Birthday freebies are a popular way for brands to celebrate consumers, typically requiring membership in a loyalty programme or mailing list. The availability of these offers often varies by region, with many programmes originating in the United States. For UK consumers, it is essential to verify whether specific international brands operate local schemes that honour similar rewards. The following information details complimentary items and rewards available through various loyalty programmes, based on the provided documentation.
Cinema and Entertainment Rewards
Several cinema chains offer complimentary food and drink items to loyalty programme members during their birthday month. Registration is generally required in advance.
- AMC Theatres: AMC Stubs members receive birthday rewards based on their tier level. Insider members get a free large popcorn, while Premiere and A-List members receive a free large popcorn and a large fountain drink. These rewards load automatically at the start of the birthday month and can be claimed at the concession stand. No movie ticket purchase is required to redeem the offer.
- Regal Cinemas: Regal Crown Club members receive a free popcorn reward added to their account each year. This can be redeemed for a small popcorn at any Regal theatre. Premiere or Unlimited members may also receive a free popcorn and drink, depending on current programme perks.
- Cinemark Theatres: Members of the Cinemark Movie Rewards programme (including the free Movie Fan tier or paid Movie Club) typically find a coupon in their account during their birthday month. This is often for a free large soda or popcorn, and some members report receiving a free fountain drink.
- Alamo Drafthouse: Alamo Victory rewards members receive a free "birthday sweet," such as a dessert or shake. This replaces the previous offer of a free movie ticket on birthdays.
Food and Beverage Offers
Numerous food and beverage brands provide free items or special treats through their loyalty programmes, apps, or email clubs. Many of these require an initial purchase or specific sign-up actions.
Coffee and Drinks
- Dutch Bros. Coffee: A free medium birthday drink is available by downloading the app and joining the rewards programme.
- Caribou Coffee: Caribou Perks members receive a free any-size drink during their birthday week (valid for 7 days). The offer appears in the account and can be used for lattes, brewed coffee, or specialty drinks.
- Dunkin’: Dunkin’ Rewards members earn 3x points on all purchases made on their birthday, rather than receiving a specific free item.
- Peet’s Coffee: Peetnik Rewards members receive a free birthday drink of their choice.
- Biggby Coffee: e-wards members receive a free beverage (up to 24 oz) during the 30 days following their birthday via email coupon.
- 7-ELEVEN: Members can get a free Slurpee anytime during their birthday month.
Fast Food and Casual Dining
- McDonald's: App users can get a free medium fries through the My McDonald's app.
- Burger King: While not offering a specific free item, Burger King Rewards members earn 2x loyalty points for all purchases during their birthday month. These points can be redeemed for free coffees, fries, or other items.
- Jersey Mike's Subs: Members of the Jersey Mike's email club receive a free regular sub and a 16-ounce soft drink.
- Waffle House: Members of the Waffle House Regulars Club receive an email coupon for a complimentary waffle to redeem in-store.
- Johnny Rockets: Members of the Rocket e-Club can get a free burger with the purchase of any entree and a drink or shake.
- Applebee's: A free birthday dessert is available with a minimum purchase of $15 or more.
- Arby's: With the purchase of any sandwich, members receive a free order of small curly fries and a small shake.
- Buffalo Wild Wings: Members get six free wings during their birthday month.
- Outback Steakhouse: Members can receive a free dessert and birthday song on their special day.
- Olive Garden: A complimentary dessert is available when dining in-house. This requires signing up for the eClub and providing a birth date.
- IHOP: Members receive a free full stack of Original Buttermilk pancakes on their birthday.
- Sonic Drive-In: Sonic Rewards members receive a birthday reward via the app, typically for a medium tater tot or fries and a small ice cream shake.
- Taco Bell: Taco Bell Rewards members receive a free birthday surprise, often a Doritos Locos Taco. Qualification requires at least one app order in the prior year.
- TGI Fridays: Fridays Rewards members receive a free birthday surprise, such as a dessert (brownie or cheesecake), loaded automatically to their account.
- Perkins: Reward members are eligible for a specialty birthday gift.
