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.
But First: Read the Fine Print
Even the best rewards program is only as valuable as you make it. A lot of stores offer amazing customer rewards and birthday freebies. That being said, not all the store rewards programs are worth your time or cash. If they're for a store you frequent — whether that's every day, week, or month — these programs can be well worth looking into.
SEE ALSO: The Complete Guide to Senior Discounts
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 53 Best Customer Rewards Programs
So, without further ado, here are the 53 best rewards programs! Are there any you think we should add to the list?
AMC
| Cost to Join | Points/Dollar | Rewards |
|---|---|---|
| Free | Earn 20 points per dollar spent | Redeem 5,000 points for a $5 reward |
| Perks |
|---|
|
- Waived online ticketing fees for 4+ tickets - $5 Ticket Tuesdays - Free large popcorn refill - Birthday gift: large popcorn - Exclusive offers and screenings |
| Cost to Join | Sign-Up Reward | Points/Dollar | Rewards |
|---|---|---|---|
| $15 per year | $5 Bonus Bucks | Earn 100 points per dollar spent | Redeem 5,000 points for a $5 reward |
| Perks |
|---|
|
- Insider-level perks - Free fountain drink and popcorn size upgrades - Priority lanes at box office and concessions - Waived online ticketing fees - Birthday gift: large popcorn and large fountain drink |
| Cost to Join | Points/Dollar | Rewards |
|---|---|---|
| $19.95 per month | Earn 100 points per dollar spent | Redeem 5,000 points for a $5 reward |
| Perks |
|---|
|
- Premiere-level perks - Up to 3 movies every week with free online reservations |
Barnes & Noble
| Cost to Join | Sign-Up Reward | Perks |
|---|---|---|
| $25 per year | Over $60 in bonus coupons |
- 40% off list price hardcover best-sellers - 10% off almost everything else - Free express shipping online - Member-exclusive offers |
Baskin-Robbins
| Cost to Join | Sign-Up Reward | Perks |
|---|---|---|
| Download the Android or iOS app for free | Free regular scoop |
- Receive deals and coupons - Pay from the app - Track events - Send a mobile gift card |
BJ's Restaurant and Brewhouse
| Cost to Join | Sign-Up Reward | Points/Dollar | Rewards | Perks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free | Free Pizookie | Earn 1 point per dollar spent | Redeem 100 points for a $10 reward | Free birthday Pizookie |
Books-A-Million
| Cost to Join | Sign-Up Reward | Perks |
|---|---|---|
| $25 per year |
- Free $5 reward card - $100 in bonus coupons |
- Free shipping - Up to 40% off best-sellers - Up to 20% off other items - 10% off in-store on almost everything else - Free WiFi access in-store - Exclusive email offers |
Bruster's Ice Cream
| Cost to Join | Sign-Up Reward | Points/Dollar | Rewards | Perks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free | $3 reward | Earn 1 point per dollar spent | Redeem 50 points for a $5 reward | Exclusive offers |
Captain D's
| Cost to Join | Sign-Up Reward | Points/Dollar | Rewards | Perks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free |
- Free appetizer or dessert - 100 bonus points |
Earn 5 points per dollar spent | Redeem 500 points for a free meal | Exclusive offers and savings |
Chick-fil-A
| Cost to Join | Points/Dollar | Perks |
|---|---|---|
| Sign up online or download the Android or iOS app for free | Earn 10 points per dollar spent |
- Free food rewards - Bonus free food rewards from your local restaurant - Birthday reward |
| Cost to Join | Points/Dollar | Perks |
|---|---|---|
| Sign up online or download the Android or iOS app for free | Earn 11 points per dollar spent |
- Member-level perks - Gift rewards to friends and family - Meal donation on member's behalf |
| Cost to Join | Points/Dollar | Perks |
|---|---|---|
| Sign up online or download the Android or iOS app for free | Earn 12 points per dollar spent |
- Silver Member perks - First to know about new menu items and insider info - 2 Chick-fil-A College Football Hall of Fame tickets - 6 Chick-fil-A Backstage Tour tickets |
