As the holiday season approaches, sales and deals start popping up everywhere, from Black Friday and Cyber Monday to last-minute Christmas sales. So this made me wonder how clever shoppers (like us) can use AI-powered tools and apps to make the process easier, helping shoppers compare prices, track discounts, and maximize savings. Here’s a guide on how to leverage artificial intelligence this holiday shopping season and save big.
1. Use AI for Price Comparisons and Deal Hunting
Price comparison is key to ensuring you’re getting the best price on a product, especially in late November and December when prices seem to fluctuate constantly.
I discovered some very useful AI-driven price comparison tools that will enabling you to quickly check prices across multiple platforms in real time.
AI-Powered Price Comparison Tools
Honey
Honey is a popular browser extension that uses AI to automatically search for and apply the best coupon codes at checkout for over 30,000 websites.
Honey also has a very useful price-tracking feature that notifies users when an item’s price drops. This feature is helpful for identifying the best time to make a purchase during the holiday season.
I love Honey’s “Droplist” feature, it allows you to save specific items you’re interested in and receive alerts when their prices drops.
Capital One Shopping (formerly Wikibuy)
Capital One Shopping is another AI-driven tool for price comparison.
When browsing, it shows if a product is available at a lower price elsewhere and automatically applies discounts and coupons.
I really like Capital One Shopping’s ability to compare prices on Amazon with other retailers, this feature will be particularly helpful during the holiday season.
PRO TIP: ADD ITEMS TO CART, THEN ABANDON IT
When using the Capital One Shopping app (iOS, Android) always add items to your cart that you want to buy, then close out the app. Wait about 24 hours, open the app back, and they’ll typically bump up your cashback amount by up to 20%. Also, I’ve noticed that if you look at products on the app, but don’t buy them, their AI system will often email you a discount on those items in the 20% to 30% savings range.
Example above: I set up a little test using a Ralph Lauren shirt at Macys.com. I added the shirt to my cart and then closed the app on my iPhone, at the time Macy’s was offering me 2.5% cashback on the purchase. The next morning I had an email from Capital One telling me to come back and complete the purchase and get a whooping 18% cashback on the purchase. And before you ask, I know it says “Up to 18% Rewards” – specifically it was 7% rewards on Furniture, Mattresses, and Rugs – 7% on Macy’s Marketplace (shipped and sold by third party sellers) and 18% on Everything Else.
Try it, it works! It’s time to outsmart AI and use this hack to save some money on your Christmas shopping.
See Also: Black Friday Hacks to Maximize Your Savings
ShopSavvy App and Browser Extension
ShopSavvy uses AI to provide accurate price comparisons in-store and online.
You can do price comparisons, get price drop alerts, and even back-in-stock alerts on hot toys that you’re trying to purchase.
My favorite feature is the ability to scan barcodes in stores, and ShopSavvy will instantly show you prices from online retailers, making it easier to spot if a Black Friday deal is as good as it seems or if you could find it cheaper elsewhere.
PRO TIP: GO STRAIGHT TO CHATGPT
A great way to start your Black Friday research is to hit up ChatGPT and start asking about products you’re interested in buying. In the example above, I simply asked “what are the best black Friday deals at Walmart on HDTVs?”. I was given a handy little breakdown of some of the best deals that are already released. You can then ask for more details on particular brands, sizes, and retailers and really start to narrow down the deals that you might be interested in.
Dynamic Price Monitoring Tools
CamelCamelCamel
CamelCamelCamel is a site that I’ve talked about before, in short, it specializes in tracking prices on Amazon.
Its AI algorithms analyze Amazon’s historical price data to alert users when a product’s price drops.
This tool is handy for scoring Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals on Amazon, as it reveals trends that indicate the best time to buy.
Earny
Earny monitors price drops on your past purchases and helps you get refunds if a price goes down after you buy.
Earny connects to your email to analyze receipts, then alerts you if a product you purchased decreases in price.
