I am so committed to loyalty programs, I can’t even tell you how many I’ve actually joined at this point. Probably enough to fill three or four wallets’ worth of loyalty cards — back when most of them still had physical cards, anyway, as opposed to just apps for your phone.
I love earning free/discounted food through these programs, but I’m aware that not all them are worth joining, especially when they require you to do something like buy 25 large pizzas in order to get $1 off your slice (as long as you also purchase 62 orders of chicken wings and a jumbo soda).
That said, the one time loyalty programs really pay off is on your birthday. And the deals aren’t limited to the day itself. Most of them give you days or even weeks to cash in.
The result is that I can go an incredible amount of time around my birthday without buying a meal — or paying full price for it anyway. Over the years, I’ve wondered how much I’m actually saving while munching on free cookies, fro-yo and pizza. So I decided to keep track as I cashed in tasty bonuses, courtesy of loyalty program birthday coupons and discount codes, from 15 different Bay Area establishments during my monthlong celebration.
Here’s the birthday breakdown (in fairly chronological order):
1. Vitality Bowl
I kicked off the celebration in relatively healthy fashion by taking advantage of a birthday offer for a free small acai bowl. Mind you, not all the bowls are offered in small sizes — which are nearly Lilliputian in portion — so I went with the company’s eponymous acai offering. Let’s just say I had no problem finishing all of it. Savings: $12.49
2. Jamba Juice
I next hit Jamba Juice to slurp down a small Orange C-Booster. It’s not as tasty as the Orange Dream Machine, but it costs more (a bonus for this particular endeavor), and the name sounds healthier. Savings: $9
3. Togo’s
The South Bay sandwich purveyor stocked my account with a $10 discount coupon for my birthday, so my large No. 3 (subbing Swiss for cheddar, natch) only cost about $3. Savings: $10
4. Subway
Was it worth my time to make a special trip to Subway to collect a single birthday cookie? Do you know how much money that sandwich chain has taken from me over the years with its overpriced turkey sandwiches? Five dollar footlong my foot! Give me my free cookie! Savings: $0.89
Bay Area News Group reporter Jim Harrington enjoys a birthday milkshake at Mooyah in Morgan Hill (Jim Harrington, Bay Area News Group).
5. Mooyah
The chance to redeem a birthday offering for a milkshake provided the perfect excuse to reacquaint myself with Mooyah’s great burgers, too. (Which was probably their intention.) Savings: $6.99
6. Baskin Robbins
Did Baskins-Robbins invent the birthday club? It feels like the free “31 Flavors” scoop has been part of my birthday celebrations since I was a kids. Of course, the prices have gone up a bit since then. Savings: $4.49
7. Red Robin
To my mind, Red Robin makes the finest burgers of any of the major casual dining restaurant chains — and they give you one gratis just for turning a year older. The Banzai Burger — teriyaki-glazed patty topped with grilled fresh pineapple, cheddar cheese, lettuce, tomato and mayo — made for quite the tasty birthday meal. Savings: $14.39
8. Erik’s DeliCafe
There’s a lot to like about these NorCal sandwich shops, but topping the list is their moist and savory carrot cake. I greatly enjoyed a free slice for my birthday. Savings: $5.49
9. Rubio’s Coastal Grill
Even though I was just about to make my annual winter pilgrimage to the Land of Great Fish Tacos (aka San Diego), I still made time for two blackened mahi mahi numbers, as part of a buy one entree, get one free birthday promotion at San Jose’s sole remaining Rubio’s. Savings: $12.49
Related Articles
These British bakers are bringing sausage rolls to a Bay Area audience
California craft beer: The top 10 Bay Area breweries
Izzy’s on the Peninsula reopens with reimagined menu, redesigned space
10 fantastic, distinctive noodle soups at Bay Area restaurants
The hottest things to do in Emeryville in 2024, using a free shuttle bus
10. Papa Murphy’s
They make it, you take it and then bake it at home. Their loyalty program includes a free $16 pizza for the birthday celebrant. My medium pizza was delish. Savings: $16
11. McDonald’s
Yes, even the Double Arches is in on the free birthday fun, and they give you a few options. I thought about going with the six-piece nuggets — which were the most expensive item on the list — but then remembered how they taste. So, I went the tiny cheeseburger route instead. Savings: $2.49
12. Yogurtland
There was a time when I was all about the froyo. But then, I just accepted that ice cream is better. Still, I’m willing to make a U-turn when there’s a $5 off birthday coupon involved. Savings: $5
13. AMC Theatres
Even “Wonka” is fun to watch, when the loyal birthday party-er has a free large popcorn ($10.49) and large drink ($7.49). Savings: $17.98
Related Articles
These British bakers are bringing sausage rolls to a Bay Area audience
California craft beer: The top 10 Bay Area breweries
Izzy’s on the Peninsula reopens with reimagined menu, redesigned space
10 fantastic, distinctive noodle soups at Bay Area restaurants
The hottest things to do in Emeryville in 2024, using a free shuttle bus
14. P.F. Chang’s
Have you tried the crispy green beans appetizer at Chang’s? Oh. My. Goodness. They’re even better when served gratis. Savings: $12.50
15. Armadillo Willy’s
My free birthday food run came to a close some four weeks after it began — at this South Bay barbecue favorite which offers loyalty club members a free burger or sandwich. The Doc’s Salt & Pepper Turkey Breast sandwich was tremendous. Savings: $15.99
Total savings for all 15 meals: $146.19
For more food and drink coverage
follow us on Flipboard.
