How To Get Macys Birthday Freebies And Other Star Rewards Perks

Macy’s offers several ways for shoppers to obtain free items and services, even without a store credit card. The most reliable path is the free Star Rewards loyalty program, which unlocks a birthday offer every year and various other benefits. For beauty shoppers, a separate avenue exists in-store: asking beauty counter associates for deluxe samples. In addition, the retailer periodically runs special events that can provide extra value. Understanding how these opportunities work, the eligibility rules, and the timelines for participation ensures consumers can reliably receive and redeem their freebies.

Overview of Free Opportunities at Macy’s

Consumers can obtain free value at Macy’s through three primary channels. The first is the Star Rewards program, which is free to join at the entry level and awards a birthday offer automatically once a member’s birth date is set in their account. The second is in-store beauty sampling, where fragrance and skincare counters often provide free deluxe products with a straightforward request during a visit. The third consists of special events that may provide additional perks, such as access to product demonstrations or exclusive offers during promotional windows.

Star Rewards is the anchor for birthdays, and it is not limited to credit cardholders. The Bronze tier, which is free, includes a birthday offer. Macy’s credit cardholders may access higher Silver, Gold, and Platinum tiers, each with escalating shipping benefits, more frequent access to earning events, and additional exclusive deals, but the birthday offer is a universal benefit available across all tiers. For shoppers focused on receiving free items, the most important elements are completing the free Star Rewards enrollment, adding the correct birth date at least 30 days before the birthday month begins, and checking both email and the Macy’s app for the offer.

Setting Up and Redeeming the Birthday Offer

The birthday gift is treated as an automated process, but it requires proactive setup by the member. When done correctly, a special offer or barcode is sent at the start of the birthday month and can be redeemed either online or in-store. Members should plan ahead, as the retailer’s systems typically prepare birthday communications several weeks in advance.

Enrollment - Enroll in Star Rewards. The program is free to join and forms the basis for receiving the birthday surprise. - Ensure that the profile is set to at least Bronze tier, which is the default for non-credit card members.

Adding a birthday - Log in to the member’s account on the Macy’s website or via the mobile app. - Navigate to the profile section and add both the birth month and day. - Save the changes. The source states that this should be done at least 30 days prior to the first day of the birthday month.

Receiving the offer - Macy’s will automatically send the birthday surprise via email at the beginning of the birthday month. - The email will contain a special offer or barcode for redemption, which can be used online or in-store. - Members should also check the “Wallet” section in the app, as the offer may appear there even if the email is difficult to locate.

Redemption windows and behavior - The birthday offer is valid during the birthday month only. Because some offers are prepared four to six weeks in advance, the retailer encourages early sign-up. - The current gift format is described as a “$ off coupon” such as $10 off a $30 purchase, and it requires a qualifying basket in-store or online to be used. - In prior years, the birthday offer has sometimes been a coupon for a free beauty item, a percentage-off discount, or a specific dollar amount off a purchase without a minimum spend.

These steps, if followed accurately, are the most dependable way to receive a free item or savings benefit at Macy’s. The system is designed to automate delivery, but missing the setup deadline, entering an incorrect birth date, or failing to check the email and app at the start of the birthday month can cause consumers to miss their offer.

Star Rewards Tiers and Benefits

Star Rewards includes multiple tiers, and the program’s structure provides increasing benefits for cardholders. The birthday offer is consistent across all tiers, but the shipping threshold, frequency of bonus earning events, and exclusivity of offers improve as members progress.

Bronze (Free to Join) - Includes the birthday surprise. - Provides access to special earning events known as Star Money Bonus Days. - Does not offer standard free shipping; occasional promotions may temporarily offer shipping benefits.

Silver (Macy’s Cardholder) - Includes the birthday surprise. - Access to more frequent Star Money Bonus Days. - Free shipping on orders of $25 or more. - Additional exclusive deals and savings compared to Bronze.