It also assists with getting refunds or credits if the price changes within a retailer’s price protection period.
Slickdeals
Slickdeals aggregates deals and promotions across multiple categories.
By setting up alerts for products you’re interested in, you’ll be notified when there’s a sale or a new promotion.
Slickdeals also has a user-driven platform where members vote on deals, making it easier to find top deals for Black Friday and Cyber Monday.
2. Leveraging AI-Driven Shopping Bots
AI-powered shopping bots are a growing trend for holiday shopping, as they can help shoppers find deals quickly and efficiently.
These bots can monitor price drops, search for coupon codes, and even complete purchases on your behalf.
Dealspotr
Dealspotr’s AI aggregates thousands of deals from across the web and analyzes them based on user engagement to surface the best offers.
Dealspotr’s platform also offers a community where users share discount codes and exclusive sales.
HustleGotReal
HustleGotReal is another AI-driven bot that’s geared toward eBay, Amazon, and Shopify price drops.
This tool is excellent for comparing deals on popular gift items, especially during high-demand times like Cyber Monday and Black Friday.
3. Shop Smarter with Personalized AI Recommendations
AI recommendation engines can help you find products that match your budget, taste, and lifestyle, often surfacing deals that aren’t easily found otherwise.
Google Shopping
Google Shopping uses AI to personalize recommendations based on browsing habits.
When you search for a product, Google Shopping suggests the best prices across various sites, and it often flags discounted items.
I find that Google’s price comparison algorithms always shows updated information across hundreds of online retailers.
See Also: Smart Tips To Avoid Black Friday and Still Score a Great Deal
Amazon’s Alexa
If you have an Alexa-enabled device, you can ask it to search for holiday deals or even monitor specific items.
Alexa can remind you about sales and provide recommendations, especially for gifts that are popular or trending.
With Alexa, you can also set up reminders for price drops or enable notifications when items in your cart go on sale.
4. Use AI for Cashback and Rewards
Several AI-powered tools offer cashback rewards, making it possible to save even more on holiday purchases.
Cashback can stack with discounts and coupons, creating even greater savings.
Rakuten
Rakuten (formerly Ebates) uses AI to offer cashback on purchases made through their platform.
Rakuten works with thousands of retailers, including popular Black Friday and Cyber Monday destinations.
Its AI-driven cashback offers vary depending on the retailer and season, allowing you to maximize cashback during peak holiday sales.
Ibotta
Ibotta is another cashback app that uses AI to analyze your shopping habits, then offers rewards based on your preferences.
You can unlock cashback deals on groceries, retail purchases, and holiday gifts. Ibotta also runs special holiday promotions, which can add to the savings for Christmas shopping.
See Also: Check Out My Review of iBotta To See If It’s Right For You
RetailMeNot
RetailMeNot is a popular coupon app that finds and applies coupon codes at checkout and offers cashback at over 3,000 stores.
Its AI analyzes your cart and matches it to the best available discount code, making it easy to save without the hassle of manually searching for coupons.
During the holiday season, RetailMeNot often features exclusive discounts and cashback offers.
5. Subscription and Loyalty Programs Use AI Too
If you shop frequently at a particular store, leveraging their loyalty program or subscription service can help maximize savings.
Many stores offer special discounts and early access to sales during the holiday season for members.
Target Circle
Target Circle is a free rewards program that offers personalized deals and discounts.
The program uses AI to analyze your shopping habits and suggests deals that fit your preferences.
Target Circle also has exclusive discounts and early access to holiday promotions, making it beneficial for Christmas shopping.
Amazon Prime
Amazon Prime members get access to exclusive discounts and early access to Lightning Deals.
Amazon’s AI-powered recommendation engine also suggests Prime-exclusive offers based on your shopping habits.
For holiday shopping, Amazon Prime offers early access to Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals, allowing you to beat the rush.
