Here's an example of how to stack your savings and miles. I was going to buy my son a laptop for graduation that was on sale at BestBuy.  I logged in to the AAdvantageshopping.com, selected Best Buy and that took me to the Best Buy website as normal (but you must have gotten there from the link through AAdvantageshopping site).  I purchased the computer and set for store pick up.  That meant no shipping cost, still got it same day, plus as an added bonus I just got to walk up to the counter and pick it up.  I still used my reward certificated from Best Buy's rewards program and earned points on that program for my purchase as well.  Talk about a win win!!  I paid for it with my Southwest Airlines credit card (you can use the American Airlines card or any others you have).  So I got 1 mile per dollar spent on American Airlines for going through the AAdvantageshopping website, 1 mile for each dollar spent on Southwest for using my credit card and still earned a free $10 shopping certificate at Best Buy (used my existing certificate on the purchase for extra savings.) Computer on sale for $549 - $10 Best Buy Rewards = 539 air miles on American Airlines and 539 air miles on Southwest Airlines plus earned another $10 Best Buy Reward to use on a future purchase!

Here's some fun you can have if you and your spouse both have airmile accounts.When it comes to dining, sign up  you airline credit card (such as Citibank AAdvantage) on one spouses account.  Sign up the other spouse's airline miles program on the dining program (such as AAdvantagedining) but using the same credit card.  This way one earns miles for each dollar spent and the other earns the amount of miles on the dining program.  So for example at Boston Pizza spouse one earns 1 mile for each dollar spent and the other spouse earns 4 miles for each dollar spent!  Everyone wins!  $84 check = 84 air miles for Richard and 336 air miles for me all for just going out to dinner at a place we were going to eat at anyway.

I also earn miles for my homes electricity, shopping, dining, etc.  My next mortgage I will even compare the companies that will give me air miles.  ALWAYS check often to see who has been added as a partner program.  Make sure you also join any dining and shopping programs they offer.  IMPORTANT NOTE... You can only have each credit card signed up with one dining program.  You can not set the same credit card for AAdvantagedining and Skymiles Dining. They are run by the same company.  You can set up different cards on each program if you choose though. Examples on American Airlines... Sign up for DirectTV and earn 25,000, Reliant Energy 27,000 miles for signing up and 500 miles for each month you are on the program, 7000 air miles for joining LifeLock... and much more.  You MUST join through the links on American Airlines website.

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Newest player in my savings game is Ebates.  In case the store I'm shopping at online is not on Aadvantage shopping (the main air miles account I use) then I look to see if it's on ebates.  Advantage here is that you get cash back... anywhere from 1-12%.  Every 3 months they send you a check or will deposit directly into a paypal account.  If you are looking to travel, use this like the vacation clubs of the 1950's-1970's.  Deposit checks directly into a savings account only used to save up for travel or better yet, have them deposit to paypal and don't transfer the money out till you are ready for your vacation.  It can  help pay for the few things you can't get free or discounted and still feels like you are getting an amazing deal!  Now Ebates even has some stores set up so you can earn from shopping in the store, not just online!  Signing up will get you a $10 gift card right from the start.  What can be better than that!