Guide to Navigating Deals at Simon’s Malls

Guide to Navigating Deals at Simon’s Malls

od news: once I stopped wandering aimlessly and actually learned how Simon’s deals ecosystem works, my receipts started looking a lot less terrifying.

I’m not sponsored by Simon (wouldn’t hate it, though). I’m just that person who treats bargain-hunting like a sport. Over the last year, I’ve tested Simon’s apps, coupon books, outlet hacks, and random one-off promos across a few centers: King of Prussia (PA), Sawgrass Mills (FL), and Woodbury Common Premium Outlets (NY).

Here’s the playbook I wish I had the first time I tried to “just quickly swing by” a Simon mall.

Step 1: Start with the Simon ecosystem (before you even leave home)

I used to show up, hope for the best, and then find out after I paid that there was a promo I missed. When I actually tested doing a 10-minute prep session, the savings difference was real.

1. Check the specific mall’s deal page

Go to simon.com and search your mall (e.g. “King of Prussia”). Every Simon property has its own deals page, and the offers are not identical across locations.

You’ll usually see:

• Center-wide promos – e.g., “Spend $250, get a $25 Simon Giftcard reward.”
• Retailer-specific deals – “Extra 20% off clearance at J.Crew Factory,” “Buy 2 Get 1 Free at Bath & Body Works,” etc.

When I tested this before a trip to Sawgrass Mills, I found a stackable offer: a Nike outlet promo + a center-wide gift card reward. Not life-changing, but that was $40-ish I’d have left on the table.

2. Download the Simon app (or at least use the mobile site)

The Simon app is… not the prettiest thing on my phone, but it’s functional. In my experience, there are three things it does well:

1. Location-based offers – Some centers push app-only deals when you’re on-site.
2. Map + store finder – Super useful in mega-malls like King of Prussia or Woodbury Common.
3. Gift card and reward tracking – If you’re using Simon Giftcards or any promo that requires cumulative spend, the app keeps it less chaotic.

Downside? Not every store participates, and some offers are just links to the retailer’s generic sale page. Still, it’s better than going in blind.

Step 2: Understand the outlet vs. regular mall game

Not all Simon malls are built the same. Simon Property Group runs both traditional malls (like King of Prussia, The Galleria) and outlet centers (Woodbury Common, Orlando International Premium Outlets, etc.). The deal strategy shifts a bit depending on which one you’re walking into.

Traditional Simon malls

In standard malls, deals revolve more around:

• Seasonal sales – Black Friday, back-to-school, post-holiday markdowns.
• Store loyalty programs – Sephora Beauty Insider, American Eagle Real Rewards, etc.
• Gift-with-purchase or spend thresholds run by the mall or tenants.

My experience: these malls are best for targeted purchases—beauty, tech, or that one higher-end item that rarely goes on sale online but has a random in-store promo.

Simon Premium Outlets

Outlet centers are where deal-hunters go feral. But they’re also where people accidentally overpay because “outlet” doesn’t automatically mean “cheap.”

Quick reality check:

• Some items are made-for-outlet (lower MSRP, different materials, older designs).
• Some are true overstock from mainline stores.

Consumer Reports and the FTC have flagged this dynamic over the years—what looks like a 60% markdown might be 60% off a price that only existed on the tag, not in the real world. So I always:

• Check the style code online (especially for Nike, Coach, Michael Kors). If it doesn’t show up on the brand’s main site or major retailers, it’s probably outlet-only.
• Compare prices quickly on my phone for bigger-ticket items. If there’s no signal in the outdoor wings of an outlet (which happens a lot), I screenshot the tag and check while I’m grabbing food.

When I tested this at Woodbury Common, one “75% off” coat was actually cheaper on the brand’s own website due to a clearance event. That was a good humbling moment.

Step 3: The VIP & coupon book loophole

Simon has a VIP Shopper Club that most people walk right past.

Simon VIP Shopper Club

Sign up free at premiumoutlets.com/vip. Once you select your home center, you’ll get access to:

• Printable or digital coupons (extra 10–20% at certain stores)
• Occasionally, birthday or seasonal bonus offers

When I tested it at Orlando International Premium Outlets, I stacked:

• A storewide promo at Adidas
• A VIP coupon for extra 20% off one full-price item

Did it turn into extreme couponing TikTok content? No. But I saved around $30 on shoes I was already buying.

Physical coupon books

At many Simon Premium Outlets, there’s a VIP Coupon Book you can buy or sometimes get free if you:

• Have AAA
• Are military or a veteran
• Are a senior (often 50+ or 60+, depending on the center)
• Book through certain travel partners or show a hotel key

I’ve seen these books range from “meh” to “absolutely worth it.” At Sawgrass Mills, I made my money back with one Levi’s offer alone. At another center, half the coupons were for stores I’d never step into.

