America's Best Loyalty Programs 2022

America's Best Loyalty Programs 2022

In 1872, the Grand UnIon tea Company started giving tickets to customers every time they bought a pound of tea; collect four and you'd get a pound free. Now, practically every retailer has its own loyalty program.

Loyalty programs have now become an essential part of an enormous number of everyday transactions: During the conference call announcing the company's most recent quarterly financial results, for instance, Starbucks CEO Kevin Johnson said, "Starbucks Rewards now represents 53 percent of the spend in our stores, which is at an all-time high...Rewards members... are spending at an elevated rate and visit our stores at three times the frequency rate versus our nonmembers."

By one estimate, the average U.S. household is enrolled in 18 different loyalty programs. The challenge for companies is not getting customers to sign up, but motivating them to become truly engaged program users; research shows that consumers only actively use half of the plans they're enrolled in. The challenge for consumers is to decide which of the crowd of programs vying for their attention are worthwhile.

For brands, it's a potentially huge payoff, since it's far more expensive to get new customers than to keep existing ones, and loyalty program members tend to spend far more than nonmembers. Hanging on to customers has become even more critical during the pandemic when a third of shoppers have indicated their willingness to switch brands.

Brands have adopted a number of different strategies in order to make their loyalty programs stand out. One important trend is gamification: introducing digital games into loyalty programs in a variety of ways to engage customers and develop a sense of community among them. Wendy's, for example, has its own channel on the video game livestreaming platform Twitch. Chipotle has done a Halloween promotion in partnership with the game platform Roblox, in which users are invited to try to navigate the "Boorito maze"—and visit its busy online restaurant—to win branded virtual items as well as real-life food.

Another trend has been to make loyalty programs an integral part of any purchase by merging them with payment systems. Last July, for instance, the Swedish fintech company Klarna, which offers customers "buy now, pay later" options, purchased Stocard, a German company that provides digital wallets that allow users to manage multiple loyalty program accounts.

The only constant in loyalty programs right now is change. To try to help make some sense of that and highlight the brands whose customers like their loyalty programs the best, Newsweek and Statista are proud to offer our list of America's Best Loyalty Programs 2022. We hope you find it useful whether you are a consumer looking for the best deals and support or whether you are a marketer looking to see which customer retention strategies really work.

