My Top 5 Retail Loyalty Programs

Loyalty programs exist for one single purpose... to make a company more money by retaining customers. The goal is to reward customers for spending money by giving out free incentives. These incentives come in the form of coupons, discounts, store credits, and free goods or services (just to name a few). Loyalty programs can easily become a trap for the consumer, which is just what companies want, but if you play the loyalty programs right, you (as the consumer) can gain some HUGE benefits.

There are a few different types of reward programs, so for clarification I want to describe three:

• Point Programs - One of the most common types of rewards program where companies offer points in exchange for dollars spent. These points add up over time and the customer can redeem the points for discounts, gifts, etc.
• Tier System -  A customer can work their way up different levels by spending more money. The different levels unlock different incentives and rewards. 
• Frequency-based Coupons and Promotions - Companies offer higher value coupons/discounts the more often you shop or use their services. When you shop, the company asks for an identifier (this may be your email, address, phone number) and coupons are sent at different frequency levels the more you shop. 

Here are 5 of my all-time favorite reward programs and how they have saved me money and made me money!

1) Express - There was a day when I never thought about Express (or even shop there because it can be very expensive) until I learned about their point-based rewards program. The beautiful thing about this rewards program is that Express sends out monetary rewards ALL THE TIME without you even having to make a purchase! In 2018, Express gave me over $100 in FREE rewards. They send birthday money, holiday money, money for completing your online profile, even money for logging into Express.com with a social media platform. The rewards range from $5-$15 and you can save them and stack them up in one purchase. My entire business wardrobe has come for FREE from Express. It's a really awesome rewards program and honestly, it may just be my favorite!

 
• In 2018 I got over $400 worth of clothing for free... that is not an exaggeration. 
• My tip... stack up your rewards and buy items on clearance. I walk out of Express with several free items every time they've sent me a reward. 

2) PacSun - PacSun is another point-based rewards program where you earn per dollar spent. They give you $5 for signing up and then very randomly, but very frequently, you will get an email with a $5-$10 reward. Now that may not seem like much, but take that reward and shop their clearance section where basically every day everything is buy-one-get-TWO free.

• In both April and November of 2018, I got 6 items off the clearance racks for FREE. In December of 2018, they sent a last-minute holiday reward and I got 2 bikini tops (on sale for $5 each!!) online for free with free shipping. 
• My tip... go into PacSun every time they send you a reward and head to the clearance rack, things are typically priced under $10 which makes your item(s) free or just a couple bucks. 

3) Bath and Body Works - Who doesn't love a good trip to Bath and Body Works... if you're not already signed up for their email and mail coupons (which if you have ever made a purchase they ask you for your email/phone number so you probably are signed up in one way or another) sign up now!! This frequency-based coupon program will become your best friend. Every month you will get coupons in the mail for discounts and a FREE travel sized product. Every time I get a coupon I use the free item and get a small body wash or lotion. They make great gifts and I haven't bought a full-size body wash in years!

• In 2018, I got around 25 FREE small body washes (my sweet Mamma usually gave me her coupons too). I also got countless candles and gifts for under $10 with every visit using coupons! 
• My tip... the key is to give them your email or phone number every time you purchase from them because the more trips you make the higher value coupons you get, and the frequency of coupons you receive increases. 

4) Victoria Secret - Victoria Secret has long been offering their monthly free panty (I am proud to say that over the past 3 years I have not bought one single pair of panties) but as of late 2017, they have started requiring a purchase for most of those free panty offers. What I love about Victoria Secret is not only their mail coupons, which come monthly but also their store-based credit card program. I'm not suggesting that store credit cards are good or bad (and I am NOT an advocate of incurring debt) but, I will say that from my PERSONAL experience the Victoria Secret credit card has been a game changer. Victoria Secret combines point programs, tier-systems, and frequency-based coupons into one magical rewards program.

• In 2018, I got over 10 pairs of free panties, 2 free sports bras, 3 free pajama sets, and tons of free body care items! 
• PINK (Victoria Secret's sister store) has their own member program so be sure you sign up for that too. It's separate from the VS rewards. Right now if you sign up PINK is offering a FREE item (up to $19.50) with any purchase! 
• My tip... to use your free panty with a purchase coupon and spend the least amount possible buy a small beauty item for $2-$3. You end up with a $10.50 panty and a beauty item all for just around $3.50!

5) American Eagle - AE is another point-based system that also allows consumers to work their way up to different levels. American Eagle also offers a store credit card, but it's different from Victoria Secret because it is a Visa card that can be used anywhere Visa is accepted. You earn points from all purchases and they add up quick! You also receive birthday rewards and other random incentives throughout the year. For every 5 pairs of jeans you buy, you get a pair free and the same goes for bras from Aerie.

•  In 2018, I received around $300 worth of clothes for FREE (after using the AEO Visa card for everyday purchases such as paying for gas, groceries, etc.) 
• My tip... use your AEO credit card for the purpose of earning points/rewards and pay them off as you make purchases. Treat it like a debit card and you will stay away from debt and rack up tons of points. 

Honorable Mention: 

• Kohl's - I wanted to throw Kohl's into this list because I am also part of their rewards program and they sent me around $30 throughout last year. I also received monthly members only coupons too. So, if you shop at Kohl's frequently, I could see this program being great for you because I don't typically go there and I still got $30 for free! 

One last note. It's very important you check your email frequently to reap the benefits of these programs.