Gold (Macy’s Cardholder) - Includes the birthday surprise. - Even more frequent Star Money Bonus Days. - Free shipping with no minimum purchase. - More exclusive deals and savings compared to Silver.

Platinum (Macy’s Cardholder) - Includes the birthday surprise. - The most frequent Star Money Bonus Days. - Free shipping with no minimum purchase. - The top tier of exclusive deals and savings.

While several features increase by tier, the birthday offer remains the same universal perk, and the primary driver of free value without a purchase. The shipping benefits, which cardholders receive, can reduce overall costs on orders during the birthday month, even though they are not free items per se.

In-Store Beauty Sampling

Beauty sampling at Macy’s is distinct from Star Rewards and does not require membership enrollment or waiting for a specific time of year. Consumers can obtain high-quality deluxe samples directly from beauty counters by asking a store associate. These experiences are common in the fragrance and skincare areas, where associates can apply products and offer take-home samples.

Benefits of in-store sampling - No sign-up required. Sampling occurs in-store and depends on the associate’s availability and current product lines. - Ideal for testing luxury products before purchase, particularly for shoppers who prefer to try fragrance notes, textures, or formulations first. - Availability and selection vary by store, brand, and time of day, so shoppers should ask politely and be prepared for different responses depending on the counter.

Asking for samples - Approach the relevant counter (fragrance, skincare, or another category) during regular store hours. - Indicate interest in sampling a specific product, and request a deluxe sample to take home. Associates are typically open to providing samples for items they demonstrate.

Because samples are not guaranteed and are subject to store-level staffing and inventory considerations, consumers should view this as an opportunistic, in-person method to obtain free items rather than a structured program.

Special Events and Other Perks

Macy’s occasionally runs special events and days that offer additional value. These can include product demonstrations, bonus earning days, and time-bound promotional offers. While specific details vary by event, the existence of these periods is a third way consumers can secure free value beyond the program-based birthday and in-store sampling.

How events work - Some events provide access to extra earning opportunities, such as Star Money Bonus Days, which allow members to accrue rewards faster. - Promotional windows may include limited-time coupons, storewide offers, or beauty-specific deals. - Offers and event details are communicated through the Star Rewards system and the Macy’s app, and the retailer often promotes them via social channels.

For consumers focused on freebies, the birthday offer remains the most predictable annual value, but monitoring promotional calendars and app communications can uncover additional opportunities.

Pro Tips for Maximizing the Birthday Offer

Several practical tactics can help ensure the birthday freebie is received and redeemed without issues.

• Sign up early. The source notes that birthday email lists can be prepared four to six weeks in advance. Completing the profile and adding the birthday well before the deadline helps avoid missing the offer.
• Save or screenshot the email. The birthday email may contain a barcode or code that can be scanned in-store or used online. Keeping a backup copy or taking a screenshot can prevent a lost email from derailing redemption.
• Check the app’s Wallet section. Sometimes the birthday offer appears in the app’s Wallet even if the email is not visible. If the email is missed, the Wallet is a reliable second check.
• Redeem within the birthday month. Offers are valid only during the month. Checking both email and the app at the start of the month provides a longer window to plan in-store or online redemption.
• Contact customer support for delivery issues. If the birthday email does not arrive, contacting Macy’s support may help identify delivery problems or confirm eligibility. Because some events and lists are prepared weeks in advance, the retailer can often confirm the status of the account when queried.
• In-store, ask about deluxe samples. While not part of the birthday program, asking at the beauty counters can produce high-quality samples. Visiting during busier periods can sometimes increase the chance of sample availability, as associates may be actively demonstrating products.

These practices do not guarantee sampling, since that depends on store staffing and brand policies, but they do make the birthday process more reliable.

How to Stay Informed and Avoid Missing Offers

Staying informed about Star Rewards and the app’s Wallet ensures consumers can capitalize on each opportunity. Because the birthday offer is prepared well in advance, early enrollment and setup are the best protection against missed communications.