Nancy Cooper Signature 5
CategorySub categoryLoyalty ProgramParticipating Brands* (Selection)Score
ClothingApparelUO RewardsUrban Outfitters7.93
ClothingApparelBurlington Loyalty ProgramBurlington7.68
ClothingApparelThe Nordy ClubNordstrom7.52
ClothingApparelTalbots Classic AwardsTalbots7.52
ClothingApparelForever RewardedForever 217.46
ClothingApparelBanana Republic RewardsBanana Republic7.38
ClothingApparelH&M Member ProgramH&M7.21
ClothingApparelNavyist RewardsOld Navy7.10
ClothingApparelGap Good RewardsGAP7.05
ClothingApparelPacSun RewardsPacSun6.97
ClothingApparelRue Rewardsrue216.88
ClothingApparelRealRewardsAmerican Eagle6.84
ClothingApparelExpress InsiderExpress6.46
ClothingApparelClub CaliHollister6.46
ClothingApparelGUESS ListGUESS5.70
ClothingBaby and Children's ProductsRewarding MomentsCarter's7.34
ClothingBaby and Children's ProductsMy Place Reward$The Children's Place7.31
ClothingBaby and Children's ProductsWalmart Rewards CardWalmart7.16
ClothingBaby and Children's ProductsTarget CircleTarget6.93
ClothingBaby and Children's ProductsBurlington Loyalty ProgramBurlington6.41
ClothingDepartment StoresMore rewardsBealls8.29
ClothingDepartment StoresBurlington Loyalty ProgramBurlington8.14
ClothingDepartment StoresBelk RewardsBelk7.52
ClothingDepartment StoresJCPenney RewardsJCPenney7.14
ClothingDepartment StoresTJX RewardsT.J. Maxx7.05
ClothingDepartment StoresKohl's RewardsKohl's7.04
ClothingDepartment StoresThe Nordy ClubNordstrom6.98
ClothingDepartment StoresStar RewardsMacy's6.73
ClothingDepartment StoresLoyallistBloomingdale's6.70
ClothingDepartment StoresShop Your Waysears6.56
ClothingFootwearMyShoes RewardsShoes.com9.41
ClothingFootwearZappos VIPZappos7.71
ClothingFootwearFLX RewardsChamps Sports & Foot Locker7.66
ClothingFootwearFamously You RewardsFamous Footwear7.36
ClothingFootwearUGG RewardsUGG7.34
ClothingFootwearStatusFinish Line7.26
ClothingFootwearDSW VIPDSW7.16
ClothingFootwearShoe PerksShoe Carnival7.10
ClothingFootwearRack Room Shoes RewardsRack Room Shoes7.06
ClothingFootwearVans FamilyVans7.04
ClothingOutdoor and Athletic ApparelL.L. Bean MastercardL.L. Bean8.21
ClothingOutdoor and Athletic ApparelGreater RewardsColumbia7.59
ClothingOutdoor and Athletic ApparelXPLR PassThe North Face7.36
ClothingOutdoor and Athletic ApparelAdventure RewardsEddie Bauer7.32
ClothingOutdoor and Athletic ApparelNike Member CommunityNike6.98
ClothingPlus-Size FashionAshley VIP Credit CardAshley Stewart9.03
ClothingPlus-Size FashionLane RewardsLane Bryant7.90
ClothingPlus-Size FashionTorrid RewardsTorrid7.20
ClothingPlus-Size FashionAdore Me VIP MembershipAdore Me7.05
ClothingPlus-Size FashionCatherines RewardsCatherines6.33
ClothingPremium ApparelJ. Crew RewardsJ. Crew9.51
ClothingPremium ApparelmyAbercrombieAbercrombie & Fitch9.15
ClothingPremium ApparelPreferred Loyalty ProgramCalvin Klein7.16
ClothingWomen's ApparelALL RewardsLOFT8.21
ClothingWomen's ApparelMyMaurices RewardsMaurices7.71
ClothingWomen's ApparelVictoria's Secret Credit CardVictoria's Secret6.90
Food, Health and BeautyConvenience StoresWawa RewardsWawa7.75
Food, Health and BeautyConvenience StoresQT RewardsQuikTrip7.54
Food, Health and BeautyConvenience Stores7Rewards7-Eleven7.48
Food, Health and BeautyConvenience StoresKwik RewardsKwik Trip7.29
Food, Health and BeautyConvenience StoresMy Sheetz RewardzSheetz7.21
Food, Health and BeautyConvenience StoresFuel RewardsShell7.06
Food, Health and BeautyConvenience StoresCasey's RewardsCasey's7.04
Food, Health and BeautyConvenience StoresSmartPay RewardsCumberland Farms6.10
Food, Health and BeautyConvenience StoresSpeedy RewardsSpeedway6.09
Food, Health and BeautyConvenience StoresEasy RewardsCircle K6.05
Food, Health and BeautyPerfume and Cosmeticsbe. PointsBeauty Encounter8.84
Food, Health and BeautyPerfume and CosmeticsSally Beauty RewardsSally Beauty8.69
Food, Health and BeautyPerfume and CosmeticsteamtarteTarte8.64
Food, Health and BeautyPerfume and CosmeticsAveda Plus RewardsAveda8.05
Food, Health and BeautyPerfume and CosmeticsTake 10 rewardsBeauty Brands7.79
Food, Health and BeautyPerfume and CosmeticsEstée E-ListEstée Lauder7.57
Food, Health and BeautyPerfume and CosmeticsVictoria's Secret Credit CardVictoria's Secret7.56
