
These days, it seems like every business has a customer rewards program. But which loyalty cards are actually worth keeping in your wallet, and which apps should you never delete from your phone? We've compiled a list of all the best rewards programs for you to take advantage of in 2021.
Read the Fine Print First With Rewards Programs
A lot of stores offer amazing customer rewards and birthday freebies. But even the best rewards program is only as valuable as you make it, and not all store rewards programs are worth your time or cash. That being said, programs that are for a store you frequent — whether that's every day, week, or month — can be well worth looking into.
SEE ALSO: The 144 Best Birthday Freebies in 2021: Celebrate With Free Stuff!
Still, we recommend reading the fine print before you sign up. True, that's easier said than done when you have a cashier pushing you to add yet another card to your keychain, but it's worth learning what the customer rewards program is about before you join.
Make sure the customer rewards are actually attainable, too. If a store has super-cheap merchandise but is stingy with their point payouts, you could end up spending more than you normally would just to reach that next rewards threshold, or membership tier. And when you've earned your customer rewards, use them (wisely).
The 45 Best Customer Rewards Programs
Without further ado, here are the 45 best rewards programs! Are there any you think we should add to the list?
AMC
The AMC Stubs loyalty program has three tiers, but only the first one is free to join.
Tier: Insider
Cost: Free
Points/Dollar: Earn 20 points per dollar spent
Rewards: Redeem 5,000 points for a $5 reward
Perks:
- Waived online ticketing fees for 4-plus tickets
- Save on tickets and concessions on Discount Tuesdays
- Free large popcorn refill
- Birthday gift: large popcorn
Tier: Premiere
Cost: $5 per year
Points/Dollar: Earn 100 points per dollar spent
Rewards: Redeem 5,000 points for a $5 reward
Perks:
- Insider-level perks
- Free fountain drink and popcorn size upgrades
- Waived online ticketing fees
- Birthday gift: large popcorn and large fountain drink
Tier: A-List
Cost: $5 for the first month, then $19.95-$23.95 per month
Points/Dollar: Earn 100 points per dollar spent
Rewards: Redeem 5,000 points for a $5 reward
Perks:
- Premiere-level perks
- Up to 3 movies every week with free online reservations
Barnes & Noble
Name: B&N Membership
Cost: $25 per year
Sign-Up Reward: 20% off first purchase
Perks:
- 40% off hardcover bestsellers in-store
- 10% off almost everything else in-store
- Free shipping
- Member-exclusive offers
- Special birthday offer
- 10% off regularly priced Nook devices and accessories
Baskin-Robbins
Name: Baskin-Robbins mobile app
Cost: Download Android or iOS app for free
Sign-Up Reward: Free regular scoop
Perks:
- Receive deals and coupons
- Pay from the app
- Track events
- Send mobile gift cards
BJ's Restaurant and Brewhouse
Name: Premier Rewards Plus
Cost: Free
Sign-Up Reward: Free Pizookie
Points/Dollar: Earn 1 point for every dollar spent
Rewards: Redeem 100 points for a $10 reward
Perks:
- Receive exclusive deals and offers
- Free birthday Pizookie
Books-A-Million
Name: Millionaire's Club
Cost: $25 per year
Sign-Up Reward: Over $100 in bonus coupons
Perks:
- Free shipping on online orders
- 10% off entire in-store purchase
- Special sales
- Up to 40% off bestsellers
Bruster's Ice Cream
Name: Sweet Rewards
Cost: Free
Sign-Up Reward: $3 reward
Points/Dollar: Earn 1 point for every dollar spent
Rewards: Redeem 50 points for a $5 reward
Perks: Exclusive offers
Chick-fil-A
The Chick-fil-A One loyalty program features three tiers. It's free to join online, or when you download the Android or iOS app. Tiers are determined by how much you spend in a year.
Tier: Member
Points/Dollar: Earn 10 points per dollar spent
Perks:
- Free food rewards
- Bonus free food rewards from your local restaurant
- Birthday reward
Tier: Silver Member
Cost: Earn 1,000 points in a year
Points/Dollar: Earn 11 points per dollar spent
Perks:
- Member-level perks
- Gift rewards to friends and family
Tier: Red Member
Cost: Earn 5,000 points in a year
Points/Dollar: Earn 12 points per dollar spent
Perks:
- Silver Member perks
- First to know about new menu items and insider info
Cinemark
Name: Movie Club
Cost: $8.99-$9.99 per month
Perks:
- Receive 1 2D ticket per month (unused tickets roll over)
- 20% off concessions
- Share benefits with a friend
- Waived online fees
- Add-on tickets at the membership price
Cold Stone Creamery
Name: My Cold Stone Club Rewards
Cost: Free
Sign-Up Reward: 25 bonus points, "buy one, get one free" creation
Points/Dollar: Earn 1 point for every dollar spent
Rewards: Redeem 50 points for a $5 reward
Perks:
- BOGO free birthday creation
- Opportunities to receive prizes
- Exclusive offers
- Sneak peek at new products and promotions
Corner Bakery
Corner Bakery Rewards has two ways to join and four different tiers. Sign up by downloading the Android or iOS app, or online here. In every case, you'll earn 5 points for every dollar spent.
