If you’ve racked up a pile of Bonusly points at work, you’re probably wondering: what’s actually worth spending them on? Whether you want a gift card, a custom reward, or just don’t want your points to go to waste, this guide’s for you. I’ll walk you through how to redeem your Bonusly points, what to watch out for, and how to avoid the common headaches.
1. Know Your Bonusly Points
Before you start redeeming, it’s worth understanding what these points actually get you. Bonusly points aren’t cash, but they’re close—think of them as reward tokens you can swap for real-world stuff. The Bonusly marketplace offers two main types of rewards:
- Gift cards: Amazon, Target, Starbucks, and plenty more. Usually digital, sometimes physical.
- Custom rewards: These can be anything your company sets up—extra vacation days, company swag, lunch with the CEO, or even a charitable donation.
Heads up: Not every company offers the same rewards. Some keep it simple (just gift cards), while others get creative with custom options. Always check your own rewards catalog before you get attached to a specific prize.
2. Check Your Point Balance
Let’s start with the basics. Log into your Bonusly account (usually via your company’s intranet or directly at bonus.ly).
- Your current point balance shows right at the top of your dashboard.
- Some companies reset points at the end of the year, but most let them roll over. Still, don’t let them pile up forever—there’s no bonus for hoarding.
Pro tip: Some rewards have minimum point requirements. If you’re just shy of a $25 gift card, don’t waste time trying to redeem for it—wait until you’ve got enough.
3. Browsing the Rewards Catalog
Now for the fun part: window shopping.
- Go to the “Rewards” or “Redeem” tab in Bonusly.
- You’ll see a grid or list of available rewards. Filter by type (gift cards, charity, custom rewards) or use the search bar.
What’s worth it?
- Gift cards are the safest bet. They’re straightforward and delivered quickly. Amazon, Target, and Visa/Mastercard cards are popular for a reason.
- Custom rewards can be hit or miss. Some companies offer real perks—extra PTO, work-from-home days, or even a lunch budget. Others just have branded mugs or T-shirts. (If you want another company hoodie, go wild.)
- Donations let you send your points to a charity. It’s a nice move if there’s nothing else you want, or if your company matches donations.
Watch out for: - Limited quantities: Some rewards, especially custom ones, run out fast. - Expiration dates: Some rewards expire, especially custom experiences or event tickets.
4. Redeeming for Gift Cards
If you just want something simple and useful, here’s how to get your gift card:
- Pick your gift card: Click on the one you want. Double-check the amount—Bonusly often offers cards in $5, $10, $25, $50, etc.
- Check the fine print: Some gift cards have regional restrictions or odd terms (e.g., “Online only,” or “U.S. stores only”). Don’t ignore this or you’ll be stuck with a useless code.
- Redeem: Click the redeem button. If you have enough points, you’ll get a digital code instantly or by email. If not, Bonusly will tell you how many more points you need.
- Save your code: Don’t just close the window. Copy the code somewhere safe, or use it right away. Bonusly keeps a record, but digging through old redemptions is a pain.
Things to ignore: - “Exclusive offers” that look like ads. Stick to straightforward gift cards. - Rewards with weird conversion rates (like $23.37 for 1000 points). Usually, the standard denominations give you the best value.
5. Redeeming for Custom Rewards
Custom rewards are where things get interesting—or occasionally disappointing.
- Browse custom rewards: You’ll see these labeled differently—sometimes as “Company Perks” or “Custom Rewards.”
- Read the details: Click into the reward and look for the small print. Is it a one-off, or do you need to coordinate with HR? Does it expire? Are there blackout dates?
- Redeem: Click the redeem button. For most custom rewards, you’ll either get:
- An email from HR or the admin team (for things like PTO or lunch with your boss)
- Immediate confirmation (for swag or small perks)
- Follow up: For anything that isn’t automatic (like swag or time off), follow up with whoever manages rewards internally. Don’t assume it’ll happen on its own.
Real talk: Some custom rewards are just filler—nobody really wants a foam stress ball. But if you see something genuinely useful (PTO, flexible work perks, professional development), grab it.
6. Making Donations with Points
If you don’t need more “stuff,” donating your points can be a good move.
- Choose a cause: Bonusly partners with several charities. Pick one that resonates.
- Check if your company matches: Some employers match your donations, doubling your impact.
- Redeem: The process is the same as for gift cards—just pick the charity and the amount.
Just a note: Donations can’t be undone. Make sure you’re okay with where your points are going.
7. Common Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them
There’s nothing worse than wasting your hard-earned points. Here’s what to watch out for:
- Redemption errors: Sometimes a gift card is out of stock right after you try to redeem. If you get an error, don’t panic—your points should stay in your account. But always check your balance after any failed transaction.
- Expired or lost codes: Use your codes soon after redeeming. If you lose a code, Bonusly support might be able to help, but there are no guarantees.
- Custom reward delays: Some custom rewards rely on HR or an admin to manually process them. If you don’t hear back in a few days, follow up. Don’t just wait in silence.
- Weird reward values: Sometimes the “cost” of a reward changes due to currency conversion or vendor changes. If something seems off, double-check before redeeming.
8. What Actually Works (and What to Skip)
Best bets: - Digital gift cards to major retailers—they’re fast, reliable, and almost always work. - Custom rewards with real value (extra time off, work-from-home days, professional development budgets). - Donations, especially if your company matches.
Skip or think twice about: - Company swag unless you genuinely want it. - Rewards with confusing redemption steps or lots of hoops to jump through. - “Experiences” that require scheduling months in advance or are vague on details.
9. Tracking Your Redemptions
It’s easy to forget what you’ve redeemed for—especially if you do it in a hurry.
- Go to your Bonusly profile and find your redemption history.
- This lets you see all your past rewards and grab old codes if you lost them (though, again, don’t rely on this as your only record).
If something’s missing: Contact Bonusly support or your HR team. Be polite, but persistent.
10. Getting the Most Out of Bonusly Points
A few closing thoughts:
- Don’t let points collect dust. Use them regularly—there’s no prize for the biggest balance.
- If you see a great custom reward, don’t wait. The good stuff sometimes disappears fast.
- If you’re not sure about a reward, check with coworkers. Sometimes the best perks are the ones people talk about.
- Keep it simple. Gift cards are always good; custom rewards are a bonus if you actually want them.
Bottom line: Redeeming Bonusly points shouldn’t be complicated. Stick to what’s useful, ignore the fluff, and don’t overthink it. Try something, see if you like it, and if not—pick a different reward next time. That’s the whole point.