Why Loyalty Cards and Coupons Go Hand-in-Hand

You’re absolutely right! Loyalty cards and coupons are a match made in savings heaven. Here’s why they work so well together and how to maximize their combined power:

What are Loyalty Cards?

Loyalty cards (also called rewards cards or membership cards) are offered by many retailers to reward repeat customers.¹ They typically offer benefits such as:

• Exclusive Discounts: Cardholders often get access to special sales and promotions that are not available to the general public.²
• Personalized Offers: Some programs offer personalized coupons or discounts based on your past purchases.³
• Accumulating Points: You earn points for every dollar you spend, which can then be redeemed for discounts or rewards.⁴
• Birthday Rewards: Many stores offer special discounts or freebies on your birthday.⁵

How Loyalty Cards and Coupons Work Together:

The real savings potential is unlocked when you combine loyalty card benefits with coupons.⁶ Here’s how:

• Stacking Discounts: Many stores allow you to “stack” coupons with loyalty card discounts. This means you can use a manufacturer coupon, a store coupon, and a loyalty card discount on the same item, resulting in significant savings.⁷
• Combining with Sales: Loyalty programs often offer exclusive sales or early access to sales events.⁸ Combining these sales with coupons can lead to even greater discounts.
• Earning Rewards Faster: Using coupons can help you reach spending thresholds for rewards faster. For example, if a loyalty program offers a $5 reward for every $50 spent, using coupons to reduce your out-of-pocket cost means you’ll reach that $50 threshold sooner.
• Personalized Offers and Coupons: Some loyalty programs use your purchase history to generate personalized coupons and offers that are tailored to your specific needs and preferences.⁹

Tips for Maximizing Savings:

• Sign Up for Loyalty Programs: Sign up for the loyalty programs of the stores you frequent.
• Link Your Coupons to Your Loyalty Card: Many stores allow you to digitally “clip” coupons to your loyalty card, making them automatically apply at checkout.
• Check for Bonus Rewards: Some loyalty programs offer bonus rewards on specific products or during certain promotions.¹⁰
• Use Your Rewards Strategically: Redeem your rewards for items you regularly purchase or for higher-priced items to maximize their value.
• Combine with Cashback Apps: You can often combine loyalty card discounts and coupons with cashback offers from apps like Ibotta or Fetch for even greater savings.

Example Scenario:

• A box of cereal is on sale for $3 for loyalty card members.
• You have a manufacturer coupon for $1 off and a store coupon for $0.50 off.
• By combining these discounts, you pay only $1.50 for the cereal, even though the original price was higher.

By understanding how loyalty cards and coupons work together and following these tips, you can unlock significant savings and get the most out of your shopping trips.