- Papa John's: Members can enjoy a free dessert anytime during their birthday month.
- Friendly's: Members of the FRIENDLY'S sweet Rewards Club receive a free medium sundae.
- Ruby Tuesday: Members of Ruby Rewards receive a free dessert or an add-on Garden Bar added to their account within 7 days of their birthday.
- Benihana: Members of The Chef's Table receive a $30 complimentary birthday gift certificate.
- California Pizza Kitchen: Rewards members receive a free birthday dessert, with Diamond members also receiving a free entree.
Bakeries and Dessert Shops
- Krispy Kreme: Rewards members get a free donut during their birthday month, in addition to the free donut received with a purchase upon sign-up.
- Cinnabon: Cinnabon Rewards members receive a free birthday treat, typically a MiniBon cinnamon roll or a free iced coffee.
- A&W Restaurants: Members of the A&W Mug Club receive a coupon for a free small Root Beer Float via email.
- Auntie Anne's: Members who spend more than $10 a year through the Auntie Anne's Rewards App receive a free soft pretzel on their birthday.
- Baskin-Robbins: Members of the Birthday Club receive a free 2.5-ounce ice cream scoop.
- Carvel: Members of the Fudgie Fanatic loyalty program receive a free cone.
- Panera Bread: MyPanera members receive a free pastry or sweet bakery item on their birthday.
- Einstein Bros. Bagels: Shmear Society members receive a coupon via email for a free egg sandwich with purchase on their birthday.
- Wetzel’s Pretzels: App users receive a free pretzel on their birthday with no purchase required.
- Wingstop: Members of The Club receive a freebie on their birthday (specific item not detailed).
Retail and Other Offers
- Edible Arrangements: Edible Rewards members can receive a free Dipped Fruit box (six pieces of chocolate-dipped fruit).
- P.F. Chang's: Members of the free Gold Rewards program receive a complimentary dessert.
- Subway: Subway MyWay Rewards members receive birthday rewards based on tier status:
- Basic "Subway Pro": Free cookie.
- "Captain" tier: Free cookie and 20 oz fountain drink.
- Top-tier "All-Star": Free 6-inch sub.
- Rewards are valid for about 2 weeks after the birthday.
- Noodles & Company: Noodle Rewards members receive a birthday treat based on their tier. The reward is added to the account on the actual birthday. (Note: The source mentions a free birthday queso or guac, but the specific tier requirements are not detailed).
- Red Lobster: Rewards programme members receive a birthday freebie chosen at random.
Eligibility and Redemption Rules
Most birthday freebies require advance registration with the brand's loyalty programme, email club, or app. Several brands specify eligibility criteria related to prior engagement:
- Purchase Requirements:
- Auntie Anne's: Requires spending more than $10 a year through the app.
- Einstein Bros. Bagels: Requires the purchase of any beverage or other item to redeem the coupon.
- Applebee's: Requires a minimum purchase of $15.
- Arby's: Requires the purchase of any sandwich.
- Taco Bell: Requires at least one order on the app in the prior year.
- Jamba Juice: Requires a minimum of 15 accrued points.
- Biggby Coffee: Requires a prior purchase with the app in the past year.
- Timing:
- Caribou Coffee: The offer is valid for 7 days.
- Biggby Coffee: The coupon is valid for 30 days after the birthday.
- Subway: Rewards are valid for about 2 weeks after the birthday.
- Ruby Tuesday: The reward is added within 7 days of the birthday.
- Account Loading:
- AMC Theatres: Rewards load automatically at the start of the birthday month.
- TGI Fridays: The coupon loads automatically each year.
- Sonic Drive-In: The reward is delivered via the app.
- Dutch Bros. Coffee: The reward appears automatically on the birthday.
Conclusion
Birthday freebies are predominantly managed through digital loyalty programmes and apps, requiring users to register in advance. The nature of the reward varies significantly, ranging from no-purchase-necessary items like popcorn or pretzels to offers that require a minimum spend or prior engagement with the brand. Consumers wishing to redeem these offers should ensure they have downloaded the relevant apps or signed up for email lists well before their birthday month begins.