Tier: Green
Point Range: 0-379 points
Sign-Up Reward: $5 off next purchase
Perks:
- Exclusive offers sent via email
- Free bakery sweet on birthday
- For every $500 in catering orders, get $25 off your next purchase or a $10 Amazon gift code
Tier: Silver
Point Range: 380-1,249 points
Perks:
- Green tier rewards
- $5 off your next purchase for reaching the new tier
- Weekly reward of any beverage for 99 cents
Tier: Gold
Point Range: 1,250-2,499 points
Perks:
- Silver tier rewards
- "$5 off purchase of $15" reward four times a year
- Free Choose Two for membership anniversary
Tier: Platinum
Point Range: 2,500-plus points
Perks:
- Gold tier rewards
- BOGO free entree four times a year
CREAM
Name: CREAM Rewards Program
Cost: Free
Sign-Up Reward: Free cookie sandwich
Points/Dollar: Earn 1 point for every dollar spent
Perks:
- Redeem points for rewards
- Exclusive access to news and offers
Culver's
Name: MyCulver's
Cost: Free
Sign-Up Reward: BOGO free value basket
Perks: Exclusive offers
CVS
Name: ExtraCare
Cost: Free
Perks:
- Earn 2% back in ExtraBucks Rewards
- Extra savings on your favorite items
Dick's Sporting Goods
Name: ScoreCard
Points/Dollar: Earn 1 point for every dollar spent
Rewards: Redeem 300 points for a $10 reward
Perks:
- Exclusive offers
- Faster checkout
- First to know about new and exclusive gear
Dippin' Dots
Name: Dot Crazy! Email Club
Cost: Free
Perks:
- Free Dippin' Dots on your birthday
- Special coupons and offers
- Exclusive promotions
Dunkin'
Join for free by downloading the Android or iOS app.
Name: DD Perks
Points/Dollar: Earn 5 points for every dollar spent
Rewards: Redeem 200 points for a free drink
Perks:
- Free birthday beverage
- Exclusive bonus-point offers
- Check out faster
- Order on the go
JCPenney
Name: JCPenney Rewards
Cost: Free
Points/Dollar: Earn 1 point for every $2 spent
Rewards: Redeem 200 points for a $10 reward
Perks:
- Receive an offer on your birthday
- Extra earning opportunities
Jersey Mike's
Name: Shore Points
Points/Purchase: Earn the following:
- 3 points for every kids' meal
- 4 points for every mini-size sub or breakfast sandwich
- 6 points for every regular sub, wrap, or Sub-in-a-Tub
- 12 points for every giant sub
Rewards: Redeem points for the following:
- 48 points for a free mini-size sub
- 72 points for a free regular-size sub, wrap, or Sub-in-a-Tub
- 144 points for a free giant-size sub
Perks:
- Free birthday sub
- Exclusive offers and promotions
- Personalized ordering experience
Kohl's
Name: Kohl's Rewards
Cost: Free
Perks:
- Earn 5% Kohl's Rewards on every purchase
- Special birthday gift
- Personalized perks to help you earn rewards faster
Krispy Kreme
Name: Krispy Kreme Rewards
Cost: Free
Sign-Up Reward: Free doughnut
Rewards: Earn free treats
Perks: Receive exclusive offers, freebies, and other rewards
Marble Slab Creamery
Join the program for free by downloading the Android or iOS app.
Name: Slab Happy Rewards
Sign-Up Reward: Earn a $5 reward with your first purchase
Points/Dollar: Earn 1 point for every dollar spent
Perks:
- Exclusive sweet deals and offers
- Earn a reward for every friend you refer
Moosejaw
The Moosejaw Rewards Program lets you earn Moosejaw Reward Dollars, or MJ$, whenever you make a purchase. You can then use the MJ$ to buy gear and clothing. If you spend at least $500 in a year, you can become part of the High Altitude program, which has four separate tiers.
