15 retail rewards programs that could help you save more on everyday purchases
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If you’ve ever enjoyed a free birthday treat, snagged a discount at checkout, or gotten early access to a sale, chances are you’ve already seen the perks of a good rewards program.
Retailers across the country are offering loyalty memberships designed to stretch your dollar—and some come with surprisingly generous benefits.
Whether you're shopping for grandkids, grabbing coffee on your morning walk, or keeping your pet stocked with treats, these programs can help you save money without much effort.
Many of them are free to join and offer easy-to-earn points, discounts, and exclusive deals.
Here’s a look at 15 rewards programs older adults are already using—and tips to help you make the most of them.
1. Best Buy – My Best Buy
Free to join, My Best Buy offers standard shipping with no minimum.
Paid tiers—My Best Buy Plus ($49.99/year) and My Best Buy Total ($179.99/year)—add 2-day shipping, exclusive pricing, extended return windows, AppleCare+ protection, and 24/7 tech support.
Members as young as 13 can join with parental consent.
2. Burger King – Royal Perks
Earn points (“crowns”) with every dollar spent and redeem them for menu items.
Members also get free upsizes and birthday deals—perfect if you like treating yourself or the grandkids!
3. CVS – ExtraCare
With ExtraCare (free), earn 2% back on most purchases and occasional ExtraBucks.
ExtraCare Plus ($5/month or $48/year) adds perks like free shipping, 24/7 pharmacist access, 20% off CVS-brand items, and a $10 monthly coupon.
Be sure to scan your card each visit to keep earning.
Also read: Unlock exclusive perks: Discover the exciting new rewards Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises don’t want you to miss!
4. GameStop – GameStop Pro
For $25/year, you get a $5 welcome reward, monthly $5 Pro Rewards, 2% back in points, and free shipping on $54+ orders.
Points (20 per $1) can be redeemed for coupons.
Autopay renewal includes an additional $5 welcome reward.
5. JCPenney – JCPenney Rewards
Earn 1 point per $1 (1.5 with store card), with 200 points redeemable for a $10 reward.
New sign-ups get a $10 CashPass, plus another on your birthday.
Members receive bonus points and offers throughout the year.
6. Kohl’s – Kohl’s Rewards
Earn 5% Kohl’s Rewards (7.5% with store card) on purchases.
For every $5 earned, a Kohl’s Cash coupon is issued monthly and valid for 30 days.
Even non-members earn $10 Kohl’s Cash for every $50 spent during promotions.
Also read: Chipotle is giving away free burritos for a year—here’s how you could win
7. McDonald’s – MyMcDonald’s Rewards
Earn 100 points per $1 spent. Redeem for free food—a cheeseburger costs 1,500 points; a Big Mac, 6,000.
Spend at least $1 through the app for a free Quarter Pounder.
Points aren’t earned on gift card purchases.
8. Petco – Vital Care
Core (free) offers basic coupons and deals.
Premier ($239.88/year or $24.99/month) includes unlimited exams at select vets, 20% off grooming, two $30 Rover credits yearly, and a $15 monthly reward.
Earn 1 point per $1; 167 points = $5 reward.
Inactivity resets points.
Also read: Is AI about to take control of your credit card? What this credit card company has planned next will shock you!
9. Pizza Hut – Hut Rewards
Earn 2 points per $1 spent.
Redeem 75 points for breadsticks, 125 for cheese sticks, 200 for a medium pizza, and 300 for a large.
Exclusive offers available for members. Points expire after 6 months of inactivity.
10. REI – Co-op Membership
A one-time $30 fee gives lifelong access to 10% back on eligible purchases, discounts on rentals and repairs, and special sales.
REI Co-op Mastercard holders get 5% back on co-op purchases.
Also read: Maximize your savings: Uncover the loyalty programs that actually save you money on travel!
11. Sephora – Beauty Insider
Earn 1 point per $1 spent (more during multiplier events).
