Let’s Chat How Unattainable Ulta Diamond Rewards Might Be

As you already know Ulta has launched a new tier in their Ultamate Rewards Program for 2018 which is Diamond. Diamond Status gets us something we have wanted from Ulta for a very, very long time! Free shipping! Oh my god everyone throw their hands in the air and scream in joy. There are days, like today for example, when I just want one item from Ulta. This morning I woke up, noticed that MAC Studio Waterweight Concealer launched on Ulta’s site, and I instantly needed it. Currently New York is being hit by a snow bomb whatever the hell that is so, I’m not venturing out to Ulta to see if they have it in store and really, since the item is so new I probably won’t see it mid-month or so at my local Ulta. Hopefully Nordstrom or MAC stores get it but I really just felt compelled to buy it right away online. But of course, Ulta’s shipping limit sucks. You have to spend $50 to get free shipping and since the concealer is only half way there I felt compelled to add more stuff into my cart to get free shipping.

This is where things get tricky because 1. you either end up buying the one item and being extorted for a $6-$7 bucks to ship that one tiny item that you know damn well doesn’t cost that much to ship or 2. you head into a downward spiral of buying stuff you don’t need and checking out with $100+ dollars versus the mere $50 you need to get free shipping.

Well, now you don’t have to worry! If you reach Ulta Diamond Reward status you my dear friend get free shipping on orders of $25 or more. Well, mmm ok. This is where Sephora actually got things right and Ulta got it terribly wrong. This is rare as typically Sephora is the money grabber and Ulta is all about giving back.

You see Ulta Diamond Rewards MIGHT just prove to be an unattainable goal for many.

Gulp, can’t believe I’m saying this but I probably won’t reach Diamond status and I’d be surprised if I did. I am a Platinum Member which means I’ve spent $450 or over at Ulta this year. I order from their website about four to five times a year perhaps even a little more. I tend to take advantage of their 20% off coupon codes when they come around but I’m not by any means an Ulta shopper. A majority of my money ends up at Sephora because they carry a lot more brands than Ulta does. Even though Ulta has added many, many brands to their line up this year such as MAC, NARS, and more I still tend to migrate more to Sephora.

Ulta without any doubt has a great cash back rewards program and is very generous with coupons unlike Sephora who has a rather crummy reward system. Those who have Rouge Status are continuously disappointed with Sephora’s lack of rewards for those who spend a good deal of cash at their store each year.

However, I find reaching Rouge Status a lot easier at Sephora simply because I am buying more high-end beauty, fragrance, and skincare at Sephora versus Ulta. What does that mean!? Well, reaching $1000 to become Rouge just seems easier due to the prices of items I am purchasing at Sephora. Also, Sephora gives 2-Day Shipping without a minimum on any item. And if you’re not Rouge? No problem! You can purchase a $10 Flash Subscription and get free 2-day shipping on any item all through the year.

Now Ulta, jumped the gun big time. From Platinum with a $450 goal they jumped to Diamond and everyone was holding their breath in anticipation about what Diamond Rewards would be and how much you’d have to spend to get there! If you don’t know yet you have to spend $1200 bucks to get to Diamond Status.

PHEW!

That’s a lot of money to spend at Ulta because I’m not buying as many prestigious items at their store as I do at Sephora. Looking over my purchases a majority of the brands I buy at Ulta are NYX, Burt’s Bees, Garnier, Maybelline, Ulta Brand, and other lower-end beauty products. I do not use their salon services nor do I buy many high-end items from them aside from the occasional fragrance. I think it’ll be mighty tough for me to reach the $1200 tier with my spending habits but we shall see how I do this year as I THINK I’d be surprised if I did reach Diamond Status.

Now, the thing that annoys me most about Diamond Status is the fact you actually don’t get free shipping until you send $25. Burp, meh. Couldn’t they just give you free shipping on any item like Sephora?! I thought that $25 cap was kind of crappy. I’m sure you can easily reach $25 no problem but why bother with a cap at all? Sephora doesn’t, neither should they especially since you’re spending $200 more to reach Diamond Status versus Rouge.

Other benefits include 1.5/50% faster cash rewards and $25 reward card for beauty services as well as all the benefits you have already with Platinum which is points never expiring, birthday gift, etc..

Ulta still has one of the best reward systems around with plenty of generous coupons however, they might have jumped the gun with Diamond Rewards. I think it needs to be a bit more reasonable for the consumers that shop there which are typically budget shoppers looking to score a deal. I spend a good deal on beauty, makeup, skincare, and fragrance yearly but I feel like the $1200 tier might be unattainable for me.

How about you?

Do you think you’ll reach Ulta Diamond Rewards Status?

Do you think they could have done better with this tier?

Or are you quite happy with these benefits?

Do share!