Key takeaways
- Join Star Rewards for free and attach your phone number so the cashier can find your account at the register. You do not need the credit card to join the free tier.
- Star Money, the rewards currency, is applied at checkout by a store colleague. It cannot be redeemed in self-checkout and has an expiration window.
- If you have a Macy’s card, coupons appear on the payment screen when you swipe the card, and you choose which to apply.
- Email and text sign-up promo codes are generally meant for online orders. If you have one and want to use it in a store, show it on your phone and ask whether the register can accept it.
- Look at the exclusions on every coupon; fragrance, cosmetics, and some brands are often excluded from percentage-off events.
Yes, you can use Macy’s discounts in a store, but in most cases you do not carry a paper coupon: the offers live in your Macy’s account or on your Macy’s card, and they come up when the cashier scans your card or looks up the phone number tied to your Star Rewards membership. Promo codes are mainly an online feature, though the company’s customer service articles and shopping guides describe ways to show digital offers at the register. This guide explains what to bring, how Star Money and Star Passes work in a store, what the card and the free membership change, and what to avoid when someone promises a “Macy’s coupon” you can print.
Quick answer
- Join Star Rewards for free and attach your phone number so the cashier can find your account at the register. You do not need the credit card to join the free tier.
- Star Money, the rewards currency, is applied at checkout by a store colleague. It cannot be redeemed in self-checkout and has an expiration window.
- If you have a Macy’s card, coupons appear on the payment screen when you swipe the card, and you choose which to apply.
- Email and text sign-up promo codes are generally meant for online orders. If you have one and want to use it in a store, show it on your phone and ask whether the register can accept it.
- Look at the exclusions on every coupon; fragrance, cosmetics, and some brands are often excluded from percentage-off events.
Ways to save at Macy’s in a store
| Method | How it works | Who qualifies | Limits and notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| — | — | — | — |
| Star Money | Earned through Star Rewards points, then applied at the register | Star Rewards members | Not usable in self-checkout, on gift cards, or on services and fees; expires |
| Star Passes | Personal pass codes for items that are rarely discounted | Selected members, often cardholders | Check exclusions for each pass |
| Card coupons | Coupons appear when you use your Macy’s card | Macy’s card holders | You choose which to apply on the payment screen |
| Email or text sign-up code | A promo code for a percentage off a future order | New subscribers | Email and text offers are not combined on one order; mainly online |
| Star Money bonus days | Periods when you earn extra Star Money | Members | Dates and rules are posted by Macy’s |
| Sales and clearance | Reduced tags in the store | Anyone | Some coupons exclude clearance |
| Free shipping for members | Shipping offers when a member is identified | Members | Requires registered phone or card |
Do you need a paper coupon?
Macy’s has moved most of its couponing into the account. The company’s customer service article on Star Money explains that when you shop in a store, you should ask the store colleague at the register whether you have any Star Money to use, and that any amount you have earned will be available to apply at checkout. Cardholders use their Macy’s card; free members, called Bronze in the program, give the phone number connected to their Star Rewards membership. That is why the first step is to make sure your phone number is on your account before you go. A person who shows up with no card, no phone number on file, and no account will not have anything for the cashier to look up.
Printed mailers do still circulate, and some people receive a coupon in the mail. If you have one, bring it. Shopping guides we read, however, emphasize that the usual route in 2026 is digital.
Star Rewards in plain terms
Star Rewards is the program that ties purchases to points. According to the company’s help article, every 1,000 points earned becomes $10 in Star Money, which is valid for 30 calendar days from issuance. The rewards article we read makes three other points worth knowing before you shop in a store:
- Star Money cannot be redeemed at self-checkout, so plan to use a staffed register.
- It cannot be applied to gift cards, services, or fees.
- When paying with a Macy’s card in store, it may not be redeemable if you use an electronic wallet other than Macy’s Pay.
Because Star Money expires, check your balance and its end date before you decide when to shop. A common mistake is to let it lapse because the notification went to an email you do not check. You can ask a colleague at the register to read your balance, and the app shows it too.
Steps to use Star Money in a store
- Check your Star Money balance and expiry date in the app or on the website.
- Choose items; compare the sale tag with the regular price so you know what the final total should be.
- Go to a register with a colleague, not self-checkout.
- Say you have Star Money, and provide your card or the phone number on your membership.
- Review the screen before paying to see that the Star Money appears as a line item.
- Keep the receipt in case you need to return something; returns can affect rewards.
Star Passes and card coupons
Star Passes are best described as personalized promotional codes that can apply to items that are rarely discounted, such as cosmetics and fragrances, according to shopping guides that cover the program. They are not given to every shopper and may be tied to the credit card or to a specific promotion. If you have a Macy’s card, swiping it at a register tends to bring up your coupons on the payment device, where you can tap the ones you want to apply. Coupons that come with a card can be limited by brand or department; read the exclusions and check that your items qualify before you pay.