Food, Health and BeautyPerfume and CosmeticsBeauty Insider ProgramSephora7.16
Food, Health and BeautyPerfume and CosmeticsUltamate RewardsUlta Beauty7.04
Food, Health and BeautyPerfume and CosmeticsmyBath & BodyWorks RewardsBath & Body Works6.99
Food, Health and BeautyPerfume and Cosmeticsbeauty squade.l.f.6.97
Food, Health and BeautyPerfume and CosmeticsELITE REWARDSLancôme6.36
Food, Health and BeautyPerfume and CosmeticsSmart RewardsClinique6.10
Food, Health and BeautyPerfume and CosmeticsGood RewardsbareMinerals5.93
Food, Health and BeautyPerfume and CosmeticsCredo RewardsCredo5.84
Food, Health and BeautyPharmacies and DrugstoresKroger Rewards World Elite MastercardKroger7.98
Food, Health and BeautyPharmacies and DrugstoresPrice Plus ClubShopRite7.55
Food, Health and BeautyPharmacies and DrugstoresAdvantage CardGiant Eagle7.49
Food, Health and BeautyPharmacies and DrugstoresClub PublixPublix7.28
Food, Health and BeautyPharmacies and DrugstoresExtraCare Pharmacy & Health RewardsCVS Pharmacy6.98
Food, Health and BeautySupermarketsSmith's Rewards World Elite MastercardSmith's8.38
Food, Health and BeautySupermarketsSprouts appSprouts7.90
Food, Health and BeautySupermarketsMariano's Rewards World MastercardMariano's7.79
Food, Health and BeautySupermarketsClub PublixPublix7.70
Food, Health and BeautySupermarketsPrice Plus ClubShopRite7.61
Food, Health and BeautySupermarketsFred Meyer Rewards World Elite MastercardFred Meyer7.58
Food, Health and BeautySupermarketsAdvantEdgePrice Chopper7.56
Food, Health and BeautySupermarketsWinn-Dixie RewardsWinn-Dixie7.55
Food, Health and BeautySupermarketsFry's Rewards World Elite MastercardFry's Food Stores7.47
Food, Health and BeautySupermarketsGiant Flexible RewardsGiant7.46
Food, Health and BeautySupermarketsRalphs Rewards World Elite MastercardRalphs7.39
Food, Health and BeautySupermarketsValuCardFood City7.29
Food, Health and BeautySupermarketsKroger Rewards World Elite MastercardKroger7.27
Food, Health and BeautySupermarketsFuel PointsPick 'n Save7.25
Food, Health and BeautySupermarketsPiggly Wiggly RewardsPiggly Wiggly7.22
Food, Health and BeautySupermarketsTOPS GasPointsTOPS7.13
Food, Health and BeautySupermarketsGO RewardsStop & Shop7.01
Food, Health and BeautySupermarketsThe Ingles Advantage CardIngles6.99
Food, Health and BeautySupermarketsWeis Rewards PointsWeis Markets6.98
Food, Health and BeautySupermarketsfor UAlbertsons6.96
Food, Health and BeautySuperstores and Warehouse Club StoresCostco membershipCostco7.88
Food, Health and BeautySuperstores and Warehouse Club StoresSam's Club familySam's Club7.84
Food, Health and BeautySuperstores and Warehouse Club StoresWalmart Rewards CardWalmart6.77
Food, Health and BeautySuperstores and Warehouse Club StoresTarget CircleTarget6.37
Food, Health and BeautySuperstores and Warehouse Club StoresmPerksMeijer5.85
Home GoodsBookstoresBetter World Books Rewards ProgramBetter World Books8.27
Home GoodsBookstoresMillionaire's ClubBAM! Books-A-Million7.67
Home GoodsBookstoresB&N MembershipBarnes & Noble7.04
Home GoodsConsumer ElectronicsSamsung RewardsSamsung9.06
Home GoodsConsumer ElectronicsRadioShack RewardsRadioShack7.19
Home GoodsConsumer ElectronicsEggPointsNewegg7.11
Home GoodsConsumer ElectronicsMy Best Buy BenefitsBest Buy6.74
Home GoodsConsumer ElectronicsPowerUp RewardsGameStop6.62
Home GoodsHome Furnishing StoresWayfair Credit CardWayfair7.52
Home GoodsHome Furnishing StoresOrangeAshley Homestore7.22
Home GoodsHome Furnishing StoresBIG RewardsBig Lots6.01
Home GoodsHome Furnishing StoresAllModern Credit CardAllModern5.64
Home GoodsHome Goods and DecorIKEA FamilyIkea8.04
Home GoodsHome Goods and DecorMy FundsBed Bath & Beyond7.06
Home GoodsHome Goods and DecorTJX RewardsHomeGoods6.56
Home GoodsHome Goods and Decorinsider perksAt Home6.02
Home GoodsHome Goods and DecorK ClubKirkland’s5.86
Home GoodsHome Improvement StoresTrue Value RewardsTrue Value7.88
Home GoodsHome Improvement StoresMenards Big CardMenards7.64
Home GoodsHome Improvement StoresPro XtraThe Home Depot7.26
Home GoodsHome Improvement StoresLowe's Advantage CardLowe's7.07
Home GoodsHome Improvement StoresAce RewardsAce Hardware7.00
Restaurants and CateringBagel and Sandwich ChainsmyMike'sJersey Mike's Subs7.82
