The Best Birthday Discounts and Freebies
Even with financial help from FAFSA and academic scholarships, it can be really tough to find ways to pay for college, and you might end up with student loan payments. Staying on track with payments often means budgeting in many areas of your life, but that doesn’t mean you still can’t have fun – especially on your birthday! Thanks to NerdWallet, we’re happy to share with you this great list of birthday discounts and freebies that you can use to celebrate yourself.
Your birthday is a day for you to be spoiled by loved ones. You may not know, though, that some restaurants and retailers will spoil you, too.
To celebrate loyal consumers and reward new ones, some companies give discounts or freebies for their customers’ special day.
Whether you’re searching for birthday deals for your children, yourself or even your pets, you can find a wide range of promotions on our list. Consider it a present from us.
Food
- Abuelo’s
Enjoy Abuelo’s Mexican cuisine with a special gift on your birthday and anniversary. Sign up for the Mi Abuelo’s Rewards program to receive your offers.
- Barnes & Noble
Barnes & Noble celebrates your children’s birthdays with a free cupcake or cookie from its cafe. Only members of the Barnes & Noble Kids’ Club are eligible for the gift.
- Baskin-Robbins
Create a Baskin-Robbins account and get a free ice cream scoop on your birthday.
- Benihana
Register for the Chef’s Table email program and Benihana will send you a $30 discount certificate during your birthday month.
- Bojangle’s
Bojangles’ will send you a coupon for a free biscuit on your birthday if you enroll in its E-Club.
- Cold Stone Creamery
Join Cold Stone’s My Cold Stone Club to receive an emailed coupon for a buy-one-get-one-free creation for your birthday.
- Dairy Queen
Treat yourself to one (or two) of Dairy Queen’s famous Blizzard desserts. Join the company’s Blizzard Fan Club to receive a buy-one-get-one-free coupon on your big day.
- Del Taco
Indulge with a free premium vanilla, chocolate or strawberry shake on your birthday at Del Taco. Register for the Raving Fan eClub to receive the freebie.
- Denny’s
Denny’s treats you to a hearty Grand Slam breakfast on your birthday.
- Dippin’ Dots
Refresh with a free, small cup of Dippin’ Dots ice cream snack after signing up for the Dot Crazy email club.
- Firehouse Subs
Celebrate your birthday with a free medium-sized sub. Add your kids to your Firehouse Rewards account to get an offer for their birthdays, too.
- Fuddruckers
Receive specials, discounts and more on your birthday when you subscribe to Fuddruckers’ newsletter.
- Jersey Mike’s Subs
Register for Jersey Mike’s email club to get a free sub and drink coupon.
- Moe’s Southwest Grill
Subscribe to Moe’s eWorld program and receive a free birthday burrito.
- Pinkberry
Receive a complimentary Pinkberry yogurt on your birthday by registering for a free Pinkcard.
- Red Robin
Chow down on a free burger from Red Robin by joining its Royalty rewards program.
- Subway
Become an Eat Fresh Club member and Subway will treat you to a birthday lunch.
- Wingstop
Sign up for Wingstop’s email club to receive a free birthday gift.
- Zaxby’s
Get a free Nibbler on your birthday after you join the Zax Mail Club.
Apparel and shoes
- American Eagle
Get 15% off at American Eagle or Aerie during your birthday month. Join the AERewards program to qualify.
- Bebe
Join the rewards club to earn a special birthday offer.
- Brooks Brothers
When you sign up for a Brooks Card, you’ll receive a $20 Brooks Brothers credit for your birthday.
- DSW
Shop for shoes with a complimentary $5 certificate from DSW. Become a DSW rewards member to receive your special certificate.
- J. Crew
Subscribe to J. Crew’s Factory First newsletter and get 20% off your purchase and free shipping on your birthday.
- Victoria’s Secret
If you have any of the three Victoria’s Secret Angel Cards, the retailer will send you a birthday gift.
Beauty and personal care
- Benefit Cosmetics
Visit select Benefit locations during your birthday week for a free brow arch service.
- Sephora
Sign up for Sephora’s Beauty Insider program reminder to get a birthday gift.
- SmashBox
The cosmetics retailer will send members of its loyalty program a birthday gift.
- The Body Shop
Receive a birthday coupon for $10 off your purchase at The Body Shop. Join the company’s The Love Your Body Program first.
- Ulta
Members of the Ultamate Rewards program will get a free gift and earn double points on purchases made throughout their birthday month.
Entertainment
- Chuck E. Cheese
Chuck E. Cheese offers a surprise on your child’s birthday. Join the email club to receive the coupon.
- Medieval Times
Celebrate your birthday with some old-fashioned entertainment at Medieval Times shows. Sign up for the firm’s Birthday Fellowship program to obtain a free admission during your birthday month.
- Redbox
Create a Redbox Play Pass account to score a free one-night game or movie rental for your birthday.
Other discounts
- Journeys Kidz
Sign up for the Journeys Kidz Birthday Club and receive different offers every year for your child’s birthday. This year, members will get a 15% off coupon.
- Little Tikes
After registering for the Little Tikes’ Birthday Bonus program, you’ll receive a special offer for your child’s birthday.
- Petco
Give your furry friend a free birthday treat courtesy of Petco and receive an additional coupon by signing up for the Pals Rewards program.
Many of these promotions are sent through email, so make sure to sign up well in advance of your birthday to receive the offer. If you’re concerned about spam, consider setting up a new email account just for your freebies and offers.
Happy birthday, and as always, happy discount hunting!
Updated Sept. 19, 2016.
The article The Best Birthday Discounts and Freebies originally appeared on NerdWallet.
