If part of your routine is popping into Dunkin’ for a coffee, donut, or sandwich, then you’ll probably want to enroll with Dunkin’s rewards program, DD Perks. Otherwise, you’re just burning money.
In this guide, we’ll explain everything you need to know about DD Perks, including its strengths, its limitations, and the steps you need to take to start earning rewards.
You’ll also learn how to score more of your favorite Dunkin’ drinks for free, and who doesn’t love freebies?
Table Of Contents
- How does the DD Perks program work?
- Signing up for DD Perks
- How do Dunkin' points work?
- Redeeming points
- Other DD Perks benefits
- Earning discounted Shell gas through DD Perks
- DD Perks FAQ
How does the DD Perks program work?
DD Perks is Dunkin’s customer loyalty program and is accessible through both Dunkin’s website and its mobile apps.
The program works off a simple points system. Members earn points on nearly all of their Dunkin’ purchases, and once they’ve accumulated enough points, they can redeem them for free beverages.
You’ll earn 5 points for every $1 spent, and for every 200 points you earn, you’ll receive a free beverage coupon.
As a DD Perks member, you’ll also unlock frequent opportunities to earn points even faster. Sometimes much faster.
In fact, the offers start pouring in the minute you complete the registration process. Currently, new users are welcomed to a free medium Dunkin’ Refresher, which can be claimed during their first week of membership.
Signing up for DD Perks
The sign-up process for DD Perks can be initiated in one of two ways:
- If you’re on a desktop or using a mobile browser, navigate to Dunkin’s website and click/tap the “Sign Up” button.
- Or you can download the Dunkin’ app, available for both Android and iOS devices. Simply open the app and tap “Join”.
From the sign-up page, you’ll be asked to provide a few basic details, including your full name, email address, password, and zip code (optional). Or you can just skip all that and sign up using your Apple ID.
Once enrolled, we strongly suggest viewing your offers. Here, you’ll find a list of current promos, bonus point offers, and your special welcome bonus, which is for a free beverage.
Just be warned, that your welcome offer will expire within 7 days of being issued.
How do Dunkin’ points work?
Dunkin’ points are the virtual currency of DD Perks. They are earned by purchasing Dunkin’ menu items and as mentioned previously, are awarded at a rate of 5 points per $1 spent.
Not all Dunkin’ items earn points, but the list of exclusions is rather short:
- Dunkin’ gift cards
- Reward coupon redemptions
- Charitable donations
- Newspapers
- Products sold online through the Dunkin’Shop
- Taxes
In short, any purchase that you can eat or drink will earn rewards. The sole exception to this rule is Baskin-Robbins items sold at a combo Dunkin’ / Baskin location.
To receive points for your purchases, you must either:
- Use an enrolled Dunkin’ Card. These reloadable prepaid cards can be purchased through Dunkin’s online website or mobile app. If you purchase a virtual Dunkin’ Card it will automatically be enrolled with DD Perks. Members can fund their cards using Google Pay, Apple Pay, or a credit/debit card.
- Place a mobile order from the Dunkin’ app: If you place an order for pickup and pay for it through the Dunkin’ app, you’ll automatically earn points at checkout.
- Scan your Loyalty ID and pay in person: You can earn points on in-person purchases made with cash, a debit/credit card, or a Dunkin’ gift card. To do this, open the Dunkin’ app at the point of transaction, go to “Scan / Pay” -> “Pay Another Way” and have the cashier scan your QR code.
In our experience, points usually showed up in our DD Perks accounts almost immediately.
You can check the status of your current points by signing in to your Dunkin’ account online, or from the home page of the mobile app
What if I forgot to scan my QR code?
DD Perks members that forget to scan their codes or left their phones at home have a couple of backup options.
If you happened to pay with a physical Dunkin’ Card that’s enrolled with DD Perks, you’ll still receive points. There’s no need to have the cashier scan your app.
From the detective’s desk: To enroll a physical card from the Dunkin’ app, open up the main menu, and go to “Add/Manage Cards” -> “Add Another Dunkin’ Card.” Enter your card number and pin number.
However, if you paid with cash, credit, or an unenrolled card, and forgot to have the cashier scan your QR code, you’ll need to take an extra step to receive your points.
The most direct route is to call Dunkin’s Customer Care Team at 1-800-447-0013. Just make sure to have your receipt handy, because you’ll need to provide information about your transaction. The phone line is open Monday – Friday from 7 am – 7 pm EST.
Alternatively, you can send an email message to support by first navigating to this page, then selecting “Email Us”. After that, you’ll need to fill out a short questionnaire and form, and someone should get back to you.
Redeeming points
Once you’ve earned 200 Dunkin’ points, you’ll receive a coupon for a free single-serve beverage. 200 points is the equivalent of $40 spent on Dunkin’ menu items.
There are no size restrictions on the free beverages, so if you want a large, you’ll get a large. The only drinks you can’t get are bottled cooler beverages, and those big Box O’ Joe and Gallon containers.
That’s the good news.