Restaurants and CateringBagel and Sandwich ChainsShmear Society RewardsEinstein Bros. Bagels7.23
Restaurants and CateringBagel and Sandwich ChainsSubway MyWay RewardsSubway7.14
Restaurants and CateringBagel and Sandwich ChainsFreaky Fast RewardsJimmy John's7.02
Restaurants and CateringBagel and Sandwich ChainsFirehouse RewardsFirehouse Subs6.39
Restaurants and CateringCasual Dining Restaurant ChainsP.F. Chang’s RewardsP.F. Chang's7.83
Restaurants and CateringCasual Dining Restaurant ChainsDenny's RewardsDenny's7.67
Restaurants and CateringCasual Dining Restaurant ChainsMy Chili's RewardsChili's7.66
Restaurants and CateringCasual Dining Restaurant ChainsFridays RewardsTGI Fridays7.59
Restaurants and CateringCasual Dining Restaurant ChainsDine RewardsBonefish Grill, Carrabba's Italian Grill, Outback Steakhouse, Fleming's7.30
Restaurants and CateringCoffeehouse ChainsScooter's Coffee AppScooter's Coffee8.81
Restaurants and CateringCoffeehouse ChainsPeetnik RewardsPeet's Coffee8.31
Restaurants and CateringCoffeehouse ChainsThe Coffee Bean RewardsCoffee Bean & Tea Leaf7.88
Restaurants and CateringCoffeehouse ChainsCaribou PerksCaribou Coffee7.63
Restaurants and CateringCoffeehouse ChainsDDperksDunkin'7.62
Restaurants and CateringCoffeehouse ChainsStarbucks RewardsStarbucks7.48
Restaurants and CateringCoffeehouse ChainsBIGGBY NationBiggby Coffee7.47
Restaurants and CateringCoffeehouse ChainsTims RewardsTim Hortons7.21
Restaurants and CateringCoffeehouse ChainsDutch RewardsDutch Bros6.93
Restaurants and CateringCoffeehouse ChainsThe Human Bean RewardsThe Human Bean6.04
Restaurants and CateringFast-Casual Restaurant ChainsQdoba RewardsQdoba8.13
Restaurants and CateringFast-Casual Restaurant ChainsRed Robin RoyaltyRed Robin7.82
Restaurants and CateringFast-Casual Restaurant ChainsChipotle RewardsChipotle7.61
Restaurants and CateringFast-Casual Restaurant ChainsMyPanera RewardPanera Bread7.33
Restaurants and CateringFast-Casual Restaurant ChainsMoe RewardsMoe's Southwest Grill6.93
Restaurants and CateringFast-Food Restaurant ChainsZax Fanz ClubZaxby's8.62
Restaurants and CateringFast-Food Restaurant ChainsChick-fil-A OneChick-fil-A7.95
Restaurants and CateringFast-Food Restaurant ChainsRoyal PerksBurger King7.70
Restaurants and CateringFast-Food Restaurant ChainsSonic AppSonic7.53
Restaurants and CateringFast-Food Restaurant ChainsMyMcDonald's RewardsMcDonald's7.51
Restaurants and CateringFast-Food Restaurant ChainsWendy’s RewardsWendy's7.46
Restaurants and CateringFast-Food Restaurant ChainsMyWhataburgerWhataburger7.27
Restaurants and CateringFast-Food Restaurant ChainsTaco Bell RewardsTaco Bell7.12
Restaurants and CateringFast-Food Restaurant ChainsPopeyes AppPopeyes6.91
Restaurants and CateringFast-Food Restaurant ChainsDairy Queen AppDairy Queen6.58
Restaurants and CateringIce Cream and Frozen Yogurt StoresYum SquadAndy's Frozen Custard9.73
Restaurants and CateringIce Cream and Frozen Yogurt StoresmySmileageMenchie's8.21
Restaurants and CateringIce Cream and Frozen Yogurt StoressweetRewardssweetFrog8.18
Restaurants and CateringIce Cream and Frozen Yogurt StoresSweet RewardsBruster’s Real Ice Cream8.16
Restaurants and CateringIce Cream and Frozen Yogurt StoresMy Cold Stone Club RewardsCold Stone Creamery8.13
Restaurants and CateringPizza ChainsRound Table Pizza Royal Reward AppRound Table Pizza8.48
Restaurants and CateringPizza ChainsHowie RewardsHungry Howie's8.23
Restaurants and CateringPizza ChainsRewardsDonatos7.91
Restaurants and CateringPizza ChainsPiece of the Pie RewardsDomino's Pizza7.75
Restaurants and CateringPizza ChainsMOD RewardsMOD Pizza7.74
Restaurants and CateringPizza ChainsPapa RewardsPapa John's Pizza7.56
Restaurants and CateringPizza ChainsHut RewardsPizza Hut7.48
Restaurants and CateringPizza ChainsCPK RewardsCalifornia Pizza Kitchen7.39
Restaurants and CateringPizza ChainsBlaze RewardsBlaze Pizza7.30
Restaurants and CateringPizza ChainsMySLICE RewardsPapa Murphy's6.99
Sports and LeisureAuto Parts RetailerAutoZone RewardsAutoZone6.58
Sports and LeisureAuto Parts RetailerNAPA Rewards ProgramNapa6.43
Sports and LeisureAuto Parts RetailerO'RewardsO'Reilly Auto Parts6.40
Sports and LeisureHobby Store and Model MakingMichaels RewardsMichaels7.26