Cinemark
| Cost to Join | Perks |
|---|---|
| $8.99 per month |
- 1 2D movie credit every month (unused tickets roll over) - 20% off concessions - Share benefits with a friend - Waived online fees - Add-on tickets for $8.99 |
Cinnabon
| Cost to Join | Sign-Up Reward | Perks |
|---|---|---|
| Free | Coupon for a free Minibon |
- Exclusive offers - Birthday treat |
Coco's Bakery
| Cost to Join | Sign-Up Reward | Perks |
|---|---|---|
| Free | Free slice of pie | Deals, coupons, and news on promotions |
Cold Stone Creamery
| Cost to Join | Sign-Up Reward | Points/Dollar | Rewards | Perks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free |
- Buy one, get one free Creation - 25 bonus points |
Earn 1 point per dollar spent | Redeem 50 points for a $5 reward |
- Chance to receive prizes - Exclusive offers - Sneak peek at new products and promotions |
Corner Bakery Cafe
| Cost to Join | Sign-Up Reward | Perks |
|---|---|---|
| Free | Free sweet offer | Exclusive offers |
Cream
| Cost to Join | Sign-Up Reward | Points/Dollar | Rewards | Perks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free | 5 bonus points | Earn 1 point per dollar spent | Redeem 50 points for a free ice cream sandwich | Exclusive offers |
Culver's
| Cost to Join | Sign-Up Reward | Perks |
|---|---|---|
| Free | Buy one, get one free value basket | Exclusive offers |
CVS
| Cost to Join | Perks |
|---|---|
| Free |
- 2% back in ExtraBuck Rewards - Extra savings on your favorite items - Email-only deals if you provide an email address during sign-up |
Dick's Sporting Goods
| Cost to Join | Points/Dollar | Rewards | Perks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free | Earn 1 point per dollar spent | Redeem 300 points for a $10 reward |
- Exclusive coupons - Access to events - Also valid at Golf Galaxy and Field & Stream |
Dippin' Dots
| Cost to Join | Perks |
|---|---|
| Free |
- Free Dippin' Dots on your birthday - Special coupons and offers |
Dunkin'
| Cost to Join | Sign-Up Reward | Points/Dollar | Rewards | Perks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Download the Android or iOS app for free | Free beverage | Earn 5 points per dollar spent | Redeem 200 points for a free beverage |
- Free beverage on your birthday - Offers and discounts on your favorite items |
JCPenney
| Cost to Join | Points/Dollar | Rewards | Perks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free |
- Earn 1 point per $2 spent - JCP cardholders earn 1 point per dollar spent |
Redeem 200 points for a $10 reward |
- Receive an offer on your birthday - Bonus rewards |
Jersey Mike's
| Cost to Join | Points/Purchase |
|---|---|
| Free |
Earn: - 3 points per kid's meal - 4 points per mini sub or breakfast sandwich - 6 points per regular sub, wrap, or sub-in-a-tub - 12 points per giant sub |
| Rewards | Perks |
|---|---|
|
Redeem: - 48 points for a mini sub - 72 points for a regular sub, wrap, or sub-in-a-tub - 144 points for a giant sub |
Receive text offers |
Kohl's
| Cost to Join | Points/Dollar | Rewards |
|---|---|---|
| Free | Earn 1 point per dollar spent | Redeem 100 points for $5 Rewards Cash |
Krispy Kreme
| Cost to Join | Sign-Up Reward | Points Earned | Rewards | Perks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Download the Android or iOS app for free | Free doughnut | Points earned vary based on your purchases | Redeem points for free beverages and doughnuts |
- Exclusive offers - Free birthday gift |
Marble Slab Creamery
| Cost to Join | Sign-Up Reward | Points/Dollar | Rewards | Perks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Download the Android or iOS app for free | Free ice cream | Earn 1 point per dollar spent | Redeem 50 points for a $5 reward | $5 reward on your birthday and Slab Happy anniversary |
McDonald's
| Cost to Join | Perks |
|---|---|
| Download the Android or iOS app for free | Exclusive offers in the app |
Mimi's
| Cost to Join | Sign-Up Reward | Perks |
|---|---|---|
| Free | 2-pack of croissants or muffins | Exclusive offers |
Moosejaw
| Cost to Join | Perks |
|---|---|
| Free for basic level |
