Our Mid-Year 2025 Best & Worst Reward Programs
This is the loyalty version of the Oscars and Razzies. Our best and worst reviewed programs in each category. Perhaps the ones on our bad list (jump here to read those first) will suddenly revise their rules, and by the end of the year we’ll receive a holiday gift of a new and improved program. Dare to dream!
THE BEST!
💄Beauty
The Best: Ulta Beauty Rewards
Why? A simple program that pays back big in return value to provide real savings at checkout. Stackable rewards, a whole month to celebrate your birthday, and the more you redeem, the better your redemption value. Read our full review.
🩳 fashion
The Best: PacSun Rewards
Why? Yes, we were surprised that this cool surfer brand has one of the best programs in retail! Excellent return value (up to 10% for higher tiers), great benefits at higher tiers, plus other cool perks make this a standout for Gen Z. Read our full review.
🐔 restaurants
The Best: Chick-fil-A Rewards
Why? The easy winner due to good return value on points (6%-12% depending upon tier), the ability to redeem for the entire menu AND stack rewards so you can get a full meal free. To add to the goodness, they have a generous point expiration policy. Read our full review.
⛽ Fuel
The Best: Shell Fuel Rewards
Why? One of the best return values in the category, especially for Platinum members. Dozens of extra earning opportunities for shopping and dining, plus simple redemption right at the pump, make this a winner for gas guzzlers. Read our full review.
🚲 lifestyle
The Best: REI Co-op
Why? Despite its $30 lifetime membership fee, it’s a no-brainer to join for anyone who likes the outdoors. 10% cash back, tons of extra perks, and a very generous expiration policy on your rewards issues annually. Read our full review.
🍿 Household
The Best (tie): Regal Crown Club’s free program & AMC Premier’s Subscription program
Why? Two strong movie programs. First, Regal’s free program, Regal Crown Club, provides an excellent return value of at least 7%-12 % for even casual moviegoers. Their Rewards Center is robust, offering a wide range of options and flexibility. On the paid subscription side, you can’t do better than AMC Premiere. At $17.99, you get 10% back in rewards and waived ticket fees. This membership likely pays back in just 6 visits. Read our full reviews here.
✈️ Travel
In our review of the best & worst travel programs for award chart transparency, we shouted out to airlines Hawaiian, Frontier, and Sun Country, and hotel chains Hyatt and Accor for still having the travel balls to publish Award charts. Travel programs aren’t getting richer, or better, but at least a published award chart keeps things honest.
THE w😠rst!
💄Beauty
The Worst: BlueMercury’s Blue Rewards
Why? A simple program that pays back big in return value to provide real savings at checkout. Stackable rewards, a whole month to celebrate your birthday, and the more you redeem, the better your redemption value. Read our full review.
👚fashion
The Worst: Bloomingdales Loyallist
Why? The Loyallist program will make you anything but loyal. Dismal return value, lackluster higher-tier benefits, and a bonkers point expiration policy 🤯 that is so bad we still can’t believe it’s real. Read our💩review.
🥖 restaurants
The Worst: Panera Bread’s Free Program
Why? Their subscription Sip Club is a winner, but their free program is a doozy that we nicknamed “crumbs and confusion”. Complete challenges to earn…something… that might be as whopping as a $1 off a bagel. It’s surely to leave you frustrated. Read the full review here, including why Sip Club is worth it.
🔑 lifestyle
The Worst: Bilt Rewards (but without the credit card)
Why? This one is likely the most controversial since Bilt has a lot of raving fans. Our review focused purely on the program without the credit card. Unfortunately, the program “all about earning for rent” caps your rent earnings at 3,000 points annually, which won’t get you very far for redemption. You can earn points in a myriad of other ways, but they take shifting your interactions with brands (such as booking workout classes via Bilt), or ensuring you use brands they have partnered with such as Lyft and Walgreens. It’s not a totally bad program, it’s just not really going to unlock the potential you think it will without the credit card.
🐶 Household
The Worst: Petco’s Vital Care Premier Subscription Program
Why? A costly ~$300 membership with a strict no-cancellation policy until it’s up for renewal. The rewards that are paid out expire quickly, and the “free exams” at Petco clinics don’t cover the biggest expense for pets: vaccinations. Just join their free program instead which is much better. Read reviews of both programs.
✈️ Travel
In our Award Chart transparency post, there are too many airlines and hotel companies to name who (unfortunately) got rid of award charts. And that’s a shame.
Leave us a comment below! Do you agree or disagree?
