Birthday reward programs are a common marketing strategy employed by numerous retail, beauty, restaurant, and beverage brands to incentivize customer loyalty. By signing up for newsletters, joining loyalty programs, or applying for store credit cards, consumers can often receive free products, exclusive discounts, or special gifts on their birthdays. The following guide details the types of birthday rewards available, the typical methods of enrollment, and specific offers from a range of brands, based on information from verified surveys and consumer reports.
Understanding Birthday Reward Programs
Brands structure birthday rewards in various ways. According to a quarterly survey of brands offering birthday discounts and rewards, most programs are free to join and may offer additional bonuses upon sign-up. The primary methods for accessing these rewards include signing up for brand newsletters, registering for loyalty programs, applying for store credit cards, or downloading a brand’s mobile application. Some programs require the consumer to provide their date of birth at the time of registration to be eligible for the annual birthday gift.
Rewards can range from free products, such as cosmetics or food items, to percentage-based discounts, dollar-off coupons, or complimentary services. Eligibility often depends on the specific program's terms, which may include requirements such as being an active member for a certain period before the birthday, making a prior purchase, or having a specific membership tier.
Categories of Birthday Freebies
The available birthday rewards span numerous consumer categories. The following sections detail specific offers from brands in beauty and makeup, beverages, bread and pastry, food and drink, and general retail categories.
Beauty & Makeup Freebies
Many beauty brands offer birthday gifts to members of their loyalty programs. These gifts are typically available during the member's birthday month and may require enrollment in the program before a specific date.
- Algenist: Members of the Algenist Rewards program receive 200 points upon sign-up and an additional 200 points on their birthday. The program also provides benefits such as free 2-day shipping and early access to sales.
- Aveda: Consumers can register for Aveda’s Birthday Program to receive one free 30mL aromatic nourishing composition oil on their birthday. The gift can be redeemed online or at a local Aveda store.
- bareMinerals: Joining the FAB Loyalty Program provides a 15% discount on the first purchase after completing an online profile. Members also receive an exclusive reward on their birthday.
- SMASHBOX: Rewards members at any level can receive a free birthday gift during their birthday month.
- SOL DE JANEIRO: Consumers who spend $75 per year are eligible for a free birthday gift.
- TARTE: Free birthday gifts are offered at any tier level of the rewards program.
- THE BODY SHOP: Members of the Love Your Body Club receive a $10 Birthday Reward, valid for their birthday month.
- ULTA: Ulta Rewards members can choose a free gift from a selection of products during their birthday month. A key requirement is that the birthday must be added to the member’s profile by the 8th of the birthday month to be eligible.
- URBAN DECAY: Members of any UD Rewards tier are eligible to receive a free birthday gift.
- YSL BEAUTY: Members of the YSL loyalty club can receive a birthday gift.
Beverage Freebies
Coffee shops and beverage chains frequently offer free drinks to loyalty program members on their birthdays.
- BIGGBY Coffee: Joining the B-Happy Lounge provides one free beverage on your birthday. The reward can be added to an account even without a physical BIGGBY card.
- Bojangles: Members of Bojangles' eClub can redeem one free Bo-Berry Biscuit with any purchase on their birthday. They also receive one free half gallon of Bojangles Legendary Iced Tea with their first purchase after joining.
- Caribou Coffee: Signing up for Caribou Perks grants a free drink of any size on your birthday. Members also earn reward points for purchases, which can be redeemed for free drinks.
- Dunkin: Members of DD Perks receive a free beverage on their birthday. Additional free beverages can be earned every time 200 reward points are accumulated.
- Dunn Brothers Coffee: Downloading the Dunn Brothers Rewards App provides a $5 birthday gift, along with a $3 sign-up bonus and savings on coffee purchases.
- Fat Straws: Joining the FUNatics Loyalty Program allows members to earn bubble points for milk tea purchases and redeem one free drink on their birthday at a store location.
- Smoothie King: Members of the Healthy Rewards program earn 100 points for every $1 spent. A free smoothie is provided on the birthday, and 35,000 points can be collected for a $2 reward.
- Starbucks: Members of Starbucks Rewards receive one free drink of choice on their birthday. The program also includes benefits like free refills on brewed coffee and tea.
- The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf: The Coffee Bean Rewards program provides a bonus treat to new members and a birthday gift each year.
Bread & Pastry Freebies
Bakery and bagel chains often reward loyalty program members with free food items on their birthdays.
