Are rewards programs worth joining?

Last updated on July 5th, 2024 at 11:36 am

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It seems like everyone brand has a rewards program now. Be it the grocery store to chain restaurants. Some of these may benefit you while others might not.

No matter how you feel about these programs some may pay off in the long run.

There are tons of rewards programs

The rewards programs can range from the grocery store to fast food to even cash-back shopping apps or browser extensions.

The thing is you have to figure out which one will benefit you in the long run. Each program may have its advantages and its drawbacks.

Each program is different and has different rules. So you’d have to see which one would be best for you.

All you can do is do your own research to see which one will fit your needs.

Reward program pros

Some programs have some great advantages. such as getting a free item (fast-food or restaurants offer this) Or maybe even getting extra perks like saving on gas.

Some programs may offer exclusive offers on set days or a deeper discount on select products.

reward program cons

Many rewards programs may have a set point limit you need to meet to gain your reward. Some may start off with under 100 points. While others may need you to earn 200 points or more.

This is also true when it comes to point expiration. Some programs carry points on a month-to-month basis while others require you to spend your points in a set time frame.

That means some may reset the balance to zero at the start of a new month. I haven’t come across this often but it does happen.

Some of my favorite rewards program

Here are a few of my favorite rewards programs and why they may benefit you in the long run.

Grocery store rewards

I love grocery store rewards because you can save a fair amount in the long run. The last time I went shopping we saved around $20 in digital coupons and store sales thanks to the store’s app. My usual grocery store is a Kroger affiliate store.

The rewards program also offers an extra perk of saving 10 cents a gallon on gas at their participating gas station. It’s located in our grocery store parking lot. So if you spend $100 or more you earn points. for us, that’s easy because we usually like to stock up. You can save up to 20 cents off on participating days.

Another Kroger affiliate store in my area partners with Shell gas stations and you can save up to 20 cents off a gallon. I haven’t tried this yet so I’m not sure how that works.

Some stores may have special discounts for reward members on set days. This could range from 2 x points on Fridays to an extra discount on cookies. Each week it may be different.

Some stores may even have a free item with a coupon or app coupon.

drug store rewards programs

Like grocery store rewards I’ve found drug store reward programs to come in handy. I haven’t used CVS in a few years or Rite Aide much either. But I know that Walgreens’ reward program is pretty good.

You can use your points in-store or online. When shopping both in-store and online you can combine coupons with your rewards points. I’ve also found that when shopping online you can redeem up to $10 in rewards points during one order.

In-store, I believe you can redeem as little as $1 when making a purchase.

Fast food or food-related programs

Some food rewards programs are great. Some you can earn a free product. While others may give you special discounts on your birthday. While another may do both of these things.

All in all, there is always a deal in it for you.

I don’t know of anyone who doesn’t like free food. The only con i can find with these programs is that at times it may take a while to earn the points you’d like for the product offered. Or the free product offered might not be something you like.

But the good thing is many of these programs give you extra points for ordering via their app or online.

I know Pizza Hut and Domino’s have good rewards programs. You can redeem under 100 points for a free item. This can come in handy sometimes.

Other rewards programs worth mentioning

Aside from store rewards programs, there are also cash-back programs. These come in a variety of forms from apps to browser addons/extensions.

if you are someone who does a lot of online shopping you may benefit from using a cashback app or browser extension.

Honey

Honey is a pretty good cashback option. i like that you can also price watch items too. You can also use your points for Paypal rewards.

The biggest con with Honey is that the cashback rewards can be small and take a while to process. Honey lets you redeem your points which they call gold as soon as you reach $10.

https://www.joinhoney.com/ref/io80pff

Fetch

Fetch is an app you can use to scan your receipts both paper and digital. They offer extra points when purchasing select product brands or shopping at selected grocery stores.

I like this because you can redeem your points for gift cards.

Points add up over time and this may also vary by how often you shop as well. Fetch lets you redeem 5,000 points which equals $5.

https://fetchrewards.onelink.me/vvv3/referralsocial?code=Y6HBM

Rakuten

Rakuten is both an app and a cashback browser extension. I’ve made out pretty well with this one. The biggest payout I’ve had was over $400.

Rakuten’s cashback percentage can vary by retailer so you may have a big cashback reward or you may earn 75 cents.

But they do offer a lot of discounts from shopping to travel.

One of the biggest cons about Rakuten is that the payouts are quarterly. So it may be something of a disadvantage for some.

https://www.rakuten.com/r/VARSP2?eeid=45830

So are rewards programs worth joining?

In the end that really all depends on you and your needs as a consumer. If you think the program will be of benefit then sign up. If you don’t think it’s worth it to you that’s fine too.

you shouldn’t feel forced to join a rewards program just to appease the salesperson.