See Also: The Grocery Stores That Drastically Lower Prices Near Best-By Dates
6. Find Unique Gifts with AI Curators
Finding unique gifts for friends and family can be challenging. AI-driven gift finders can provide creative suggestions tailored to the recipient’s interests.
Uncommon Goods Gift Finder
Uncommon Goods uses AI to recommend unique gifts that match the recipient’s personality and interests.
The Gift Finder prompts you to input details about the recipient, then curates a list of items that would appeal to them.
This is an excellent resource when seeking “one-of-a-kind” gifts as well as shopping for your father-in-law who seemingly “already has everything”.
GiftAdvisor
GiftAdvisor uses machine learning to analyze popular gift trends and match them to your preferences.
After inputting details about your recipient, GiftAdvisor suggests gifts based on AI-analyzed data of popular items.
GiftAdvisor is especially useful if you’re unsure what to buy for someone.
7. Optimize Travel and Shipping Costs with AI
For those traveling or shipping gifts during the holiday season, AI can also be a helpful tool for saving on travel and shipping expenses.
Hopper
Hopper uses AI to analyze flight and hotel prices, predicting the best time to book for optimal savings.
If you’re traveling during the holiday season, Hopper can help you secure the best deals on flights and accommodations, keeping travel expenses lower.
PRO TIP: USE CHATGPT TO SAVE AND PLAN HOLIDAY TRAVEL
I recently planned a trip from Denver, CO to Monterey, CA and was very impressed with how ChatGPT helped me find the best deals and gave me great budget friendly recommendations on not only the travel side of the equation, but also the food and entertainment side.
Here are the prompts I used and I recommend you try the same the next time you’re planning a family vacation.
Cheapest flight options from Denver, CO to Monterey, CA (San Jose, CA) on December 23 – December 29.
Best rental car deals in San Jose, CA for December 23 – December 29.
Hotel deals near Monterey for family of 4 with 2 teenagers.
Budget friendly things to do around Monterey.
Budget friendly golf courses near Monterey.
Best budget friendly places to eat in Monterey.
Takeaway: ChatGPT is not there yet on helping you find and book the cheapest airfare and rental car, but it’s excellent at helping you find budget friendly activities, restaurants, and even hotels.
ParcelTrack
ParcelTrack helps you keep tabs on multiple shipments, notifying you of delivery updates and potential delays.
Its AI-driven system consolidates tracking data, making it easier to stay informed about package arrivals.
Knowing when packages will arrive can also help avoid extra costs for expedited shipping.
See Also: Save By Knowing The Store-Brands That Make Name-Brands
8. Stay Organized with AI-Powered Shopping Lists
Keeping track of your shopping list is crucial during the holiday season to avoid overspending or missing any important items.
AI-powered tools can help you organize your list and track your budget.
AnyList
AnyList is an app that uses AI to sort and categorize your shopping list, making it easy to manage your holiday purchases.
You can set budgets, track items as you buy them, and even share your list with others to make group gift shopping simpler.
Google Keep
Google Keep can be a useful tool for staying organized and within budget.
You can create a list of gifts with allocated budgets, check off items as you purchase them, and set reminders.
Google’s AI assistant can help you update your list by voice and notify you of remaining tasks.
By leveraging AI-powered tools, you can streamline your holiday shopping experience, ensuring you get the best deals while sticking to your budget.
From AI-driven price comparisons and cashback rewards to dynamic price monitoring and curated gift suggestions, these tools offer actionable strategies for Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and beyond.
Ask the Reader: Do you have any “How to use AI to save money” ideas to add? Let me know in the comments as I’d love to add more tips to this article.
By Kyle James
I started Rather-Be-Shopping.com in 2000 and have become a consumer expert and advocate writing about out-of-the-box ways to save at stores like Amazon, Walmart, Target and Costco to name a few. I’ve been featured on FOX News, Good Morning America, and the NY Times talking about my savings tips. (Learn more)
