Birthday freebies are a popular way for brands to reward loyal customers and attract new ones. These offers range from complimentary food items and desserts to beauty products, retail discounts, and even pet treats. Typically, these rewards are available to members of a brand’s loyalty program or e-club, which are usually free to join. The availability and specific terms of these offers can vary by location, brand, and membership tier. Many brands extend the birthday celebration window to the entire birthday month, providing ample time to redeem a reward. However, some offers require a prior purchase or have specific eligibility criteria, such as being an active rewards member or having a birthday added to a profile by a certain date. This guide compiles information on a wide array of birthday freebies across dining, beauty, and retail categories, based on publicly available promotional details.
How Birthday Freebie Programs Typically Work
Most birthday freebie programs operate on a similar structure. Consumers must first join the brand’s loyalty program, rewards club, or email list. This is often a free process that requires providing basic information like an email address and date of birth. Once enrolled, the brand sends a reward certificate or coupon via email or mobile app, usually around the time of the member’s birthday. The reward must be redeemed within a specific timeframe, which can range from the single birthday day to the entire birthday month.
Some brands require a minimum purchase to redeem the free item, while others offer it completely free of charge. For example, some restaurant offers are only valid with the purchase of another menu item, while others, like a free Slurpee at 7-ELEVEN, require no purchase. It is crucial for consumers to read the terms and conditions associated with each offer, as requirements can change. Calling ahead to confirm the offer at a specific location is also recommended, as franchise-owned locations may have different policies.
Dining and Restaurant Birthday Freebies
Many national and regional restaurant chains offer birthday rewards. These can include free entrees, desserts, appetizers, or beverages. The requirements and redemption windows vary significantly.
Full-Service Restaurants
- Applebee’s: Rewards members can get a free birthday entree through a Buy One Get One (BOGO) offer, valid on the birthday and for 30 days afterward. This is available to members of their rewards program.
- The Cheesecake Factory: Members of the rewards program can receive a complimentary slice of cheesecake, with over 60 flavors to choose from. The offer is valid during the birthday month.
- Benihana: Members of “The Chef’s Table” club receive a $30 complimentary birthday gift certificate. This requires prior registration for the club.
- California Pizza Kitchen: Rewards members receive a free birthday dessert. Diamond-tier members are also eligible for a free entree.
- Texas Roadhouse: Celebrate with a complimentary dessert or appetizer anytime during your birthday month for rewards program members.
- Red Robin: Adult rewards members get a free burger during their birthday month, and children can receive a free kids’ meal for their birthday.
- Ruby Tuesday: Rewards members can enjoy a free dessert up to seven days before or 14 days after their actual birthday.
- TGI Fridays: Members of the rewards program can score a free birthday treat.
- Carrabba’s Italian Grill: Members of the rewards program can receive a free appetizer or dessert.
Quick-Service and Fast-Casual Restaurants
- Arby’s: With the purchase of any sandwich, rewards members can receive a free order of small curly fries and a small shake.
- Auntie Anne’s: Rewards app members who spend more than $10 per year can receive a free soft pretzel on their birthday.
- Baskin-Robbins: Members of the Birthday Club get a free 2.5-ounce ice cream scoop.
- Buffalo Wild Wings: Rewards members get six free wings during their birthday month.
- Burger King: Rewards members earn 2X the reward points throughout their birthday month, which can be redeemed for free food and drink deals.
- Carvel: Members of the Fudgie Fanatic loyalty program receive a free cone.
- Chili’s: Rewards members can get a brownie sundae.
- Dairy Queen: Rewards members can receive a free Blizzard on their birthday.
- Dunkin’: Rewards members get a medium beverage.
- Firehouse Subs: Rewards members get a medium sub sandwich.
- Jersey Mike’s Subs: Rewards members get a free sub sandwich and drink.
- McDonald’s: Through the MyMcDonald’s Rewards program, members can get a free Happy Meal for kids or a free sandwich for adults.
- Pizza Hut: Members of Pizza Hut Benefits get a free birthday treat.
- Sbarro: Rewards app members can get a free XL NY Slice with a minimum purchase of $5 a week prior to their birthday.
