Birthday freebies: 45 places for discounts and free stuff

A group of friends celebrate a birthday at a restaurant and enjoy a free slice of cake.Image: A group of friends celebrate a birthday at a restaurant and enjoy a free slice of cake.

In a Nutshell

Some of your favorite restaurants and retailers can help you celebrate your birthday. Get birthday freebies, coupons, rewards and other perks when you sign up with various stores.
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We’ve put together a list of 45 of the best birthday rewards to help you make the most of your special day, organized by category.

Looking for rewards on a more consistent basis? Credit Karma Money™ Spend offers cash-back rewards at participating retailers when you use your debit card on eligible purchases.



Restaurants

1. Baskin-Robbins

Get a coupon for a free 4-oz. scoop of ice cream through the store’s mobile app when you sign up for the Baskin Robbins Birthday Club.

2. Boston Market

Receive a reward on or near your birthday when you sign up for Boston Market’s Rotisserie Reward program. To collect your reward, go to a participating Boston Market restaurant and give the cashier your phone number.

3. Buffalo Wild Wings

Get six free wings during your birthday month when you sign up for the Buffalo Wild Wings Blazin’ Rewards program.

4. California Pizza Kitchen

Enjoy a free dessert on your birthday when you become a CPK Rewards member.

5. Chick-fil-A

When you join the Chick-fil-A One® tiered membership program, you’ll get a birthday reward good for 30 days. Rewards vary based on membership level and may include a free dessert, sandwich, nuggets or other entrée.

6. Chili’s

Enjoy a free dessert on your birthday when you sign up for the My Chili’s Rewards® program. Plus, get free chips and salsa or a non-alcoholic drink on every visit when you spend at least $5.

7. Chipotle

This fast-casual restaurant promises not to forget your birthday when you sign up for Chipotle Rewards  — you’ll get some free guacamole. You’ll also earn points for every dollar you spend at Chipotle once you sign up.

8. Cinnabon

Get a free 16-oz. cold brew for your birthday when you join the Cinnabon Rewards program at one of the store’s participating locations. Not available at all stores.

9. Cold Stone Creamery

Receive a buy-one, get-one-free-“creation” coupon loaded to your account on your birthday when you become a My Cold Stone Club® Rewards member.

10. Edible Arrangements

Get a free 12-piece dipped fruit box for your birthday when you sign up for the Edible Arrangements Edible® Rewards program. Just note that you’ll need to have made at least a $29 Edible Arrangements purchase within the calendar year of your birthday to qualify.

11. Friendly’s

Indulge in a free ice cream sundae on your birthday when you sign up for the Friendly’s Fan® Club.

12. Houlihan’s

Enjoy a free entrée on your birthday when you subscribe to Houlihan’s Email Club. Plus, you’ll get a coupon for $10 off for signing up.

13. IHOP

Get a free stack of birthday pancakes when you join IHOP’s rewards program. You’ll also earn rewards on purchases you make at the restaurant, get access to secret menu items and receive exclusive member-only rewards.

14. Moe’s Southwest Grill

Get a free burrito every year on your birthday when you join Moe Rewards — plus a free cup of queso just for signing up.

15. Olive Garden

Indulge in a free dessert on your birthday when you eat at an Olive Garden restaurant. The chain doesn’t currently have a rewards program, but you can sign up for the restaurant’s eClub to receive special coupons.

16. Pei Wei

Get a free small shareable to celebrate your birthday when you join the My Wei Rewards program. Shareable options include crab wontons, traditional edamame, vegetable spring rolls or a pork egg roll. You can redeem your birthday reward when you order a soft drink or small plate during your birthday month.

17. P.F. Chang’s

Get a free dessert or appetizer during your birthday month when you become a P.F. Chang’s Rewards member. You’ll also earn points for every dollar you spend.

18. Uno Pizzeria & Grill

When you join UNO Extras, you’ll get a birthday coupon to use at the restaurant as long as you’ve spent at least $20 at UNO’s within 11 months of your birthday. Plus, you’ll get a free individual pizza for signing up.

19. Red Lobster

Earn a free birthday reward when you enroll in the My Red Lobster Rewards program and complete your profile.

20. Red Robin

When you join the Red Robin Loyalty program, you’ll get one free fire-grilled burger during your birthday month.

21. Ruby Tuesday

Enjoy a complimentary dessert or add-on garden bar to celebrate your birthday when you sign up for Ruby Rewards.

22. Starbucks

When you join the Starbucks® rewards program, you’ll receive a notification in the app to come into a Starbucks location and enjoy a treat on your birthday.

Cosmetics

23. Aveda

Join Aveda’s birthday program to claim your free gift. You’ll receive an offer within 28 days of your birthday if you’ve made a purchase within the last 12 months and are subscribed to Aveda’s newsletter. 