• Enable email notifications for Star Rewards. This increases the likelihood that the birthday email reaches the primary inbox.
• Use the app as the main dashboard. The Wallet consolidates offers and can be more reliable than sifting through inbox clutter. It is also a good way to track other limited-time offers.
• Monitor for event-specific announcements. The retailer’s official website and social media channels often highlight upcoming events and promotions. Keeping an eye on these channels can help shoppers plan visits to beauty counters for sampling and timing purchases around bonus earning events.

Do You Need a Macy’s Credit Card for Free Value?

Enrollment at the Bronze tier of Star Rewards is free and includes the birthday offer. A credit card is not required to receive or redeem the birthday freebie. Cardholders, however, enjoy enhanced benefits that can reduce costs on shipping and provide more frequent access to bonus earning events, as well as more exclusive deals. For consumers who want free value without financial obligations, the Bronze tier’s birthday offer and occasional promotions are the primary points of interest.

Understanding the Birthdate Requirement

Adding the birth month and day to the profile is a non-negotiable prerequisite. The retailer requires that this be completed at least 30 days before the birthday month begins, which is consistent with its advance list preparation. The process is simple, but the timing matters. If a shopper waits until the birthday month to add the date, the automated system may not recognize the update in time to send the email at the start of the month.

Annual Timing and Planning

Because the birthday offer is only valid during the birthday month, planning matters. Shoppers should treat the start of the month as the beginning of their redemption window and mark that date in their calendars. Online redemption often allows immediate use once the offer appears, and in-store redemption may require presenting a barcode or email. With in-store sampling, timing is more flexible, but visiting earlier in the month can increase the odds of sample availability as counters restock for the month’s traffic.

What to Expect for the Current Offer

The current gift format is described as a “$ off coupon” such as $10 off a $30 purchase, and the source notes that it must be redeemed in-store or online. This implies a qualifying minimum basket for redemption. In prior years, the offer has included a free beauty item coupon, a percentage-off discount, or a specific dollar amount off with no minimum spend, demonstrating some variability in format. The consistency lies in the annual delivery at the start of the birthday month and the requirement that the member’s birth date be correctly added in the profile.

Limitations and Caveats

The Star Rewards birthday offer is automated but dependent on consumer actions. In-store sampling is not guaranteed, and selection can vary by location and day. Shipping benefits for cardholders are not free items but can contribute to overall savings on a purchase. For non-cardholders, the Bronze tier does not provide standard free shipping; shipping benefits are typically tied to occasional promotional days. These distinctions help set expectations and avoid confusion over what constitutes a free item versus a discount or service benefit.

How to Contact Macy’s if You Don’t Receive the Email

If the birthday email does not arrive, the first step is to confirm the profile’s birth date and ensure the account is set to the Bronze tier or higher. Checking the app’s Wallet can reveal a copy of the offer. If those steps do not resolve the issue, contacting Macy’s support can help confirm the account status and delivery logistics. Because the retailer’s lists are prepared weeks in advance, customer service can often determine whether the account was included in the batch and advise on next steps.

Conclusion

Macy’s provides multiple paths to free value, with the Star Rewards birthday offer and in-store beauty sampling being the most accessible. The birthday process is simple and predictable when approached proactively: enroll in Star Rewards, add the correct birth date at least 30 days before the birthday month, and check the email and app Wallet for the offer. Redemption is straightforward and can be used either online or in-store during the birthday month. In-store sampling adds an opportunistic, in-person layer for beauty shoppers, enabling them to try luxury products and receive deluxe samples. While shipping benefits and bonus earning events may enhance overall savings for cardholders, the Bronze tier ensures that non-credit card members receive the essential birthday freebie. Following a few practical tactics and staying informed about promotions can further improve the odds of receiving and using these free offers.

Sources

1. How to Get Free Stuff at Macy’s — The Complete Playbook
2. Free Birthday Gift at Macy’s
3. Birthday Freebies
4. Best Birthday Freebies