Toys R Us Rewards Guide

[diablo2112]

Toys R Us has changed the conditions of their rewards program as of early 2015.  These changes are not well documented on the TRU reward website and these changes are important if you wish to gain maximum value from their rewards program.  Here's a short guide on these changes, how the program works, and how to gain maximum value from TRU rewards.

 

1) Sign up and point accrual. You need a TRU rewards account, its easy to sign up online or in person.  Here's the link for on-line sign up.  You get 1 reward point for each dollar spent, the equivalent of 4% back on your purchase.

 

2) Reward Amounts. Rewards are issued in $5 increments, and require 125 points for each $5, up to a maximum reward of $200 or 5000 points.  You can set your desired reward level online here (you need to be logged in for this link to work).  You can "bank" up to $200 in future rewards (5000 points) at this link.  If you don't opt in to point banking (and you should), TRU issues rewards every 2 weeks in whatever value you've earned, if you have at least 500 points accrued. These rewards come by postal mail and are also posted in the "My Rewards" tab online.

 

3) Reward Restrictions. THIS IS IMPORTANT. TRU changed their reward program, and your reward certificate/coupon can ONLY be used to purchase a SINGLE ITEM ONLINE. You will want to carefully consider what value of coupon you want the certificate to be issued for. If your reward certificate is of value greater than your most expensive item, that item will show as $0.00 at checkout, but the remaining value of your certificate will be lost. At present, you should be able to use your reward certificate to purchase multiple items in store, but be sure to check before you use a certificate worth more than your most expensive item. 

 

4) Rewards on demand.  If you've opted into "points banking" above, you can have TRU issue a reward certificate instantly and any time by the "Create a Reward" link on the right side of the "Rewards Preferences" tab.  You can issue your own reward in $5 increments up to your point balance at any time.   It takes about 10 minutes for the reward to appear in your account under "My Rewards".  

 

5) A flexible way to use rewards. Given #3 and 4, above, the easiest way to use rewards is to set a high reward level (I use the maximum, $200) and then just issue yourself certificates when you have the points using the procedure in step 4.  As a bonus, this happens instantly.

 

6) Purchases.  You use your certificate in person by scanning the coupon/certificate.  You can also use it online by typing in the number during TRU checkout.  If you have a balance remaining, you must pay that.  Tax is ONLY charged against any balance remaining, not on the sale price of the item.

 

7) Percent-off coupons, Sale Prices, and rewards.  Coupons and discounts work differently when also using a reward certificate.  The reward value comes off the price of the item before any percent discount is applied.  This means that percent-off coupons aren't nearly as valuable when cashing rewards, and will only apply to any remaining cash balance on your item.   If a TRU item is on sale, your reward will be applied against the sale price. Carefully choose your item and make sure you know its price before completing your purchase.

 

8] Dollars-off coupons and rewards.  Dollar-off coupons work just fine.  Note, the minimum dollar amount for a coupon to work ($5 off a $25 or greater purchase) is applied to the item price after your reward coupon has been applied.

 

9) Reward Expiration.  Reward coupons expire 60 days after you issue them.  

 

10) Returns.  THIS IS ALSO IMPORTANT.  If you return an item purchased with a reward certificate, you forfeit the reward certificate and it will NOT be reissued.  Choose your reward items carefully as you basically can't return them.

 

11) Double Rewards Points.  If you use the TRU credit card, you receive double reward points on all purchases, the equivalent of 8% back.  You can use your TRU credit card for partial payment during checkout, and still receive double points for your entire purchase.

 

12) Online and eBay purchases.  TRU is pretty good about knowing who you are when purchasing both online and via eBay, and there purchases accrue reward points just like in person.  If you're logged in, you can see all your purchases online at this link.  

 

That's it!  Good luck in accruing and using points.  Be sure to issue your certificate for close-to or less than the amount of the item you want, try to use a dollar off coupon, and know that the item basically can't be returned.  

Edited March 12, 2015 by exciter1

[jaisonline]

way too complex.   looks like they are trying to match kmart's reward system by being unrewarding.

[diablo2112]

Yes, its way too complex.  Which is why we need a guide to help the uninformed.  Many of us have been caught off-guard by these changes.  I do hope this helps others avoid these issues.

[znjndmawn]

Is it safe to assume that past transactions are already ineligible even if they still show up in my account's history?

[Darth_Raichu]

The Rewards on Demand thing is actually very useful for online purchases since you can only use 1 reward code per purchase.  Say you have $150 banked, you now have the power to create one $150 reward to use on a $200 hard to find set OR split it to 2x $75 to purchase 2 discounted $100 sets.

