Signing up for store loyalty programs is a great way to save money, and Macy’s Star Rewards is a big one, especially if you already have a Macy’s Credit Card.
Macy’s Star Rewards gives you a bunch of perks for shopping at Macy’s. The main thing it gives you is the opportunity to earn points on your Macy’s purchases. The more you shop, the more points you’ll earn. And when you combine Star Rewards with all the other Macy’s savings hacks, you’ll score top-notch savings and get rewarded for your savvy shopping skills.
How do Macy’s Star Rewards work? Is it free to sign up? Do Macy’s Star Rewards ever expire? All your major questions are asked and answered right here. I rounded up all the info you need, plus tips for making the most of Star Rewards any time you shop at Macy’s.
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1. How do Macy’s Star Rewards work?
Like many other retailers, Macy’s uses a basic points system for their Star Rewards program. You’ll earn a certain amount of points for every dollar you spend at Macy’s. When you rack up enough points, you’ll get cash to spend on future purchases — aka “Star Money.”
How much are Macy’s Star Rewards worth?
For every 1,000 points you earn, you’ll get $10 in Star Money.
You can earn anywhere from one to five points per dollar you spend at Macy’s, depending on your Rewards status. Points are the bulk of Macy’s Star Rewards, but members get other perks, too. Like member exclusives, birthday gifts, and free shipping perks.
Related: Put your birthday to work with these 100+ birthday freebies and discounts.
2. You can join Star Rewards for free, but you’ll earn points slooooowly.
Yes, Macy’s Star Rewards is free if you enroll at the basic level as a Bronze member. Bronze is the base status for Star Rewards which is free to join if you don’t have a Macy’s Credit Card.
The downfall? You’ll earn points at a snail’s pace. Bronze members only earn one point per dollar spent at Macy’s. And since you need 1,000 points to earn Star Money, you have to spend $1,000 just to earn $10 in rewards.
Bronze members do get other Star Rewards perks besides points, like exclusive member offers and a special birthday gift.
3. Having a Macy’s account isn’t the same as being a Bronze Star Rewards member.
When you create a Macy’s account, you’re not automatically enrolled in Star Rewards. You have to enroll in Star Rewards separately after you create your Macy’s account.
How to sign up for Macy’s Star Rewards:
- Sign in to your Macy’s account and visit your account settings.
- In the Star Rewards section, click “Sign up for Star Rewards.” All you need is your phone number and birthday to sign up. If you don’t have a Macy’s Card, you’ll be enrolled as a free Bronze member.
4. Apply for a Macy’s Credit Card to get the most out of Star Rewards.
The best Star Rewards benefits are reserved for Macy’s Cardholders. When you apply and get approved for the Macy’s Card, you’re automatically enrolled as a Silver member. But you can upgrade to a higher rewards status if you spend a certain amount of money at Macy’s every year:
- Silver: Spend $1 – $499 per year at Macy’s with your Macy’s Card
- Gold: Spend $500 – $1,199 per year at Macy’s with your Macy’s Card
- Platinum: Spend $1,200+ per year at Macy’s with your Macy’s Card
When you reach a higher rewards status, you’ll unlock more points per dollar and more Star Rewards perks you didn’t have before. This is how many points you earn per dollar, based on your rewards status:
- Bronze: 1 point per $1 spent
- Silver: 2 points per $1 spent
- Gold: 3 points per $1 spent
- Platinum: 5 points per $1 spent
5. Shop during Star Money Bonus Days to earn rewards faster.
Regardless of your rewards status, the best and fastest way to earn rewards is to shop during Star Money Bonus Days.
Star Money Bonus Days happen randomly, and you won’t know when they’re coming or what the offer will be. You’ll usually get an email when they start (so make sure you’re signed up for Macy’s emails). Star Money Bonus Days usually last for five to eight days, so you only have a limited time to shop and score extra bonuses.
Some Star Money Bonus Days will give you an offer like: $10 in Star Money for every $50 you spend at Macy’s. If you’re a Bronze member, THIS is your ticket to winning big with Star Rewards. During Bonus Days like these, you only have to spend $50 to earn Star Money (rather than the standard $1,000 threshold for Bronze members).
6. You have 30 days to use your Star Money at Macy’s.
Do Macy’s Star Rewards expire? Yep! You only have 30 days to spend your Star Money at Macy’s, starting on the day it was issued. So unfortunately you can’t hoard all your Star Money and spend it all on one big blowout.
7. Use your Star Money during a Macy’s sale to save big.
Stacking your Star Money with Macy’s sale prices is like hitting the jackpot. The tricky thing is once you earn 1,000 points with Star Rewards, you only have 30 days to spend your Star Money.
So let’s say you’re right on the cusp of 1,000 points but a big sale is coming up, like Macy’s 10 Days of Glam or Macy’s Black Friday. Wait to make your final Macy’s purchase just before the sale starts, so you hit the 1,000-point mark just in time. Then you’ll have $10 in Star Money to spend during the sale.
8. Spend your Star Money at Macy’s Backstage to get even lower prices.
Macy’s Backstage is basically Macy’s version of a T.J.Maxx or Nordstrom Rack, with more affordable prices on the latest trends and styles. The good news? You can spend (and earn) Star Money on top of deeply discounted items (for up to 80% off).
You’ll even find a clearance section for $14.99 and under at Macy’s Backstage. So if you spend your $10 Star Money on one of these items, you’re basically paying nothing.
9. You can’t redeem Star Money for cash or use it to pay off your credit card balance.
You can only use Star Money on future purchases from Macy’s, so you can’t trade it in for real cash or use it to pay off your existing Macy’s Card balance.
You also can’t spend your Star Money on Macy’s gift cards, services, or fees.
10. How do you track your Star Rewards points and Star Money?
You can track your Star Rewards and Star Money in the Macy’s app or by signing in to your Macy’s account online. You can also ask a Macy’s associate for your Star Rewards balance when you check out in store.
You’ll get an email when you earn Star Money on your purchases (again — make sure you’re signed up for Macy’s emails!). And if you’re shopping in store, you’ll see a notice printed on your Macy’s receipt.
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