Fitness
51 Freebies to Nab on Your Birthday
It’s your day. So why not treat yourself?
Karen Kurycki
Happy birthday, Girlfriend! Waking up on your special day to well wishes from family, friends and Facebook is amazing. But what if you could get a few freebies as well? Behold a comprehensive rundown of priceless b-day in-store goodies as well as a slew of online options. And, well, let’s just say your dessert needs are totally covered. Sure, most freebies come at a small price — providing your email address to sign up for a rewards program, downloading the app on your phone plus all those pesky promotional blasts. But hey, it’s your birthday. Treat yourself now and unsubscribe later. (Note: Most links below take you to promotional small print so you know what you’re signing up for; we’ve provided a few provisions.)
APPLEBEE’S
Sign up for Club Applebee’s and you'll get a free dessert on your birthday when you spend $15.
ARBY’S
Arby’s Rewards customers can scoop up a small milkshake with the purchase of a regular-priced menu item on their b-day.
AUNTIE ANNE’S
Enjoy a free soft pretzel after you sign up for Auntie Anne’s Rewards and spend $10 annually.
AVEDA
If you join the Aveda+ rewards program (which requires a one-time $10 enrollment fee), you’ll be sent a birthday gift certificate during your special month to redeem for a free product either online or in-store.
BAREMINERALS
All BareMinerals’ Good Rewards members — free to join! — can go online or to a store to receive a free gift during the month of your birthday.
BASKIN-ROBBINS
Join their birthday club and receive a free single scoop on your birthday.
BENIHANA
Register for The Chef’s Table to receive news from the hibachi chain and a $30 gift certificate to use during your birthday month.
BERTUCCI’S
Get a free reward from the Italian restaurant chain’s menu when you sign up for their e-club.
BUFFALO WILD WINGS
“Join the herd, get the rewards.” That comes in the form of free wings during your birthday month after you join their Blazin’ Rewards club.
CALIFORNIA PIZZA KITCHEN
Sign up for their CPK Rewards and you get a free birthday dessert and possibly a free entrée (depending on your points spend).
CARVEL
Become a Fudgie Fanatic and a free small cone on your birthday is all yours.
THE CHEESECAKE FACTORY
If you’ve signed up for their Cheesecake Rewards program, let your server know it's your birthday and receive a free slice of cheesecake!
CHICK-FIL-A
Join Chick-fil-A One to get a special treat on your birthday.
CHILI’S
Get a free dessert on your big day when you join My Chili’s Rewards club.
CHIPOTLE
Snag a free mystery food item on your birthday as a Chipotle Rewards customer.
CINNABON
Because everyone needs a Girlfriend™
Sign up to receive our free weekly newsletter every Thursday.
Download the Cinnabon app and then kick off your day with a free 16-ounce cold brew coffee.
COLD STONE CREAMERY
Become a member of My Cold Stone Club to receive a free Cold Stone Creation coupon. (The reward is valid seven days prior to your birthday and expires seven days after your birthday.)
CRUMBL COOKIES
Download the Crumbl app and sign up for the loyalty program, then get a free cookie on your birthday.
CULVER’S
As a member of MyCulver’s, you and your sweet tooth get a free scoop of ice cream with one topping for your b-day.
DENNY’S
Sign up for Denny Rewards and receive a delicious birthday gift every year.
EDIBLE ARRANGEMENTS
Every Edible Rewards member who joins the Birthday Club and makes a $29 purchase within their birthday year gets a free 12-count chocolate-covered fruit box (a $29.99 value).
EINSTEIN BROS. BAGELS
The whole truth: Any Einstein Bros. Rewards member can enjoy a free egg sandwich in celebration of their birthday.
E.L.F. COSMETICS
All Beauty Squad customers receive a free birthday gift no matter the membership tier.
EUROPEAN WAX CENTER
Join the free EWC Rewards, and you’ll receive an email with details for a free service around the first day of your birthday month.
FIREHOUSE SUBS
Firehouse Subs members can chow down on a free medium sub sandwich with any purchase on their b-day.
GODIVA
Spend $10 or more online to obtain a free birthday gift, while supplies last.
IHOP
Sign up for the IHOP Pancake Perks and receive a free pancake birthday meal.
JERSEY MIKE’S
Join the My Mike’s email club and purchase a regular sub within the year to receive a free sub on your birthday.
JUNIOR’S CHEESECAKE
Start spreading the news: Join the NYC-based restaurant chain’s Birthday Club and get a slice of "the World's Most Fabulous Cheesecake" with a purchase of a lunch or dinner entrée.
KRISPY KREME DOUGHNUTS
The doughnut chain gifts Krispy Kreme Rewards members with a sweat treat on their birthdays.
MORTON’S THE STEAKHOUSE
Sign up for Landry’s Select Club (which requires a one-time $25 enrollment fee) and receive a $25 complimentary certificate to use during your birthday month.
OLIVE GARDEN
Get a free dessert on your birthday. No signup necessary. Go ahead, stick a candle in it!
OUTBACK STEAKHOUSE
Save room for you-know-what! Dine Rewards members get a free birthday dessert.
PANERA BREAD
As a MyPanera rewards member, you get a free special surprise on your birthday.
PEET’S
Take a sip, make a wish and be sure to join their Peetnik Rewards program for a free birthday beverage.
PF CHANG’S
Savor a free dessert or appetizer during your birthday month as a rewards member.
RED ROBIN
Be a Red Robin Royalty member and then devour a free burger during your birthday month (with a minimum $4.99 menu purchase).
RUBY TUESDAY
Enjoy a free dessert or a free Garden Bar add-on within 21 days of your birthday when you become a Ruby Rewards member.
SEPHORA
Sign up for their Beauty Insider program (it’s free), and once a year you can pick from a selection of skin-care and makeup items. Either visit a store or add the item to your cart when you make a purchase online.
SMOOTHIE KING
No baked goods here: If you download the app and join the Healthy Rewards program, you can sip on a free birthday smoothie.
SONIC
All customers can receive a Sonic Side and a free Sonic Shake (any flavor) as a birthday gift if you place an online order either through the Sonic app or website. Good for up to 30 days after your birthday.
SPRINKLES
Join Sprinkle Perks to receive a code over email or on the app to present at a store. (Depending on how many points you earned in a calendar year, you can receive one, two or 13 free cupcakes!).
STARBUCKS
Who says there’s no such thing as free … coffee. There is! Starbucks Rewards members who sign up at least seven days before their birthday (and buy at least one star-earning item before then) get a free handcrafted beverage or food item of choice on the actual date.
TACO BELL
Enjoy a free birthday “surprise” item when you sign up for Taco Bell Rewards and provide your birthday information.
TARTE COSMETICS
Heads-up, gorgeous! Members of the Tarte Perks loyalty program get a free beauty gift during your birthday month.
TCBY
After you sign up for the Froyo Club, a free treat will be added to your Rewards Bank at the end of your birthday month.
TGI FRIDAYS
Become a Fridays Rewards member and get a free dessert on your birthday. Any day of the week.
THE MELTING POT
Sure, you may smell like oil for days, but sign up for Club Fondue and get some great birthday vouchers.
ULTA
Join the beauty bazaar’s free Ultamate Rewards program and choose from a range of products as a birthday gift. Recent offerings include a BareMinerals Original Mineral Veil Setting Powder and a Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant (both in travel sizes).
URBAN DECAY
If you’re a beauty junkie, then they have a goodie for you! UD Beauty Junkies members get a freebie gift — past products have included eye shadow.
WAFFLE HOUSE
Celebrate with a free classic waffle when you join the chain’s Regulars Club.
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