It seems like just about every restaurant has some sort of loyalty program nowadays. The competition for your dining dollars is fierce, so companies need to offer every incentive possible for you to choose them from the full plate of competitors out there.
Be prepared, if you don’t own a smart phone or mobile device, participating in loyalty programs may be a challenge nowadays. It’s simply the wave of the future — everything is (or soon will be) digital. No more plastic membership cards or key tags to lug around everywhere.
While some offers are sent via e-mail, most promos and rewards are only available via an app. You may also be required to scan your app at checkout to earn points.
Without a smart phone, you will not be able to access a digital coupon, show a required e-mail offer or reference your account in real time for any reward issues. However, in many cases, you can use your registered phone number at checkout to access your account for earning and redeeming points.
In addition, many fast-food restaurants don’t have a formal loyalty club, but offer digital coupons only available on their app. If you eat fast-food often, the apps are definitely worth downloading because they offer exclusive discounts — some coupons can even be redeemed once per day.
If you dine with any regularity at a restaurant, from fast-food to fancy, you’re foolish not to join their loyalty program or sign-up for e-mail updates. Hungry bargain hunters know you should never pay full price, when dining out.
And one of the best ways to save money is to always be in-the-know about promos, discounts and specials. On any given day, there’s bound to be a special, coupon or promo in your inbox.
Consider creating an e-mail address specifically for this purpose. Otherwise, your inbox will quickly become overwhelmed with promos, offers and updates. Keeping the address simple and something easy to remember will be helpful, when signing up for loyalty programs in-person or online.
Benefits of Membership
No Membership Fee
With few exceptions, loyalty clubs (including eClubs or mailing lists) are always FREE to join — no sign-up or annual fees.
However, when there is a charge, make sure the benefits outweigh any fees. It doesn’t make sense to pay any fees, if all you’re doing is paying for any so-called rewards upfront. You want to be sure you’re “profiting” from the benefits, not losing money.
Also, double-check if fees are one-time or annual charges. Finally, it’s always wise to know how to cancel a paid membership upfront, so you don’t miss any required deadlines or steps.
Sign-Up Bonus
Most (if not, all) clubs offer some sort of incentive just for signing up — usually a FREE item, BOGO offer or discount. All of these deals have a time restriction of typically one week for redemption, so read the fine print carefully.
And don’t make the mistake of signing up for several clubs on the same day. Otherwise, you may end up with too many offers in your inbox and forced to let some go. (The true nightmare of die-hard bargain hunters!)
Birthday Bonus
Again, most clubs offer some sort of “gift” on your birthday — usually a FREE item, BOGO offer or discount. No longer only valid on just your birthday, most companies allow several days, a week or even your entire birthday month to redeem.
Gone are the days, when bargain hunters needed to redeem as many birthday offers as possible on their one special day.
Here’s another tip: This is your chance to fib on your birth date. (Hey, make yourself 20 again!) Many deal seekers spread out the birthday offers by simply using different birth dates upon registration. The trick gives you offers to enjoy all year long rather than overstuffing yourself during your actual birthday month.
Don’t worry, most places don’t check ID, they just scan the birthday offer at checkout. And it’s not hurting the company. They were going to give you a birthday surprise anyway. You’re just choosing to enjoy it at a different time.
Member-Only Offers & Discounts
Members always get exclusive offers or discounts, including BOGO coupons, daily specials, food holiday promos and more — not available to the general public. It’s one of the main reasons to sign-up for as many restaurant loyalty programs as possible, so you always have an option of eating somewhere on the cheap. As an added bonus, members are usually the first to know about new dishes or limited-time offers.
Rewards
They’re called “loyalty clubs” for a reason. The restaurant wants you to be a frequent diner. As a result, the more money you spend, the more rewards you earn.
Rewards are often tiered with varying values or status levels, but usually include a FREE beverage, appetizer, dessert or entrée. Typically, you need to spend at least $100 before you begin earning rewards.
Don’t be so quick to redeem your rewards at the first available option. Oftentimes, it’s a better value to let the points rack up for a bigger reward.
Plus, pay attention to bonus point offers for opportunities to earn points faster. Many restaurants offer bonus points (usually double or triple points) on specific days, during special hours or with the purchase of specific menu items.
It’s no fun to earn a reward, after spending potentially hundreds of dollars, only to have it expire. All rewards have an expiration date from a few days to several weeks. Again, read the fine print, so you can reap all the benefits you’ve earned.
Finally, make sure you scan your account (or give your registered phone number) at checkout to ensure your account is properly credited. If you forget to do so, getting the points added to your account can be difficult and time-consuming.
Some restaurants have a policy of not awarding points, if it’s not completed at the time of purchase. (If you do forget, always keep your receipt. You’ll need it, when communicating with customer service.)
Exclusive Giveaways, Tastings & Events
Many restaurants sponsor giveaways and sweepstakes, many times only open to members or entries via online orders made on its app. Plus, loyalty members are often invited to menu tastings, focus groups and/or special events (grand opening, anniversary or birthday celebrations.)
For movie clubs, it often means invitations to advance screenings, discounts at the concession stand and/or complimentary refills.