[freakchem]

That's really helpful. I am more concerned about No. 7 and No. 8. I set examples and please correct me if I am wrong: 

 

Scenario 1: What I want to buy: 1 x excavator 42006 @ $100 each

                   What I have: $50 value reward certificate + 20% off coupon

                   What I pay out of my pocket: ($100-$50 certificate) x 80% = $40

 

Scenario 2: What I want to buy: 1 x excavator 42006 @ $80 onsale  (normal price is $100)

                   What I have: $50 value reward certificate

                   What I pay out of my pocket: ($80-$50 certificate)  = $30

 

Scenario 3: What I want to buy: 1 x excavator 42006 @ $100 each and 1 x Sw @ 70 each

                   What I have: $50 value reward certificate and BOGO 40% off coupon

                   What I pay out of my pocket: ($100 - $50 cerficate) + ($70 x 60%) = $50 + $42 = $92

 

Scenario 4: What I want to buy: 1 x excavator 42006 @ $100 

                   What I have: $50 value reward certificate and $10 off $40 coupon

                   What I pay out of my pocket: ($100-$50 certificate) -$10 = $40

 

Scenario 5: What I want to buy: 1 x SW @ 70

                   What I have: $50 value reward certificate and $10 off $40 coupon

                   What I pay out of my pocket: ($70-$50 certificate) = $20

                   Note: $10 off $40 coupon doesn't applied anymore since the price is below $40 after you apply the certificate (not quite sure about this?)

[Darth_Raichu]

^ Scenario 5 has been in placed for quite a while.  Reward certificates are always applied first.  So be careful when using them with $x off $y coupons or the free poly with $y purchase offers.  

 

Even when the coupons are scanned first, the system will still give priority to rewards bucks.  At least in my experience

Edited March 11, 2015 by Darth_Raichu

[newbie77]

when i was an avid shopper at TRU (once upon a time) this is what i learned:

a. never use TRU rewards online for purchase. #3 rewards restriction and its derivative comes because of that.

b. never try to stack promotions online. either it invalidates sale price or removes/terminates the rewards et. al.

 

my rule had been then

a. to buy with rewards at the store

b. buy only items that I am dead sure i won't be returning.

c. redeem all the rewards in one single purchase. { but multiple items are fine }

d. TRU rewards works like casino coins

[Sauromosis]

On Thursdays do I still have to tell the salesperson to give me the double rewards?

[diablo2112]

That's really helpful. I am more concerned about No. 7 and No. 8. I set examples and please correct me if I am wrong: 

 

Scenario 1: What I want to buy: 1 x excavator 42006 @ $100 each

                   What I have: $50 value reward certificate + 20% off coupon

                   What I pay out of my pocket: ($100-$50 certificate) x 80% = $40

 

Scenario 2: What I want to buy: 1 x excavator 42006 @ $80 onsale  (normal price is $100)

                   What I have: $50 value reward certificate

                   What I pay out of my pocket: ($80-$50 certificate)  = $30

 

Scenario 3: What I want to buy: 1 x excavator 42006 @ $100 each and 1 x Sw @ 70 each

                   What I have: $50 value reward certificate and BOGO 40% off coupon

                   What I pay out of my pocket: ($100 - $50 cerficate) + ($70 x 60%) = $50 + $42 = $92

 

Scenario 4: What I want to buy: 1 x excavator 42006 @ $100 

                   What I have: $50 value reward certificate and $10 off $40 coupon

                   What I pay out of my pocket: ($100-$50 certificate) -$10 = $40

 

Scenario 5: What I want to buy: 1 x SW @ 70

                   What I have: $50 value reward certificate and $10 off $40 coupon

                   What I pay out of my pocket: ($70-$50 certificate) = $20

                   Note: $10 off $40 coupon doesn't applied anymore since the price is below $40 after you apply the certificate (not quite sure about this?)

 

I believe all your scenarios are correct except number 3.  For number 3, you are purchasing 2 items:  one at $50 (42006 w/certificate) and one at $70 (SW).  The 40% off applies to the cheaper item ($50), so total cost will be:  $70+ .6x$50 = $100.

[diablo2112]

On Thursdays do I still have to tell the salesperson to give me the double rewards?

 

Double rewards points are effective anytime with the TRU credit card.  I believe you're referring to the 10% off all items on Thursday using the TRU CC.  And yes, you have to ask the cashier to activate that coupon on Thursdays.

[Sauromosis]

Got it...for scheduling reasons I haven't been able to use it on a thursday until tomorrow, thanks for answering.

[sflv]

About 3 weeks ago I had a $100 rewards certificate. I purchased 2 items for around $104 and the total came out to $4+tax. I think multiples are ok.

 

EDIT: I should add that this was in-store. I never use them online because one time I ordered an item that went out of stock and lost my reward!

Edited March 11, 2015 by sflv

[Jondog21]

About 3 weeks ago I had a $100 rewards certificate. I purchased 2 items for around $104 and the total came out to $4+tax. I think multiples are ok.

I agree.  Unless it is a change made in the past few weeks, the rewards can be used across multiple items in a single order, in store.  My receipt shows the reward discount broken up across all items. 

 

But online it will only apply towards the highest priced item so any remaining value goes to waste.

