Birthday freebies are a popular category of promotional offers where brands provide complimentary products or services to customers celebrating their birthdays. These offers typically require enrollment in a brand’s rewards program or email list, and they are often delivered via email coupons or account credits. The availability, timing, and specific items offered can vary by brand and location. This article details a selection of birthday freebies available in the United States, based on information from promotional websites and brand reward program descriptions. It covers food and beverage, beauty, and other retail categories, outlining how to sign up and what to expect.
Food and Beverage Birthday Freebies
Many restaurant and food chains offer birthday rewards to members of their loyalty programs. These freebies often include full meals, desserts, or specific menu items. Enrollment is generally free and requires providing basic personal information, such as a name, email address, and zip code.
Applebee’s
Applebee’s offers a “free treat” for birthdays. The specific treat, which is typically a free appetizer or a free dessert, can vary by location. To receive the offer, customers can sign up for Applebee’s eClub online. Registration requires providing a name, email address, and zip code. Members may also receive additional special offers and promotions, such as $5 off or 10% off coupons.
IHOP
IHOP provides a free full stack of its Rooty Tooty Fresh n’ Fruity pancakes, with topping choices including peach, raspberry, or strawberry. The birthday coupon is received seven days before the birthday and expires seven days after. To get this freebie, sign up for the IHOP Pancake Revolution program. Upon enrollment, members receive one coupon for free pancakes. Additionally, members receive two coupons per year for free pancakes—one on the birthday and one on the anniversary of their signup.
Denny’s
Denny’s Rewards members receive a free Grand Slam Breakfast coupon via email during their birthday month. Signing up for Denny’s Rewards also grants a 20% discount on the next visit. Throughout the year, members receive additional coupons and special offers.
Waffle House
Waffle House offers a free Classic Waffle through its Regulars Club. Sign-up requires a name, email address, and zip code. Members receive occasional emails, coupons, and other promotions.
Red Robin
Red Robin Royalty members get one free burger during their birthday month, with a choice from 24 different gourmet burgers. Joining the free program online (via email, Facebook, or Twitter) provides additional perks, such as a free item every 10th order, $20 towards the 6th visit, and exclusive offers.
Panera
Panera Bread’s My Panera members receive a free pastry or sweet during their birthday month. To sign up, visit the Panera website, click on the “My Panera” link, and provide an email address. Members can opt-in to receive emails for additional rewards and freebies.
Baskin-Robbins
Baskin-Robbins offers a free 2.5-ounce scoop of ice cream or a three-ounce swirl of soft serve. The coupon is sent via email about five days before the birthday. To get it, create a free BR Account on the Baskin-Robbins website. Members also receive periodic email promotions, such as BOGO offers. Additionally, joining the BR Text Club by texting BASKIN to 31310 provides coupons and deal alerts.
Einstein Bros Bagels
Einstein Bros Bagels offers a free breakfast sandwich with the purchase of any drink. Members of The Shmear Society receive this offer, along with a free bagel and shmear with purchase upon sign-up. Registration requires an email address and phone number. Members also receive occasional promotional deals via email.
Buffalo Wild Wings
Buffalo Wild Wings provides free snack-sized wings (five wings with one choice of sauce) to members of the Buffalo Circle. Sign-up requires an email address and zip code. Members receive regular email updates with exclusive deals and promotions.
Other Restaurant Freebies
Additional birthday freebies from various restaurants include: - Red Lobster: A randomly selected birthday freebie upon signing up for the rewards program. - Jamba Juice: A free smoothie after accruing a minimum of 15 points in the rewards program. - Olive Garden: A free birthday dessert for eClub members who include their birth date and dine in. - Ruby Tuesday: A free dessert or Garden Bar add-on added to the Ruby Rewards account within 7 days of the birthday. - PF Changs: A complimentary dessert for Gold Rewards program members. - Wingstop: A free birthday item for members of The Club (specific item not specified). - TGI Fridays: A free birthday surprise for Fridays Rewards program members. - Orange Julius: A BOGO coupon for a 20-ounce Julius Original or Premium Fruit Smoothie, though some reports indicate a free drink may be available. Sign up for the Julius League to receive the coupon and monthly deals.
Beauty and Cosmetics Birthday Freebies
Beauty retailers often provide deluxe samples or full-size cosmetic items to loyalty program members during their birthday month. These offers typically require joining the brand’s rewards program.
Sephora
Sephora Beauty Insiders can choose a free birthday gift from a selection of skincare or makeup products. The gift sets are described as “deluxe” samples, which are smaller than full-size products but still substantial. To participate, sign up for the Sephora Beauty Insider program.
Ulta Beauty
Ulta Beauty members receive a free birthday gift, such as travel-size skincare or haircare products, and double points on all purchases during their birthday month. Joining the Ulta rewards program is required.
Urban Decay
Urban Decay offers one free cosmetics item to members of its UD Beauty Junkies rewards program. The specific item changes periodically; for example, it has previously been a full-size eyeshadow and is currently the Urban Decay After Glow Highlighter. To get the freebie, sign up with a name, email address, password, address, and birthday month. No points are needed to receive the birthday offer. Members also receive exclusive information about online deals and early product releases.
General Birthday Freebie Programs
Some brands offer birthday freebies as part of broader rewards systems that include other benefits throughout the year.
Redbox
Redbox Play Pass is a free rewards system that provides promo codes for discounts and BOGO deals approximately twice a month. On the anniversary of signing up, members receive a 100% free rental. While not a birthday-specific offer, it is a notable freebie program that rewards regular users. Sign-up takes about one minute.
Cinemark
Cinemark offers a coupon for one free large popcorn, valid for the entire birthday month. To get this freebie, create a free Cinemark Account online by providing an email address, password, name, phone number, and zip code. Members can earn rewards and receive coupons via email. Downloading the free Cinemark Connections app provides additional access to rewards.
How to Maximize Birthday Freebies
To effectively access birthday freebies, consumers should: 1. Sign Up in Advance: Many programs require sign-up at least a few weeks before the birthday to ensure the offer is delivered on time. 2. Provide Accurate Information: Ensure the name and birth date match the identification used at the point of redemption, as some brands may require proof. 3. Check Email Regularly: Offers are typically sent via email, so it is important to monitor the inbox, including spam folders. 4. Read Terms and Conditions: Some offers may have restrictions, such as requiring a purchase or being valid only at specific locations. 5. Join Multiple Programs: Since offers vary, signing up for several relevant programs can increase the number of freebies received.
Conclusion
Birthday freebies are a valuable way for U.S. consumers to receive complimentary products and services from a variety of brands. By enrolling in rewards programs for restaurants, beauty retailers, and other stores, individuals can access free meals, desserts, cosmetics, and other treats during their birthday month. The process is generally straightforward, requiring only basic personal information and an email address. While specific offers and requirements vary by brand, the consistent theme is that advance registration is key to receiving these promotional benefits. Consumers are advised to sign up for programs well before their birthday and to carefully review any terms associated with the freebies.