Budget Busters #2 – Customer Reward Programs

Everybody knows that their local grocery store offers a customer rewards program, but did you know that many other stores where you might make everyday purchases offer them as well? Below I’ve compiled a list of such programs and there were quite a few I didn’t even know about. (I can’t tell you how many movie ticket’s I’ve bought over the past few years – wish I’d known about Regal’s program earlier!)

Last Updated: 01/03/12

ACE Hardware (ACE Rewards) – Earn 10 points for every $1 you spend and once you get 2,500 points, you get a $5 reward. You also get 1,000 free bonus points on your first purchase so you basically have to spend $150 the first time around before getting a reward. If you are a DIY person, spending that much on home improvements isn’t hard.

AMC Theaters (AMC MovieWatcher) – You earn two points for every ticket you buy and can get up to four point per visit. Cash the points in for free popcorn (10 points) or movie tickets (30 points).

AutoZone (Rewards) – Spend $20 in-store and you earn one credit. If you then earn five credits within six months, you’ll receive $20 AutoZone store credit.

Best Buy (Reward Zone) – For every $250 you spend, you’ll get a $5 gift certificate as well as special offers during your birthday month.

CVS Pharmacy (ExtraCare) – Earn 2% back with every purchase in-store and online, plus earn 1 Extra Buck for every 2 prescriptions purchased.

Dick’s Sporting Goods (Score Card) – Earn one ScoreCard Rewards point for every $1 you spend in store or online. Once you accumulate 300 points, you’ll earn a $10 reward.

Dunkin’ Donuts (Dunkin’ Perks) – Use the promo code DDPERKSCoffee and receive a coupon in the mail for a free medium coffee.

Eddie Bauer (Friends) – Earn 10 points per every $1 spent and once you hit 1,750 points ($175 spent), you’ll get a free $10 gift card. Thanks to Barb for pointing this out!

Hallmark (Hallmark Gold Crown) – 1 point is earned for every $1 spent plus you get bonus points for every card you buy. Points can then be used to earn discounts and coupons.

JC Penny (JCP Rewards) – Register online with any credit or debit card and you’ll automatically earn points when you use them to make a purchase. Every dollar spent earns 1 point and you need 250 points to get a $10 gift card. But watch out, points don’t roll over month to month, which stinks if you ask me.

Office Depot (Worklife Reward) – They offer 10% back on ink, toner, paper & design, and printing / shipping services. Everything else earns 1% back.

PETCO (Petco PALS) – In-store purchases receive discounted prices similar to how grocery stores reward programs operate. In addition, if you purchase 10 bags of the same brand and size premium dry dog or cat food within a 12-month period, you get one free. They have a similar “buy 8, get 1 free” pet grooming policy.

Petsmart (PetPerks) – Sign up now and receive a Welcome Kit with more than $100 in store coupons. In addition, you get exclusive offers and coupons sent to you.

Regal Cinemas (Regal Crown Club) – Earn one credit per dollar spent on tickets plus you earn four credits for every concession transaction. Their reward program is similar to a ladder, where you earn prizes at 50 points earned, 100, 150, etc. And last, but not least, members become eligible for special deals on certain days ($1 Candy Monday, $1 Popcorn Tuesday, etc.)

SEARS (Craftsman Club) – Looks like they’ll just send you mailings and coupons, but there’s no points system.

Staples (Staples Rewards) – Like Office Depot, they offer 10% back on ink, toner, paper & design, and printing / shipping. However, they don’t offer the 1% back on everything else. Booo. To make up for this shortcoming, they give $2 in rewards for every used ink cartridge that you bring in. They also have a rebate program for teachers, which makes me wonder if stay-at-home parents who home school their children would qualify for.

TGI Fridays (Give Me More Stripes) – Earn an $8 certificate for every $100 spent (excluding alcohol-only purchases) plus get a coupon for a free appetizer when you sign up AND a one-time use jump-the-line-pass. That pass alone is worth it for me.

Toys incorrectly-displayed-R Us (Rewards R Us) – Earn $5 for every $150 spent during certain periods, which tend to be around three months. In addition, earn discounts on diapers and baby formula.

True Value (True Value Rewards) – Earn a $10 gift certificate for every $250 you spend.

Ulta Beauty (ULTA reward) – They have all sorts of levels that correspond to how much you spend with them. Suffice to say, if you shop there, you should sign up for the free rewards program

I’m sure I missed a few free rewards programs, so if you know of any, let me know!