- 10% back on every order - 2.5% back on sale items - Can apply reward dollars as payment type |
Aconcagua
| Cost to Join | Perks |
|---|---|
| Spend $500 annually |
- Access to private promotions once a year - Early access to key promotions |
Denali
| Cost to Join | Perks |
|---|---|
| Spend $1,000 annually |
- Aconcagua perks - Annual madness gift - Free 4- to 6-day shipping |
K2
| Cost to Join | Perks |
|---|---|
| Spend $1,500 annually |
- Denali perks - Access to private promotions twice a year - Free 3-day shipping - Access to VIP phone support |
Everest
| Cost to Join | Perks |
|---|---|
| Spend $2,000 annually |
- K2 perks - Free 2-day shipping - Free return shipping |
Nordstrom
| Cost to Join | Points/Dollar | Perks |
|---|---|---|
| Free |
- Earn 1 point per dollar spent - Nordstrom cardmembers earn 3 points per dollar spent |
Redeem points for $5, $10, $15, or $20 Nordstrom Notes that can be spent in-store and online at Nordstrom, Nordstrom Rack, and HauteLook |
Office Depot and OfficeMax
Office Depot OfficeMax Rewards
| Cost to Join | Perks |
|---|---|
| Free |
- 2% back on furniture, supplies, and tech - Members-only savings, recycling rewards, and rewards for reviews |
| Cost to Join | Perks |
|---|---|
| Spend $500 in 12 months |
- Basic-level perks - 5% back in rewards on ink, toner, paper, and print/copy/ship services - Free delivery with no minimum purchase - Birthday offers |
Olive Garden
| Cost to Join | Sign-Up Reward | Perks |
|---|---|---|
| Free | Free appetizer or dessert | Exclusive coupons |
Omaha Steaks
| Cost to Join | Points/Dollar | Perks |
|---|---|---|
| Free | Earn 1 point per dollar spent, or 2 points per dollar spent on Private Reserve items |
- Rewards for purchases and referrals - Email-exclusive offers |
| Cost to Join | Points/Dollar | Perks |
|---|---|---|
| Spend $300 in 12 months | Earn more points on every purchase |
- Access to private offers - Free birthday dessert |
Overtone
| Points Earned in Past Year | Points/Dollar | Perks |
|---|---|---|
| 0 points | Earn 2 points per dollar spent |
- Receive $10 for referring a friend - Provide input on new colors and kits |
| Points Earned in Past Year | Points/Dollar | Perks |
|---|---|---|
| 500 points | Earn 4 points per dollar spent |
- Pastel-level perks - Birthday gift points |
| Points Earned in Past Year | Points/Dollar | Perks |
|---|---|---|
| 1,200 points | Earn 6 points per dollar spent |
- Vibrant-level perks - Free U.S. shipping - Early access to sales - Early access to new colors |
PDQ
| Cost to Join | Sign-Up Reward | Perks |
|---|---|---|
| Free | 3 free tenders with any purchase |
- 1 free offer every month - Free birthday meal |
Petco
| Cost to Join | Points/Dollar | Rewards | Perks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free | Earn 1 point per dollar spent | Redeem 100 points for a $5 reward |
- 5% back on purchases - Free shipping on repeat deliveries - Free gift on your pet's birthday |
Pizza Hut
| Cost to Join | Points/Dollar | Rewards | Perks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free | Earn 2 points per dollar spent |
Redeem: - 150 points for a medium 2-topping pizza - 200 points for any medium pizza - 250 points for any large pizza |
- Unlimited points on every order - Exclusive offers - Birthday rewards - Faster checkout |
Pizza Inn
| Cost to Join | Sign-Up Reward | Perks |
|---|---|---|
| Download the Android or iOS app for free | Free medium chocolate chip Pizzert |
- Rewards on every 9th visit - Online ordering - Exclusive offers - Free birthday dessert |
Potbelly Sandwich Shop
| Cost to Join | Smiles/Dollar | Perks |
|---|---|---|
| 10 smiles | Earn 1 smile per $2 spent |
- Free treat after 5 sandwich purchases in first 5 weeks after enrollment - Personalized perks - Free birthday food and drink - Order ahead and jump the line |
| Cost to Join | Perks |
|---|---|
| 50 smiles |
- Cookie Rookie perks - Exclusive first tastings and member events - Underground menu access |
| Cost to Join | Perks |
|---|---|
| 250 smiles |
