15 popular brands with rewards programs you should be taking advantage of
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No matter how logical they are, rewards programs always seem like one big loophole someone higher up will eventually discover and close forever. It seems too good to be true that you can shop at a place you really like and get rewards or credit to buy more things from that store.
But for retailers, especially in the digital age, loyalty programs are important. Which stores are at your local mall is less important in determining your shopping habits than it was 10 years ago. Thanks to the internet, you can access virtually any store — from all over the world — whenever you want.
When that’s the case, and there are always new and exciting faces popping up, what’s the incentive for you to go to the mall or stick with the same established brand? Rewards programs are one way of addressing more fickle buyers. And for many of us who appreciate our favorite shops and want to buy more from them, it’s a win-win scenario that makes it more affordable for us to be loyal shoppers.
If you’re not already enrolled, below are 15 brands that offer rewards programs and memberships that you might want to join so you can save yourself money in the long run and keep buying what you love.
1. REI: Co-op membership
You can read the nitty gritty details of why the REI Co-op deal is so great here, but, in simple terms, if you spend $20 on a lifetime membership, you will have:
- 10% back on your purchases: When you buy something using your member number, REI gives you 10% of the price back in an Annual Dividend in March. So essentially, they give 10% of your own money back to you (except for things already discounted).
- Members-only special offers: REI will host member-only sales where members can get up to 50% off.
- The opportunity to play, learn, and travel for less: Most REI stores have frequent classes on subjects that range from fixing your bike to surviving outdoors. For REI members, these outdoor classes, events, rentals, shop series, and REI Adventures are either heavily discounted or completely free.
- Access to in-store REI Garage sales: Garage sales are extremely popular: You'll find slightly used or returned gear and clothing listed at huge discounts with fewer shoppers.
- A direct impact on the retailer itself: Each spring, an election ballot is included with their annual dividend and REI members are able to vote on the company's board of directors.
- The opportunity to do some good: the Co-op invests in the outdoors by giving back nearly 70% of its profits. They offer local events of stewardship where members can volunteer to protect and expand trails.
Sign up for a lifetime REI membership here.
2. Amazon: Amazon Prime membership
Like REI, you can find the full breakdown of each perk here, but in short, this is what you'll be getting with Amazon's Prime membership:
- Free same-day shipping: One of the best-known perks of Prime is getting free two-day shipping on all purchases, but depending on your zip code you could also get access to free same-day delivery on orders over $35.
- Access to Prime Now: Get one or two-hour delivery of 25,000 items across 25 categories, plus restaurant and local store delivery in select cities.
- Access to Prime Video: With Emmy-winning original series "Transparent" and Academy-Award winning "Manchester by the Sea" on its roster, in addition to a large library of shows and movies, Prime Video is quickly becoming a must-have for anyone who has cut their cable cord.
- Showtime and Starz at a discount: subscribe to premium channels at a discount, including Starz, Showtime, and Cinemax.
- Music perks: access to Prime Music, an on-demand music streaming service with a smaller library than the bigger players that are included as a part of Prime. And a monthly discount for Amazon Music Unlimited, which is Amazon's Spotify and Apple Music competitor.
- Reading perks: Kindle Lending Library which lets Prime members "check out" one book each month, Prime Reading which gives you access to thousands of books, magazines, and Audible narrations, and Kindle First which offers a selection of pre-release books the editors of Amazon have chosen so you can buy and read before anyone else. You'll also get access to Audible, which is where you'll find a ton of short-form storytelling and audiobooks through the Audible app.
Start your 30-day free Prime trial now.
3. Nordstrom: Nordstrom Rewards
Get rewarded every time you shop at Nordstrom. All you have to do is join (at no cost) and you'll earn 1 point for every $1 you spend at Nordstrom, Nordstrom Rack, and HauteLook. When you shop on bonus points days, you'll earn even more.
For every 2,000 points you rack up, you'll also get a $20 Nordstrom note to spend on anything you want.
If you really love Nordstrom, you can earn rewards 2x faster with the Nordstrom credit card. For every $1 spent you'll get 2 Nordstrom points. Plus, you'll get early access to the Anniversary Sale and get a few other great perks.
Start earning free rewards at Nordstrom here.
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