How to get the maximum euro value from payback points instead of wasting them on unnecessary rewards?

Almost everyone in Germany has one—the blue card in their wallet. You pull it out at the checkout, collect a few points here and there, and vaguely dream of one day redeeming them for something “great.” But by the end of the year, most points have either disappeared for an overpriced toaster in the rewards shop or, even worse, have simply expired. Disappointment is inevitable because the perceived value gain in everyday life is zero.

The standard advice is often: “Activate the coupons in the app” or “Just have the points paid out.” While not wrong, this only scratches the surface. It treats the symptoms, not the cause of the problem. The widespread assumption that Payback is a simple discount system results in 90% of its true potential remaining untapped. People collect pocket change where they could be trading foreign currency.

But what if you stopped viewing your Payback points as passive discount stamps and started seeing them as an active point currency? What if you applied the logic of a financial analyst to maximize your “data return”? This article breaks with the traditional perspective. We will show you not just how to collect points, but how to specifically multiply their value through targeted strategies, mathematical analysis, and a healthy distrust of seemingly good offers.

This guide is your strategic playbook for turning a passive collector into an active points investor. We will uncover the mechanisms that determine the value of your points, identify the critical mistakes that cost you real money, and provide you with the tools to make data-driven decisions—from the checkout belt to travel planning.

Why is a point often only worth 1 cent, but suddenly 4 cents with a miles transfer?

The most fundamental rule in the Payback universe is: one point equals one cent. This 1:1 conversion when paying out to your bank account or offsetting at the checkout is the absolute base value. It is transparent, simple, and secure. But those who stop thinking here leave the greatest value lever unused. The secret lies in the strategic conversion of your points into another “currency”: flight miles, specifically Miles & More.

This process is best described as conversion arbitrage. You exploit the value difference between two systems. While the value of a Payback point is fixed, the value of a flight mile is extremely variable. As mileage program experts confirm, a mile might only be worth 1.2 cents when redeemed for an economy flight, but can quickly rise to 4, 6, or even 10 cents per mile for a long-haul business or first-class flight. Your points, originally worth 1 cent, thus experience a massive increase in value.

In addition, there are regular promotions that make this arbitrage even more profitable. A good example is the recurring transfer bonus. For instance, until May 2025, there was a 25% bonus for conversions to Miles & More, where 4,000 Payback points suddenly became 5,000 miles. The following comparison shows the enormous spread in the potential value of 10,000 points.

Value Comparison: Payback Points vs. Miles & More Miles

Redemption Method	Value per Point/Mile	Example for 10,000 Points
Payback payout to account	1 Cent	€100
Economy flight within EU	1.2-1.5 Cents	€120-150
Long-haul Business Class	4-6 Cents	€400-600
With 25% transfer bonus	0.8 Cent purchase price per mile	€125 value at €100 cost

The decision to convert points into miles is therefore a bet on a future, high-value trip. For pure savers who prefer immediate liquidity, the 1-cent payout remains the most rational choice. For strategic collectors with travel plans, however, it is by far the most lucrative option for multiplying the value of their point currency.

The checkout error that costs you 10x points because you didn’t check the app

The biggest and most expensive mistake in the Payback system is an “unforced error”: shopping without first activating eCoupons. Many users believe that simply showing the card is enough. In reality, they are forgoing the most powerful value lever of the entire program. A standard purchase at a partner like REWE or dm often only earns one point per two euros of turnover. This corresponds to a meager discount of 0.5%.

Activated coupons, on the other hand, multiply this base rate. A “10x points” coupon effectively turns the 0.5% into a 5% discount. For larger purchases, such as electronics or furniture, the difference can amount to hundreds or thousands of points. These coupons are not nice extras; they are the core instrument for value maximization. Ignoring the app before shopping is like voluntarily paying double the price at the gas station.

Strategic use requires a simple but ironclad routine. Make it a habit to open the Payback app before you leave the house to shop—or at the latest, while standing in line at the checkout. Clicking “Activate all coupons” is often enough to ensure no opportunity is missed. It is essential to understand that these coupons may have restrictions (e.g., only for certain product groups). A quick check of the terms prevents disappointment. Ideally, planning major purchases should be coordinated with matching multiplier promotions to maximize point yield.