- Sandwich Superstar perks - Free cookie with purchase from 3 pm to 5 pm |
REI
| Cost to Join | Perks |
|---|---|
| $20 for a lifetime membership |
- 10% back on purchases in the form of an annual member dividend - Members-only special offers - Access to in-store REI Garage sales - Special pricing on REI outdoor classes and events, rentals, shop services, and REI Adventures |
Rita's
| Cost to Join | Perks |
|---|---|
| Download the Android or iOS app for free | Free regular Italian ice, frozen custard, or gelati on your 8th visit |
Rite Aid
| Cost to Join | Points/Dollar | Perks |
|---|---|---|
| Free |
- Earn 1 point per dollar spent on nonprescription purchases - Earn up to 25 points for every prescription filled |
- Members-only pricing - Exclusive email offers - Automatic savings on participating items - Earn up to 20% off almost the entire store for a year |
Sally Beauty
Sally Beauty Rewards Preferred
| Cost to Join | Sign-Up Reward | Points/Dollar | Rewards | Perks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free | $5 reward when you sign up and make a purchase | Earn 10 points per eligible dollar spent |
- 10% back in rewards - Redeem 500 points for a $5 reward |
- Custom color consultation - Bonus point opportunities - Members-only offers, discounts, and coupons - Birthday bonus month |
| Cost to Join | Sign-Up Reward | Points/Dollar | Rewards | Perks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spend $200 in a calendar year | $5 reward when you sign up and make a purchase | Earn 12.5 points per dollar spent |
- 10% back in rewards - Redeem 500 points for a $5 reward |
- Preferred-level rewards - Free shipping - Annual qualification gift |
Sephora
| Cost to Join | Points/Dollar | Perks |
|---|---|---|
| Free | Earn 1 point per dollar spent |
- Birthday gift (2 choices) - Seasonal savings - Rewards Bazaar - Trial-size products - One-of-a-kind experiences - In-store beauty services - Free beauty classes - Access to the Beauty Insider community |
| Cost to Join | Points/Dollar | Perks |
|---|---|---|
| Spend $350 per calendar year | Earn 1.25 points per dollar spent |
- Insider-level perks - Birthday gift (4 choices) - Tier celebration gift (3 choices) - Full-size products |
| Cost to Join | Points/Dollar | Perks |
|---|---|---|
| Spend $1,000 per calendar year | Earn 1.5 points per dollar spent |
- VIB-level perks - Free standard shipping - Early access to products - Exclusive events - $100 Rouge Reward |
Sonic Drive-In
| Cost to Join | Sign-Up Reward | Perks |
|---|---|---|
| Download the Android or iOS app for free | Free medium slush or drink |
- Reload your MySONIC card to receive monthly rewards - Send digital gift cards to friends |
Starbucks
| Cost to Join | Stars/Dollar | Perks |
|---|---|---|
| Sign up online or download the Android or iOS app for free | Earn 2 Stars per dollar spent |
- Free food and drinks - Order ahead, pay with your phone - Free brewed coffee and tea refills - Birthday treat - Double-Star Days, Bonus Stars, and games - Exclusive offers |
| 25 Stars | 50 Stars | 150 Stars | 200 Stars | 400 Stars |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Customize your drink | Brewed hot coffee, bakery item, or hot tea | Handcrafted drink, hot breakfast, or parfait | Lunch sandwich, protein box, or salad | Select merchandise or at-home coffee |
SweetFrog Premium Frozen Yogurt
| Cost to Join | Sign-Up Reward | Perks |
|---|---|---|
| Free | 10% off your next purchase |
- Earn sweetBenefits with every purchase - Personalized offers - Free 12-oz. cup after 10 visits |
TCBY
| Cost to Join | Rewards/Dollar | Rewards | Perks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Download the Android or iOS app for free | Earn a $3 reward per $30 spent | Earn $3 for every referral |
- Free birthday treat with Silver Spoon status - $3 reward with Gold Spoon status - $5 reward with Platinum Spoon status |
TGI Fridays
| Cost to Join | Sign-Up Reward | Perks |
|---|---|---|
| Free | Free appetizer or dessert | Exclusive perks |
Ulta
| Cost to Join | Points/Dollar | Perks |
|---|---|---|