24. Bath & Body Works

My Bath and Body Works® Rewards members get a free gift on their birthdays. Sign up online or by downloading the app.

25. The Body Shop

Get a $10 reward to use on your birthday when you sign up for the Body Shop’s Loyalty Club. Rewards are valid only during your birthday month.

26. Clinique

When you sign up for Clinique’s Smart Rewards program, you’ll get a gift when you place an order during your birthday month. “Brilliant” and “genius” tier members receive a birthday gift with any order, and “smart” tier members receive a gift with orders of $45 or more.

27. Elf Cosmetics

Sign up for the Elf Cosmetics Beauty Squad to get a free gift on your birthday and other perks year-round. Pro- and Icon-level members also receive bonus points on purchases they make during their birthday month.

28. Lancome

Lancome promises to provide something special for your birthday when you join the Lancome Elite Rewards program.

29. Mineral Fusion

Earn 1,000 points you can redeem for a free product on your birthday when you sign up for Mineral Fusion Rewards.

30. Sephora

Get a free gift during your birthday month when you become a Sephora® Beauty Insider member.

31. Ulta

When you join Ulta’s Ultamate Rewards® program, the company will give you a free gift on your birthday and you’ll earn double points on every purchase you make during your birthday month. If you reach platinum or diamond status (based on your yearly spending), you’ll get an extra birthday gift, plus a $10 birthday coupon.

Fashion

32. Adidas

Members of all levels of the AdiClub receive benefits. But you need to reach level two or higher to get your free birthday surprise.

33. American Eagle

You’ll receive a birthday coupon, enjoy free shipping and returns and earn points on every dollar you spend at American Eagle when you join the Real Rewards program.

34. DSW

Get a $5 or $10 birthday reward when you enroll in DSW’s VIP Rewards Program. Plus, snag free shipping on all purchases and earn rewards on everything you buy.

35. H&M

Earn a birthday treat when you sign up to become an H&M member.  You’ll also get exclusive discounts, $5 off rewards and 10% off your first purchase.

36. Hot Topic

Receive a $5 reward for your birthday when you sign up for Hot Topic Rewards. You’ll receive your reward on the first day of your birthday month and rewards are good for 45 days.

37. J.Crew

Get a birthday gift every year on your big day when you sign up for the J.Crew Passport. Plus, you’ll get early access to sales, earn points for every dollar you spend and get free shipping on all purchases.

38. JCPenney

When you sign up for JCPenney Rewards, you’ll get a gift on your birthday — if you meet the eligibility requirements. You must have a birthdate on file to qualify. If you don’t have a JC Penney credit card, you must have earned points in the last 12 months.

If you are a JC Penney cardholder, you must have made a purchase with your JC Penney card within the last 12 months.

39. Kohl’s

Get a free birthday gift when you sign up to become a Kohl’s Rewards® member. Also, you’ll earn 5% rewards on every purchase you make or 7.5% rewards if you pay with a Kohl’s credit card.

40. Macy’s

Receive a birthday surprise when you become a Macy’s Star Rewards member. To qualify for a birthday gift, you must have made a purchase within the last 12 months, have a current address on file and receive marketing mail. You may need to make a purchase or visit a Macy’s store to get your gift.

41. Target

Get a birthday coupon for 5% off your purchase when you sign up for Target Circle rewards. The coupon is good for 30 days.

42. Victoria’s Secret

If you provide your email address when signing up for a Victoria’s Secret or PINK credit card, you’ll receive a $10 or $15 birthday reward. Cardholders must have made a minimum purchase within the last 12 months to be eligible for a reward.

Entertainment

43. AMC Theatres

Enjoy a free large popcorn during your birthday month when you become an AMC Stubs member. It’s free to become an AMC Stubs Insider or you can pay to upgrade your membership and get more perks.

44. Barnes & Noble

Add your birthday to your B&N Rewards membership profile to receive a special offer for your special day.

45. Medieval Times

Medieval Times doesn’t reveal what its birthday surprise is. But if you sign up for the Birthday Fellowship you’ll get a coupon code for the best offer of the year to use during your birthday month.


What’s next?

Some of the companies on this list require you to sign up for their email list or become a rewards member at least a few weeks before your birthday to qualify for a birthday reward. If you wait too long to sign up, you may not be eligible to receive your gift until next year. If you’re interested in getting one or more of these offers, sign up as soon as you can so you don’t miss out.

Don’t see your favorite brand on this list? Not all companies, including big-name brands like Amazon, Walmart or Walgreen’s, provide birthday rewards. To find out if your favorite store offers birthday treats, check out their website.


About the author: Jennifer Brozic is a freelance financial services writer with a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Maryland and a master’s degree in communication management from Towson University. She’s committed… Read more.