When is direct cashback (Shoop, etc.) better than collecting physical rewards?

The temptation is great: the Payback rewards catalog is full of shiny products, from coffee machines to suitcases. But here is a cold but important truth: almost every physical reward is a bad deal. The reason lies in the implicit conversion rate. Often, a point value is required for a reward that is far above the product’s market value when compared to the base value of 1 cent per point. Paying out to your account is almost always the mathematically smarter choice.

Taking the analysis a step further involves including pure cashback portals like Shoop, iGraal, or TopCashback in the equation. For many online purchases, especially in electronics, fashion, and travel, these portals offer percentage refunds that significantly exceed the Payback rate. A Payback partner might offer 1 point per 2 euros (0.5%), while a cashback portal for the same shop might offer 5% direct cash back. Here, the decision is clear.

Payback’s strength lies undisputed in brick-and-mortar retail, especially for groceries and drugstore items, where there are few cashback alternatives. Here, collecting, ideally with coupons, is the best strategy. For everything else, especially expensive online purchases, a direct comparison is mandatory. The following matrix serves as a strategic decision aid.

It is based on the fundamental assumption that one Payback point equals exactly one cent, giving 10,000 points a cash value of 100 euros.

Decision Matrix: Payback vs. Cashback Portals

Type of Purchase	Payback Rate	Cashback Alternative	Recommendation
Groceries at partners	1 point per €2 + coupons	No direct alternative	Use Payback
Online shopping (Electronics)	1 point per €2	Up to 5% cashback	Prefer Cashback
Travel bookings	Variable rates	3-8% cashback possible	Comparison required

The rule is: use Payback where it is unrivaled (brick-and-mortar retail) and always consider a quick check on a cashback portal for online transactions. Flexibility and the courage not to make a purchase via Payback are key to maximum savings.

Which data should you never provide in your profile, even for extra points?

Payback is not a charity. Its business model is based on collecting and analyzing customer data to enable personalized advertising. In exchange for discounts and points, we provide valuable information about our consumption behavior. That is the basic deal. However, there is a limit where the “data return”—the value of the points received relative to the sensitivity of the information disclosed—becomes disproportionately poor.

Particularly critical are voluntary details in the profile, for which a small bonus of 10 or 50 points is often promised. These typically include:

• The exact composition of the household (number of children, ages, etc.)
• Net income
• Personal interests and hobbies
• Private phone number or email address for marketing calls/newsletters

This information allows for extremely granular profiling. For a value often less than one euro, you are providing the blueprint for highly personalized advertising approaches. The decision to disclose this data should be a conscious cost-benefit analysis, not a careless hunt for a few extra points.

As expert Dr. Datenschutz emphasizes in an article, the exchange of data for discounts is the core of the system, but the user remains in control.

In exchange for a discount of approximately one percent, purchase data is analyzed for targeted advertising offers and made available to other partner companies. However, data analysis for advertising purposes can be prevented at Payback by ticking a box on the registration form.

– Dr. Datenschutz, Technical article on loyalty cards and data protection

The good news is that Payback allows users to withdraw their consent for data processing for advertising and market research at any time. A data minimalism strategy is therefore feasible. Provide only the absolutely necessary data (name, address) and refrain from voluntary information. Controlling advertising consent is the most important lever for protecting privacy without having to forego the basic functions of point collection.

How does a structured list protect you from the psychological tricks of store designers?

A supermarket is not a neutral place. Every aisle, every product placement, and every special offer island is the result of sophisticated sales psychology. The goal of store designers is to tempt you into impulse buys—purchases that often yield low points and satisfy no real need. They actively sabotage your financial efficiency and your strategy for maximizing your point currency. Your strongest defense against this is surprisingly simple: a strategically created shopping list.

An ordinary shopping list serves only the memory. A strategic shopping list, however, is a financial shield. It is created not in the store, but at home, based on two sources of information: your actual needs and the high-value coupons available in the Payback app. This approach reverses the process: you are not guided by what the store offers; you specifically steer your shopping toward products that offer you maximum value (need + high point yield).