The bad news is that you can’t redeem your points for other Dunkin’ items, like donuts or sandwiches. Other loyalty programs aren’t nearly as inflexible, allowing members to redeem points for a variety of items.
Another minor downside is that once a coupon is issued, you’ll only have 30 days to use it. Also, DD Perks members are only allowed to cash one coupon per visit.
Free beverage coupons can be accessed directly through the Dunkin’ app, or from your online account. You’ll find them on the Offers page.
Other DD Perks benefits
If you’re not taking advantage of DD Perks’ promos and bonus offers, then you’re doing it wrong.
These side benefits will help you greatly accelerate the pace at which you earn free beverages. Let’s take a look at a few.
Birthday rewards
In the days leading up to your birthday, DD Perks will send you a coupon for a free beverage. The only catch is that Dunkin’ actually needs to know your birthday before it can send you a gift!
Thankfully, if you register online you’ll be given the option to enter your birthday right from the sign-up page.
From the detective’s desk: Oddly, you can’t enter your birthday from the mobile app’s sign-up page. Not to worry. After completing the registration process, you can navigate to the app’s “Profile Information” menu and add your birthday details there.
Unlike normal beverage coupons, which don’t expire for 30 days, your birthday offer is only valid for 7 days. So act quickly.
Bonus points
Bonus point offers are arguably the best way to get the most mileage out of DD Perks. And the good news is that they show up frequently, sometimes multiple times per week.
A few examples of bonus offers include:
- 2x and 3x point multipliers when you buy certain menu items.
- Bonus points when you make purchases through the app or on a certain day of the week
- Earn bonus points on your first purchase each day, for a limited time.
What’s really nice about bonus offers, is that the extra points are applied automatically. There’s no need to opt-in or claim them.
Just to give you an idea of how valuable these offers are, say the average large drink at your Dunkin’ costs about $4. Normally, you’d have to spend $40 to get a free one, which equates to a 10% cash back rate.
That isn’t bad, but let’s now assume that Dunkin’ is running a bonus points offer where you’ll earn an additional 50 points on each purchase. If you take advantage of this offer just four times, you’ll score a free beverage from the bonus points alone.
Assuming an average order size of $4, this brings your cash back rate up to a whopping 35%.
Promotions
For a free loyalty program, DD Perks tosses a fair number of member-exclusive promos your way. They’re not as abundant as bonus point offers, but still.
It’s generally a wise idea to check your inbox or app notifications around major holidays (including National Donut Day and National Coffee Day) since that’s when Dunkin’ rolls out some of its best offers.
Earning discounted Shell gas through DD Perks
Who would have thought that purchasing coffee could earn you discounts on gas, but with DD Perks, it’s true!
Dunkin’ has partnered with Shell gas stations to bring DD Perks members exclusive savings at the pump. Now, for every five Dunkin’ beverage purchases, you’ll earn a 5-cent per gallon discount on your next fillup.
The only catch is that you must be registered with Shell’s Fuel Rewards and link your account to DD Perks. You can get that process rolling here.
By signing up with Fuel Rewards, you’ll automatically be enrolled as a Gold Status member. At this level, you’ll earn a 5-cent per gallon discount.
From the detective’s desk: Your Fuel Rewards Gold Status is only guaranteed for 6 months. To retain your status you must purchase 5 gallons or more on six different occasions during months 4 – 6. For more details check out the Fuel Rewards FAQ.
Combine this with the DD Perks discount, and you’re looking at a 10-cent per gallon discount. Admittedly, that’s not much, but with gas prices at all-time highs, any relief at the pump is welcomed.
DD Perks FAQ
Do DD Perks rewards points expire?
Yes. If you don’t make an eligible purchase using the Dunkin’ app, your Loyalty ID (QR Code), or an enrolled Dunkin’ Card for six months, then your DD Perks points will expire.
If you go two years or more without earning points, then Dunkin’ has the right to revoke your membership. Whether they actually do it, is another question.
Furthermore, free beverage coupons, which are issued once you reach 200 points, expire after 30 days. The lifeline on birthday coupons and your welcome bonus offer is even shorter, just 7 days.
Can you use DD Perks on delivery services like DoorDash?
No. Although Dunkin’ is partnered with Uber Eats, Grubhub, and DoorDash for deliveries, you cannot receive Dunkin’ rewards points on third-party orders. At least not presently.
On a brighter note, if you’re signed up with a premium delivery subscription service like DoorDash’s DashPass, then you may receive special discounts on Dunkin’ deliveries.
Is DD Perks free?
Yes. As a DD Perks member, you’ll only spend money on the Dunkin’ purchases that you were already making.
There is no premium charge.
Is DD Perks worth it?
Unless you never frequent Dunkin’, then there’s really no reason not to enroll with DD Perks.
The app is free to download, lightweight, and immediately rewarding. Furthermore, Dunkin’ will never ask you for sensitive information like your SSN.
Even if you spend an average of just $10 a month at Dunkin’, and never take advantage of promos or bonus point offers, with DD perks you’ll still earn three free beverages of your choice per year.
The only downside is the frequent notifications, but members are free to turn those off.
