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There Is Now a Loyalty Program for Your Summer Beach Reads

April 19, 2019
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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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Best for dining at restaurants

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Why We Chose It

There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)

Pros

  • 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
  • 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

Cons

  • Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.