Loyalty programs are everywhere—airlines, coffee shops, grocery stores, gas stations. They promise rewards, exclusive deals, and “VIP” perks. But not all of them help you save money or get value in return.
Here are 20 loyalty programs that often aren’t worth the hype, especially if they cost money to join, require excessive spending, or rarely deliver meaningful rewards.
1. Airline Loyalty Programs for Infrequent Flyers
Points expire or go unused unless you fly regularly on the same airline. You might be better off chasing price, not points.
2. Hotel Rewards That Require Too Many Stays
Some hotel programs only reward frequent business travelers. If you vacation once a year, the perks may never materialize.
3. Gas Station Loyalty with Minimal Discounts
Saving 3 cents per gallon sounds nice, but only $0.45 on a 15-gallon fill-up. And it’s often tied to high-priced convenience stores.
4. Subscription-Based Loyalty Programs
If you have to pay to earn rewards—think Amazon Prime or Walmart+—the math only works if you frequently use the perks.
5. Fast Food Apps That Only Offer Coupons
Some “rewards” apps promote marketing. You don’t earn much unless you spend a lot and often pay full price anyway.
6. Grocery Store Cards That Track You, Not Reward You
Many grocery chains offer “discounts” only after scanning a card, but you’re not saving money; you’re just paying the regular price while giving up data.
7. Retail Store Credit Card Programs
These often come with high interest rates and minor perks. If you carry a balance, any “savings” vanish in interest fees.
8. Tiered Beauty Rewards Programs
Stores like Ulta or Sephora offer higher tiers for big spenders, but most users never reach the higher tiers, and basic rewards expire fast.
9. Coffee Shop Loyalty for Occasional Drinkers
You need to buy 10–12 drinks to earn one free. If you go once a week, it could take months, and prices keep rising.
10. Movie Theater Rewards That Expire Fast
If you don’t go to the movies monthly, your points may expire before you use them. And ticket perks are often restricted.
11. Restaurant Loyalty That Only Rewards Full-Price Dining
Some programs block rewards on deals, happy hour, or takeout, so you only earn when you pay top dollar.
12. Auto Parts Store Rewards
Unless you’re constantly fixing cars, you won’t accumulate enough points. And rewards often come in limited-use coupons.
13. Department Store Loyalty That Encourages Overbuying
“Spend $200 to save $10” isn’t a reward—it’s a nudge to overspend. You’ll likely buy more than you meant to.
14. Online Retailer Perks That Only Apply to Certain Brands
You rack up points, then realize they only work on a narrow set of items or partner stores. Even worse, those items are often overpriced or not what you need, making the points feel more like a gimmick than a reward.
15. Gym Rewards That Just Track Check-Ins
Some gyms offer points for showing up, but you need hundreds to redeem even a water bottle. This is not motivating or useful.
16. Pet Store Loyalty That Requires Huge Spending
If it takes $500 in purchases to earn a $5 coupon, you’re better off shopping based on price and quality.
17. Convenience Store Gas Points
You often have to buy marked-up snacks and drinks to earn fuel points, and many expire within a month.
18. Emailed Birthday Perks That Go Unused
Sure, it’s “free,” but it’s just digital clutter if you forget or can’t make it during the tiny redemption window.
Read More: 15 Reasons Businesses Should Adapt a 4-Day Work Week
19. Airline Lounge Access via Credit Card
Premium credit cards charge $500+ annually for perks like lounge access. If you don’t travel frequently, the cost outweighs the value.
Read More: These Hotel Amenities Aren’t the Perks You Think They Are
20. Loyalty Programs That Require You to Track Paper Receipts
If you need to manually upload or save receipts to earn credit, the odds are high that you’ll forget or lose them—and the rewards, too.
Bottom line?
Loyalty programs work best when you’re already a frequent, consistent customer. If you’re chasing rewards, you’ll never use them or spend more to save pennies; it’s time to cut ties and keep your money where it counts.
