The Best Retail Loyalty Programs Everyone Should Sign Up For

Spending money is fun, but saving money is even better, especially if you can do it while spending money. With rising inflation and the general cost of living, it behooves the average consumer to find ways to maximize their spending. One way to do that is through retail loyalty programs, and if you play your cards right, you can save hundreds annually. Here are some of the best retailer loyalty programs to join.

CVS

CVS’s ExtraCare rewards program is free to join, and every time you shop, you have access to special deals for members, get 2% back in ExtraBucks Rewards, and more. You also have the option to upgrade to ExtraCare+ for $5 per month, and you get those benefits plus free same-day delivery, 20% off CVS Health brand products, a $10 monthly bonus reward, and more.

Best Buy

The My Best Buy program is a tiered membership program with increasingly good perks. Enrolling in the free version gives you free standard shipping with no minimum purchase. The next step up is My Best Buy Plus, which is $29.99 per year. For that fee, you get free two-day shipping, exclusive prices and sales, and an extended 60-day return window. The final tier is the My Best Buy Total program, which is $179.99 annually. This program is great for people planning to make large appliance purchases, as the program offers the previous perks plus protection plans, 24/7 tech support, and 20% off repairs. My Best Buy credit card members also get additional savings.

Target

When you sign up for the Target Circle rewards program, you’ll get access to exclusive discounts and 5% off a single purchase for your birthday. If you get the Target RedCard credit card, you’ll save 5% on purchases.

Macy’s

Macy’s Star Rewards program has four membership tiers, and the more you shop, the higher you rank. Each tier gives points for Macy’s purchases, opportunities to shop on Star Money Bonus Days, a birthday surprise, and member exclusives. The silver tier offers free shipping with a minimum purchase of $25; the gold and platinum tiers offer free shipping with no minimum spend. If you spend using a Macy’s American Express credit card, you will get all those benefits and more.

Starbucks

Customers enrolled in the Starbucks Rewards program accrue stars that can be cashed in for free drinks, drink upgrades, and more. There are three tiers, with customers getting one star for every dollar spent to start (and more as they move up tiers); the upper two tiers, stars don’t expire. Starbucks loyalty customers also get a free birthday drink and other perks. 

Sephora

Sephora’s Beauty Insider program is a points-based program that gives points with every dollar spent. Big spenders can level up to VIB (Very Important Beauty) or Rouge Insiders, who get additional perks. Beauty Insider points can be cashed in for sample sizes of name-brand makeup or gifts at the register, which is a great way to test out new brands before spending big bucks on their full-sized products.

REI

REI Co-op’s membership program isn’t points or tier-based but rather a subscription service that customers pay a $30 fee to join. Members get discounts on their REI purchases and access to discounts on rentals and services like bike tune-ups, among other perks.

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