- Shake Shack: Members who add their birthday to their profile on the app receive a free birthday shake.
- Smashburger: Rewards members get a free shake on or within seven days of their birthday.
- Sonic: Reward club members can enjoy a free side and a shake when ordering through the app or in person.
- Starbucks: Members who provide their birthday in the mobile app receive a Birthday Reward for one free beverage, food item, or ready-to-drink bottled beverage of choice, valid only on the birthday.
- Subway: Rewards members receive a free cookie on their birthday.
- Waffle House: Members of the Regulars Club get a free birthday waffle.
- Zaxby’s: App members get three free cookies, either through in-app ordering or with a QR code scanned in-store.
Specialty and Bakery Restaurants
- Bertucci’s: Members registered for their e-club receive a free reward.
- Cinnabon: Rewards members get a free treat.
- Great American Cookies: Rewards members get a free cookie cake slice.
- Krispy Kreme: Rewards members get a free doughnut.
- Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt: Rewards members get a free frozen yogurt.
- Pinkberry: Members of Pinkcard rewards get a free yogurt on their birthday and after every 10 purchases.
- Rita’s: Members of Rita’s e-club can celebrate with a free small Italian ice, frozen custard, or gelati.
Casual and Full-Service Chains
- BJs Restaurant: Rewards members get a free Pizookie Dessert.
- Brusters Ice Cream: Rewards members get a free treat.
- California Pizza Kitchen: Rewards members get a free birthday dessert.
- Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurant: Members get a free birthday dessert (offer varies by location).
- Cooper’s Hawk: Rewards members get a free birthday dessert (offer varies by location).
- Cracker Barrel: Rewards members get a free dessert.
- Dave & Busters: Rewards members get $10 in free game play.
- Einstein Bros: Rewards members get a free bagel and shmear (offers may vary).
- Fazoli’s: Rewards members get a free dessert.
- Firebird’s: Members of the E-club get a gift for joining and a $10 gift on their birthday.
- Friendly’s: Rewards members get a free Happy Endings Sundae on their birthday.
- Fuddruckers: Rewards members get $5 off their check.
- Genghis Grill: Rewards members get a free birthday bowl.
- Glory Days Grill: Rewards members get a free sundae.
- Golden Corral: Club members get a free buffet.
- IHOP: Rewards members get free pancakes.
- Jason’s Deli: Rewards members get a free $5 gift card.
- Joe’s Crab Shack: Rewards members get a free appetizer.
- Johnny Rockets: Rewards members get a free hamburger.
- Ledo Pizza: Rewards members get a free pizza.
- Lone Star Steakhouse: Rewards members get a free appetizer.
- Longhorn Steakhouse: Rewards members get a free dessert.
- Maggiano’s: Rewards members get a free $10 certificate.
- Maggie Moos: Rewards members get a free surprise.
- Max & Erma’s: Rewards members get a free chocolate chip cookie.
- McAlister’s Deli: Rewards members get a free gift certificate.
- Melting Pot: Rewards members get a free chocolate treat.
- Moe’s Southwest Grill: Rewards members get a free burrito.
- Qdoba Mexican Eats: Rewards members get free chips and queso or a free drink.
- Red Lobster: My Red Lobster Reward members get a free Chocolate Wave (chocolate cake slice with vanilla ice cream).
- Taco Bell: Rewards members get a free meal on their birthday, as long as they’ve made one purchase previously within the last year.
- TCBY: Rewards members get a free small fro-yo.
- Tim Hortons: Rewards members get a free item on their birthday.
Beauty and Cosmetics Birthday Freebies
Beauty brands often provide exclusive gifts to loyalty program members during their birthday month. These gifts can be full-sized products, deluxe samples, or special discounts.
Makeup and Skincare
- Anastasia Beverly Hills: Members of the ABH loyalty programs receive a birthday month gift along with other exclusive offers.
- Armani Beauty: Members of the Armani Signature VIP Program receive a special birthday reward or gift depending on their tier.
- Aveda: Rewards members earn a birthday gift and double points with each purchase during their birthday month.
