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There Is Now a Loyalty Program for Your Summer Beach Reads

April 19, 2019
3 min read
Woman Lying While Reading Book On Beach Against Blue Sky
There Is Now a Loyalty Program for Your Summer Beach Reads
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Just in time to accumulate books for your summer reading list, Penguin Random House has announced it's launching a customer rewards program.

Consider it the grownup version of your local library's summer reading club from when you were a kid, but instead of gold-star stickers from your librarian, you earn points you can cash in for a free book.

Readers who sign up for the program can earn 10 points for each Penguin Random House book purchase. Once customers earn 120 points, or purchase 12 books, they can redeem for a free book up to $30. Members of the program must make an account and enter basic proof of purchase information to start earning points.

Purchases of print, electronic and audio books can all earn points, but not all books or formats are eligible: Only books marked with an "Earn Points With This Purchase" flag on the Penguin Random House site will help move you toward your free book.

It's also important to note the 10 points is earned per title, so multiple purchases of the same book don't earn you additional points. See the rewards program FAQ page for more detailed information.

The good news is that readers are not just limited to buying from the Penguin Random House site (although their page does have a survey customers can fill out to get new book recommendations). Books can also be purchased from any brick-and-mortar or online retailer. That means you can buy eligible Penguin Random House books from Amazon — using one of the best credit cards for Amazon purchases — and earn even more points or cash-back.

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In a statement, the publisher called the loyalty program, "the largest-scale customer-loyalty engagement to be offered by a book publisher." Apparently, this is only the first iteration of the points earning system.

"Penguin Random House has begun planning the next phase of the Reader Rewards Loyalty Program, along with further enhancements, and a series of special events in collaboration with retailers and partners nationwide," the publisher said.

Now that you've secured your beach reads, check out these TPG reader recommendations for points hotels with the best beaches where you can lounge by the water with a fruity cocktail and a stack of your new books.

For the latest travel news, deals and points and miles tips please subscribe to The Points Guy daily email newsletter.

Featured image by Getty Images/EyeEm

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