If you do not have the card, you will not have those card-only coupons, and you should not open a card account just to use a one-time offer without comparing the interest rate and your spending habits. A card is a credit product; a discount on one day does not offset interest on a balance.
Email and text sign-up codes
Macy’s invites shoppers to subscribe to emails or text messages in exchange for a promo code. Shopping guides describe the reward as a percentage off a future order, and note that email and text offers cannot both be used on the same order. The code arrives in the message and is typed into the promo code box in the shopping bag online. Using it in a store is less straightforward. Some guides say you can show the offer in the app or on your phone, but this is not guaranteed, because the register must be able to accept the code. If you want to use a sign-up code in a store, ask a colleague before building a large order.
Common outcomes:
- The code works online but not at the register: place the order online and choose pickup in the store, which is a way to use online-only offers while still collecting in person.
- The code works in the store: you get the saving immediately.
- The code is limited to certain categories: the terms in the message will tell you.
Pickup in store as a workaround
Many retailers allow you to order online and pick up in store, and this is a useful workaround when an online-only code is better than anything available at the register. It is not a trick: you simply place the order on the website with the code, select store pickup, and collect the order. Check whether the code allows pickup orders and whether the item is available at your location. Compare the final total with what you would pay at the register with Star Money; sometimes the online code wins, sometimes the register does.
What to expect from sales and exclusions
Macy’s runs frequent sales events, such as one-day sales, seasonal clearances, and big weekend events. A percentage-off coupon normally applies to regular-price and sale merchandise but not everything: certain brands, electronics, cosmetics, and fragrance are often excluded from the broad offers, and that is when a Star Pass becomes useful. Always check the exclusion list in the fine print.
Before you shop, check these things:
- Is the item already on sale? A coupon may or may not stack with a sale price.
- Is the item in an excluded category?
- Does the coupon have a minimum purchase or a maximum discount?
- Is it valid in store, online, or both?
If you are buying something expensive, such as a mattress or a home appliance, ask the department how coupons apply, since big-ticket items often have specific rules.
Stacking and timing
From the sources we read, store coupons and Star Money can often be used together, but exclusions apply, and only one promotional code may be used per order. Star Money bonus days are periods when members earn extra rewards; the company posts them on its Star Money page. If you are planning a large purchase, shopping during a bonus period can increase what you earn for a later trip.
Timing also matters for expiry. Star Money lasts 30 calendar days, so avoid earning it right before a long trip. On the other hand, if you know a purchase is coming, you can plan to earn Star Money first and spend it on the main purchase. Weekday visits are often easier for asking a colleague questions about coupons.
Return and price adjustment considerations
If you return an item that earned or used rewards, the value may be adjusted. A purchase made with a coupon is generally returned at the price actually paid. Keep your receipts, and ask at the register how the return will be handled. If an item goes on sale shortly after you buy it, ask whether the store offers a price adjustment, since policies change and may vary by department.
Coupon and promo code mistakes to avoid
- Going to a store without your phone number on your account.
- Trying to use Star Money in self-checkout.
- Letting Star Money expire.
- Assuming that an online promo code will work at a register without asking.
- Applying for a Macy’s card only for a first-day discount without reading the terms.
- Ignoring the exclusions list, especially for cosmetics and fragrance.
- Printing coupons from random websites or paying for coupon lists; Macy’s offers come from your account.
- Using a different wallet than Macy’s Pay and expecting Star Money to apply.
- Throwing away the receipt before checking that each coupon applied.
How we researched this
This guide is based on the brand’s official pages and independent reporting named below; offers change, so confirm on the brand’s site or app before ordering. We do not publish unverified codes.
Sources
- Macy’s customer service article on using Star Money rewards
- Macy’s Star Money Bonus Days page
- Macy’s card benefits page
- The Krazy Coupon Lady guide to Macy’s Star Rewards
- Slickdeals guide to Macy’s Money rewards
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a Macy’s coupon in a store?
Yes. Most coupons and rewards are attached to your account or card, so the cashier applies them when you give your card or phone number.
Do I need to print a coupon?
Usually not. If you received a mailed coupon, bring it, but digital offers are the standard route.
Can I use Star Money at self-checkout?
No. The company’s help article says Star Money cannot be redeemed in self-checkout, so use a staffed register.
How long does Star Money last?
It is valid for 30 calendar days from when it is issued, according to the company’s help article. Check your balance and expiry date before you shop.
Can I use an email sign-up promo code in a store?
It is mostly designed for online use. Show it at the register and ask, or place an online order for store pickup.
Do I need a Macy’s credit card to get discounts?
No. Free Star Rewards membership gives access to rewards, though some coupons and passes are card benefits.
What is a Star Pass?
It is a personal offer, often usable on items that are rarely discounted such as cosmetics and fragrance. Check the exclusions printed on each pass.
Can I combine a promo code with Star Money?
Often yes, but rules vary by offer. Review the terms and ask the colleague at the register if you are unsure.
Last updated: October 2026
