Reward and Loyalty Programs

Who doesn't like free stuff?  I know I do.  Yet, it's not that easy to come by.  Or at least it wasn't.  That was before retailers instituted what are known variously as Reward or Loyalty Programs.  I am an avid user of such programs.

My attraction to R&L programs probably started in the 90's. An avid reader of military history, the forlorn Military History Book Club used to have a come-on that allowed you to buy four books for a penny each (unless otherwise noted; the exceptions were never anything I wanted) and shipping and handling, with no obligation to buy another book.  I signed up, bought a bargain book or two, and then quit the club.  Remarkably, a few months later, the MHBC wanted me back...for the same deal.  I mean, they'd send basically the same offer as the first one, with only the language we want you back being the difference, so I signed up again.  I would find the four most expensive books that I could get for a penny each -- all books that interested me -- pay the shipping and handling and then quit the club.  It was like a combination of Groundhog Day and Christmas Day.  This went on for a few years.  I think all told I got over $1,000.00 worth of books (retail) for around $100.00 shipping and handling (plus the penny a book, of course). 

As if this weren't bad enough, the venerable Book of the Month Club followed suit.  So of course, never one to pass up a bargain, I signed up with BOMC...and quit...and signed up...and quit...and signed up...it was ridiculous.

Eventually, the clubs hired someone with functioning grey matter and the terms of membership were changed.  No longer was there no obligation to buy a book at club prices; I haven't been a member of either club since.

So that's how I ended up getting hooked on R&L programs. 

Nowadays, there are as many R&L programs as there are businesses.  But not all R&L programs were created equal.  Nay, I tell you.  Some are downright frustrating.

Take Outback, for example.  Great food, horrible R&L program.  What's wrong with it?  I wish I could tell you.  I can't even explain it, much less benefit from it.  Some programs are so chintzy that you have to spend $150.00 to get a $5.00 coupon.  That's neither a Reward Program nor a Loyalty Program.  That's a Tuppence Program or a Fool Program, because there's not much offered for being so stupid.

Sometimes, the programs can be really frustrating.  For example, the closest Culver's was in a town about ten miles from our house, so I signed up for it and put that as my frequent Culver's.  No sooner had I joined that R&L program but one opened in our home town less than a mile from our house. I called corporate, explained the problem and was assured that my hometown Culver's was now my primary sport.  So the next time I got an offer for a free custard it was good only at the Culver's ten miles from my house.  Luckily, I don't like custard enough to complain about it.

Chili's has a decent R&L program.  The only problem is that they keep moving the goalposts.  Karen and I dined there one night and saw that we had 300-odd points on our way to a free meal at 420 points.  When next we returned, it was 520 points we needed.  We complained to the manager, whose hands were tied (he was sympathetic).  So the last couple of times we've been there we wanted to check on the Ziosk what our points balance was, only to see that we couldn't see what our balance it. I still don't know what it is.

Red Robin became frustrating because I changed my email.  I doubt most people think about changing the email with which they signed up for R&L programs.  I know I didn't.  So a year later, when I thought about it, I couldn't remember it...and RR acted like I was asking for the nuclear launch codes when I wanted to get into my R&L profile.  Believe me, I don't like endless French fries that much.

Some, though, are exceptionally run. Speedway's is so easy.  Not only do I have to use my rewards card (because I can punch in a code instead) but they give free stuff away all the time.  Each seventh drink is free.  Right now I can earn 7,000 points if I use my card to purchase something ten times before the end of the month.  Why would I want that?  Because I can reduce my price per gallon at their pumps by twenty-five cents with 4250 points.  That's not a bad savings on a long trip.

All told, I probably have around fifty rewards cards.  My wayward brother and his even more senseless fiancée bought me a Blackhawks wallet (a wallet with an Indian head on it) as if I'd ever be caught dead using it. Since I didn't have a use for it, I decided to store all my rewards cards in it (because some programs still require the cards for benefits) and the thing is almost two inches thick.  I know, it's a little sick, but I just think of all the free stuff I get by using the stupid things.

R&L programs continue to evolve, getting easier to use and offering bigger benefits.  I'll keep doing it even after I qualify for the senior discount (I wonder if I can stack senior discounts with R&L programs...).  It's like a game to me, almost, although sometimes it drives Karen nuts.

I'm sure once she reads this she'll curse the guys who came up with the overly generous membership offers at MHBC and BOMC.  O' well.

But I do wonder where they've gone...

(c) 2017 The Truxton Spangler Chronicles