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Earning rewards for purchases is nothing new. But customer loyalty incentives have come a long way since the days of boosting bubblegum sales by including baseball cards in each pack. Today, loyalty programs offer a range of rewards tailored to different preferences and lifestyles.
While most savvy consumers realize that company giveaways and discounts are in place to increase customer retention and revenue, there’s a clear upside for people who take advantage of special perks for repeat customers. Here are five programs offering standout incentives you might not know about.
Free Gift Cards From Microsoft Rewards
While you might view your PC as just a tool to facilitate research, communication, gaming, or any of a number of daily activities, users of Microsoft products often overlook a cool loyalty program that’s right beneath their fingertips. The tech giant touts its Microsoft Rewards as a way to earn benefits like sweepstakes entries, digital gift cards, and other virtual incentives simply by doing what you love to do. Yet not everyone takes advantage of these benefits.
If you already have a Microsoft account, you’ve likely been automatically enrolled in the rewards program. That means that as long as you’re logged in, whenever you engage with one of the company’s vast lines of products you can earn points. Simply browsing with Bing, shopping in the Microsoft Store, or playing Xbox games increases your tally. Points rack up across devices, too, so you can earn on your laptop, phone, tablet, or smart TV. There are even daily tasks you can complete like polls and quizzes to pad your balance.
Once you have enough points, free eGift cards from popular retailers, restaurants, and more are available for redemption. Brands like Starbucks, AMC Theaters, and Walmart are just a few of the top names offering virtual gift cards through the Microsoft Rewards program.
Travel Perks From iPrefer Hotel Rewards
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From Marriott Bonvoy to Hilton Honors, points programs from the big names in the hotel industry are well-known to seasoned travelers. But if you favor staying in more exclusive accommodations, the iPrefer Hotel Rewards program provides ample reason to choose one of their 700-plus independent properties worldwide.
With no fee to join the plan, you’ll enjoy perks like enhanced room upgrades, complimentary Wi-Fi, and early check-in and late check-out, all beginning with your first stay. Every eligible stay earns points, and with the program’s tiered membership system, the more often you book the more points you’ll accumulate.
While sleeping steps away from Notre Dame in the elegant Hôtel Dame des Arts in Paris is rewarding in and of itself, building your balance throughout your stay adds a certain je ne sais quoi to your visit. Redeeming your iPrefer points for a getaway at The Broadmoor in Colorado, the longest-running 5-star hotel in the world per Forbes, or California’s famed Ojai Valley Inn, transforms your loyalty into timeless memories.
Free Produce From Misfit Perks
Misfits Market has built a name for itself by redistributing organic produce and other grocery items that might otherwise be discarded. From misshapen fruits and vegetables to excess inventory to products with packaging defects, countless food items each day never make it to grocery stores and instead are often destined for destruction. Misfits Market rescues those items, helping to increase access to high-quality foods while ending the cycle of food waste in the U.S.
With a Misfits Market membership, the company states you can save up to 30% on grocery deliveries. On top of those discounts, you’ll earn two points for every dollar spent as a thank-you for your loyalty. When you’ve got enough points, you can redeem them for free items, including fresh, healthy produce. Now that’s a tasty reward!
Extraordinary Experiences From Virgin Red
The Virgin Group’s offering includes some of the standard perks you find with other loyalty programs, such as gift cards or discounts on travel, dining, and entertainment. But Virgin Red takes its benefits to the next level by also featuring special experiences guaranteed to create unforgettable memories.
With the program, you earn points by shopping or booking travel through the Virgin Red website or app. Then, once you’ve accumulated enough points, you can redeem them in multiple ways, including applying them to unique adventures.
Although the offers are ever-changing, experiences might include a Napa Valley wine and cheese tasting, a Brooklyn Bridge bike tour, or a private glassblowing class. Virgin Red clearly understands that allowing participants to choose exactly how they want to use their points is key to building a successful loyalty program.
Giving Back With TOMS
The rewards program sponsored by shoe retailer TOMS offers participating shoppers discounts and free shipping, but the company also promotes turning loyalty points into meaningful giving. Currently, you can use your earnings to provide mental health resources to those in need, supporting the grassroots effort of community assistance that’s been a hallmark of TOMS since its founding in 2006.
With this program, points can be collected through more than just purchases. Liking or following the company on social media platforms, leaving reviews, and even just reading TOMS content increases your rewards balance, meaning you don’t have to fill up your shoe rack to make a positive impact with your points.
Loyalty programs have evolved from their humble beginnings into a sophisticated tool for enhancing customer engagement. Whether you’re looking for luxurious upgrades, freebies, experiences, or a way to give back, these standout examples showcase the diverse rewards options that resonate with modern-day consumers. With so many cool and interesting options available, there’s never been a better time to reap the rewards of staying loyal.
Guest article written by: 
William Powell is a writer and educator who likes to cover marketing and other business industries such as fintech, remote notary services, ecommerce fulfillment services, etc. He enjoys learning about the latest business trends and analyzing how global events impact domestic and international economies.