Shop: Amazon Japan, HMV Japan, CDJapan Points System Comparison

Updated on 5 February 2009 to reflect HMV Japan points system changes.

The nice thing about shopping at Amazon Japan, HMV Japan and CDJapan, you get points for buying most of the products that are on sale.

CDJapan is in English. For HMV Japan and Amazon Japan, I usually browse and search for items in Japanese as it returns better search results. If you get stuck, just turn on the English language option to view the terms. Amazon Japan offers a points system too but I don’t buy from them as often.

This is a value-per-yen guide to the points systems of Amazon Japan, CDJapan and HMV Japan.

Amazon Japan
You earn 0.01 points for every 1 Yen spent. They list the points you’ll earn very clearly on every item detail page. So far, only selected CDs would earn you points but most books would.

After you’ve earned your points, you can login to your account to see it. Pending points become confirmed points after shipment date if you paid by credit card.

You can apply the points you earned in any amount during checkout.

Tip 1: Amazon Japan carries a fantastic selection of BLCDs, manga etc which you sometimes can’t find in the other two stores mentioned here. Pity about the much lower value for points per dollar spent and the more expensive shipping charges.

CDJapan
You earn 0.03 points for every 1 Yen spent. Their points system is fairly straightforward and they list the points you’ll earn very clearly on every item detail page and during checkout.

You can apply the points you earned in multiples of 100 during checkout.

Tip 1: New members get a welcome 300 points (I can’t remember the expiration date :P ).

Tip 2: Register your birthday and you get 300 points yearly during your birthday month (expires in 1 year).

HMV Japan (updated 5 February 2009)
The points are calculated differently from CDJapan. Generally, every 100 Yen spent will earn you 1 point. Occasionally, there are double points promotions for selected products and you’ll be able to get 2 points for every 100 Yen spent. So you can earn 0.01 points or more for every 1 Yen spent. Read on for more detailed explanation of how that works.

[100円に付き1ポイント]	[1points / 100yen]	[100円に付き2ポイント]	[1points / 100yen]

For items that are not eligible for points, it will also be indicated clearly as follows:
This item is ineligible to earn Members Point / こちらの商品はポイント加算対象外となります

Using your points! (yay~)

HMV Japan has updated their system since end January 2009, so you can use your points in full on the checkout confirmation screen. Now, you don’t have to accumulate the points to a certain amount before you can use your points.

The way you redeem your points in HMV Japan is slightly different from most online shops that allow you to apply the points by manually keying the amount you want to use at checkout.

Before you can use your points for your next purchase, login to your member account and access your Members Points page.

You can use your points for your next purchase only if you have accumulated at least 50 points as seen in the pic above. If you can hang in there and accumulate 100 points, you get bonus 500 Yen for your points.

So, if you decide to use your points, select the Savings Value from the drop-down list, then click on use points button as shown.

The savings that you’ve redeemed here will automatically be applied onto your next purchase when you check out.

Tip 1: The bonus 500 Yen only kicks in at per 100 points Thereafter the bonus repeats in such a way like 150 points gets you 3500 Yen and 200 points gets you 5000 Yen, so there is no real incentive to keep accumulating and not use it once you reach 100 points. Well, that’s if I remember correctly. ^^

Tip 2: After you have made your -first- purchase, you get a one-time free 500 Yen voucher that you can use for your next purchase. But it only lasts for one month. *darn*

Tip 3: Buy your items during 2xPoints promotions! Better value for money ^^

Value-for-Points comparison among the three points systems

• Amazon Japan
  a) You can use all your points as soon as they are confirmed.
  – Every 1 Yen spent earns 0.01 points
• CDJapan
  a) Once you spend at least 3334 Yen, you’ll accumulate 100 points.
  The points are applicable only in multiples of 100.
  – Every 1 Yen spent earns 0.03 points
• HMV Japan
  a) You can use all your points as soon as your order ships.
  – Every 1 Yen spent earns 0.01 points
  The old points system actually gave us the potential to earn more points than the new one.
  
  a) Once you spend 25000 Yen, you’ll accumulate 50 points that can redeem 1000 Yen
  – Every 1 Yen spent earns 0.04 points
  b) Once you spend 50000 Yen, you’ll accumulate 100 points that can redeem 2500 Yen
  – Every 1 Yen spent earns 0.05 points
  

Although HMV Japan gives you better points value for your spending, you must spend at least 25000 Yen before you can use them (unless you got your points during 2xPoints promotions), whereas for Amazon Japan and CDJapan, you don’t have to wait as long to use your points.

There are pros and cons. Sometimes when I’m running a little bit low on cash but I need to take advantage of promotions or what not, Amazon Japan and CDJapan do offer a little bit more flexibility in terms of cash-flow workaround LOL~ xD

In general, although HMV Japan and Amazon Japan now have the same value-for-points, HMV Japan occasionally has double, or more points promotions. It has lower shipping costs than Amazon Japan for international orders. So I don’t use Amazon Japan unless I’m buying in bulk or need to buy items I can’t find in the other stores.

Points Expiry Date
Also, all three systems have expiry dates for their points, so always remember to check them once in a while :)