One of the oldest and largest department stores in the country, Macy’s is an iconic American chain known for time-honored traditions like its annual Thanksgiving Day parade and legendary Santaland.
Macy’s Star Rewards is a more recent Macy’s tradition, introduced more than 10 years ago and continually evolved over the years. In 2017, Macy’s revamped Star Rewards and relaunched the program to Macy’s credit cardholders. The next year, Macy’s expanded Star Rewards to include all Macy’s shoppers. Over the years, the store has continued to enhance the program with more benefits and reward components. As part of a recent update, Macy’s tweaked program rules to allow customers to earn points on everything they buy at Macy’s, no matter how they pay.
Joining Macy’s ever-evolving loyalty rewards program is one of the best ways to save at Macy’s every time you shop. Also, it has amazing double-dipping potential with RetailMeNot’s cash back program — while you earn Star Rewards, you can also earn cash back and put your spending to work even more. See the latest Macy’s cash back offer here.
But before you enroll in the Star Rewards program (which you can do for free, by the way), here is everything you need to know about Macy’s Star Rewards:
What Is Macy’s Star Reward Program?
Macy’s Star Rewards is the retailer’s free-to-join loyalty club. Designed to attract and reward faithful shoppers, the program lets members earn points on qualifying Macy’s purchases. In addition to points back on purchases, Macy’s rewards program hooks up shoppers with other perks like free birthday gifts and bonus savings events.
Macy’s Star Rewards is divided into four membership tiers: Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum. We’ll break down the different levels of membership in the following section.
What Are the Macy’s Star Rewards Levels?
Macy’s Star Rewards has four membership tiers based on annual spend. The four membership tiers include:
Bronze
Annual spend: $0
The first level of Macy’s Star Rewards, Bronze is free and open to all Macy’s shoppers. Bronze status is automatically awarded to shoppers when they enroll in the program. Bronze is the only membership tier where you don’t have to spend a certain amount at Macy’s per year or own a Macy’s credit card. To become a Bronze member, all you have to do is sign up for free online.
Bronze-level membership includes the following benefits:
- A signup bonus (in the past, new members have earned 25% off their next purchase upon signup).
- 1% back in rewards (1 point for every $1 spent on eligible purchases, which includes everything except gift cards, services and fees).
- $10 in Star Money for every 1,000 rewards points.
- A birthday surprise.
- Special offers and freebies.
- Surprise Star Money Bonus Days, when members earn bonus points when they shop at Macy’s.
Silver
Annual Spend: $1 to $499
Next up is Silver, the second tier of Macy’s Star Rewards membership program. Silver status is automatically awarded to Macy’s credit cardholders when they first sign up.
Silver-level membership includes all of the perks of Bronze level, plus the following benefits:
- 20% off Macy’s purchases for two days after being approved (up to $100 off total).
- 2% back in rewards (2 points for every $1 spent on eligible purchases).
- Semi-regular Star Passes good for 25% off select purchases.
Gold
Annual Spend: $500 to $1,199
The third membership tier of Macy’s Star Rewards, Gold status is awarded to shoppers who spend $500 to $1,199 at Macy’s using their Macy’s credit card.
Gold-level membership includes all of the perks of Silver level, plus the following benefits:
- 3% back in rewards (3 points back for every $1 spent on eligible purchases).
- Free standard shipping on every order from Macys.com, no minimum spend required.
Platinum
Annual Spend: $1,200+
The highest membership tier of Macy’s Star Rewards, Platinum status is awarded to shoppers who spend $1,200 or more at Macy’s using their Macy’s credit card.
Gold-level membership includes all of the perks of Silver level, plus the following benefits:
- 5% back in rewards (5 points for every $1 spent on eligible purchases).
How Do You Sign up for Macy’s Star Rewards?
The easiest way to sign up for Macy’s Star Rewards is online. To join, you’ll create a free account with your name, email address and birthday. Check “Join Star Rewards,” which will prompt you to enter a phone number. You’ll use this phone number and your birthday to access your account when you shop in Macy’s stores.
Alternatively, you will automatically be enrolled in Macy’s rewards program when you sign up for a Macy’s credit card. To successfully sign up for a Macy’s credit card, you’ll need to fill out an application and be approved.
How Do You Earn Macy’s Star Rewards Points?
As a member of Star Rewards, you earn points every time you shop at Macy’s, Macys.com and Macy’s Backstage. When you make an eligible purchase in stores, your points are automatically added to your Star Rewards account. If you shop at Macys.com, your points are automatically added as soon as your order ships.
If your order contains heavy furniture or other items that require special delivery, your points will be added when the order is delivered and accepted.
Which Macy’s Purchases Earn Points?
You can earn points on virtually any Macy’s purchase — with a few exceptions. Specifically, you do not earn Macy’s Star Rewards Points on gift cards, services — such as Beauty Box and other subscription services, restaurants, salon services, alterations — or fees.
How Many Star Rewards Points Do You Earn per Purchase?
