Birthday celebrations in New Orleans offer a unique opportunity for consumers to access a variety of complimentary products and discounts. Across the city, retailers, restaurants, and service providers structure promotional offers to reward loyalty program members and email subscribers. These offers typically require advance registration, often necessitating sign-up at least 30 days prior to the birthday to qualify. The scope of these freebies ranges from food and beverages to beauty products and entertainment, with specific eligibility rules varying by brand.
The majority of available freebies are tied to loyalty programs or email clubs. For example, AMC Theatres offers a free large popcorn, and potentially a free large fountain drink for higher-tier members, during the birthday month, provided the individual has been an AMC Stubs Insider member for at least 30 days prior. Similarly, Applebee’s provides a free dessert with a purchase of $15 or more for those signed up for their email list. Auntie Anne’s rewards members of the Pretzel Perks program with a free pretzel on their birthday, often requiring a $10 annual spend to redeem.
Retailers also participate in these birthday promotions. ACE Hardware offers a $5 off coupon for ACE Rewards members. American Eagle Outfitters provides 15% off during the birthday month for AERewards members. Barnes and Noble offers a free cupcake for children signed up for the B&N Kids’ Club. Bare Minerals, through its Friends and Benefits membership, gives a gift customized to the user's profile. CVS ExtraCare cardholders receive $3 in ExtraCare Bucks annually on their birthday. DSW rewards program members receive a $5 gift certificate. Hallmark Crown Rewards members get a free card and a 20% off coupon. Sephora offers a free gift for Beauty Insider members, and Smashbox provides a free gift during the birthday month for rewards program members. World Market offers a free surprise for World Market Explorers.
Beauty and personal care brands are prominent in the freebie landscape. Sephora’s Beauty Insider program is frequently cited as a source for free birthday gifts, with reports indicating that no purchase is required to redeem them. Smashbox also offers a free gift during the birthday month for those registered for their rewards program.
Food and beverage establishments provide a wide array of options. Baskin Robbins offers free ice cream through its Birthday Club. The Cheesecake Factory offers a free slice of cheesecake with any purchase for members of their rewards program, expiring 14 days after the birthday. Chick-fil-A offers rewards through its program. CC's Coffee House provides a free beverage for birthdays upon registering for a CC's Loyalty Card. Einstein Bros. Bagels offers a free egg sandwich with purchase for birthdays for e-club members. Fogo de Chao offers a free birthday dessert. Honeybaked Ham offers a free ham sandwich for signing up. IHOP offers a free meal when signing up, and on the one-year anniversary. La Madeleine offers a free dessert. McAlister's Deli offers a $5 off coupon. Raising Cane's, through the Caniac Club, offers a free drink on birthdays, a free Box Combo for signing up, and a "Buy One, Get One" Box Combo on the anniversary of sign-up. Rotolo's Pizzeria offers a free pizza on birthdays and the anniversary of sign-up. Velvet Cactus offers a free margarita (or substitute beer or dessert) on birthdays.
Specific location-based offers are also available. CC's Coffee House has locations at 650 Poydras St., 941 Royal St., 2800 Esplanade Ave., 2917 Magazine St., and 900 Jefferson Ave. in New Orleans, as well as 701 Metairie Road and 3647 Veterans Memorial Blvd. in Metairie. Pat O'Brien's offers a voucher for a free drink of choice for Birthday Club members at 718 Peter St., New Orleans. Smashburger offers a free milkshake for Smashclub members at 3300 Magazine St., New Orleans, and 3301 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie. Velvet Cactus is located at 6300 Argonne Blvd., New Orleans. Einstein Bros. Bagels is located at 615 City Park Ave. and 1440 Canal St., New Orleans. Fogo de Chao is located at 614 Canal St., New Orleans. Honeybaked Ham locations include 901 Terry Parkway, Gretna; 5300 Tchoupitoulas, New Orleans; and 3211 N. I-10 Service Rd., Metairie.
Entertainment and "things to do" freebies are also part of the offerings. Medieval Times offers free admission with the purchase of regular admission. Regal Entertainment Group offers free birthday popcorn for Regal Crown Club members.
Some offers have specific requirements. Raising Cane's requires obtaining a card in-store and then registering it online. Broken Egg Cafe offers free pancakes for birthdays and free beignets when signing up. Dot's Diner offers a free menu item with the purchase of a drink only. Get My Perks offers $10 off any daily deal purchase of $20 or more.
New Orleans has a specific tradition for birthdays where individuals pin a single or a couple of dollar bills to their clothing, and locals may add to the fund along with birthday wishes.
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