1. Set up a dedicated e-mail account. Before you start signing up for a bunch of reward programs, you should set up a separate e-mail account strictly for your rewards. Most companies give reward members special offers, deals and coupons all year long. If you multiply this by 50 companies, you are going to get flooded with e-mails with deals and bargains. By setting up a separate free e-mail account using Yahoo, Google or Hotmail, your regular e-mail will be saved from the outpouring of promotional items.
However, make sure to opt in for regular e-mail communications from your favorite companies, and you will receive discounts all year long. “It is a great way to preview product launches, holiday incentives and receive discounts,” said Jen Gulling, director of marketing for Max and Erma’s restaurants. “Always enroll in the e-mail program and opt in to receive e-mails. That way as a consumer you can always know what your favorite restaurant is doing and many restaurants use e-mail marketing as a way to promote weekly specials and promotional offers.”
2. Double-check. Typically, most retailers will honor national promotions or rewards clubs. However, it is always better to be safe than sorry. Before you go to redeem a voucher, you may want to call ahead and double-check that your voucher or coupon will be accepted at the local chain.
3. Be thorough. When signing up for reward programs, make sure to be thorough on your registration form. “Provide an e-mail address. This helps the guest in the case they do not remember to bring the card,” said Damon Dichler, managing partner for The Fox and the Hound. “We can still look them up and get them their points.” Also, provide a phone number on your registration form. A lot of restaurants use your phone number as a second reference number in case you lose your membership card.
4. Celebrate all month long. If you are getting freebies for the entire month of your birthday, it is near impossible to use them all in one day. Plan your activities around the expiration of your coupons and celebrate your birthday all month long.
5. Be prepared. Although some restaurants will allow you to just walk in and tell them it is your birthday, others require the printout of the coupon and/or your ID to prove that it is your birthday. Don’t forget these two items at home or you may be paying for that meal you were planning on getting for free.
6. Be considerate. At some restaurants you will be able to get a meal for free. However, don’t skimp on the wait staff because you didn’t have to pay for your entree. When tipping, give the amount you would give if you were paying full price for the item.
7. Don’t feel guilty. If you go into a retail store and have a coupon for a freebie that requires no other purchase, don’t feel obligated to buy something. Simply walk in, redeem your item, say thank you and leave.
Deals sunup to sundown
So, if you want to spend your birthday having fun, but not breaking the bank, try this scenario. Simply sign up for these company rewards programs and redeem your prizes.
Breakfast
• Visit Denny’s for a free grand slam breakfast
• Get a free meal at IHOP
• Free donuts at Krispy-Kreme
• Free beverage from Starbucks
Lunch
• Visit Red Robin or Ruby Tuesdays for a free hamburger
• Complimentary meal at the Spaghetti Warehouse
Dinner
• Get a free stir-fry meal at BD Mongolian Grill
• Get a complimentary entree from Bravo or Brio
Dessert
• Free cookies from Max and Erma’s
• A celebration creation from Cold Stone Creamery
• Free sweet or treat at Panera Bread
• Free dessert at T.G.I. Friday’s
Activities
• Do a round of miniature golf at Young’s Jersey Dairy
• Get a $10 free gameplay card for Dave & Buster’s
• Visit the Dayton Funny Bone with free tickets
• Free movie ticket from The Greene
• Free DVD rental from RedBox
Other birthday freebies
• $5 gift certificate to DSW
• Free beauty product from Sephora
• Full-sized beauty product from Aveda
• Free eyebrow shaping from ULTA
Birthday reward programs
Arby’s
• Program name: Arby’s Extras
• How to sign up: Online
• Birthday freebie: Free 12 ounce shake with any purchase
Aveda
• Program name: My Aveda
• How to sign up: Online
• Birthday freebie: Full-size beauty product
bd’s Mongolian Grill
• Program name: Club Mongo
• How to sign up: Fill out the form online or in the restaurant
• Birthday freebie: Free stir-fry bowl
Brio Tuscan Grille
• Program name: Posta Toscana
• How to sign up: Online
• Birthday freebie: Free entree
Bravo Cucina Italiana
• Program name: Club Bravo
• How to sign up: Online
• Birthday freebie: Free entree up to $15
Cold Stone Creamery
• Program name: My Cold Stone Club
• How to sign up: Online
• Birthday freebie: Free birthday creation
Dairy Queen
• Program name: Blizzard Fan Club
• How to sign up: Online or in store
• Birthday freebie: Free blizzard
Danbarry Cinemas
• Program name: Danbarry Cinemas Newsletter Club
• How to sign up: Online
• Birthday freebie: Free popcorn
Dave & Buster’s
• Program name: D&B Rewards
• How to sign up: Online
• Birthday freebie: $10 Gameplay Coupon
Dayton Funny Bone
• Program name: Funny Bone Mailing List
