Life

How To Sign Up For Chipotle's Rewards Program

by Elizabeth Ballou

Brace yourselves, ladies and gents of all sorts, because there are free Chipotle burritos to be had in your very near future. If you are wondering how to join Chipotle's Chiptopia rewards program this summer that'll let you get the most bang for your taco-intended bucks, then you have come to the right place.

Do you remember the first time you ate at Chipotle? Back when you didn't drop more cash than you want to admit on burritos and chips with extra guac? Because I do. I was a wee little lass when the first Chipotle in my city opened its doors, but it's not hard for me to recall the taste of what would become my regular order: chicken tacos, soft shell, with sour cream, corn, and cheese dripping onto my fingers every time I tried to take a bite. Since then, Chipotle restaurants have popped up pretty much everywhere, but there aren't many coupon codes or rewards programs.

If you're like me, you've already moved on from "Chipotle has a rewards program oh thank you universe" to "What's the fastest way to put my name down for this thing?" No need to fear. Below is a list of tips for signing up, sharing the wealth, and keeping your Chipotle costs as low as possible while you chow down during the summer months.

1. Find your nearest Chipotle

Joe Raedle/Getty Images News/Getty Images

You can sign up for Chiptopia easily: just walk into a Chipotle (any of them — they're all participating), and ask to sign up. You get a free order of chips and guac just for putting your name down, so what's not to love?

2. Register your Chiptopia card

In order to redeem the delicious rewards you'll earn, you'll have to register your card. Just use the information on the card itself to sign up.

3. Spend more than $6 in one visit to earn rewards

As long as you're not just ordering chips, it should be pretty easy to hit this requirement. Burritos, burrito bowls, and tacos all cost more than $6, so you should be good to go!

4. Stack your purchases to earn rewards

Chiptopia has three reward tiers: Mild, Medium, and Hot. To hit Mild status, you only need to make four purchases of $6 or more in a month (which is easy for most of us). Then, you earn a free entree. Eight purchases nets you Medium status, which means another free entree. Making 11 visits to Chipotle in a single month means yet a third free burrito. If you maintain Hot status for July, August, and September, you receive $240 in Chipotle catering. Amazing.

Chiptopia kicks off on July 1, so I'll be counting down the (very few) days until it starts and wondering whether it'll really be better for my wallet. But if you need something to do between now and then, read up on these Chipotle hacks to get the most out of your hard-earned dollars.

Images: Michael Mojica/Twitter; Giphy