Why Loyalty Cards and Coupons Go Hand-in-Hand
You’re spot on! Loyalty cards and coupons are a powerful combination for saving money. Here’s why they work so well together and how to maximize their combined potential:
What are Loyalty Cards?
Loyalty cards, also known as rewards cards or membership cards, are offered by many retailers to incentivize repeat business.1 They provide various benefits to enrolled customers, such as:
- Exclusive Discounts: Cardholders often gain access to special sales, promotions, and discounts that are not available to the general public.2
- Personalized Offers: Some programs offer personalized coupons or discounts based on your past purchase history, tailoring deals to your specific needs and preferences.3
- Accumulating Points: You earn points for every dollar you spend, which can later be redeemed for discounts, rewards, or even cash back.4
- Birthday Rewards: Many stores offer special discounts or freebies on your birthday as a perk for being a loyal customer.5
- Early Access to Sales: Loyalty program members often get notified about upcoming sales and promotions before they are announced to the general public, giving them a head start on securing the best deals.6
How Loyalty Cards and Coupons Create Synergistic Savings:
The true savings potential is unlocked when you combine the benefits of loyalty cards with the power of coupons. Here’s how this synergy works:
- 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 that compound.7
- Combining with Sales: Loyalty programs often offer exclusive sales or early access to sales events.8 Combining these sales with relevant coupons can result in even deeper discounts.
- Accelerated Rewards Accumulation: 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.
- Targeted Offers and Coupons: Some loyalty programs use your purchase history to generate personalized coupons and offers that are specifically tailored to your shopping habits, increasing the likelihood that you’ll use them.9
Tips for Maximizing Your Savings:
- Enroll in Relevant Loyalty Programs: Sign up for the loyalty programs of the stores you frequent most often.
- 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 when you scan your card or enter your phone number.10
- Monitor for Bonus Rewards: Some loyalty programs offer bonus rewards on specific products or during certain promotional periods.11 Keep an eye out for these opportunities to earn extra points or rewards.
- Redeem Rewards Strategically: Redeem your rewards for items you regularly purchase or for higher-priced items to maximize their value.12
- Integrate 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 your favorite cereal is on sale for $3 for loyalty card members.
- You have a manufacturer coupon for $1 off.
- You also have a store coupon for $0.75 off.
- By combining these discounts, you pay only $1.25 for the cereal, significantly less than the original price.
By understanding how loyalty cards and coupons complement each other and by following these tips, you can unlock substantial savings and get the most value out of your shopping trips.
