Credit Card points: merch or gift certs?

From a brief sample (size = 1) it seems like it's always better to get gift certificates from your credit card points.

For example, the Sopranos Season 5, available from Future Shop is $85. Plus tax is approx $97.

The same set is available from RBC Rewards for 15,000 points.

But if I got gift certs for Future Shop, 15,000 points works out to be $125. That's Sopranos plus a CD, and that's not taking into account coupons or promotions that FS might be running.

Everything else seems to be the same way although I haven't done the math. Are there any cases where ordering the actual merchandise is cheaper?

Not CC points, but I believe that redeeming for a car wash is the best option for Esso Extra points.

Originally Posted by nolookingca

Not CC points, but I believe that redeeming for a car wash is the best option for Esso Extra points.

Yeah, I came to the same conclusion as well. Other than that Esso points seem practically worthless.

Originally Posted by don242

Yeah, I came to the same conclusion as well. Other than that Esso points seem practically worthless.

Ya, seems that way. 2500 Esso points become 1500 RBC points, or $12.5 in gift certificates.