It’s a special day for the Sisters Squad! We’ve published our 200th issue. If you’ve been a subscriber for a while, then you know how we feel about milestones, holidays and celebrations around here. Many of you have told us how much you love getting our birthday greetings in your inboxes when it’s your special day. (If you’re not yet a Sisters subscriber, join us for free today. You won’t want to miss the next birthday shoutout and surprises.)
Here’s a list of freebies from restaurants and retailers to help make your next birthday special. Yes, as a reward for being a loyal (or brand-new customer), many companies will shower you with gifts on your birthday and throughout the month. All you have to do is join their membership program or email list. Sign up for any that interest you now so that you will be eligible for the perks when your birthday arrives.
A few things you should know about birthday freebies: When signing up, make sure you enter your birthday and stay subscribed to the emails to get your birthday perk. If you don't want to junk up your inbox, try dedicating a separate address for marketing emails. Also, read the fine print; most programs are free to join, but each has specific terms. And, we repeat, don’t wait until your birthday to sign up — some companies state you need to join a week or two (or even longer) before your big day.
OK, now that we’ve got all that out of the way, on to the goodies. We gathered some of the best birthday freebies around, just for you. Whenever your birthday falls during the year, we’ll be excited to celebrate it with you.
Food and Drink
Applebee’s
Sign up for Applebee’s emails and you’ll get a tasty surprise on your special day.
Auntie Anne’s
Register for Pretzel Perks and receive a sweet surprise for your birthday.
Baja Fresh
Sign up for Club Baja Rewards and receive a special offer for your big day.
Benihana
Register for the Chef’s Table and you’ll get a $30 Benihana birthday certificate good for about a month. You’ll need to make a $30 purchase before receiving your reward. Also, you can sign up your kids or grandkids, ages 12 and under, for the restaurant’s Kabuki Kids program. They’ll get a free mug with the purchase of any kids’ meal.
Black Angus Steakhouse
Join the Prime Club and get treated to a free birthday steak dinner with the purchase of any entree. The promo is only good for your first birthday after signing up; after that, you’ll get a free Cowboy cookie every year with the purchase of an entree. You’ll also get a free dessert when you sign up.
Boston Market
When you join the Rotisserie Rewards program, you’ll receive a free cookie reward for your birthday. To qualify, you must sign up at least seven days before your big day, and you’ll have 14 days to redeem your reward.
Buffalo Wild Wings
Sign up for Blazin’ Rewards and you’ll get free wings during your birthday month.
California Pizza Kitchen
Become a CPK Rewards member and get a free dessert or entree for your birthday, depending on your membership level. Members in the two highest tiers also get a free entree on their half birthday!
Chick-fil-A
Chick-fil-A One members get a delicious birthday reward, good for 30 days.
Cinnabon
Join Cinnabon’s eClub and you’ll get a reward or bonus points for your birthday. You’ll need to sign up at least 10 days before your big day and have a certain number of points to qualify for the reward.
Denny’s
Denny’s Rewards members get a yummy treat every year. Plus, you’ll get 20 percent off your next visit when you join. (And did you know AARP members always get 15 percent off?)
Dunkin’
Join the DD Perks program and you’ll get a free drink for your birthday.
Edible Arrangements
Edible Rewards members get a 12-count box of chocolate-dipped fruit on their birthday. To qualify, you’ll need to sign up before your birthday month and to have spent at least $29 in the past year.
Fogo de Chão
Head to Fogo de Chão on your birthday and they’ll treat you to a complimentary dessert with your meal. Also, join the Fogo eClub for the latest deals and promotions.
IHOP
IHOP recently launched its International Bank of Pancakes loyalty program. Program members get free pancakes on their birthday.
Jersey Mike’s
Create a MyMike’s account and you’ll get a free birthday sub every year.
Krispy Kreme
Become a Krispy Kreme Rewards member and you’ll get a sweet reward during your birthday month. You’ll also get a free doughnut when signing up.
Panera
Sign up for MyPanera Rewards and you’ll get a delicious birthday surprise. You’ll also receive a bakery item just for joining.
Red Lobster
Get a free birthday reward on your big day when you join My Red Lobster Rewards and complete your profile.
Red Robin
Join Red Robin’s Royalty Program and they’ll treat you to a free burger during your birthday month.