Tiers: Insider (free), VIB ($350/year), and Rouge ($1,000/year) offer increasing perks.
Redeem 500 points for $10; Rouge members can redeem 2,500 for $100.
12. Starbucks – Starbucks Rewards
Earn 1 star per $1 (2 with preloaded app payment).
Redeem stars for drinks or food. Link to Delta SkyMiles, Marriott Bonvoy, or eligible Bank of America cards for added bonuses and miles
Also read: Are gas stations charging you more than advertised? The credit card trick catching drivers off guard
13. Target – Target Circle
Target Circle (free) offers instant deals, rewards, and a 5% birthday discount.
Target Circle 360 ($10.99/month or $99/year) adds free same-day delivery from Target and other major retailers, free 2-day shipping, and no-rush returns.
14. Walgreens – myWalgreens
Earn 1% cash rewards (5% on Walgreens brands) storewide, including pharmacy purchases.
With the myWalgreens credit card, those rise to 5% and 10%, respectively.
Points expire after 1 year or 6 months of inactivity.
15. Wendy’s – Wendy’s Rewards
Earn 10 points per $1. Redeem for food.
Points expire after 365 days; rewards must be used within 30 days of claiming.
Also read: Airfare alert as United Airlines rolls out a change that could impact all travelers
Are loyalty programs worth it?
In most cases, yes—especially if you already shop at the store.
Free programs offer simple ways to earn perks over time, while paid versions may be worth it for frequent shoppers.
Just be sure to read the fine print so you don’t miss out.
How to make the most of rewards programs
These rewards programs are especially useful if you already shop at these stores regularly.
But even for occasional purchases, it can be worth signing up—just keep track of your points and expiration dates so you don’t miss out on the savings.
Read next: A bold new meal deal from a major chain is turning heads in the fast-food world
Have a favorite rewards program—or one that didn’t deliver? Share your tips, wins, or cautionary tales in the comments. Helping each other make smarter choices is one of the best rewards of all.
Retailers across the country are offering loyalty memberships designed to stretch your dollar—and some come with surprisingly generous benefits.
Whether you're shopping for grandkids, grabbing coffee on your morning walk, or keeping your pet stocked with treats, these programs can help you save money without much effort.
Many of them are free to join and offer easy-to-earn points, discounts, and exclusive deals.
Here’s a look at 15 rewards programs older adults are already using—and tips to help you make the most of them.
Many major retailers offer loyalty programs with perks that can add up over time. Image source: YouTube / CBS Sunday Morning.
1. Best Buy – My Best Buy
Free to join, My Best Buy offers standard shipping with no minimum.
Paid tiers—My Best Buy Plus ($49.99/year) and My Best Buy Total ($179.99/year)—add 2-day shipping, exclusive pricing, extended return windows, AppleCare+ protection, and 24/7 tech support.
Members as young as 13 can join with parental consent.
2. Burger King – Royal Perks
Earn points (“crowns”) with every dollar spent and redeem them for menu items.
Members also get free upsizes and birthday deals—perfect if you like treating yourself or the grandkids!
3. CVS – ExtraCare
With ExtraCare (free), earn 2% back on most purchases and occasional ExtraBucks.
ExtraCare Plus ($5/month or $48/year) adds perks like free shipping, 24/7 pharmacist access, 20% off CVS-brand items, and a $10 monthly coupon.
Be sure to scan your card each visit to keep earning.
Also read: Unlock exclusive perks: Discover the exciting new rewards Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises don’t want you to miss!
4. GameStop – GameStop Pro
For $25/year, you get a $5 welcome reward, monthly $5 Pro Rewards, 2% back in points, and free shipping on $54+ orders.
Points (20 per $1) can be redeemed for coupons.
Autopay renewal includes an additional $5 welcome reward.
5. JCPenney – JCPenney Rewards
Earn 1 point per $1 (1.5 with store card), with 200 points redeemable for a $10 reward.
New sign-ups get a $10 CashPass, plus another on your birthday.