The list forces you to make rational decisions and makes you immune to typical traps like checkout-line temptations or seductively placed novelties at the end of an aisle. It is your personal roadmap through an environment designed to lead you off course. The following checklist helps you turn your shopping list from a mere memory aid into a powerful tool for your points strategy.

This disciplined approach not only protects your budget but also ensures that every euro spent is in line with your overall strategy for maximizing the value of your points. You aren’t just shopping; you are investing purposefully.

Is the annual fee for a miles credit card worth it for the average consumer?

The world of miles credit cards is tempting. Welcome bonuses of tens of thousands of miles, insurance benefits, and lounge access sound like an exclusive upgrade. But for the “average consumer” who only travels occasionally and whose spending is manageable, a hard question arises: does the generated added value justify the often high annual fee of over 100 euros? The answer requires a cold cost-benefit analysis.

A paid miles credit card is only worth it if the value of the miles and benefits generated by the annual fee and spending exceeds the cost. You must calculate a clear break-even point. For many occasional users, this point is difficult to reach. Fortunately, there is a risk-free alternative that is often overlooked and fits perfectly into the Payback strategy: the free Payback American Express credit card.

Its decisive advantage is simple: it has no annual fee. As official Payback terms confirm, the card is permanently free. This means the cost-benefit ratio is positive from the start. You collect additional points with every euro of turnover (even outside Payback partners), which you can then strategically convert back into Miles & More. It acts as a universal points turbo without representing a financial risk. For beginners in the world of miles collection and for anyone without five-figure monthly turnovers, it is the most rational and secure choice to start the points machine without having to pay upfront.

Do “10% Extra” codes work on already reduced items and how do you find out?

One of the most advanced techniques for maximizing savings is “stacking”—the combination of different types of discounts. The gold standard is applying a percentage Payback coupon (e.g., “10% extra discount” or “15x points”) to already reduced merchandise. Whether this works is the ultimate question of smart shopping and depends heavily on the respective partner and coupon conditions.

The coupon details in the app often provide an initial clue. Phrasing like “Cannot be combined with other discount promotions” is a clear exclusion criterion. If such a note is missing, the chances are good. The fastest and most reliable way to test compatibility is the so-called “cart test”: place the reduced item in the partner shop’s online shopping cart and enter the Payback code (if it is an online coupon) in the voucher field. The system will immediately show whether the discount is deducted or an error message appears. This test costs nothing and provides a definitive answer.

Community field reports are also a gold mine. One user, for example, reported that he specifically timed the purchase of his washing machine for a week with a “15x points on electronics” coupon, which earned him thousands of extra points on the already discounted price. Such success stories show that the effort to test combinations and plan purchases strategically pays off. It is the difference between a small discount and massive savings.

How do you plan a 10-day tour of Germany without losing 30% of your time on the highway?

Maximizing Payback points and saving money are not ends in themselves. They are means to fulfill larger goals and wishes—such as an unforgettable trip free from unnecessary stress and loss of time. The same strategic and data-based mindset that makes you a points pro is also the key to an efficiently planned and thus more valuable trip.

Planning a tour of Germany without spending a large part of your precious vacation time in traffic jams requires a similar paradigm shift as point collection. Instead of simply stringing together popular destinations (the “rewards catalog” for tourists), apply an efficiency analysis. Consider not just the locations, but also the “transaction costs”—the time and energy for travel between destinations. Geographically intelligent route planning in clusters (e.g., North first, then Center) is like bundling purchases for a 10x coupon: it maximizes the yield per unit used (here: per vacation day).

Avoid “tourist physical rewards”—overcrowded hotspots with low experience value per hour invested. Instead, look for the “business class flights” among travel destinations: lesser-known places with authentic character that lie off the main traffic arteries. Use digital tools to analyze traffic flows and plan travel times anticyclically (e.g., driving late in the evening instead of Friday afternoon). Just as you check the Payback app before shopping, check the region’s event calendars before booking to avoid accidentally driving into a trade fair or folk festival with clogged streets. Efficient travel planning means maximizing the Return on Time—the most valuable asset of all.

Start today by applying this strategic mindset not just to your Payback points, but to all aspects of your financial and life planning, to reach your goals faster and more efficiently.