How to Use Store Loyalty Apps to Earn and Save

Loyalty programs have existed for decades — you probably remember collecting paper punch cards at coffee shops or carrying a key fob at the grocery store. Today, most major retailers have moved their loyalty programs to smartphone apps, which make the experience much more rewarding. Digital loyalty apps automatically track your purchases, send you personalized offers, and let you redeem rewards without carrying physical cards or coupons.

The Starbucks app is one of the most well-known examples. Every time you pay through the app or scan it at checkout, you earn Stars. Accumulate enough Stars and you can redeem them for free drinks, food items, or merchandise. The app also sends you personalized offers (like double Stars on certain drinks) and lets you order ahead to skip the line. If you visit Starbucks even once a week, the free drinks add up quickly.

Target Circle is Target's free loyalty program. You can sign up in the app or at the website. Every purchase at Target earns you one percent back in Circle Earnings that you can apply toward future purchases. The app also sends you personalized deals and early access to sales. You scan or enter your phone number at checkout and the savings are applied automatically.

Grocery store loyalty programs work similarly. Kroger, Safeway, Publix, and most major grocery chains have apps with digital coupons, points programs, and fuel rewards. The fuel rewards are particularly valuable — accumulating points through grocery purchases can reduce your cost per gallon of gas by $0.10, $0.20, or more, which adds up meaningfully for regular drivers.

Setting up these apps takes about five minutes each. Most require only an email address and a password to create a free account. Once set up, you open the app at checkout and either scan a barcode it displays or enter your phone number. Everything else is tracked automatically.