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Your birthday is a day to be spoiled by love — and, brands that want your loyalty. 🥳
With so many restaurants and retailers to sift through, we used AI to analyze the r/freebies, r/frugal and r/freefood subreddits for insight.
The best birthday freebies have good value and minimal strings attached, posters say. Starbucks, Sephora and Jersey Mike’s are mentioned a bunch.
We’ve got a whole list of companies that hook you up on your b-day.
Nerdy tip: Set up a “burner” email account to manage the messages that come with joining many loyalty programs.
🍔 Birthday freebies for food and drink
1. Abuelo’s
Sign up for the Mi Abuelo's Rewards program to receive a special reward on your birthday.
2. Applebee’s
Celebrate your birthday at Applebee’s with a free dessert by signing up for Club Applebee’s.
3. Auntie Anne’s
Download the Auntie Anne’s Pretzel Perks app and get a special gift on your birthday. You can get a free pretzel, but make sure you make one purchase annually before your big day to qualify.
4. Baskin-Robbins
Create a Baskin-Robbins account and opt in to the Birthday Club to get a free ice cream scoop on your birthday.
5. Benihana
Register for the Friends With Benefits reward program and Benihana will send you a $50 birthday reward.
6. Big Boy
Join Big Boy Rewards to receive an email on your birthday with potential rewards. There’s even a free birthday meal reward for children aged 10 and under who enroll in the restaurant’s kids’ club (with guardian permission).
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7. Chick-fil-A
When you become a member at Chick-fil-A, you receive a birthday reward. At the lowest tier, you’ll get a chocolate chunk cookie or chocolate fudge brownie. If you’re at a higher membership tier, you get additional freebies like a dessert variety award, sandwiches, nuggets or an entree.
8. Chili’s
My Chili’s Rewards will give you a free dessert on your birthday. Other perks for signing up include free chips and salsa with every qualifying visit.
9. Cinnabon
Coffee lovers get a special treat from Cinnabon on their birthday. Sign up for their rewards program to get a Cold Brew when you clock a new age.
10. Cold Stone Creamery
Join Cold Stone’s My Cold Stone Club Rewards to receive a buy-one-get-one-free creation coupon and a reward for your birthday.
What’s sweeter than a free cookie? Crumbl Cookies will help you celebrate your big day with a free voucher to use on your birthday.
12. Del Taco
Indulge with a free shake or dessert on your birthday. Register for the Del Yeah! Rewards program to receive the freebie. If you acquire 1,000 or more points, you can choose any shake or dessert for free.
13. Denny’s
When you dine in, Denny's treats you to a tasty birthday gift from the diner during your birthday month. It could be a hearty Everyday Value Slam breakfast, depending on the location.
14. Dunkin’
Cheers to your birthday with a three times points bonus on your birthday when enrolled in the Dunkin’ Rewards program.
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15. Edible Arrangements
If you like fruit, then sign up for Edible Rewards. Members receive free gifts, coupons and birthday rewards to celebrate.
16. Firehouse Subs
Firehouse Rewards members can celebrate with a free medium-sized sub with any purchase.
17. IHOP
Want free birthday pancakes? Sign up for IHOP’s rewards program, also known as the “International Bank of Pancakes.”
18. Jersey Mike’s
Submarine sandos aren’t as cheap as they used to be. Joining MyMike’s email club gets you a free one (with purchase of a regular sub) on your day of birth.
19. Melting Pot
Join Club Fondue and get birthday vouchers for something delicious when your birthday comes around.
20. Nothing Bundt Cakes
Signing up for Bundtastic Rewards will get you a free, individual “Bundtlet” cake on your birthday.
21. Moe’s Southwest Grill
Subscribe to the Moe Rewards program and receive a special offer on your birthday, like a cup of queso or guacamole.
22. P.F. Chang’s
During your birthday month, enjoy a dessert or appetizer on the house at P.F. Chang’s. Simply sign up for P.F. Chang’s Rewards to get your freebie.
23. Pinkberry
Receive a special offer on your birthday by registering for a free Pinkcard.
24. Pizza Hut
If you’re a pizza fan, head over to Pizza Hut and sign up for Hut Rewards. You’ll get a special reward from the food brand on your birthday.
25. Red Robin
Chow down on a free birthday burger from Red Robin by joining its Royalty rewards program.
26. Starbucks
Get a free drink or food item on your birthday as a Starbucks Rewards member.
27. Wingstop
Sign up for Wingstop’s email club to receive a free birthday gift.
28. Red Lobster
My Red Lobster Rewards will give you a free birthday reward to ring in your new age. All you need to do is download the app.
