These days almost every restaurant chain offers a loyalty program, but most have a ton of restrictions on how you can earn points, what they can be redeemed for, and how long they last. That’s where the Wendy’s Rewards program really stands out! Wendy’s Rewards members earn points on the purchase of any food items which can be redeemed for freebies of almost any food item on the menu.

How does the Wendy’s Rewards program work?

Wendy’s Rewards is one of the more generous and easy-to-use rewards programs.  Members earn 10 points per $1 dollar on the purchase of any food ordered through the Wendy’s app, website, drive-thru, or in the restaurant. Points can then be redeemed for food items of different values, with the cheapest options currently starting at 150 points for a Small Frosty or 4 Piece Chicken Nuggets, and the most expensive options going for 700 points if you want a Baconator or a Full Size Salad.

Points earned are determined by the price of the item before tax and after any discounts, allowing members to earn points even on discounted purchases or special offers.

If earning points on the entire menu and getting free stuff isn’t enough to grab your attention, Wendys Reward members also receive special offers, discounts, and opportunities to earn bonus points.

How do you join?

Signing up for the Wendy’s Rewards program is simple, just download the Wendy’s app or visit the website to create an account. Users will be asked for their name, email address, and country to create the account and display their regional offers. If you had a Wendy’s account before the launch of the program on July 21, 2020, you’ve already been registered! Just sign in to get started on earning rewards.

Is there a sign-up bonus?

Yes! New members of the Wendy’s Rewards program will earn 2x points on their first purchase.

How do you earn points?

To earn points, simply scan the QR code in the Wendy’s app at the counter, pickup window or kiosk when you place an order.  If you order online using the Wendy’s app or website, your points will automatically be added to your account.

How do you check your points balance?

Wendy’s Reward’s members can find their points balance using their account on the app or Wendy’s website. Simply sign in and your points will be displayed in the rewards section.

Can you add points later if you forget at the checkout?

Yes, but a few conditions apply and you’ll need to have your receipt to make a claim. Access the  Wendy’s Rewards Receipt Submission Form and use the information from your receipt to fill it out. Be careful though, if any of the information you use does not match your account or receipt, your request will be denied. Attach a clear picture of your full receipt and submit it to the customer care team within 24 hours of your purchase to have the points added to your account.

There’s also a limit of one submission per 24 hours and four submissions per month, so try not to forget too often or you might miss out on points!

How do you redeem points?

Redeeming points is simple, just log into the app or website and head to the Rewards or Offers tab.  Select the reward of your choice and points will automatically be deducted from your account. You have 30 days after claiming a reward to use it, either in-store or for a delivery order placed through the Wendy’s app or website.

Do points expire?

Points expire 365 days after they are earned, giving you a good amount of time to redeem them.  Be wary of turning points into rewards before you plan to use them though, as rewards expire 30 days after they’ve been claimed.

Getting the most out of Wendy’s Rewards

Want to know how you can get the most out of your Wendy’s Rewards membership? Here are three ways to make sure you’re not missing out.

Take advantage of special offers.

Wendy’s regularly publishes special offers, coupons, and deals through their app and website for members. It’s a good idea to check up on these and see what’s available, as you might be able to get more food for your money, or even bonus points, just for making certain purchases.

Look out for bonus point offers and events.

We’ve just touched on this, but Wendy’s will occasionally put out offers for bonus points on certain purchases. There’s also been a few bonus point events since the launch of the program, typically offering additional points on purchases made in a certain period. Bonus point events may also limit the additional points to the purchase of specific menu items.

Don’t claim rewards until you’re ready to use them.

Just so you don’t forget, the points you earn are valid for 365 days after your original purchase, but once they’ve been redeemed to claim an offer, you only have 30 days to collect your free item. While some rewards are only available for a limited time, it doesn’t make sense to claim them if you aren’t pretty sure you’ll be able to use them. The best way to avoid wasting rewards is to avoid claiming them until you’re ready to order.

If you have points that are about to expire, it can be worth it to preemptively claim a reward and add that 30 days as an expiration buffer.

What are the members saying?

Members of the Wendy’s Rewards program say that it has some of the best offers around, and the app is well-reviewed with nearly five stars after 234,700 ratings on the app store. Some members have noted that the app does not support Apple Pay, so if that’s your go-to, be prepared to use another payment method.  Keep in mind that the app and program are only a few months old, so support for more payment methods will likely be added in the future.

Conclusion

Wendy’s Rewards is a pretty new program, launching years after most chains have established loyalty offerings of their own, but you know what they say, good things come to those who wait! That seems to be the case here, as the program has so few restrictions on points and reward redemption. If you like free food and good deals, the Wendy’s Rewards program is definitely worth checking out.