- BareMinerals: Rewards members are only eligible for the free birthday gift if they make an additional purchase online anytime throughout their birthday month.
- Bobbi Brown: Rewards members enjoy a birthday gift of $10 off a $30 or more order, up to $50 off a $51 order.
- Smashbox: Rewards members score a free birthday gift during their birthday month, regardless of their rewards tier level.
- Sol de Janeiro: Rewards members who spend $75 per year are eligible for a free birthday gift.
- Tarte: Offers free birthday gifts at any tier level for rewards members.
- Urban Decay: Members of UD Rewards tiers are able to receive a free birthday gift.
- YSL Beauty: Members of the YSL loyalty club score a birthday gift.
Bath, Body, and Fragrance
- Aveda: See above.
- Bath and Body Works: Rewards members get a free gift of their choice (with a value up to $9.95) with any purchase.
- The Body Shop: Members of the Love Your Body Club get a $10 Birthday Reward, valid for the birthday month.
- ULTA: Ulta Rewards members get to choose a free gift from a handful of products during their birthday month. A critical requirement is that the birthday must be in the member’s profile by the 8th of the birthday month to be eligible.
Retail and Clothing Birthday Freebies
Several retail brands offer birthday rewards, typically in the form of discounts or small gift cards.
Clothing and Apparel
- Aerie: Rewards members enjoy a $5 birthday reward.
- American Eagle: Rewards members enjoy a $5 birthday reward.
- Athleta: Loyalty members of any tier get a free “birthday bonus.”
- Banana Republic: Rewards program members receive a free gift available through the reward program.
- DSW: Rewards members get up to $10 off their next purchase.
- Gymboree: My Place Rewards members receive a 20% coupon during their child’s birthday month. My Place Rewards Credit Cardholders receive a 25% off coupon.
Other Retail
- Champs Sports: FLX members receive a “FLX Surprise Birthday Gift” of 500 points upon signup.
- 7-ELEVEN: Rewards members can suck down a free Slurpee anytime during their birthday month.
Entertainment and Other Birthday Freebies
Beyond food and beauty, other industries offer birthday rewards for members.
- AMC Theatres: AMC Stubs Insider members get a free large popcorn during their birthday month. Stubs Premiere and A-List members get a free large popcorn and a large fountain drink.
- Dave & Busters: See above.
- AMC Theatres: AMC Stubs Insider members get a free large popcorn during their birthday month. Stubs Premiere and A-List members get a free large popcorn and a large fountain drink.
Important Considerations for Redeeming Birthday Freebies
Consumers should be aware of several key factors when seeking birthday freebies:
- Enrollment Timing: Many programs require you to sign up before your birthday. Some, like ULTA, have a cutoff date (e.g., the 8th of your birthday month) for adding your birthday to your profile to be eligible for that month’s gift.
- Purchase Requirements: Some offers are “free with purchase,” while others require no purchase. For example, Bath and Body Works requires a purchase to get the free gift, while 7-ELEVEN’s Slurpee is free with no purchase.
- Location Variability: Offers can vary by location, especially for franchise restaurants. It is advisable to call ahead to confirm the offer is available at your specific location.
- Membership Tiers: Some brands offer different gifts based on loyalty program tier. For example, Armani Beauty’s birthday reward depends on the VIP program tier.
- Redemption Window: Pay close attention to the validity period. Some rewards are only valid on the exact birthday (like Starbucks), while others are valid for the entire month or a specific window before and after the birthday.
- ID Requirements: While not always stated, some in-store offers may require showing a form of identification to verify your birthday.
Conclusion
Birthday freebies provide an excellent opportunity for consumers to enjoy complimentary products and experiences from their favorite brands. By joining loyalty programs and e-clubs, individuals can access a wide range of rewards, from free meals and desserts to beauty gifts and retail discounts. The key to successfully claiming these offers lies in understanding the specific eligibility requirements, which often include program enrollment, purchase conditions, and specific redemption timelines. As offers and terms can change, it is always recommended to verify details directly with the brand or restaurant before visiting. With proper planning and awareness of the rules, birthday celebrations can be made even more special with these thoughtful brand rewards.