10 off at Buy.com with Google and DDD, I'm spent. There's nothing left that I need. Can you carry forward?

I only have $6.10 in my account, am i able to use it? Or do you have to have a minimum or something

Is it possible to use your account balance to buy something and then return it in the form of a gift card? I'd like to use the gift card online on Amazon to pick up a few more HD-DVD titles.

You receive a gift card when you return an item without a receipt. I'm thinking of doing this, too. [$1 at Amazon > $1 at Borders, even without sales tax.]

From the bordersrewards.com FAQ

'Once your Holiday Savings Rewards Accrual reaches $10 for an accrual period, you will have a Holiday Savings Rewards Balance that represents the actual dollar value of the Holiday Savings Rewards available to you during the redemption period. The accrual period for Holiday Savings Rewards is January 1 through December 31.'

From bordersrewards.com FAQ

'...That means, if you have $35 in Holiday Savings Rewards and use $25 on November 20, you have until January 31 to redeem the remaining $10.'

Seems to suggest that you have until January 31st or it goes kaput.

Indeed it is....good thinking. I may do this as well, as there's nothing I need right now.

They are now listing the Oldboy 3 disc set at a sale price of $29.99 on their website. Assuming you can find something else to purchase for $5, using the $10 off $35 coupon along with your Holiday Savings Account makes this a bargain (I've already put it on hold at my local store).

So this means that until you reach $10, you can not redeem your savings rewards???

If not, does this year's rewards wrap into next year?

I will be picking up the new Tom Waits release.

This was a nice surprise. I didn't remember they'd be doing this. I have about $65 on one card and about $20 on another.

There's been a copy of Mon Oncle at a nearby Borders that still has the old pricing sticker on it.

Just over $10 in Holiday Rewards + 30% off $10 or more coupon = $8 and change out the door.

If you don't reach $10 in rewards, apparently the FAQ says you cannot redeem it. There is no mention about whether you can carry it over if you have under $10, but everything about the site seems to suggest "what is not spent is lost."

Correct. After Jan. 31st, whatever amount you have in your Rewards account will be forfeited. You then begin building from scratch for the 2007 holiday season.

I read a thread over in the store forum that if you participate in the e-rewards program (e-rewards.com, where you participate in surveys for psuedo-cash), Borders is now a sponsor. Apparently, they are offering the ability to transfer $15 in e-rewards to $15 in Borders Rewards Holiday Cash!

Since I didn't yet have $10 in my Borders Rewards Holiday Account this is good news!

Unfortunately, they still haven't posted the redemption link.

How do you redeem the Christmas rewards thing? Just show them my card?

Yup. I have about $60 in credit over there, and I am waiting to apply some of it to Borders. Unfortunately, I think I may only be able to redeem one $15 reward, but I don't know for sure until they establish the link. It's easy--fill out some surveys, and keep building up credit. I've redeemed for lots of free rentals at Blockbuster over the years.

Yeah when you show (or I imagine, look up) your card, the clerk should ask if you want to use your Rewards balance as you're checking out.

Link is now up at e-rewards.