Loyalty Clubs, Newsletters & More
Ace Hardware /
A&W Restaurants /
Alamo Drafthouse Cinema /
Amazon /
AMC Theatres /
AMF Bowling /
Andy’s Frozen Custard /
Anthony’s Pizza & Pasta /
Applebee’s /
Aquarium /
Arby’s /
arc Thrift Stores /
Atlanta Bread Company /
Auntie Anne’s /
Bar Louie /
Barnes & Noble /
Baskin-Robbins /
bd’s Mongolian Grill /
Bed Bath & Beyond /
Ben & Jerry’s /
Benihana /
Best Buy –
Big Lots /
BJ’s Restaurant Brewhouse /
Black-eyed Pea /
Blackjack Pizza /
Blimpie /
The Body Shop /
Bonefish Grill /
Boston Market /
Bruegger’s Bagels /
Bubba’s 33 /
Buffalo Wild Wings /
BurgerFi /
Burger King /
Café Rio / — use referral code BryanKCh7
California Pizza Kitchen /
Captain D’s /
Caribou Coffee /
Carl’s Jr/
Carrabba’s Italian Grill /
Casa Bonita /
Charleys Philly Steaks /
The Cheesecake Factory /
Chick-fil-A /
Children’s Museum Denver /
Chili’s /
Chipotle Mexican Grill /
Chuck E. Cheese /
Church’s Chicken /
Chuy’s Tex-Mex /
Cicis Pizza /
Cinemark Theatres /
Cinnabon /
Circle K /
Coca-Cola /
Cold Stone Creamery /
The Container Store /
Corner Bakery Café /
Corvus Coffee /
Coyote Ugly Saloon /
Cracker Barrel /
Culver’s /
Dairy Queen /
Dazbog Coffee /
Del Taco /
Denny’s /
Denver Art Museum /
Dickey’s Barbecue Pit –
Domino’s /
Duffeyroll Café /
Dunkin’ /
The Egg and I /
Einstein Bros. Bagels /
Elitch Gardens /
Elvis Cinemas /
Fazoli’s /
Firehouse Subs /
Five Guys Burgers & Fries /
The Fractured Prune /
Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers /
Fuzzy’s Taco Shop /
Gamestop –
Garbanzo Mediterranean Grill /
Gigi’s Cupcakes /
GODIVA Chocolates /
Golden Corral /
Good Times Burgers /
Goodwill Industries of Denver /
Great American Cookies /
Great Clips /
Grimaldi’s Coal Brick-Oven Pizzeria /
Gunther Toody’s /
Hallmark /
Hard Rock Café /
Harkins Theatres /
High Point Creamery /
Hooters /
HuHot Mongolian Grill /
Hungry Howie’s /
IHOP /
Il Fornaio Cucina Italiana /Â
Illegal Pete’s /
Jack in the Box /
Jamba Juice /
Jersey Mike’s /
Joe’s Crab Shack /
KFC /
Kiehl’s /
Kohl’s –
Kokoro /
Krispy Kreme /
Lakeside Amusement Park /
LaMar’s Donuts /
Landmark Theatres /
Larkburger /
La Sandia Cantina & Tequila Bar /
Little Caesars /
Little India Restaurant & Bar /
Linger /
Long John Silver’s /
Longhorn Steakhouse /
Lucky Strike /
MAD Greens /
Maggiano’s Little Italy /
McAlister’s Deli /
McDonald’s /
Mellow Mushroom /
The Melting Pot /
Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt /
Mici Handcrafted Italian /
Mimi’s Café /
Modern Market /
MOD Pizza /
MOOYAH Burgers, Fries & Shakes /
Mrs. Fields /
Native Foods /
Natural Grocers /
Noodles & Company /
Ocean Prime /
Old Chicago Pizza & Taproom /
Olive Garden /
On The Border Mexican Grill & Cantina /
Orange Julius /
Outback Steakhouse /
Panda Express /
Panera /
Papa John’s /
Papa Murphy’s /
Papyrus /
Peet’s Coffee /
Pei Wei /
Perkins Restaurant & Bakery /
Perry’s Steakhouse & Grille /
Petco /
PetSmart /
P.F. Chang’s China Bistro /
Pinkberry /
Pizza Hut /
Pizza Republica /
Pizzeria Locale /
Popeyes /
Potbelly Sandwich Shop /
Pretzelmaker /
The Protein Bar & Kitchen /
Punch Bowl Social /
Qdoba Mexican Grill /
Quiznos /
Redbox /
Red Lobster /
Red Robin Gourmet Burgers & Brews /
Regal Cinemas /
Rio Grande Mexican Restaurant /
Rita’s Italian Ice /
Rite Aid /
Rock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery /
Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory /
Romano’s Macaroni Grill / Romano’s Macaroni Grill eClub
Root Down /
Ruby Tuesday / So Connected eClub
7-Eleven /
Sbarro /
Schlotzsky’s /
Seasons 52 /
See’s Candies /
Shake Shack /
The Shops of Northfield Stapleton /
Silver Mine Subs /
Simms Steakhouse /
Smashburger /
Smiling Moose Rocky Mountain Deli /
Snarf’s Sandwiches /
Snooze Eatery /
SONIC Drive-In /
Sprouts Farmers Market /
Starbucks /
Steak ‘n Shake /
SUBWAY /
Supercuts /
Taco Bell /
Taco John’s /
Target / Cartwheel App — or
Tattered Cover /
TCBY /
Texas Roadhouse /
TGI Fridays /
Tilted Kilt Pub & Eatery /
Tokyo Joe’s /
Tony’s Meats & Market /
Torchy’s Tacos /
Tropical Smoothie Café /
Twin Peaks /
Uncle Maddio’s Pizza /
Ulta Beauty /
Village Inn /
Vitality Bowls Superfood Café /
Waffle House /
Wahoo’s Fish Tacos /
Walgreens /
Water World /
Wendy’s /
Which Wich Superior Sandwiches /
Wingstop /
World Market /
Yard House /
Yogurtland /
Zoës Kitchen /
Zoup! /