10 Ways to Save at Dunkin’ Donuts

When it comes to iconic coffee brands, few rival Dunkin’ Donuts.

Known for its familiar pink-and-orange logo, Dunkin’ Donuts was founded in 1950 in Quincy, Massachusetts, and has grown to be a global powerhouse with more than 11,300 restaurants worldwide. A visit to a DD has become a familiar — and necessary — habit for millions of people.

If you’re one of them, wouldn’t you like to know how to get more coffee and donuts for less? With National Donut Day on June 2, we’re sure you do.

Note: Some of the offers below won’t apply, as franchisees decide which promotions to run. Be sure to call your favorite location to confirm participation.

So, do you run on Dunkin’? If so, here’s how to save.

1. Join DD Perks

DD Perks is Dunkin’ Donuts’ loyalty program, and if you visit the restaurant regularly, you need this app because it offers more than a mobile loyalty card. You get a free beverage just for signing up. And you get a free beverage on your birthday. Every month brings surprise offers, which could mean discounts, bonus points or extra treats with a purchase.

For every 200 points you earn, you get a free beverage. You get five points for every dollar you spend on qualifying products, which includes pretty much everything you’d expect. That’s one free beverage for every $40 you spend.

2. Get the App

The app ties into DD Perks so you don’t need to remember a number or carry a card. More importantly, it allows you to order ahead and skip the line.

3. Do the Receipt Survey

At the bottom of your receipt is an prompt to fill out a survey with a code. Hop on the computer or your phone, fill out the survey and you’ll get a code for a free donut with the purchase of a medium or large drink.

The best kind of donut is a free donut!

4. Check for Student Discounts

One of the best money tips for college students is to show your student ID at every opportunity. Check with your local Dunkin’ Donuts to see if they offer discounts for students and you may be pleasantly surprised.

Your local Dunkin’ Donuts may also host a happy hour. If they do, here’s how it works: Between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m., you can get coffee and teas at a big discount. These are regional offers, however, so call your local Dunkin’ Donuts to find out the details.

5. Buy Discounted Gift Cards

Visit your favorite gift card marketplaces to buy marked-down gift cards to Dunkin’. Despite the restaurant’s popularity, you can usually find gift cards at a significant discount online.

You can also buy discounted gift cards with a credit card, so stack those cash back rewards with the discounts for even more savings.

When you get the card, load it up onto the app for easy discounted Dunkin’ without having to juggle gift cards.

6. Use a Cash Back Credit Card

Hopefully you’ve budgeted for your Dunkin’ and, seeing as it’s something you’re already spending money on, may as well get something for it, right? A good rewards credit card can give you some sort of kickback, be it airline miles, hotel points or plain old cash back. Not sure which card to get? Check out this roundup of cash back cards great for shopping. Just make sure you don’t spend more than you can pay off each month. Otherwise, you’ll lose your rewards to interest. (Eyeing a new card? Be sure you’re able to qualify before applying. You can view two of your credit scores for free on Credit.com.)

7. Brew Your Own at Home

Dunkin’ sells bags of their coffee, so you can brew it at home.

If you have a Keurig coffeemaker, you can buy Dunkin’ Donuts coffee pods for less than a cup of coffee at the store. It’s just as easy to brew.

If you don’t have a Keurig, it’s a little bit more work, but it’s still cheaper. You get the flavor of Dunkin’ at a fraction of the price and skip a drive to your local store. Buying coffee at home is one of the ways I try to upgrade and save in my life. It’s not as easy to make homemade donuts, though.

8. Check Your Valpak or Coupon Mailers

Ours always include one from our local Dunkin’, but we live within five miles of a store. If you’re further away, your mailers may not include one.

If you threw out your mailer, go online and search for a printable coupon.

9. Remember National Doughnut Day

As we mentioned earlier, National Doughnut Day is the first Friday in June — this year, that falls on June 2 — and last year Dunkin’ Donuts gave customers a free classic donut with the purchase of any beverage.

10. Join AARP

If you’re an AARP member, you can get a free donut with a large or extra-large beverage when you show your card. The offer excludes croissant donuts, squares and fancies but includes everything else.

Looking for more brand hacks? You’re in luck — we have 19 ways to save at Target right here. Have a brand you’d like us to tackle? Let us know below in the comments.

Image: ChristinLola

Note: It’s important to remember that interest rates, fees and terms for credit cards, loans and other financial products frequently change. As a result, rates, fees and terms for credit cards, loans and other financial products cited in these articles may have changed since the date of publication. Please be sure to verify current rates, fees and terms with credit card issuers, banks or other financial institutions directly.