Ruby Tuesday
Sign up for Ruby Tuesday’s So Connected emails and you’ll get a free burger or Garden Bar entree on your special day. You’ll also get a $5 coupon when joining.
Starbucks
When you become a Starbucks Rewards member, you’ll get a birthday reward good for one drink or food item (some exclusions apply). You must join the program at least seven days before your big day to qualify, and you have to redeem the reward on your birthday.
Shoes and Clothing
Athleta
Become an Athleta Rewards member and you’ll get an extra bonus for your special day.
Banana Republic
Banana Republic Rewards members receive either extra bonus points or a surprise item for their big day.
DSW
Become a DSW VIP and you’ll get a $5 reward for your birthday. Elite members (those who have spent $500 in the past year) get a $10 reward.
Famous Footwear
Famously You Rewards members get $5 birthday reward cash plus double points all month long.
Gap
Join the Gap Good Rewards program and you’ll get a special perk for your birthday.
JCPenney
Sign up for JCPenney Rewards and you’ll get a surprise offer on your birthday — as long as you’ve earned points in the last 12 months.
Kohl’s
You’ll get a special birthday gift when you join Kohl’s Rewards.
Macy’s
Macy’s Star Rewards members score an annual birthday surprise. The value of the gift may vary for each member, and you may have to make a purchase or visit a store location to get it. To be eligible, you need to have shopped with your membership in the past year.
Old Navy
Join the ON Navyist Rewards program and you’ll get a bonus perk on your birthday.
White House Black Market
WHBM Rewards members get an exclusive birthday surprise at the bronze level and a $10, $15 or $20 birthday reward at the higher tiers.
Health and Beauty
Aveda
Aveda Plus Rewards members get an exclusive gift and double points on their birthday. Heads-up, the program has a one-time $10 enrollment fee.
bareMinerals
Join the Good Rewards program and receive a birthday gift redeemable during your birthday month.
Benefit
Schedule a brow wax during your birthday week at Benefit and you’ll get it for free. You’ll need to prove it’s your birthday by presenting a government ID.
The Body Shop
Join the Love Your Body Club and you’ll get a $10 certificate to use during your birthday month.
CVS
Sign up for the ExtraCare program and you’ll get $3 ExtraBucks Rewards for your special day.
Kiehl’s
Kiehl’s Rewards members score a free lip balm with a purchase on their big day. Move up in tiers and you’ll get a free travel-size product.
M·A·C
Join the M·A·C Lover loyalty program for free, and when you reach the second or third level, you’ll get a surprise birthday gift.
Sephora
Beauty Insider members score a free product set during their birthday month. Members in the higher tiers choose their set and get an additional gift.
Smashbox
Join the makeup brand’s Smashcash loyalty program and get some birthday swag when you reach the second or third tier of the program.
Tarte
Tarte Perks members get an exclusive birthday gift every year.
Ulta
Get a free birthday gift every year when you join Ultamate Rewards. Members in the higher tiers get a $10 coupon.
Urban Decay
Beauty Junkies club members get a fun birthday surprise.
Home and Office
Ace Hardware
Ace Rewards members get a $5 birthday coupon every year — good at participating locations. If you’re joining for the first time, you’ll also get a $5 welcome offer.
The Container Store
As a member of their Organized Insider program, you can get a special discount on an order during your birthday month.
Office Depot and OfficeMax
Get exclusive birthday offers when you join the Office Depot OfficeMax rewards program.
World Market
You’ll get a surprise offer on your birthday when you join World Market’s rewards program.
Books and Entertainment
AMC
Become an AMC Stubs Insider member for free and you’ll score a large popcorn during your birthday month, plus lots of perks throughout the year. Members of the paid membership club get a large popcorn and drink.
Barnes & Noble
To receive Barnes & Noble’s birthday offer, you’ll have to pay $25 for an annual membership, which comes with plenty of perks, making the fee worth it for booklovers. But you can sign up your kids or grandkids ages 12 and under to the chain’s free Kids’ Club, and they’ll get a cupcake from the café on their special day.
Cinemark
Join the Cinemark Movie Rewards program for free at the MovieFan level and get a birthday reward.
Harkins Theatres
My Harkins Awards members get a $5 birthday treat award for popcorn, drinks or other snacks.
Redbox
You’ll receive a $2 reward code for your birthday when you join Redbox Perks. New members also get a free one-night rental when signing up.