• How to sign up: Sign up online
• Birthday freebie: 4 free tickets to a comedy show
Denny’s
• Program name: Denny’s Rewards
• How to sign up: Online
• Birthday freebie: Free original Grand Slam breakfast
DSW Designer Shoe Warehouse
• Program name: DSW Rewards
• How to sign up: Online or in-store
• Birthday freebie: $5 gift certificate
Dunkin’ Donuts
• Program name: DD Perks Rewards
• How to sign up: Online or in store
• Birthday freebie: Free beverage
First Watch
• Program name: Sun eClub
• How to sign up: Sign up online
• Birthday freebie: Free entrée with the purchase of another entree
Fox and the Hound
• Program name: Neighborhood Pub Club
• How to sign up: Online
• Birthday freebie: Free entrée (if you have 75 points or more) or a free dessert
IHOP
• Program name: IHOP Pancake Revolution
• How to sign up: Online
• Birthday freebie: Free meal
Krispy Kreme Doughnuts
• Program name: Friends of Krispy Kreme
• How to sign up: Online
• Birthday freebie: Birthday surprise (usually free doughnuts)
Logan’s Roadhouse
• Program name: Nut-E Club
• How to sign up: Sign up online
• Birthday freebie: Free nutter butter fudge slide with the purchase of an entrée
Max & Erma’s
• Program name: Good Neighbor Rewards (835272881)
• How to sign up: Register online and take your temporary number to the restaurant to get your card
• Birthday freebie: Free cookies
Mimi’s Cafe
• Program name: Mimi’s E-Club
• How to sign up: Sign up online
• Birthday freebie: Free entrée with a purchase of another entrée and two beverages
Noodles and Company
• Program name: E-Club
• How to sign up: Online
• Link: http://www.noodles.com/noodlegram/
• Birthday freebie: Free noodle bowl
Panera Bread
• Program name: MyPanera
• How to sign up: Sign up for a card online and print out a temporary card. Take it to your local restaurant and get an actual program card
• Birthday freebie: A free sweet or treat
P.F. Chang’s
• Program name: Warrior Rewards
• How to sign up: Online , give your registered phone number and get a card on your next visit to restaurant
• Birthday freebie: Free cake or cheesecake
Ponderosa Steakhouse
• Program name: Ponderosa eClub
• How to sign up: Online
• Birthday freebie: Free steak dinner
Qdoba Mexican Grill
• Program name: Qdoba Rewards
• How to sign up: In store to get card or online .
• Birthday freebie: Free burrito
RedBox
• Program name: RedBox Email List
• How to sign up: Online
• Birthday freebie: Free DVD rental
Red Lobster
• Program name: Fresh Catch Club
• How to sign up: Online or in store
• Birthday freebie: Special surprise
Red Robin
• Program name: Red Royalty Program
• How to sign up: Online or sign up at your local restaurant and get a card
• Birthday freebie: Free hamburger
Rita’s Italian Ice
• Program name: Birthday Club
• How to sign up: Online
• Birthday freebie: Free birthday treat
Ruby Tuesday
• Program name: So Connected
• How to sign up: Online
• Birthday freebie: Free handcrafted burger
Sephora
• Program name: Beauty Insider
• How to sign up: Online or in store
• Birthday freebie: Free beauty product (must pick up in the store)
Spaghetti Warehouse
• Program name: Warehouse Club
• How to sign up: Online
• Birthday freebie: Complimentary meal
Starbucks
• Program name: My Starbucks Rewards
• How to sign up: Online or in store
• Birthday freebie: Free drink on your birthday
T.G.I. Friday’s
• Program name: Give Me More Stripes
• How to sign up: Sign up online and print out your membership number, or you can use your registered phone number in the store to add rewards points to your account
• Birthday freebie: Free dessert with the purchase of an entree
The Greene Town Center
• Program name: Privilege Club
• How to sign up: Online
• Birthday freebie: Free movie ticket to the Rave Motion Pictures
The Melting Pot
• Program name: Club Fondue
• How to sign up: Online
• Birthday freebie: Box of chocolate covered strawberries
Tropical Smoothie
• Program name: Club Tropical
• How to sign up: Sign up online
• Birthday freebie: Buy 1, get 1 free smoothie
ULTA Beauty
• Program name: Benefit Brow Bar
• How to sign up: None required. Call your local ULTA store to make sure they offer this.
• Birthday freebie: Get a free brow arch ($20 value) on your birthday. No appointments needed. Just make sure your ULTA has a benefit brow bar before going in.
Uno Chicago Grill
• Program name: Uno Insider’s Club
• How to sign up: Online
• Birthday freebie: $10 off the purchase of $25 or more
Waffles House
• Program name: The Regulars Club
• How to sign up: Online
• Birthday freebie: Free waffle
Yogurt Mountain
• Program name: Birthday Club
• How to sign up: Online
• Birthday freebie: Free yogurt
Young’s Jersey Dairy
• Program name: Birthday Club
• How to sign up: Online
• Birthday freebie: Free 2-dip cone, 1 round of miniature golf, or $10 off your meal
Jessica Garringer is a bargain hunter, DIYer and a couponer who loves to save money. You can reach her at SaverSavvySavings@gmail.com. Get more money saving tips, ideas and projects at www.SaverSavvy.com, www.Facebook.com/SaverSavvy or @SaverSavvy on Twitter.
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