If you‘re one of the over 7.5 million active Tim Hortons Rewards members, you know the satisfaction of watching your points accumulate with each double-double coffee or box of Timbits. But are you truly maximizing your earning and redemption potential? As a retail and consumer expert, I‘m here to spill the beans on exactly how to get the most out of your Tim Hortons loyalty experience.
In this ultimate guide, we‘ll dive deep into the details of racking up rewards points and cashing them in for your go-to Tim Hortons favorites. Plus, I‘ll share insider tips and tricks to help you supercharge your perks like a pro. Whether you‘re a Tim‘s regular or just enjoy the occasional French vanilla, read on to learn how to make your customer loyalty pay off.
Tim Hortons Rewards 101
First, let‘s break down the basics of the Tim Hortons Rewards program. Launched in 2019, this points-based loyalty system allows customers to earn rewards on eligible purchases at participating Tim Hortons locations across Canada and the US.
Earning Points
Members score 10 points for every purchase over $0.50 before tax. So if your standard order looks something like a medium iced capp and a farmers breakfast wrap, you‘ll net 10 points per transaction. Doesn‘t sound like much at first, but that adds up fast for frequent visitors – not to mention bonus point offers that can accelerate your earnings.
According to Tim Hortons‘ parent company Restaurant Brands International (RBI), Tims Rewards members visit more often and spend more on average compared to non-members.
"We‘ve seen measurable progress in building our digital capabilities, offering exciting new product innovation and growing our Tims Rewards program, which is helping to drive digital adoption and sales", said RBI CEO Jose Cil in a 2021 earnings call.
To start stockpiling points, you‘ll need to create an account via the Tim Hortons mobile app or website. Once registered, you can seamlessly collect points by scanning your unique in-app QR code or physical loyalty card at checkout, or by placing a mobile order for pickup.
Redeeming Rewards
As your points balance grows, you‘ll graduate to new reward levels unlocking an array of freebies. The current reward tiers are:
| Points | Reward Level | Eligible Free Items |
|---|---|---|
| 50 | Level 1 | Brewed coffee, tea, classic donut, apple fritter |
| 70 | Level 2 | Iced coffee, wedges, dream donut, specialty tea |
| 100 | Level 3 | Frozen beverages, breakfast sandwich, baked good, yogurt |
| 140 | Level 4 | Iced cappuccino, iced latte, crispy chicken sandwich, chili, soup |
| 180 | Level 5 | Espresso beverage, lunch sandwich, timbits (10-pack) |
To redeem a reward, simply select an eligible complimentary item in your app and complete your order as usual. Rewards can also be redeemed in-person by notifying your cashier which perk you‘d like to apply. Keep in mind, you must redeem rewards one at a time and cannot combine multiple reward items in a single transaction.
While any rewards you earn are valid for a full year before expiring, it‘s a good habit to check your points balance and expiration dates frequently so you never miss out. You can easily access this information right in the Tim Hortons app.
Maximizing Your Tim Hortons Points
Now that you‘ve got the gist of earning and burning, let‘s talk strategy. With a few savvy moves, you can fast-track your progress to higher tiers and more exciting rewards. Try these pro tips to get the most mileage out of your Tim Hortons Rewards membership:
1. Never miss a scan
Make sure you‘re raking in points on every single Tim‘s run by scanning your app or card at checkout. To avoid losing out, consider keeping your reward QR code as a widget on your phone‘s home screen for quick access.
2. Double down on bonus offers
When you spot bonus point promotions in your app for specific items or days, pounce on them. Offers like "Earn 20 bonus points on breakfast sandwiches" can help you hit higher reward levels way faster.
3. Multiply your points with the Tim Hortons Rewards Visa
If Tims is your ride-or-die caffeine dealer, it‘s worth looking into the Tim Hortons Rewards Visa. Cardholders automatically earn 2x the points on every purchase made at Tim Hortons with the Visa. Plus, you‘ll collect 1 point per dollar spent on all other Visa purchases – meaning you can grow your balance buying gas, groceries, or anywhere Visa is accepted.
4. Fuel up on fill-ups
Many Tim Hortons are conveniently connected to gas stations, making it easy to grab a coffee and earn rewards while you‘re at the pump. Take advantage of this the next time you need to fuel up your car and your Tims Rewards balance.
