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Being an outdoor enthusiast isn’t cheap: mountaineering, backpacking, camping, and hiking all require their own special gear that can easily rack up big bucks. Luckily for REI members, those purchases pay off come springtime.
In case you aren’t a member or need a refresher, you can purchase a lifetime REI Co-Op Membership for a mere $30. This membership includes all kinds of fun benefits with the major one being those coveted annual dividends.
To enjoy this splendid benefit, all you have to do is shop REI all year until your heart’s content, then come the following March, REI will dish back 10 percent of your annual spending on qualifying full-priced items.
Introducing the Co-op Member Reward
In 2021, the REI dividend was replaced by the Co-op Member Reward. Back in 2020, REI didn’t make a profit, but they still wanted to reward loyal customers for helping them get through a challenging year, so they rebranded the rewards program, though it has the same benefits.
For 2023, REI will keep the Member Reward program in place, and members’ Total REI Rewards Balance will be released in March 2023.
Look Up Your REI Co-op Member Reward
When do REI dividends (Co-op Member Rewards) come out?
Co-op Member Rewards were made available in March 2022, and the credit is good for 21 months. The rewards issued in March 2022 will not expire until January 2024.
The dividend you receive in March is based on qualifying purchases made the previous year, 2022, and you can also earn more dividends with the REI Mastercard. Qualifying REI purchases made from January 1 to December 31, 2022, will decide what your Total REI Rewards will be in March 2023.
REI Dividend & Co-op Member Reward FAQs
How can I check my reward balance?
Finding your dividend is simple. As soon as you receive your notice from REI, you can login here.
All you need to do is enter your name and account number and it’s payday. If you don’t have your member number, you can also use your name, email and phone number to look up your reward balance.
How can I redeem my REI dividend?
Using your REI annual dividend is pretty straight forward. As soon as you receive notice of your balance, you can start spending. It’s good at any REI retail location as well as online and by phone.
You also have the option of receiving your dividend in cash money or by check.
If you’re the altruistic type and would rather help foster a thriving community of like-minded outdoor enthusiasts, you can donate your dividends to the REI Foundation. Either way it’s a win.
Can I use my dividend online?
Yep! It’s good at the regular REI shop, the REI Outlet store, and you can even book trips through REI’s adventure travel program. Dividends can also be spent in REI’s mobile apps.
How do I apply my dividend to a purchase?
If you head to your cart and checkout with your REI account or as a guest, you can attach a membership to your purchase by entering your phone number or member number.
Once your membership is added, you’ll see what your current dividend balance is, and that can be applied to your purchase. Easy.
What should I buy with my dividend?
Here comes the fun part: what to purchase with your dividends.
A good starting place? The REI Clearance Sale.
You’ve probably had your eye on a special piece of gear or two and now’s the time to pull the plug. However, if you just can’t seem to decide, here are a few items we’ve been eyeballing to help you make up your mind.
Bestselling Camping & Hiking Gear
Here’s a look at 15 of the bestselling camping, hiking and backpacking buys from REI:
- Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite Sleeping Pad
- NEMO Tensor Insulated Sleeping Pad
- REI Co-op Half Dome SL 2+ Tent
- YETI Roadie 24 Cooler
- Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2 Tent
- NEMO Disco 15 Sleeping Bag (men’s)
- NEMO Disco 15 Sleeping Bag (women’s)
- Jetboil Flash Cooking System
- Helinox Chair Zero
- Osprey Poco Plus Child Carrier
- NEMO Dragonfly 2 Tent
- Solo Stove Bonfire Fire Pit
- Osprey Aura AG 65 Pack (women’s)
- Osprey Atmos AG 65 Pack (men’s)
- Petzl Actik Core Headlamp
Bestselling Apparel & Footwear
The bestselling apparel for men include:
- Patagonia Nano Puff Jacket
- prAna Stretch Zion Pants
- Vuori Ponto Performance Pants
- Smartwool Merino 250 Base Layer Bottoms
- REI Co-op Rainier Rain Jacket
Women’s bestsellers include:
- Patagonia Down Sweater
- Smartwool Merino 250 Base Layer Bottoms
- The North Face Aphrodite 2.0 Pants
- Vuori Ripstop Pants
- REI Co-op XeroDry GTX Jacket
And kids’ bestselling apparel include:
- REI Co-op Sahara Convertible Pants
- REI Co-op Essential Fleece Hoodie
- Patagonia Better Sweater Jacket
- REI Co-op Outdoor Fleece Jogger Pants
- REI Co-op Toasty Fleece Zip-Cuff Pants
For more ideas, check out REI’s camping and hiking gear, men’s apparel, women’s apparel or travel gear.
And in true springtime fashion, we recommend hanging out in the trees lakeside with the Eno National Park Foundation DoubleNest Hammock. This lightweight, compactable two-person hammock stuffs down to the size of a grapefruit in its own compression sack. Clip it onto your pack and hit the trail.
It can hold up to 400-pounds so you can curl up with your sweetie or your furry friend once you reach a pristine alpine lake. And since it is the National Park edition 10-percent of proceeds go towards preserving the parks.
For the big spender, finally take the plunge and get yourself a YETI. While they have a line of drool-worthy options we’re sure you’re familiar with, we love the YETI Tundra 45.
This heavy-duty hard shell cooler is a road-tripper’s dream. It can hold up to 32.9-liters and has 3-inches of insulation so you can keep your food or those 28 beer cans chilled for days. Use the tie-down slots to secure it to your boat or lock it down in the truck bed. Camping, traveling, or fishing by the stream, you’ll be stoked to have this guy by your side.
If your bonus check wasn’t quite as much as you’d hoped for, no worries. There’s still some thrifty purchases well worth your buck like the MPOWERD Luci 2.0 Solar Inflatable Lantern.
We’ve got multiple of these hanging around and absolutely love them. Their super lightweight, waterproof, and can provide up to 24 hours of light when fully charged. Plus, they’re so compact and versatile you can always have one on hand.
Small or big, come March you’ll be happy to add a shiny new piece of gear to your ever-growing collection. For more deals, check out REI Outlet, or discover some of our favorite hiking backpacks under $100.
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