- Au Bon Pain Cafe Bakery: Joining the Au Bon Pain eClub provides a free travel mug and a birthday gift annually.
- Auntie Anne's: Using the Auntie Anne's Pretzel Perks app grants one free pretzel on the first order and a birthday gift each year.
- Bruegger’s Bagels: Members of Bruegger's Inner Circle rewards receive a free cream cheese bagel upon sign-up and another free cream cheese bagel each year.
- Einstein Bros. Bagels: New members receive a free Bagel & Schmear with their first order. Providing a date of birth results in a special coupon on the birthday.
Food and Drink Freebies (Restaurants & Retail)
A wide variety of restaurants and food retailers offer birthday rewards, often requiring a purchase or membership in a loyalty program.
- 7-ELEVEN: 7Rewards members can get a free Slurpee anytime during their birthday month.
- 99 Restaurant & Pub: Registering for 99 Rewards provides one free dessert after the first visit and an annual birthday dessert.
- A&W Restaurants: Members of the A&W Mug Club can redeem one free beer float on their birthday each year.
- Abuelo's: Joining Mi Abuelo's Rewards provides a special birthday gift and an exclusive discount for new members.
- AMC THEATRES: AMC Stubs Insider members get a free large popcorn during their birthday month. Stubs Premiere and A-List members receive a free large popcorn and a large fountain drink.
- Applebee's: A free birthday dessert is available with a minimum purchase of $15 or more.
- Arby's: Signing up for Arby's Insider provides exclusive email offers, including a free shake with any purchase on your birthday. Another offer noted requires the purchase of any sandwich to receive a free order of small curly fries and a small shake.
- Auntie Anne's: Spending more than $10 per year through the Auntie Anne's Rewards App earns a free soft pretzel on your birthday.
- Baja Fresh: Registering for Club Baja provides a free taco. If signed up at least 4 days before the birthday, a special gift is received; otherwise, it can be claimed the following year.
- Baskin-Robbins: Members of the Birthday Club receive a free 2.5-ounce ice cream scoop.
- bd's Mongolian Grill: Members of bd's Rewards eClub receive a $5 coupon via email on their next visit.
- Bertucci's: Registered members of the e-club receive a free reward.
- Benihana: Members of The Chef's Table receive a $30 complimentary birthday gift certificate.
- Buffalo Wild Wings: Members receive six free wings during their birthday month.
- Burger King: Members earn 2X reward points throughout their birthday month, which can be redeemed for free food and drink deals.
- California Pizza Kitchen: Rewards members enjoy a free birthday dessert. Diamond members also receive a free entree.
- Carvel: Members of the Fudgie Fanatic loyalty program receive a free cone.
- Capitol Grille: (Details not provided in source material).
- Redbox: Signing up for Redbox Perks provides a free 1-night DVD rental. On the birthday, another free 1-night rental is received.
Retail Freebies
Beyond food and beauty, various retail brands offer birthday discounts or gifts to loyalty program or credit card holders.
- Target: Members of the Target Circle loyalty program receive a 5% discount on their birthday. REDcard owners receive 5% off every purchase, including on their birthday.
- The Container Store: Members of the Perfectly Organized Perks (POP!) Rewards Program receive a birthday gift in addition to a 15% discount and other benefits.
- Victoria's Secret: Applying for a Victoria's Secret Credit Card provides a $10 gift on the birthday, along with other exclusive benefits. This offer is available to U.S. residents only and is subject to restrictions.
- World Market: Members of World Market Rewards receive a special birthday gift annually, bonus points on purchases, and free shipping on orders over $49.
- AERIE: Members enjoy a $5 birthday reward.
- AMERICAN EAGLE: Members enjoy a $5 birthday reward.
- ATHLETA: Loyalty members of any tier receive a free "birthday bonus."
- BANANA REPUBLIC: A free gift is available through the reward program.
- DSW: 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.
Conclusion
Birthday reward programs are a prevalent and accessible way for U.S. consumers to receive free products, discounts, and gifts from a diverse array of brands. Participation typically requires joining a brand’s free loyalty program, newsletter, or credit card offer. The specific rewards, eligibility requirements (such as minimum spending or membership duration), and redemption periods vary significantly by brand. Consumers interested in maximizing these benefits should carefully review each program's terms and conditions, particularly regarding sign-up deadlines and membership tiers, to ensure they receive their annual birthday offers.