Tier: Basic
Cost: Free
Perks:
- Earn 10% back in MJ$ as soon as your order ships
- Earn 2.5% back in MJ$ on discounted items
Tier: Aconcagua
Spend: $500 annually
Perks:
- Access to a private promotion and 25% off one item once per year
- 20% off full-priced Moosejaw-brand items
- Early access to key promotions
Tier: Denali
Spend: $1,000 annually
Perks:
- Aconcagua-level perks
- Extra 10% off sale products
- Receive an annual High Altitude gift
Tier: K2
Spend: $1,500 annually
Perks:
- Denali-level perks
- Access to private promotions twice per year
Tier: Everest
Spend: $2,000 annually
Perks:
- K2-level perks
- Free return shipping on all orders
Nordstrom
Name: The Nordy Club
Cost: Free
Points/Dollar: Earn 1 point per dollar spent
Perks:
- Earn status based on how much you spend and receive new benefits
- Exclusive access to workshops and events
Office Depot and OfficeMax
Office Depot OfficeMax Rewards features both basic and VIP tiers. VIP status is granted to customers who spend at least $500 within a 365-day period.
Tier: Basic
Cost: Free
Perks:
- 2% back in rewards on furniture, supplies, and tech
- Members-only savings
- Rewards for recycling ink and toner cartridges (up to 10 per month)
- Rewards for product reviews (up to 3 per month)
Tier: VIP
Spend: $500 in a year
Perks:
- Basic-level perks
- 5% back in rewards on ink, toner, paper, and print/copy/ship services
- Free delivery with no minimum purchase required
- Exclusive VIP perks
Omaha Steaks
Omaha Steaks' Steaklover Rewards program is free to join, but offers extra benefits to higher spenders.
Tier: Steaklover Rewards
Cost: Free
Points/Dollar: Earn 1 point per dollar, or 2 points per dollar spent on Private Reserve items
Perks:
- Rewards for purchases and referrals
- Email exclusive offers
Tier: Premium Membership
Spend: $300 in a year
Points/Dollar: Earn extra points on every purchase
Perks:
- Premium offers and rewards
- Birthday exclusive offers
oVertone
Name: Color Club
Cost: Free
Points/Dollar: Earn 2 points per dollar spent
Rewards:
- Redeem 1,500 points for a $15 voucher
- Redeem 2,000 points for a $20 voucher
- Redeem 2,500 points for a $25 voucher
PDQ
Name: PDQ Fan Club
Cost: Free
Sign-Up Reward: 3 free tenders with any purchase
Perks:
- One offer every month
- Free birthday meal
Petco
Name: Pals Rewards
Cost: Free
Points/Dollar: Earn 1 point per dollar spent
Rewards: Redeem 100 points for a $5 reward
Perks:
- Free birthday gift for your pet
- Free shipping on repeat deliveries
Pizza Hut
Name: Hut Rewards
Cost: Free
Points/Dollar: Earn 2 points for every dollar spent
Rewards: Redeem points for select rewards like breadsticks, wings, and pizzas
Perks:
- Exclusive offers and discounts
- Faster checkout
- Birthday reward
Pizza Inn
Download the Android or iOS app to sign up.
Name: Pizza Inn Rewards
Cost: Free
Sign-Up Reward: Free medium chocolate chip Pizzert
Perks:
- Earn rewards on every 9th visit
- Online ordering
- Exclusive offers
- Free birthday dessert
Potbelly Sandwich Shop
Name: Potbelly Perks
Cost: Free
Points/Dollar: Earn 10 points for every dollar spent
Rewards: Redeem 1,000 points for a free entree
REI
Name: REI Co-op
Cost: $20 for a lifetime membership
Perks:
- Earn annual membership dividend
- Receive special member pricing on classes, tours, and events
- Special pricing on rentals
- Access to member-exclusive events
Rita's
Download the Android or iOS app for free.
Name: Rita's Rewards
Cost: Free
Perks: Earn a free regular Italian Ice, Frozen Custard, or Gelati on your 8th visit
Rite Aid
Name: Wellness+ Rewards
Cost: Free
Points/Dollar: Earn 1 point per dollar spent
Perks:
- Members-only pricing
- Exclusive email offers
- Automatic savings on participating items
- Earn up to 25 points per prescription filled
- Earn up to at least 20% off eligible in-store purchases
Sally Beauty
Sally Beauty Rewards is a 2-tier program, with the higher tier netting you free shipping and an extra gift.
Tier: Preferred
Cost: Free
Sign-Up Reward: Receive a $5 reward with your first purchase
Points/Dollar: Earn 10 points for every dollar spent
Perks:
- Custom color consultations
- Bonus opportunities to earn extra points
- Receive exclusive savings
- Get an extra $5 reward during your birthday month
- Receive double points on all purchases during your birthday month
Tier: Elite
Spend: $200 in a calendar year
Points/Dollar: Earn 12.5 points per dollar spent
Perks:
- Preferred-level perks
- Free shipping on all orders
- Yearly thank-you gift
Sephora
Sephora's Beauty Insider loyalty program has three different tiers. All members, regardless of status, earn 1 point per dollar spent. Additionally, members can redeem 500 points to receive $10 off a qualifying purchase.
