Buying tech doesn't have to mean spending a fortune, especially once you know how to save money at Best Buy. From price-matching to using a rewards credit card, there are plenty of ways to score a discount or rack up rewards on your next purchase.
You can use one tip or combine several to maximize your savings at this retailer, and this article explains how. Plus, if you're in the market for a new credit card, we'll point you toward the best options for shopping at this tech giant.
Key Takeaways
- Learning how to save money at Best Buy starts with registering for a My Best Buy account to access some of the retailer’s best offers, and checking the Best Buy Outlet online.
- If you’re replacing your tech, see if you can trade it in for store credit loaded onto a Best Buy gift card.
- You can also earn cash back on your purchases with a cash back rebate site or by shopping with a rewards credit card.
- The best credit card to use at Best Buy is the SimplyCash Preferred Card from American Express.
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How to save at Best Buy
This list of strategies for how to save at Best Buy can go a long way, especially if you can combine tips:
- Get a Best Buy account
- Use the price match policy
- Shop holiday and event promos
- Trade in devices
- Shop the outlet
- Get a Best Buy membership
- Shop online
- Get the newsletter
- Use cash back sites
- Convert rewards to gift cards
Sign up for a free My Best Buy account
One of the easiest tips for how to save money at Best Buy is this: Head to the Best Buy site and register for a My Best Buy account. You simply provide your name and email, choose a password, and that's it.
Once you're a member, you can track your Best Buy purchases, get exclusive deals and offers, and save your payment info to check out faster. This is one of the best ways to save the most money with very little effort.
Take advantage of Best Buy's price-matching policy
Best Buy Canada has an excellent price-matching policy as part of its Low Price Guarantee.
If an in-person or online competitor is selling an item for a lower price, Best Buy will match it. The best part is that when you buy an item at Best Buy Canada and see it go on sale for a lower price within 30 days of your purchase, Best Buy will refund the difference.
Even after you've completed your purchase, keep scanning flyers to see if the item you bought drops in price so you can get some of your money back.
Shop Best Buy on holidays and special events
As a major retailer, Best Buy has deep discounts on major sales days like Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and Boxing Day. You can usually score a mix of in-store and online sales, but check the limitations.
Some sales might be limited. For instance, once Best Buy sells all of its online doorbusters, those items might just be gone.
Trade in your old devices
If you're upgrading or replacing expensive tech, get some use out of your old devices before you pitch them. Check Best Buy's trade-in program to learn if your equipment is wanted and, if so, how much Best Buy will credit you to take it off your hands.
You can estimate the value on Best Buy's site, remove your personal data from the devices, and take them to the store. A customer service rep will take your devices and issue you a Best Buy gift card for their value.
Best Buy accepts select Apple devices, cell phones, video games, gaming consoles, laptops, tablets, smartwatches, and cameras.
Shop the Best Buy Outlet
On the Best Buy website, click on the "Outlet" tab to access deeply discounted products. A dropdown menu will appear, and you'll see:
- Open box products
- Refurbished products
- Clearance products
- Exclusive outlet offers
It's an overlooked part of the Best Buy site, for sure, but this means it's easier to find one-of-a-kind deals.
Try a Best Buy membership
Perhaps the newest and most surprising tip we have for how to save money at Best Buy is to try a Best Buy membership. This subscription program launched in 2023, and for just $19.99 per month, you'll enjoy excellent features:
- Free setup and support (even for devices you bought elsewhere)
- Discounted Best Buy Protection plans that extend the manufacturer's warranty
- Exclusive savings and benefits for things like everyday tech essentials
- 50% discount on in-home services
- No labour fees for Geek Squad repairs
- Free cloud storage and backup
- 20% discount on hardware repairs
- Free virus and data protection
This program can be particularly valuable for those who aren't tech-savvy at all.
Shop at Best Buy online and get free shipping
Live quite far from a store but want to know how to save at Best Buy? See something on sale that you want to get but don't have time to get to a store? Shop on the Best Buy website and have your items delivered for free – as long as the order is over $35 (some exclusions apply).
Just note that if you shop through a Best Buy Marketplace seller, their free shipping policy may differ from Best Buy's.