My rule now: I skim the store list first. If at least 3–4 of the coupons apply to places I’m actually shopping, I grab it. Otherwise, I skip.

Step 4: Stacking strategies that actually work

Everyone loves the phrase “stack your savings” until the cashier says, “Oh, you can’t combine that.” Here’s what’s worked for me realistically at Simon’s malls.

The stack that tends to fly

Most stores will allow some combo of:

1. Mall or outlet-wide offer (e.g., VIP coupon, Simon promo)
2. Store promotion (like “30% off everything” or “Buy One Get One 50% Off”)
3. Store loyalty rewards (points, birthday discounts, reward certificates)
4. Cashback or rewards credit card

When I tested this at Nike Factory Store at a Simon outlet:

• Store promo: 30% off clearance
• VIP coupon: extra 10% off
• Card: 5% back via my credit card

The cashier couldn’t combine the VIP coupon with another special promo they had that day, so I had to choose—but I still ended up near 40% off plus card rewards.

Where stacking usually fails

Lower your expectations with:

• “Friends & Family” events – Often exclude other coupons.
• Luxury brands – Think Gucci, Prada, Burberry at outlets. They rarely honor additional coupons.
• Certain beauty brands – Some are strict about discount layering.

My honest take: the real savings for higher-end brands at Simon outlets isn’t in stacking; it’s in timing. End of season + weekday visits = better markdowns and fewer vultures (like me) grabbing the good sizes.

Step 5: Timing your trip (this matters more than people think)

When I talked to a few store associates (especially at outlets), they all quietly agreed: timing beats almost everything.

From my own experience across multiple Simon centers:

• Best days: Weekdays, especially Tuesday–Thursday mornings. Fresh markdowns, less competition.
• Best seasons:
• Late January–February (post-holiday clearance)
• Late July–August (end of summer + back-to-school)
• Early December for variety, late December for deepest holiday markdowns
• Worst times: Saturday afternoons. Crowded, picked-over, parking is chaos, and staff are too slammed to chat about best deals.

I once hit King of Prussia on a random Wednesday morning in January and found an extra markdown rack at a major denim brand that wasn’t advertised anywhere—an associate said they’d just put it out. That rack alone justified the trip.

Step 6: Hidden costs and deal traps to watch for

Simon’s malls can absolutely be great for value, but I’d be lying if I said it’s all perfect.

1. Parking & fees

Some Simon centers charge for premium or garage parking (e.g., some urban properties). That $10–20 could eat a big chunk of your “savings” if you’d only saved $30 total.

2. Food court creep

I’ve destroyed a good day’s savings by panic-buying overpriced snacks. My fix now: I set a loose food budget. If I’m at an outlet that’s basically an all-day hike, I pack a snack and earmark money for one “real” meal.

3. “Outlet-only” quality

The Federal Trade Commission has warned consumers to be wary of potentially misleading outlet pricing. Some products are built to a slightly lower spec for outlets. That doesn’t mean they’re bad—just don’t assume a $500 “original” price is real. I focus more on fit, fabric, and cost-per-wear than the discount percentage.

4. Overbuying because “it’s cheap”

My most embarrassing Simon outlet haul was a pile of 70%-off tops I wore, like, twice. Now my rule is brutal but effective: if I can’t picture three outfits or three occasions, it stays on the rack—even if it’s $9.99.

Is it worth chasing deals at Simon’s malls?

From my own trips, here’s my honest breakdown:

• You’re shopping for multiple people or a seasonal wardrobe refresh.
• You want brands that rarely go that low online, especially at outlets.
• You’re willing to do 10–15 minutes of pre-planning (VIP, deals page, rough list).

• You only need one small item (like a single basic tee).
• You’re not in the mood to compare or think—emotional shopping + outlet marketing can be a dangerous combo.

When I treat Simon’s malls like a strategic mission—list, budget, quick deal scan, realistic expectations—I walk out feeling like I “won” rather than wondering why I just spent $300 on things I didn’t plan to buy.

If you use this guide as your pre-trip checklist, you’ll be way ahead of 90% of the people circling the parking lot with no plan and a slowly dying phone battery.

Sources

• Simon Property Group – Official Site - Mall locator, deals pages, and property details
• Premium Outlets (Simon) – VIP Shopper Club - Official VIP program with coupons and offers
• Federal Trade Commission – Outlet Shopping Tips - Guidance on outlet pricing and made-for-outlet goods
• Forbes – How To Save Money At Outlet Malls - Analysis of outlet strategies and consumer pitfalls
• Consumer Reports – Are Outlet Stores Really A Bargain? - Investigation into outlet pricing and product quality