Minnesota Subway Fans Feel Burned After Rewards Flip

Years before everyone carried smartphones loaded with apps to track reward programs, customers carried physical cards and collected stamps to earn perks.

Subway was one of the most popular restaurants to offer that kind of program. Customers collected stamps on a card to earn free subs. It became a wildly popular strategy that helped grow the sandwich chain into the empire it is today, with more than 37,000 locations across 100 countries.

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The Original Stamp Program And Its End

The stamp program ended in 2005 after fraudulent stamps flooded the system, leaving the company little choice but to shut it down. From 2005 through 2018, Subway continued offering rewards, but points were tracked using magnetic swipe cards instead of paper stamps.

Recent Experiments With Rewards

Between 2018 and 2025, Subway experimented with several new loyalty programs. The MyWay and MVP programs did not resonate with many customers. Late last year, Subway announced it was bringing back the Sub Club, leaning into nostalgia and a simpler approach.

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The revived Sub Club could only be used through the Subway app. Unlike the previous programs, it focused on visit frequency rather than total dollars spent.

The Free Footlong That Didn’t Last at Subway

When the new Sub Club launched in December, it promised a free footlong after the purchase of three. Many customers in Minnesota and across the country were excited about the return of a straightforward reward.

Now, less than three months later, Subway is making another change.

In an email announcing the update, Subway said, “We’re excited that millions of people have joined Sub Club, and we want to thank you for being a member. Beginning April 1, 2026, Sub Club’s loyalty program will be updated.”

The update removes the benefit that motivated many people to join. The “Fourth Footlong Free” reward will be discontinued. Members can still earn and redeem rewards, but starting April 1, the structure changes entirely.

Back To A Points Based System For Subway

The new system mirrors an older version of the program. Members will earn 10 points per dollar spent. Every 400 points equals $2 in Subway Cash, which can be used on eligible menu items.

Reaction online has been swift. Users on r/subway voiced frustration with the move. One commenter wrote, “This is an insanely horribly run company. How much did they spend on promoting the Sub Club?” Another added, “I never post in the subway subreddit but this sucks. Hopefully the coupons stick around for a little bit.”