Check the top deals and sign up for newsletter savings
Best Buy no longer publishes an online flyer, but you can find top deals listed right on the retailer's home page. If Best Buy is currently running a sale, that's where you'll spot their best deals.
You can also subscribe to Best Buy's communications. They'll send you offers and notify you about sales so you don't miss out on limited-time offers.
While you're at it, subscribe to our newsletter to stay informed about the latest credit card news, sweet welcome bonuses, and other promos from Canadian financial institutions.
Use cash back sites
If you know you'll be making big purchases online, consider signing up for a cash back membership through a site like Rakuten, Great Canadian Rebates, or Swagbucks. Once you're a member, you can shop through their site's partner links to earn cash back on your purchases.
Since partners, deals, and opportunities to earn are always changing, check out each site's current cash back opportunities before buying directly from the Best Buy website.
Convert rewards into Best Buy gift cards
Got reward points hanging around? There's a good chance you can turn them into a Best Buy Canada gift card using your points from these loyalty programs:
It's not always the best value for your points, but if you have some extra points lying around, it's an easy way to make good use of them.
How to save at Best Buy – Best credit cards to use
There isn't a branded Best Buy credit card, but these are the top Canadian cards for shopping at Best Buy:
| Card name | Annual fee | Rewards | Earn Rate | Welcome Bonus | Learn More |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SimplyCash Preferred Card from American Express | $119.88 | * 4% cash back on gas and groceries * 2% cash back on all other purchases | 2.55% | 10% cash back for the first 3 months + $50 (terms) | Learn more |
| American Express Cobalt Card | $191.88 | * 5 points per $1 spent on eligible groceries and restaurants (up to $2,500 spent per month) * 3 points per $1 spent on eligible streaming services * 2 points per $1 spent on eligible gas, transit, and ride share purchases * 1 point per $1 spent on foreign currency purchases * 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases | 3.94% | Up to 15,000 bonus points (terms) | Learn more |
| National Bank World Elite Mastercard | $150 | * 5 points per $1 spent on groceries and restaurants, up to $2,500 in total spend per month (2 points after) * 2 points per $1 spent on gas, electric vehicle charging, recurring bills, and travel booked through À La Carte Rewards * 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases | 1.55% | None | Learn more |
| Rogers Red World Elite Mastercard | $0 | * Earn 2% cash back on all eligible non-U.S. dollar purchases if you have 1 qualifying service with Rogers, Fido, Comwave, or Shaw * Earn 3% cash back on all eligible purchases made in U.S. dollars * Otherwise, earn 1.5% cash back on eligible non-U.S. dollar purchases | 1.5% | None | Learn more |
| MBNA True Line Mastercard | $0 | None | 0% |  $40 GeniusCash + 0% interest on balance transfers for 12 months (terms) | Learn more |
Best for cash back: SimplyCash Preferred Card from American Express
Want a 2% discount on your Best Buy purchase? That's essentially what you're getting when you use the SimplyCash Preferred Card from American Express and earn the card's flat reward rate. There is a modest $119.88 annual fee, but the welcome bonus more than offsets it.
This Amex also has accelerated rewards for gas and groceries. Plus, you'll get Amex Offers – another way to instantly unlock savings and additional cash back when you make qualifying purchases.
Pros:
- High earn rates
- 10 types of insurance
- No income requirements
Cons:
- Cash back only paid out once per year
Best for earning rewards: American Express Cobalt Card
The American Express Cobalt Card has extra accelerated reward categories and a very high rate of return: 3.94%, the highest of any credit card in Canada. The American Express Rewards Program has several high-value redemption options too, including transfers to various partner programs.
These earn rates, plus the 10 types of insurance coverage,
are all available for a reasonable $191.88 annual fee – which is actually charged monthly at a more manageable $15.99. Access to Amex offers, Amex Experiences, Front of the Line, and The Hotel Collection round it all out.
Pros:
- Best credit card in Canada
- 10 types of insurance
- High value, flexible redemption options
Cons:
- Not as widely accepted as Visa and Mastercard
Best for purchase protection and extended warranty: National Bank World Elite Mastercard
If you're planning a big purchase at Best Buy and want extra protection, check out the National Bank World Elite Mastercard. Instead of the standard extended warranty period most credit cards offer, this National Bank card provides a 2-year warranty. You'll also get purchase protection that lasts twice as long – a full 180 days.