Sports and LeisureHobby Store and Model MakingRC ClubHorizon Hobby7.18
Sports and LeisureHobby Store and Model MakingJOANN SmilesJOANN6.50
Sports and LeisureSporting Goods RetailerAcademy Sports + Outdoors Credit CardAcademy Sports + Outdoors7.41
Sports and LeisureSporting Goods RetailerHibbett | City Gear RewardsHibbett | City Gear6.94
Sports and LeisureSporting Goods RetailerScoreCardDICK'S Sporting Goods6.80
Sports and LeisureSports and Fitness NutritionHealthy AwardsThe Vitamin Shoppe8.08
Sports and LeisureSports and Fitness Nutrition310 Rewards Programm310 Nutrition6.66
Sports and LeisureSports and Fitness NutritionA1 Plus + RewardsA1Supplements.com6.25
General Reward ProgramsGeneral Reward ProgramsMyPointsMyPoints8.03
General Reward ProgramsGeneral Reward ProgramsSwagbucksSwagbucks7.57
General Reward ProgramsGeneral Reward ProgramsFetch RewardsFetch Rewards7.48
General Reward ProgramsGeneral Reward ProgramsRakutenRakuten7.38
General Reward ProgramsGeneral Reward ProgramsIbottaIbotta7.33
Services: BankingBankingM&T RewardsM&T Bank7.98
Services: BankingBankingU.S. Bank Rewards Visa CardU.S. Bank7.62
Services: BankingBankingCiti ThankYou RewardsCiti7.59
Services: BankingBankingCredit Card RewardsCapital One7.51
Services: BankingBankingPreferred RewardsBank of America7.46
Services: BankingBankingTD RewardsTD Bank7.42
Services: BankingBankingCash Back Credit CardsChase7.25
Services: BankingBankingWells Fargo RewardsWells Fargo7.24
Services: BankingBankingReal Life RewardsFifth Third Bank6.95
Services: BankingBankingCitizens Cash Back PlusCitizens6.87
Services: Transportation and TravelAirlinesMileage PlanAlaska Airlines7.63
Services: Transportation and TravelAirlinesFrontier MilesFrontier7.48
Services: Transportation and TravelAirlinesTrueBluejetBlue7.27
Services: Transportation and TravelAirlinesHawaiianMilesHawaiian Airlines6.96
Services: Transportation and TravelAirlinesRapid RewardsSouthwest6.93
Services: Transportation and TravelCar RentalThe Emerald ClubNational Car Rental7.28
Services: Transportation and TravelCar RentalRental GeniusAce Rent-A-Car7.15
Services: Transportation and TravelCar RentalEnterprise PlusEnterprise Rent-A-Car6.92
Services: Transportation and TravelCar RentalHertz Gold Plus RewardsHertz6.58
Services: Transportation and TravelCar RentalAvis Preferred Car Rental ProgramAvis6.54
Services: Transportation and TravelFlights, Hotels and Holiday Deals Search EnginesHotels.com RewardsHotels.com7.69
Services: Transportation and TravelFlights, Hotels and Holiday Deals Search Enginespriceline VIPpriceline.com7.67
Services: Transportation and TravelFlights, Hotels and Holiday Deals Search EnginesExpedia RewardsExpedia7.29
Services: Transportation and TravelGas StationsWawa RewardsWawa8.88
Services: Transportation and TravelGas StationsSunoco Go RewardsSunoco8.68
Services: Transportation and TravelGas StationsCasey's RewardsCasey's8.31
Services: Transportation and TravelGas StationsKwik RewardsKwik Trip8.27
Services: Transportation and TravelGas StationsEasy RewardsCircle K7.93
Services: Transportation and TravelGas StationsFuel RewardsShell7.58
Services: Transportation and TravelGas StationsMurphy Drive RewardsMurphy USA7.12
Services: Transportation and TravelGas StationsSpeedy RewardsSpeedway7.09
Services: Transportation and TravelGas StationsMY Reward$MAPCO7.02
Services: Transportation and TravelGas StationsExxon Mobil Rewards + PremiumExxonMobil6.73
Services: Transportation and TravelHotel and Hospitality Reward ProgramsRadisson Rewards AmericasRadison Hotels Americas and all participating hotel brands8.03
Services: Transportation and TravelHotel and Hospitality Reward ProgramsWorld of HyattHyatt and all participating hotel brands7.40
Services: Transportation and TravelHotel and Hospitality Reward ProgramsIHG Rewards ClubIHG and all participating hotel brands7.35
Services: Transportation and TravelHotel and Hospitality Reward ProgramsChoice PrivilegesChoice Hotels International7.26
Services: Transportation and TravelHotel and Hospitality Reward ProgramsBest Western RewardsBest Western and all participating hotel brands7.23
LICENSING
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METHODOLOGY