Members receive bonus points and offers throughout the year.
6. Kohl’s – Kohl’s Rewards
Earn 5% Kohl’s Rewards (7.5% with store card) on purchases.
For every $5 earned, a Kohl’s Cash coupon is issued monthly and valid for 30 days.
Even non-members earn $10 Kohl’s Cash for every $50 spent during promotions.
Also read: Chipotle is giving away free burritos for a year—here’s how you could win
7. McDonald’s – MyMcDonald’s Rewards
Earn 100 points per $1 spent. Redeem for free food—a cheeseburger costs 1,500 points; a Big Mac, 6,000.
Spend at least $1 through the app for a free Quarter Pounder.
Points aren’t earned on gift card purchases.
8. Petco – Vital Care
Core (free) offers basic coupons and deals.
Premier ($239.88/year or $24.99/month) includes unlimited exams at select vets, 20% off grooming, two $30 Rover credits yearly, and a $15 monthly reward.
Earn 1 point per $1; 167 points = $5 reward.
Inactivity resets points.
Also read: Is AI about to take control of your credit card? What this credit card company has planned next will shock you!
9. Pizza Hut – Hut Rewards
Earn 2 points per $1 spent.
Redeem 75 points for breadsticks, 125 for cheese sticks, 200 for a medium pizza, and 300 for a large.
Exclusive offers available for members. Points expire after 6 months of inactivity.
10. REI – Co-op Membership
A one-time $30 fee gives lifelong access to 10% back on eligible purchases, discounts on rentals and repairs, and special sales.
REI Co-op Mastercard holders get 5% back on co-op purchases.
Also read: Maximize your savings: Uncover the loyalty programs that actually save you money on travel!
11. Sephora – Beauty Insider
Earn 1 point per $1 spent (more during multiplier events).
Tiers: Insider (free), VIB ($350/year), and Rouge ($1,000/year) offer increasing perks.
Redeem 500 points for $10; Rouge members can redeem 2,500 for $100.
12. Starbucks – Starbucks Rewards
Earn 1 star per $1 (2 with preloaded app payment).
Redeem stars for drinks or food. Link to Delta SkyMiles, Marriott Bonvoy, or eligible Bank of America cards for added bonuses and miles
Also read: Are gas stations charging you more than advertised? The credit card trick catching drivers off guard
13. Target – Target Circle
Target Circle (free) offers instant deals, rewards, and a 5% birthday discount.
Target Circle 360 ($10.99/month or $99/year) adds free same-day delivery from Target and other major retailers, free 2-day shipping, and no-rush returns.
14. Walgreens – myWalgreens
Earn 1% cash rewards (5% on Walgreens brands) storewide, including pharmacy purchases.
With the myWalgreens credit card, those rise to 5% and 10%, respectively.
Points expire after 1 year or 6 months of inactivity.
15. Wendy’s – Wendy’s Rewards
Earn 10 points per $1. Redeem for food.
Points expire after 365 days; rewards must be used within 30 days of claiming.
Also read: Airfare alert as United Airlines rolls out a change that could impact all travelers
Are loyalty programs worth it?
In most cases, yes—especially if you already shop at the store.
Free programs offer simple ways to earn perks over time, while paid versions may be worth it for frequent shoppers.
Just be sure to read the fine print so you don’t miss out.
How to make the most of rewards programs
- Only join programs at stores you already use.
- Keep track of your points and expiration dates.
- Combine rewards with coupons or sales.
- Ask staff about exclusive member events or offers.
These rewards programs are especially useful if you already shop at these stores regularly.
But even for occasional purchases, it can be worth signing up—just keep track of your points and expiration dates so you don’t miss out on the savings.
Read next: A bold new meal deal from a major chain is turning heads in the fast-food world
Have a favorite rewards program—or one that didn’t deliver? Share your tips, wins, or cautionary tales in the comments. Helping each other make smarter choices is one of the best rewards of all.