Cardholders also receive an annual travel fee reimbursement of $150. This can be used for anything from airport parking to airport lounge access – which this card also offers, by the way.
Pros:
- Up to 5 points per $1 spent on purchases
- Extensive travel insurance
- Annual $150 travel credit
Cons:
- No welcome bonus
Best no-fee card: Rogers Red World Elite Mastercard
There are very few World Elite Mastercards that don't charge an annual fee, but the Rogers Red World Elite Mastercard is a perfect example. This no-fee Rogers card gives 2% cash back on non-USD purchases if you have a Rogers, Fido, Comwave, or Shaw service. Making your Best Buy purchase in the States? Your USD purchase earns 3% back.
The World Elite benefits are pretty sweet too: airport lounge access through Dragonpass, access to Mastercard Priceless Experiences, and plenty of partner benefits.
Pros:
- Includes 6 types of insurance
- Redeem cash back on demand
- Includes Mastercard Travel Pass membership
Cons:
- High income requirements
Best for low interest: MBNA True Line Mastercard
×2 Award winner 
GC: $40
2x Award winner If you're worried about paying off a large Best Buy purchase, choose a credit card with a low purchase interest rate. The MBNA True Line Mastercard charges a low 12.99%, which is considerably less than the typical 20% rate.
This card also has one of the best balance transfer offers you'll find in Canada. You'll enjoy 0% interest for 12 months, with a 3% fee. This can be a huge help if you're struggling with paying off a high-interest card.
Pros:
- 12.99% purchase interest rate
- No monthly fee
- Excellent balance transfer promo
Cons:
- No rewards on purchases
How to save money at Best Buy – shop for these top items
If you're contemplating how to save money at Best Buy, we recommend heading to the "Top Deals" tab on the Best Buy site. This way, you can see all of the current offers from a single place.
Although the number and types of deals change every week, here's a great example of what you might find on the Top Deals tab:
| Item | Best Buy Advantage |
|---|---|
| Computers and tablets | * 734 deals * Deals from $8.99 to $5,499.99 |
| Appliances | * 525 deals * Deals from $14.99 to $9,441.00 |
| Audio | * 252 deals * Deals from $9.99 to $2,999.99 |
| Home living | * 207 deals * Deals from $14.99 to $8,509.00 |
| Cell phones, plans, and accessories | * 199 deals * Deals from $6.69 to $2,399.99 |
| Wearable technology | * 133 deals * Deals from $56.99 to $3,710.00 |
| Personal care and wellness | * 126 deals * Deals from $24.99 to $1,249.99 |
| Cameras, camcorders, and drones | * 99 deals * Deals from $19.99 to $5,299.90 |
| TV and home theatre | * 97 deals * Deals from $69.99 to $5,999.99 |
| Sports, recreation, and transportation | * 93 deals * Deals from $113.99 to $8,698.55 |
FAQ
Can you tell me how to save more money at Best Buy?
To save at Best Buy, watch for sales around holidays, read the sale flyers, trade in your old devices for Best Buy gift cards, use loyalty reward points for Best Buy gift cards, use rewards credit cards on your purchases, and try a Best Buy membership.
Can you negotiate prices at Best Buy?
As a big business, Best Buy doesn't typically negotiate. However, you might be able to reach an agreement on prices for open-box items or products with damaged packaging. Just keep in mind that asking for discounted prices is ultimately at the discretion of Best Buy management.
What time of year does Best Buy have the best sales?
The best time for sales depends on which items you're hoping to get, but Black Friday and Boxing Day usually have some of the lowest prices. You might also score a great sale when Best Buy runs clearance sales, usually in the spring.
What's the best credit card to use at Best Buy?
The best credit card to use at Best Buy depends on what you're looking for from your credit card or purchase. For instance, the American Express Cobalt Card is the best if you're looking for rewards, but the Rogers Red World Elite Mastercard is the best no-fee credit card to use.
Is there a Best Buy credit card?
Best Buy doesn't issue a credit card, but it does offer buy now pay later financing through Fairstone. Just apply and, if you're approved, Fairstone will break your purchase into equal payments spread over 3, 6, 12, or 18 months.
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