5. Treat your team
Rack up points in record time by putting larger orders on your rewards account. Volunteering to pick up coffee and breakfast for your family or co-workers can translate to serious points potential, especially if you‘re feeding a crowd.
6. Pair rewards with promotions
Combining reward redemptions with limited-time app offers is a pro move for stretching your Tims budget further. For instance, redeeming a free donut reward during a $1 iced coffee promotion means you could enjoy a nice pick-me-up for pocket change.
How Tim Hortons Stacks Up to Competitors
Tim Hortons Rewards is far from the only coffee shop loyalty game in town. Let‘s see how it compares to the programs of two major rivals, Starbucks and McDonald‘s.
Starbucks Rewards
Members earn 1 "star" per dollar spent on eligible purchases. 25 stars can be redeemed for an extra espresso shot, dairy substitute or additional flavor. 50 stars buy you hot tea, coffee, or a bakery item. 150 stars can get you a handcrafted drink, hot breakfast, or yogurt parfait. 200 stars and you‘ve got lunch handled with a salad, sandwich, or protein box. Starbucks also has a tiered membership system where higher levels (achieved by purchasing with Starbucks Visa or maintaining a certain balance on a Starbucks gift card) get perks like free in-store refills.
McDonald‘s McCafe Rewards
Earn 100 points for every dollar spent on eligible McCafe purchases. 1,500 points gets you free hash browns, vanilla cone, or McChicken. 3,000 points can be traded for a free premium roast coffee, iced coffee, or sausage burrito. 4,000 points unlocks a free Happy Meal, Big Mac, 10-piece Chicken McNuggets and more. 6,000 points can redeem a free Quarter Pounder with Cheese, large iced frappe, or large smoothie. The biggest drawback? McDonald‘s points expire after just 6 months compared to a year at Tims.
Here‘s how the three popular coffee loyalty programs compare at a glance:
| Program | $ Spent Per Point | Birthday Reward | Points Expiration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tim Hortons Rewards | $0.10 | Free coffee or baked good | 12 months |
| Starbucks Rewards | $1 | Free drink or food item | 6 months |
| McCafe Rewards | $0.01 | Free medium McCafe beverage | 6 months |
Ultimately, the "best" loyalty program comes down to your personal ordering habits and which menu items you crave most. If you‘re constantly craving Timmies‘ Iced Capps and breakfast sandwiches, sticking with their straightforward points system could be your best bet. Starbucks Rewards may be more enticing for customers who appreciate their wider variety of premium beverages and substantial food offerings – and don‘t mind a steeper climb to a freebie. McDonald‘s is ideal if you want to pair your coffee with classic fast food favorites.
What‘s Next for Tims Rewards
Tim Hortons is always cooking up new ways to spice up their loyalty program and app experience to stay competitive.
"We are working hard to build a best-in-class digital experience for our guests with exciting new digital offers in our Tims Rewards program and a continued focus on making the Tims app experience more seamless than ever," said Tim Hortons President Axel Schwan in a recent statement.
Some of the potential future enhancements customers are clamoring for include:
- The ability to customize and save go-to orders in the app for rapid reordering
- More personalized rewards tailored to your most-purchased items
- Option to redeem points to pay for a portion of your order instead of just freebies
- Email notifications when your points are about to expire
- Expanding the array of eligible reward items
As Tim Hortons continues to invest in enhancing its digital assets, expect more seamless integration between earning and redeeming rewards. The easier they can make it to rack up and enjoy points, the more loyal customers they‘ll cultivate – and that means more data and insights to keep optimizing their offers.
Key Takeaways for Savvy Tims Customers
No matter how you take your Tims coffee, there are plenty of ways to capitalize on their loyalty system. The key is remembering to scan your app or card with every purchase, aiming for bonus point offers, and keeping an eye on your balance so you never lose out on a well-earned perk. By consistently collecting points on your favorite items and strategically saving up for higher-value freebies, you‘ll be reaping the Rewards in no time.
Always be on the lookout for new promotions and features that could accelerate your earnings and make redeeming a breeze. The recent addition of app-based ordering and point tracking has already been a game-changer for many busy customers. As Tim Hortons keeps refining their digital tools and perks, expect even more opportunities to get the VIP treatment as a loyal guest.
So next time you roll up to your local Tim Hortons drive-thru, don‘t just settle for your usual order. Ask yourself how you could be supersizing your Rewards potential with every coffee run. Your taste buds – and your wallet – will thank you.
