Seasonal online sales have become some of the biggest shopping events of the year, drawing in millions of consumers eager to score major discounts. Promotions like summer sales, graduation season-related sales, year-end clearance events, or mid-year flash sales can be the perfect opportunity to stretch your budget further. For savvy shoppers, seasonal sales are a way to unlock more value and secure high-quality products at a fraction of their regular cost.

However, not all sale prices are as great as they seem. It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement, which can lead to unnecessary impulse buys or missed opportunities for better deals. Without a clear plan, you might end up overspending or falling for tactics like artificial markdowns that make discounts look more significant than they really are.

To truly make the most of seasonal online sales, you need a strategic approach for shopping. These tactics can help you shop smarter and get the best possible value for your money:

1) Shop with a Cashback and Rewards Credit Card

A discount at checkout isn’t the only way to save money when shopping online. If you use a good credit card for online shopping, you can earn something back on every purchase and make seasonal sales even more worthwhile.

Many credit cards offer benefits like cashback, points, or exclusive discounts when shopping with partner merchants. Some even provide additional perks such as extended warranties or purchase protection for extra peace of mind.

If you’re looking to maximize your rewards, consider using a card like the Landers Cashback Everywhere Credit Card, which lets you earn at least 1% on all qualified purchases, including sale items. Stack these benefits with seasonal discounts and you’ll effectively get double the value on your spending.

2) Plan Ahead and Make a Wish List

Seasonal sales are fast-paced, and the best deals often sell out quickly. If you wait until the last minute to decide what to buy, you might end up scrambling and making rushed purchases that aren’t the best value.

Create a wish list ahead of time to focus your spending. If you list the items you genuinely need or have been eyeing for a while, you can more easily avoid impulse buying and instead make purchases that actually align with your priorities. Some online retailers even allow you to save items in a wish list, so it’s easier to track price changes and add them to your cart the moment a sale goes live.

3) Sign Up for Newsletters and Alerts

Some of the best deals never make it to the general public—they’re sent exclusively to email subscribers or app users before a sale even begins. Not signing up for a retailer’s newsletter or promotional alerts could lock you out of early access discounts or limited-time offers.

The best way to stay ahead of the game? Sign up for email updates from your favorite stores at least a few weeks before a major sale event. You can create a separate email address just for promotional updates if you’re worried about cluttering your inbox. This way, you’ll have all your sale-related alerts in one place without overwhelming your primary email account.

4) Compare Prices across Multiple Retailers

A discount isn’t always as great as it seems—especially if another store is offering the same product for even less. Prices can vary significantly across different retailers, and some may inflate original prices to make discounts appear larger than they actually are.

Before making a purchase, take the time to compare prices from multiple sellers. Many online tools and browser extensions can help track price history and alert you to price drops. Some retailers also offer price matching, a feature that allows you to request a lower price if you find a better deal elsewhere.

5) Stack Discounts and Promo Codes

One discount is good, but combining multiple savings opportunities is even better. A number of retailers allow customers to apply multiple discounts—such as sale markdowns, promo codes, and cashback offers—on the same purchase. Look for promo codes before checking out so that you can maximize your savings on each one.

Some stores send exclusive coupons to subscribers, while others partner with cashback apps or browser extensions that automatically apply the best available discounts. You can also check whether the store allows stacking discounts with loyalty rewards or free shipping codes. With the right combination, you can significantly reduce the final cost of your purchase.

6) Be Mindful of Return Policies

Not every sale item is a good deal, especially if you can’t return it later. Some retailers enforce stricter return policies on discounted items, such as shorter return windows, restocking fees, or final sale restrictions.

Before completing your purchase, review the return policy carefully. If you’re buying clothing or electronics, check whether the store offers free returns or exchanges in case the item doesn’t meet your expectations.

7) Avoid Impulse Purchases

A big red discount tag doesn’t always mean you need the item. Sales are designed to make shopping feel urgent and encourage shoppers to buy quickly before deals disappear. But acting on impulse can lead to unnecessary spending on things you didn’t plan to buy in the first place.

Stick to your wish list and budget so as not to purchase anything you might regret later. In the face of deals that look especially tempting, take a step back and ask yourself if you truly need the item or if it just looks appealing in the moment. A good rule of thumb is to wait a few hours—or even a day—before finalizing your purchase. Anything you feel that you might still want after the initial excitement fades is likely a worthwhile buy.

Seasonal online sales can be a great way to save money, but only if you shop with a plan. Remember that the best deals aren’t just about discounts—they’re about making thoughtful choices that add real value to your spending. Be strategic with your purchases so you can maximize your savings while avoiding the most common shopping pitfalls.