The 2022 ranking of America's Best Loyalty Programs was compiled based on the results of an independent survey of more than 4,000 U.S. customers who are members of loyalty programs of retailers or service providers in the U.S Customers were given the opportunity to evaluate various loyalty programs: around 20,000 evaluations were collected. The survey period ran from October to November 2021.

We defined loyalty programs as all reward programs that provided the customer with a benefit when purchasing or using the products or services of the associated brands.

The survey was conducted on retailers and service providers from 36 categories, providing results for a broad spectrum of loyalty programs in traditional retail, online retail, and service segments. The awarded loyalty programs each received an above average overall score.

The final assessment and rankings were based on six criteria:

1. Ease & enjoyment: Measures the value of the perks of being in the rewards program.(weighted 5 percent)

2. Benefit: Measures whether the rewards are – in the customer's perception – worth being part of the program. (weighted 20 percent)

3. Overall satisfaction: Measures whether personal expectations were fulfilled, and whether the customer is satisfied with the experience of the loyalty program overall. (weighted 25 percent)

4. Customer support: Measures the level of assistance provided to customers when signing up for the program or having trouble redeeming benefits. (weighted 10 percent)

5. Trust: measures the trust in the loyalty program around how they use the personal data provided through the program. (weighted 10 percent)

6. Recommendation: Measuresthe likelihood of recommending the program to friends and family.(weighted 30 percent)

The full methodology is available here.