🛍️ Birthday rewards for apparel and shoes
29. Ace Hardware
By signing up for Ace Rewards, the hardware store will give you a $5 or $10 birthday offer at participating stores.
30. American Eagle
Get a $5 birthday reward at American Eagle or Aerie during your birthday month. Join the Real Rewards program to qualify.
31. Anthropologie
Join the free AnthroPerks rewards club to earn a special birthday offer. You get a birthday bonus which comes as a code via email. However, you have to sign up at least 16 days before your birthday month to receive it.
32. Banana Republic
When you become a member, Banana Republic celebrates you with an extra perk.
33. Columbia
Get all the sports gear you need on your birthday by enjoying Columbia’s gift to you: a 20% off coupon. You’ll need to sign up for the store’s Greater Rewards program to be eligible.
34. DSW
Shop for shoes with a complimentary $5 off for your birthday. Become a DSW VIP rewards member to receive the offer.
35. Famous Footwear
Receive a free $5 reward and earn double the points during your birthday month when enrolled in the retailer’s rewards program.
36. JCPenney
Get a $10 CashPass Reward to celebrate your birthday when you are a part of JCPenney’s rewards program.
37. J. Crew Factory
Sign up for J. Crew Passport and get a $15-$25 offer, depending on your tier. You’ll even get a $10 offer on your half-birthday.
38. Journeys
Sign up for the Journeys Birthday Club to get a reward during your birthday month.
39. Madewell
Receive $25 off for your birthday when you join the Madewell Insider loyalty program.
Loyal Old Navy shoppers who are part of the Navyist Rewards program get a birthday bonus on the house.
41. Target Circle
Target gives you 5% off a single purchase on your birthday. You can use the discount for up to 30 days from your birthday.
💄 Birthday freebies for beauty and personal care
42. Aveda
Celebrate your next trip around the sun with a free gift and double points from Aveda. To unlock these freebies, you’ll need to sign up for Aveda Plus Rewards.
43. BareMinerals
Join the Good Rewards loyalty program to snag birthday rewards points on your birthday.
44. Clinique
Fancy some skincare products on your birthday? The beauty brand has a loyalty program that gives members a free birthday gift with an eligible order of $45 or more.
45. CVS
ExtraCare is the CVS rewards program. Joining means you get $3 reward on your birthday.
46. e.l.f. Cosmetics
Become a Beauty Squad member at e.l.f. to get a birthday freebie.
47. Lancome
The My Lancome Rewards Program allows you to earn 20% off $100 or more plus 100 to 200 bonus points, depending on your rewards tier.
48. Sephora
Sign up for Sephora’s Beauty Insider program to get a complimentary product set. You have to spend a minimum of $25 to redeem your gift online.
49. SmashBox
The cosmetics retailer will send members at every tier of its loyalty program a birthday gift.
50. The Body Shop
Receive a coupon for $10 off your purchase on your birthday through the Love Your Body Club.
51. Ulta
Members of the Ulta Beauty Rewards program get a free gift and earn double points on purchases made during their birthday month. Platinum and Diamond members also get a $10 coupon.
» MORE: How to budget
🎟️ Birthday rewards for entertainment
52. AMC Theatres
Join AMC Stubs to get a free large birthday popcorn when you go to watch a movie. Members in higher tiers also get a fountain drink to accompany their popcorn.
53. Barnes & Noble
If you’re a Barnes & Noble member, you get a birthday offer via email on your special day. Children also receive a free treat and a craft on their birthday.
54. Launch Trampoline Park
Sign up for Launch’s Loyal Launcher rewards program and receive a free gift on your birthday.
55. Regal
Enjoy a free popcorn on your birthday when enrolled in the Regal Crown Club.
💬 What Redditors say
Posters say the “free birthday treat” deals of the past are now more like “free birthday treat with purchase.”
The best freebies, users say, have no strings attached. The free treat from Starbucks (just for being born on that day) is the perfect example.
“Free” tends to lose its luster when the effort required to get the reward takes away from the happiness of receiving it. Think, “buy this … then get that” type deals.
🎁 How to get the most of birthday freebies
- Sign up for email lists and loyalty programs: Many of these promotions are sent through email, so make sure to sign up well in advance of your birthday to receive offers. If you're concerned about spam, consider setting up a new email account just for your freebies and offers.
- Think locally: Many of the places on this list are national chains, but there are freebies to be found right in your neighborhood.
- Check expiration windows: Some rewards last a week, a month or only just a day (Starbucks, we’re looking at you). Knowing the window can help you plan. Consider a “freebie day” where you use multiple birthday offers while you’re out.
- Don’t forget your ID: Some retailers might want to check your ID before giving you the birthday freebie, so be sure to have it before heading out the door.
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