15 Rewards Cards Everyone Had But Rarely Used
This list brings back those cards you probably signed up for, carried around, and completely forgot about.
- Daisy Montero
- 4 min read
Loyalty programs were supposed to make shopping more exciting, but most of these rewards cards just collected dust. They promised discounts, freebies, and points, yet somehow never delivered enough to keep people coming back. Everyone seemed to have one tucked away, but remembering to use it was another story.
1. Blockbuster Rewards Card
Coasterlover1994 on Wikimedia Commons
The promise of free rentals made this card feel like a must-have, but late fees usually outweighed any perks. Most people signed up, forgot the details, and just paid full price. It was more of a wallet filler than a money saver.
2. Borders Rewards Card
Bindydad123 on Wikimedia Commons
Borders offered a free loyalty card that gave discounts on books and coffee. The problem was remembering to bring it before the chain shut down. Many people carried it for years without earning much.
3. Sears Rewards Card
Mike Kalasnik from Jersey City, USA on Wikimedia Commons
Sears tried to keep customers loyal with point-based perks. Unfortunately, the rewards rarely matched the effort of swiping. Most shoppers just forgot about it after one use.
4. JCPenney Rewards Card
Tyler Vigen on Wikimedia Commons
JCPenney’s card gave modest points on purchases, but rewards were small and slow to add up. Shoppers often preferred coupons instead. The card ended up hidden in purses and glove compartments.
5. Kmart Rewards Card
Mike Kalasnik on Wikimedia Commons
The Kmart card sounded promising but offered complicated redemption rules. Customers often forgot the fine print and missed out. It became another unused card stuffed in wallets.
6. RadioShack Rewards Card
Davidcaballero864 on Wikimedia Commons
Tech shoppers picked up this card in hopes of saving on gadgets and batteries. The perks were minimal, and most never saw meaningful discounts. It was more of a novelty than a benefit.
7. Macy’s Star Rewards Card
Elisa Rolle on Wikimedia Commons
The card looked fancy, but the rewards were buried in restrictions. Shoppers had to spend a lot to get tiny benefits. For many, it was easier to wait for seasonal sales instead.
8. CVS ExtraCare Card
Harrison Keely on Wikimedia Commons
This card printed mile-long receipts full of coupons. People loved the idea but hated the hassle. Many swiped it only once or twice before giving up.
9. Toys “R” Us Rewards Card
Keizers on Wikimedia Commons
Parents signed up in hopes of discounts on toys, but the rewards were slow to arrive. Kids didn’t care about the points; they just wanted the toys. Most parents forgot about the card after the holidays.
10. Barnes & Noble Membership Card
Mike Mozart from Funny YouTube, USA on Wikimedia Commons
This card required a fee for discounts that rarely beat Amazon prices. Book lovers carried it out of habit, not savings. It was more symbolic than practical.
11. Safeway Club Card
Luke Woolley on Wikimedia Commons
Grocery shoppers loved swiping it, but savings often felt inflated. Prices without the card seemed higher, making the discounts less impressive. It turned into more of a marketing tool than a true perk.
12. Best Buy Reward Zone Card
Curlyrnd on Wikimedia Commons
Electronics shoppers grabbed this card, thinking they’d rack up points quickly. The reality was complicated redemption and minimal savings. It rarely felt worth the effort.
13. Old Navy Card
Rowanlovescars on Wikimedia Commons
Old Navy pushed their rewards card for clothing discounts, but most customers stuck to clearance racks instead. The card’s fine print made savings harder than they looked. It ended up forgotten in wallets.
14. Walgreens Balance Rewards Card
time anchor from Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.A. on Wikimedia Commons
Walgreens offered points on everyday purchases, but the math was tricky. Shoppers often didn’t know when or how to redeem them. For many, the card never made it past the sign-up stage.
15. Subway Sub Club Card
CHICHI7YT on Wikimedia Commons
Subway gave out punch cards where a free sub came after collecting enough stamps. The idea sounded great, but people often lost the card before filling it up. It became one of those rewards programs that felt easier to forget than finish.