The number of Macy’s Star Rewards points you earn is based on your membership level. Here’s how it breaks down:
- Bronze members: 1 point per $1 spent.
- Silver members: 2 points per $1 spent.
- Gold: 3 points per $1 spent.
- Planium: 5 points per $1 spent.
Once you hit 1,000 points, you’ll receive $10 in Star Money.
How to Check Your Star Rewards Points Balance
To find out how many Star Rewards points you’ve accrued and see how close you are to your $10 Star Money coupon, sign into your account online and go to your Star Rewards dashboard. On your dashboard, you’ll be able to see your current points balance and membership status.
Do Star Rewards Points Expire?
Yes, if you don’t make a qualifying purchase through your Star Rewards account for a consecutive 12 months, your Star Rewards points balance will expire.
Every time you earn a $10 Star Reward, you’ll get an email notification from Macy’s. When you shop in Macy’s stores, you’ll be alerted that you’ve earned Star Money on your receipt.
How Does Star Money Work?
Similar to Kohl’s Cash or Target Circle Rewards, Star Money is essentially store credit. You can use Star Money toward eligible Macy’s purchases — including top brands, beauty and designers that rarely go on sale. Star Money is distributed in $10 increments for every 1,000 points earned.
What Can You Buy With Star Money?
You can use Star Money on virtually any Macy’s, Macys.com or Macy’s Backstage purchase, with a few exceptions. Specifically, you cannot use Star Money toward the purchase of gift cards, services or fees.
How to Check Your Star Money Balance
To find out if you have any Star Money available, log in to your account and visit your Macy’s wallet. From your wallet, you’ll be able to see your current balance and membership level, in addition to exclusive offers and passes picked out just for you.
Alternatively, if you are shopping in store, any available Star Money will be available to apply to your purchase. Ask the associate if you have any Star Money available at check out. To allow them to check your balance, you’ll need to provide either the phone number associated with your account or your Macy’s card.
How Do You Redeem Star Money?
If you are shopping online, you’ll have the option to apply your available Star Money at checkout. If you are shopping in store, you can ask the sales associate to apply any available Star Money when you are checking out at the register.
Note that if you want to use Star Money toward furniture and mattresses, you’ll need to call Macy’s customer service to do so.
Does Star Money Expire?
Yes, Star Money expires 30 days after it’s issued. That means you’ll need a plan to redeem it relatively quickly.
Can You Return a Purchase Made With Star Money?
You can. If you decide to return a purchase you made with Star Money, the value will be refunded to you in the form of store credit — either a Macy’s Happy Returns Gift Card or a Merchandise-Only Certificate.
Keep in mind, Macy’s regular return policy rules apply, even to purchases made with Star Money. That means you have 90 days to return your item, and it must be in like-new condition with its original tags and any original packaging.
How Do Star Money Bonus Days Work?
As their title suggests, Star Money Bonus Days are special days when you earn Star Money bonuses on eligible Macy’s purchases. The amount you earn varies, but in the past, we’ve seen Star Money Bonus Days structured as follows:
- $10 in Star Money for every $50 in Macy’s purchases made with your Macy’s card.
- $10 in Star Money for every $50 in Macy’s purchases made using another payment method.
Star Money Bonus days pop up sporadically, and usually last between three and eight days. Star Money Bonus events are usually a surprise — so make sure you opt in for emails and keep an eye out for Star Money Bonus announcements.
What Purchases Are Included in Star Money Bonus Days?
During Star Money Bonus days, you can earn bonus points on eligible purchases at Macy’s, Macys.com or Macy’s. Macy’s Star Money Bonus Days exclusions: You cannot earn bonus points on furniture, mattresses, rugs or electronics, or items from the brands Sunglass Hut, Louis Vuitton, Pandora, Finish Line, Lids, Chow Tai Fook 24k gold or The Gucci Shop at Herald. Macy’s Backstage purchases are also excluded from bonus points.
On excluded purchases, you will continue to earn points at your normal rate during Star Money Bonus Day periods. In addition, the maximum number of bonus points you can earn on jewelry trunk show purchases is 500,000 points per item.
Is Macy’s Star Rewards Worth It?
Free, quick and easy to join, Macy’s Star Rewards is worth signing up for, even if you don’t shop at Macy’s that often. After all, Bronze membership costs you nothing and is virtually risk-free, while letting you earn points back for the money you spend on purchases and take advantage of special deals that non-members can’t access.
On the other hand, signing up for a Macy’s Star Rewards credit card is likely worth it only if you shop at Macy’s frequently and familiarize yourself with the terms and conditions.
A Macy’s card lets you earn points back on purchases at a faster rate. And, if you reach Gold or Platinum status, your card will entitle you to free shipping which translates to savings of up to $12 in delivery fees. However, like most retail credit cards, Macy’s Star Rewards card has a high APR of 26.74% variable, so it only makes sense to use the card if you are absolutely certain you can pay off the entire card balance every month.
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