We've written before about using customer loyalty to your advantage to score savings on services like Netflix and DIRECTV. Service companies like these will frequently give long-term customers a discount to retain their business.
Many retailers and restaurants also offer rewards programs for repeat business. These tend to be programs you sign up for upfront, and you earn points, rewards, and/or discounts as you make additional purchases. These are some of the programs that are most useful for me and my family.
Barnes & Noble Membership – $25 Annually
A great membership for bookworms. The annual cost is a bit steep, but it easily pays for itself if you buy books throughout the year. Benefits include:
- 40% off list price of hardcover bestsellers
- 10% off B&N price of most other products
- Free express shipping on bn.com orders
- Free cookie when you make a purchase in store
REI Co-op Membership – $20 for a lifetime membership
Unique to this list, you are actually joining the co-op versus just joining a loyalty program. As such the primary reward is based on your spending as well as company performance. They send out an annual dividend statement in March; these dividends can be applied to new purchases or redeemed for cash in store. Benefits include:
- Annual member dividend – Typically 10% back on eligible purchases
- Special member pricing on REI classes and events and adventure trips
- Member pricing on gear rentals
- Member-exclusive events like Garage Sales and new member hikes
- Discounts on lift tickets at select resorts
Kohl's Yes2Rewards – Free
Kohl's offers a traditional reward program where you earn points based on your spending. Rewards expire every 30 days which is the only drawback to the program since I am not shopping there all that often.
- Earn 1 point for every dollar spent
- On the first of every month, receive a $5 reward for every 100 points earned
- Special promotions. They are currently offering triple points for every $1 spent now through October 27, 2019
- Earn 50 points when you download and sign in to the Kohl's app
Bed Bath & Beyond+ – $29 per year
We recently moved and needed to make a large number of purchases to fill the house. This program helped me to save money on numerous store trips and purchases. Your discount code is located in the phone app so you no longer have to worry about forgetting the coupon at home! Benefits include:
- 20% off entire purchase
- Free shipping for online purchases
- 50% off design services
Chipotle Rewards – Free
In this program, you earn points based on spend, and these points can be redeemed for free food. Benefits include:
- Earn 10 points per $1 spent
- Enjoy 1 free entree once you earn 1250 points
- Use the app to watch for extra point days and challenges to earn points faster
Chick-fil-A One – Free
Chick-fil-A's One rewards program is similar to those offered by airlines and hotels. Everyone who joins earns a set number of points based on spend. After you earn a set number of points, you are promoted to a higher tier program. The higher tiers earn points faster and allow you to redeem those points for a broader range of products. Benefits include:
- 10-12 points per $1 spent based on level
- Redeem points for free food
- Birthday rewards
- At higher tiers, donate meals and gift rewards to friends and family
Starbucks Rewards – Free
Starbucks program gives you stars based on purchases. The app is key to this program as it tracks all of your data. It also allows you to order ahead so that you can skip the line on your morning commute. Benefits include:
- Earn 2 stars for ever $1 spent
- Redeem stars for free food and drinks
- Order ahead & pay with your phone
- Free refills on brewed coffee and tea
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