Tier: Insider
Cost: Free
Perks:
- 10% off seasonal savings events
- Free shipping on $50
- $15 off Dollar Savings offer
- Points for discount events
- Free birthday gift (with 3 choices)
- Sample rewards
- Points multiplier events to receive 2 times the points
- Access to Meet & Greets, trips, and more
- Points for services
- Redeem points for sweepstakes entries
Tier: VIB
Spend: $350 in a year
Perks:
- Insider-level perks
- 15% off seasonal savings events
- Free shipping on $35
- $20 off Dollar Savings offer
- Free birthday gift (with 4 choices)
- Exclusive gifts
- Points multiplier events to receive 3 times the points
Tier: Rouge
Spend: $1,000 in a year
Perks:
- VIB-level perks
- 20% off seasonal savings events
- Free shipping with no minimum purchase required
- $25 off Dollar Savings offer
- Rouge Reward: Exchange 2,500 points for $100 off your purchase
- Points multiplier events to receive 4 times the points
- Access to exclusive events
- Receive first access to products
Starbucks
You can sign up online, or download the Android or iOS app for free.
Name: Starbucks Rewards
Cost: Free
Points/Dollar:
- Earn 2 points per dollar spent when paying through the app via your Starbucks Card
- Earn 1 point per dollar spent with other methods of payment
Perks:
- Earn free food, drinks, and more
- Order ahead and pay via your phone
- Receive free brewed coffee and tea refills
- Receive a birthday treat
- Exclusive offers
SweetFrog Premium Frozen Yogurt
Name: Sweet Rewards
Cost: Free
Perks:
- Earn sweetBenefits with every purchase
- Earn a free 12 oz. cup every 10 visits
- Get free frozen yogurt on your birthday
- Members-only offers
TCBY
Join the TCBY Insiders club by downloading the Android or iOS app for free.
Name: TCBY Insiders
Cost: Free
Perks:
- Earn a $3 reward for every $30 spent
- Earn $3 for every referral
- Free birthday treat when you reach Silver Spoon status
- $3 reward when you reach Golden Spoon status
- $5 reward when you reach Platinum Spoon status
TGI Fridays
Name: Fridays Rewards
Cost: Free
Sign-Up Reward: Free appetizer or dessert
Perks: Exclusive perks
Ulta
Ulta's Ultamate Rewards is a 3-tier program that lets you use points toward both products and beauty services.
Tier: Member
Cost: Free
Points/Dollar: Earn 1 point per dollar spent
Perks:
- Free birthday gift
- Earn 2 times the points during your birthday month
Tier: Platinum
Spend: $500 in a year
Points/Dollar: Earn 1.25 points per dollar spent
Perks:
- Member-level perks
- $10 birthday coupon
- Points never expire
Tier: Diamond
Spend: $1,200 in a year
Points/Dollar: Earn 1.5 points per dollar spent
Perks:
- Platinum-level perks
- Everyday free shipping on $25
- Annual $25 beauty service rewards card
Village Inn
Name: Village Inn eClub
Cost: Free
Sign-Up Reward: Special welcome offer
Perks: Valuable deals and coupons
Walgreens
Name: myWalgreens
Cost: Free
Perks:
- Earn 1% Walgreens Cash rewards storewide
- Earn 5% on Walgreens-branded products
- Earn bonus Walgreens Cash rewards for reaching health goals
- Automatically unlock sale prices
- Redeem rewards instantly at checkout
Williams-Sonoma
Name: The Key
Cost: Free
Rewards: Receive a reward when you earn at least $15
Perks:
- Earn 3% back in rewards
- Exclusive access
- Free design services
Valid Stores:
- Pottery Barn
- Pottery Barn Kids
- Pottery Barn Teen
- West Elm
- Williams-Sonoma
- Williams-Sonoma Home
- Mark & Graham
Yogurtland
Every tier in the Yogurtland Real Rewards program earns 2 points for every dollar spent.
Tier: Green Level
Cost: Free
Sign-Up Reward: Free 3 oz. treat
Perks: Free 3 oz. birthday treat
Tier: Raspberry Level
Cost: Earn 60 points in a year
Perks:
- Receive 3 oz. of yogurt free for every 36 points earned
- Free 5 oz. birthday treat
Tier: Platinum Level
Cost: Earn 240 points in a year
Perks:
- Receive 4 oz. of yogurt free for every 36 points earned
- Free 16 oz. birthday treat
- Free 16 oz. "Unlimited Cup" for every 520 points earned
Readers, what are the best rewards programs you know about? Share your favorites in the comments below.
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