Ten customer loyalty programs you've never heard of
There are more customer loyalty programs out there than may seem at first glance, spanning from the ordinary to the more obscure.
Breakfast cereal is shown for sale at a Ralphs grocery store in Del Mar, California (March 6, 2013). Grocery shopping can be especially expensive for low-income individuals, but The Daily Table, a nonprofit grocery store, is seeking to change that.
Mike Blake/Reuters/File
Loyalty programs are popular for companies and consumers for two reasons: Brands want loyal customers, and customers want perks. Consumers in the United States听, with an average of 29 per household.
If there are grocery stores, drugstores, gas stations, chain restaurants, or big box stores you frequent, you probably have their loyalty cards in your wallet. And we'll bet that you don't shop without a rewards credit card, fly without collecting miles, or stay in a hotel without racking up points. After all, you wouldn't be here if you weren't smart shoppers.
However, there are tons of loyalty programs out there that you may not know about, either because they aren't heavily advertised or because it wouldn't occur to you to look for them. We've rounded up 10 loyalty programs that might pique your interest.
Nissan
Nissan owners can sign up for the听听program, where making vehicle service visits and shopping with the company's retail partners earn you points, which you can use for maintenance and service at your local Nissan dealer. Many other car brands, such as Honda and Chevrolet, offer reward programs at the local dealer level as well.
Cost:听贵谤别别
IKEA
Known for its affordable, stylish听, the Swedish retailer offers even more savings and perks with its听听program. Members get free coffee and tea at store restaurants, 30 extra minutes at Sm氓land (the children's play- and babysitting-area), 90-day price protection, and discounts on select merchandise.
Cost:听贵谤别别
Ace Hardware
听operates on a points system, where every dollar spent earns you 10 points. For every 2,500 points, you get a $5 reward. Other perks include听听coupons, in-store savings, and 1,000 points just for signing up.
Cost:听贵谤别别
Amtrak
Travel rewards aren't just for the skies.听听program offers different membership tiers based on travel frequency. Members earn points when they travel, which can be used for free trips, hotel stays,听, and听.
Cost:听贵谤别别
Taco Bell
A relatively new loyalty program,听听is a rewards-based game that's part of the company's iOS and Android app. Members get sent puzzles based on their social media activity, and completing a puzzle makes them eligible to win prizes like free food, beverages, and their own personalized booth at Taco Bell.
Cost:听贵谤别别
7-Eleven
7-贰濒别惫别苍'蝉听听is also app-based (iOS and Android), and rewards members for buying drinks such as coffee or a Slurpee. You simply scan the bar code on your drink purchases, and the seventh one is always free.
Cost:听贵谤别别
1-800-Flowers
听encompasses several brands in the听听family, including听听补苍诲听. Members receive points for purchases, and for every 200 points, a $20 credit.
Cost:听贵谤别别 for basic; $29.99/year for premium
Kellogg's
听also encompasses a bunch of brands 鈥� in this case, Eggo, MorningStar Farms, Nutri-Grain, and many others. You can connect your store loyalty card to earn points when you buy eligible products, or upload your receipts for verification. You then use those points to get items in the Kellogg's rewards catalog.
Cost:听贵谤别别
GNC
础听听听membership gives you everyday savings of up to 50% in-store, as well as online savings, price matching, and other members-only and partner offers.
Cost:听$15/year
Lids
If you like sports team apparel, you might want to check out听. A mall hat retailer,听offers club members tiered memberships based on points, and members receive a 20 to 25% discount on hats, 10 to 15% discount on apparel, and other perks.
Cost:听$5/year
This article first appeared at .