[baldilocks]

If I have the $5 off 25 coupon. $70 in rewards and 10 percent on credit card. I want to get minecraft mine and ender dragon which are both 20percent off. What is the best way to split this up with the rewards and to be able to use the 5 dollar off coupon twice? I am not sure the order of operations so I am having a hard time figuring out how to split my rewards

[exciter1]

If I have the $5 off 25 coupon. $70 in rewards and 10 percent on credit card. I want to get minecraft mine and ender dragon which are both 20percent off. What is the best way to split this up with the rewards and to be able to use the 5 dollar off coupon twice? I am not sure the order of operations so I am having a hard time figuring out how to split my rewards

 

Use the rewards and coupons on The Mine, should be close to $5 balance (don't do the math, just guessing).  Use the coupon and get 10% off Ender Dragon.

[diablo2112]

If I have the $5 off 25 coupon. $70 in rewards and 10 percent on credit card. I want to get minecraft mine and ender dragon which are both 20percent off. What is the best way to split this up with the rewards and to be able to use the 5 dollar off coupon twice? I am not sure the order of operations so I am having a hard time figuring out how to split my rewards

 

TRU prices are: Minecraft Mine $96, Ender Dragon, $56.

 

You're best option is to split your reward into 2 certificates: $15 and $55.   Use them as follows:

 

Minecraft:  $96-$55=$41; ($41*90%)-$5=$31.90

Ender Dragon: $56-$15=$41; ($41*90%)-$5=$31.90

Total= 63.80

 

If you already have the single certificate for $70, use it for the Minecraft.  In this case, here's your total:

 

Minecraft: $96-70=$26; $26*.9=$23.40 (can't use $5 off, not a $25 lego purchase). 

EDIT: I'm not 100% sure it works this way, there's a chance the $5 might come off the $26 price, in which case, you're good)

Ender Dragon: $56*90%-$5=$45.40

Total= $68.80

Edited March 11, 2015 by diablo2112

[diablo2112]

Regarding use of a reward coupon for one item only.  I know this is the case online, and my local TRU manager also said that's how it works in store.  Now, I've not been brave enough to scan my big coupons in store with a multiple-item purchase, for fear of losing a portion of the coupon, or at least entering into a protracted process of getting the reward back.  It's possible it works for multi-items in store, but this has been changing the last few weeks.  Try this at your own risk.

 

The safe bet is to just issue your own coupons at a value slightly below whatever you want to pick up, and to try and use these in-store if at all possible.  You can issue multiple rewards to yourself at the same time, so really no downside to this for in-store use.  Bonus: if you work it right, you'll have a $25 balance to pay, on each item and can use the $5 off $25 coupon as well.  Work multiple items this way, rinse and repeat.

Edited March 11, 2015 by diablo2112

[imirish11]

I bought 9 items last night. My total was $207.xx after discounts (Arctic icebreaker 20% off confirmed). I used a $200 reward. My total was $7.xx after applying reward certificate.

This demonstrates that the reward can be used to purchase multiple items, and also store discounts were applied in full before the rewards were scanned.

Discounts like 10% Thursdays are applied after rewards coupons are scanned.

[diablo2112]

Good to hear, a couple of folks have found the ability to use a single coupon for multiple items in-store.  I'd revise the guide at the top of the thread, but I no longer have an ability to edit this post.  Can a mod restore my edit ability?  Thanks.

Edited March 12, 2015 by diablo2112

[exciter1]

Good to hear, a couple of folks have found the ability to use a single coupon for multiple items in-store.  I'd revise the guide at the top of the thread, but I no longer have an ability to edit this post.  Can a mod restore my edit ability?  Thanks.

 

We can't, but PM me your changes and I'll update it. Thanks

[Alpinemaps]

I don't bank points. I keep it at $20 level, auto generating every 2 weeks. Sometimes I get $20 sometimes I get $40.

I only use one method of redemption - in-store.

I try to keep it simple and consistent for myself so I don't have to figure out all these different scenarios.

I might not be taking full advantage, but I am applying the KISS principle.

[joch29]

I bought 9 items last night. My total was $207.xx after discounts (Arctic icebreaker 20% off confirmed). I used a $200 reward. My total was $7.xx after applying reward certificate.

This demonstrates that the reward can be used to purchase multiple items, and also store discounts were applied in full before the rewards were scanned.

Discounts like 10% Thursdays are applied after rewards coupons are scanned.

 

I better try my $200 reward in store soon, because I used one online about 3 weeks ago and it worked fine, but now it does not work

[Darth_Raichu]

Reward coupon can only be used once, no matter how much the amount of purchase. If you use $20 rewards on $15 item, you forfeit the $5.

[sroster]

You can buy multiple items online and use your rewards certificate as well.  I have spent a $200 reward on 4 ghostbusters and 4 UN HQs and both worked fine.  Sometimes it is a little tricky and doesn't seem to want to work when you don't have a nice even amount I've found though.  Like I have had $197 worth of merchandise and I'm greedy and want that $3 so throw in a mixel for $5 then it goofs something up and a $50 item is no longer free.  You are fine though just don't proceed through checkout if something goofs, it will retrain your reward in the system as a credit while you play around with the cart items.  I think the secret is do not exceed your certificate though or it will go wonky.  So if you have a $50 reward don't buy something for $40 and $20 or it won't work.