5 US Fashion Loyalty Programs You (Literally) Can’t Afford to Miss

Nowadays, there are a wide variety of ways to save, and fashion loyalty programs are surely some of the best. Offering consistent customers everything from dedicated discounts to swanky, exclusive events, they’re a no-brainer for anyone looking to keep their retail therapy on budget or simply elevate their overall shopping experience. But which ones should you go for and which aren’t worth your attention? Read on to discover five that you just can’t afford to miss!

1. Banana Republic Rewards

Adore tailored fits and business casual but don’t appreciate the price tag that usually follows? You might want to try Banana Republic Rewards on for size.

This fashion loyalty program is a pretty traditional points-based system that rewards repeat-buys and brand loyalty. Members can earn 1 point for every dollar spent either online or in-store then eventually turn those in for a cash reward usable at any GAP-owned brand. Though do note: it takes 100 points to add up to $1, so it’s more ideal for frequent shoppers than occasional ones.

Luckily, there is a way to expedite things if you don’t want to wait as long for rewards to build. Become a BR Reward Credit Card member, and you can earn 5 points per dollar spent instead of just 1. Card members also get some other goodies like 20% off their first purchase (valid for the first 2 weeks as per their rewards benefit page) and Enthusiast level membership right off the bat.

Speaking of, Banana Republic Rewards does utilize tiers for their loyalty program. These net a variety of different benefits depending on whether you fall into their Core, Enthusiast, or Icon membership tier － a distinction that depends on how much you spend each year. But rest assured that all membership levels (even the free Core level!) get some truly solid benefits like free 3-5 day shipping, birthday bonuses, members-only discounts, and more.

2. H&M Loyalty Program

H&M is a brand that’s built a reputation around affordability and accessibility, and their loyalty program is one that reflects this. First of all, membership is completely free of charge and available for anyone 16 years or older. Their points system is rather generous, too, giving members a $5 reward for every 200 points earned. So should budget be a big concern, H&M is the way to go.

As for how H&M’s membership is structured, they keep it a lot more simplistic and fair than many competitors. Core and Plus are the only two categories to be found here. And while the latter does offer some extra perks over the former, there’s not an egregious quality difference. 

All members gain points on everything minus gift cards or charity items, get exclusive prices/event invites, can use Klarna to pay later, and receive birthday treats among other benefits. The primary difference is that Plus members receive free shipping on every order as opposed to the Core tier’s $40 or above order cost and are granted pre-access to certain sales/exclusive experiences. 

Appreciate those additional benefits enough to want a Plus membership? All you have to do is spend 500 points, and your level will automatically be updated. You don’t even have to do much after! Plus status remains for the rest of the membership year as well as the following one, making for a surprisingly hassle-free experience.

3. Calvin Klein Preferred

As wonderful as H&M, Banana Republic, and others’ loyalty programs are, not everyone is excited by their membership levels or how they distribute benefits within them. Thankfully, there are some that handle things in a more unique way and Calvin Klein falls under this banner. 

Perhaps the most notable and applauded example of this: their program does not use the usual tier system.  In fact, CK doesn’t feature any kind of levels or step-ups with their membership － a massive win for customers since it still gives rewards like birthday gifts and faster checkout without encouraging extra spending for further benefits.

Admittedly, Calvin Klein Preferred isn’t anything to write home about points-wise. Members earn 1 point per dollar spent with no limit to the amount of points you can earn, putting it relatively on par with Banana Republic Rewards amongst many others. 

However, where this fashion loyalty program really shines is with their rewards exchange. You can get $20 in rewards every time you earn 200 points, which can add up to huge savings! These rewards are then valid for 90 days after issue date and can be used online or in-store alike. 

4. J Crew Passport

It doesn’t get much more classic than J Crew, so it only makes sense that their customer rewards would follow suit. Dubbed J Crew Passport, this program is separated into three categories that are determined by spending: Green, Navy, and Gold. 

Green is where most folks will start (and likely stay). This tier is totally free to join and nets members all the basics like free standard shipping, a $10 birthday gift offer, and 1 point for every dollar you spend. As we said, it’s pretty basic, but there are some nice touches here as points are earned on every purchase － gift cards and services included － and $5 in rewards are received after you reach 200 points. 

Navy and Gold, meanwhile, are only for cardholders or those whose annual spend equals $500+ or $1000 respectively. These more exclusive rewards members get all previous benefits plus extra birthday spending money, exclusive access to sales/offers/products, 2-3x points on cashmere, and free monogramming, just to name a few. There’s a lot to be gained in these tiers.

Although, if those exclusives aren’t quite enough for you, these benefits can be further amplified by applying for a J Crew Credit Card. Both Navy and Gold card members get an extra 20% off all their purchases, earn 1 point per dollar spent on gas + grocery, and earn 1 point per $2 spent on everything else. They gain extra birthday offers, too, alongside free standard alterations and additional double to triple points at J Crew/J Crew Factory!

5. The Nordy Club

Personally, we were impressed enough by what all the others on this list have to offer, yet Nordstrom’s Nordy Club manages to push the envelope even further. One of the most rewarding yet complex membership programs out there, it’s separated into basic members, Influencers, Ambassadors, and Icons. And naturally, each tier comes with its own perks and privileges.

The base membership is the lowest rung on the Nordy Club ladder, yet it offers more than some other loyalty programs higher tiers. Basic alterations, first dibs on clear the rack shopping opportunities + select brands, access to lifestyle workshops － all are included for no-cost. Additionally, regular members can trade in 1000 points for a $10 reward, so there’s some decent discounts to be found here as well.

Let’s be clear, though. The Nordy Club is a fashion loyalty program that’s more about stuff and status than savings. Influencer, Ambassador, and Icon membership is for true brand loyalists. 

The former distinction alone earns Influencers everything in basic membership, 3 personal double points days, and priority access to specialized style events. Go all the way up to the ultra-select Icon tier (which requires $15,000 or more to be spent with a Nordstrom card) and the benefits are in another category entirely. You get unlimited free alterations, icon early access/special events, same-day delivery, reimbursed Nordstrom credit card fees － even an included dining or spa experience! 

Fashion loyalty programs are a great way to save a little cash, but they can also offer so much more. From exclusive brand/sale access to members-only events no one else gets to see, they completely shift the shopping experience for the better. Banana Republic Rewards, The Nordy Club, J Crew Passport, Calvin Klein Preferred, and H&M’s Loyalty Program are excellent examples of this and truly reign as the top five loyalty programs you (literally) can’t afford to miss!

What did you think about our picks? Have any experience with these loyalty programs or know some others that should’ve made the list? Drop us a comment below and don’t forget to check out Shoplito for all the best budget brands, sales, and deals today!