Mars on the Daily

For the avid outdoorsmen, hiker, biker, climber, over lander – being a member of the REI Co-op pays off in so many ways. As a member myself for 6 years, I am continuously raving to my outdoor peeps how great it is to be a part of this opportunity, and why you should become a member TODAY!

I provided the best benefits in list form and in depth below. You can click on each benefit to jump to the in-depth description.

1. 10% back on all full price purchases (15% back on full price purchases & 5% back on sale items with the REI Mastercard)
2. Garage Sale exclusive access
3. 10% off at the Bike Shop & Ski Shop (if applicable)
4. Used gear trade in (online program – not available in-store)
5. Gear rentals (if applicable)
6. 10% off REI Adventures
7. REI exclusive coupons & gear
8. Classes & events (if applicable)

You can check to see if you are already a member here.

Dividends & Member bonuses

First and foremost, the greatest of the benefits is the 10% back on all full price purchases throughout the year called dividends. Your dividends will appear in your account every March, so once a year, to use as store credit. How awesome?! Even better, if you have the REI Mastercard, you will earn 15% back on all full price purchases and 5% back on all sale items purchased. The Mastercard also offers a $100 REI gift card for making your first purchase you make within the first 60 days. Perfect for using towards a big purchase such as a bike, rooftop tent, car rack system, etc.

Every month REI runs a different incentive to becoming a member. Such as, if you spend a certain amount ($50, $100, etc.) and purchase the $20 membership, you will receive a $20 member bonus card, that acts as a gift card. Essentially making the REI membership FREE! Once a member, always a member! There are no other fees to pay.

Garage Sales

Another great benefit of the membership, is having access to Garage Sales. Everything that is lightly, or heavily used, that is returned to the store, will be sold at a discounted price at Garage Sales. Some stores may have them a few times a year, some may have an on-going one like the Boca Raton store is actively working on currently to setup. You can find everything here from Yeti coolers, rooftop tents, camping equipment, clothing, etc.

Bike & Ski Shop deals

As an REI Member you’ll receive 10% off on all Bike & Ski shop services (if applicable). Most REI stores will have a Bike Shop for service repairs but not all locations will have a Ski shop. The Master Technicians are very experienced and can work on a variety of bikes such as mountain bikes, e-bikes, kids bikes, any bike really, and you do not have to purchase the bike from REI to receive services.

Used gear trade in

On the REI website, as a member, you can trade in lightly used gear. Hiking shoes, packs, tents, sleeping bags. You can click here to search for your item. You’ll search for the item, REI will send you a label, and you’ll receive your REI gift card to use in store or online. All of the information you’ll need for the trade in program can be found here.

Gear rentals

Some stores have the option to rent out specific gear for camping, kayaking, etc. Not all stores are offering this service currently due to Covid so please call your local REI for more information. Find more information here.

REI Adventures

What an incredible way to get a taste of the outdoors! There are many opportunities such as local tours, an Appalachian 5 day hike, to international exploration. REI Members will receive 10% off REI Adventures! Your REI dividends may also be used towards this experience. Click here or here to discover all of the beautiful guided destinations.

Exclusive coupons and gear

REI’s two biggest sales of the year, May (Anniversary sale) and November for Memorial weekend, REI offers it’s members exclusive coupons. The coupons will include one 20% off a full priced item and one 20% off an item in the REI outlet which is an online platform that can be found here. The 20% off a full priced item does exclude all major high ticket price items such as a bike, rooftop tent, car top, kayak, some technologies, etc. REI also produces merchandise from their house brand REI Co-op, exclusively to members only such as hiking packs, waist pacts, etc. which can be found in store or online.

Classes & Events

REI CO-op locations offer classes such as “Intro to hiking”, “How to ride a bike for kids”, “Overnight Backpacking class”, “Learn to kayak” and events such as “Moonlight snowshoe tour” and “Fat tire Biking Joy ride”. Although if one REI provides classes currently, it would make sense for more REI’s to provide classes as well, a lot of locations have suspended classes for the meantime. These classes are so unique and beneficial to the community, and I hope that they bring these classes to our local REI Co-op in Boca Raton, Florida. Classes and events may be free or discounted for REI members and will be full price to non members. You can search for classes near you here.

I hope by now, you are bursting with excitement to become a member! There are so many perks to being a part of this community. Savings, adventures, and all of the guidance you need for your outdoor experience! You can purchase your membership at your local REI, or online with your order. If you happen to travel to the Boca Raton store in Florida, and decide to join the awesomeness and benefit from all of these REI member exclusive opportunities, be sure to mention Mars at checkout, because a life outdoors is a life well lived!