| Free | Earn 1 point per dollar spent |
- Free birthday gift - Double points during your birthday month |
| Cost to Join | Points/Dollar | Perks |
|---|---|---|
| Spend $450 per calendar year | Earn 1.25 points per dollar spent |
- Member-level perks - $10 birthday coupon - Earned points will never expire |
| Cost to Join | Points/Dollar | Perks |
|---|---|---|
| Spend $1,200 per calendar year | Earn 1.5 points per dollar spent |
- Platinum-level perks - Free shipping on $25 - Annual $25 beauty services reward card |
Village Inn
| Cost to Join | Sign-Up Reward | Perks |
|---|---|---|
| Free | Free slice of pie | Valuable deals and coupons |
Walgreens
| Cost to Join | Points/Dollar | Rewards | Perks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free | Varies |
Redeem: - 1,000 points for a $1 reward - 2,000 points for a $2 reward - 3,000 points for a $3 reward - 4,000 points for a $4 reward - 5,000 points for a $5 reward |
Earn points on: - Prescriptions and vaccines - Shopping trips - Healthy choices |
Wendy's
| Cost to Join | Perks |
|---|---|
| Download the Android or iOS app for free |
- Exclusive offers - Order from your phone - Get delivery |
Williams-Sonoma
| Cost to Join | Earn | Rewards | Perks | Valid Stores |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free |
- 3% back in rewards - 5% back in rewards if you're a Williams-Sonoma cardholder |
Receive a reward when you earn at least $15 |
- Exclusive access - Free design services |
- Pottery Barn - Pottery Barn Kids - PB Teen - Williams-Sonoma - Williams-Sonoma Home - West Elm - Mark Graham |
Yogurtland
| Cost to Join | Sign-Up Reward | Points/Ounce | Perks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free | Free 3 oz. | Earn 1 point per ounce purchased | Free 3-oz. birthday treat |
| Cost to Join | Points/Ounce | Rewards | Perks |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60 points | Earn 1 point per ounce purchased | Redeem 36 points for a free 3-oz. yogurt | Free 5-oz. birthday treat |
| Cost to Join | Points/Ounce | Rewards | Perks |
|---|---|---|---|
| 240 points | Earn 1 point per ounce purchased |
- Redeem 36 points for a free 4-oz. yogurt - Free "Unlimited Cup" for every 520 points earned |
- Personalized Yogurtland Platinum card - 16-oz. birthday treat |
Readers, what are the best rewards programs you know about? Share your favorites in the comments below.
Enter to Win $1,000
or alternatively list the effective rebate rate, so continuing the amc free vs paid example:
amc free effectively 2% rebate vs amc $15 annual plan is 10% rebate.
lots of ways to present the data more clearly than sticking with company's vague points per dollar, then turning points back into dollars.
example amc free vs paid, free gets 20 points per dollar vs $15 annual gets 100 points per dollar, both have same starting 5000 points for minimum $5 rebate reward.
it would be more effective to show:
amc free plan gets $5 reward for every $250 spent vs...
amc $15 annual gets $5 reward for every $50 spent ($25 for every $250).
The Regal program gives you 100 points for every dollar spent on tickets or concession snacks. You move up in "gem" levels the more frequently you go to the theater (buy a ticket, only the first one per day counts) per year. When you reach the top "Diamond" level at 20 visits in a year, you'll get 1000 bonus points when you buy a ticket (once per day only). There are also frequent promotions where you get 500-1000 bonus points for seeing a particular movie there on the first weekend, or a series of movies from the same studio.
You can cash in points for tickets (18000 points) or popcorn, etc. You can even upgrade a free small popcorn to med (+$1) or large (+$2). So it's a pretty "rewarding" and flexible program.
We strive to keep our comments section spam-free, but we encourage our users to share great deals with each other. We're all here to save money, after all!
Thanks for reading!
The Kohls card is also good under certain circumstances as it can sometimes unlock extra % off at times that might not be available with current coupons.