REI Membership Gives You a Dividend on Purchases and Access to Classes

REI Co-op membership is a one-time $20 purchase that makes you a partial owner of the co-operative. The main benefit is an annual dividend—a percentage of what you spend at REI stores and online gets returned to you as a credit. The dividend rate varies by year but typically ranges from 10% to 20% of may be able to access purchases. You also get access to member-only sales, discounts on classes and trips, and the ability to vote on co-op decisions.

Unlike AARP, which focuses on age-based discounts and advocacy, REI membership is built around outdoor recreation and gear. You do not have to be a certain age to join. The $20 entry fee is a one-time cost; your membership does not expire as long as you remain a member, though the dividend is calculated and issued once per year.

The dividend arrives as a physical card or digital credit in your REI account, usually in late January or early February. You can spend it on anything REI sells—gear, clothing, gift cards, or classes. If you do not spend your dividend within a year, it expires, so many members plan a purchase or donate it to REI's nonprofit partners.

Key Takeaways

  • REI membership costs $20 one time and returns a percentage of your spending as an annual dividend, typically 10% to 20% of may be able to access purchases.
  • Member-only sales and discounts on outdoor classes, workshops, and guided trips are included with membership.
  • Your dividend arrives once per year (usually January or February) as a credit you can use on any REI purchase or donation.
  • Membership is open to anyone regardless of age, unlike age-restricted programs, and does not expire as long as you stay a member.
  • The dividend must be used within one year or it expires, so plan ahead if you want to use your full credit.

How the Annual Dividend Works in Practice

When you make a purchase at REI—whether in a store, online, or through the REI app—your membership number is attached to the transaction. REI tracks all may be able to access purchases throughout the calendar year (January through December). At the end of the year, the co-op calculates your dividend as a percentage of those purchases and issues it as a credit.

Not all purchases count toward the dividend. Regular full-price items do count. Clearance items, gift cards, and some special orders may not. REI publishes the full list of what qualifies on their website and in your membership materials. If you are unsure whether a specific purchase counts, ask at the register or check your online account after the purchase posts.

The dividend credit appears in your REI account and can be used when ready. You can spend it all at once or in smaller amounts over the year. Many members use it to offset the cost of a major purchase or to stock up on items they use regularly. If you do not use it by the end of the following year, it disappears—REI does not roll it over or convert it to cash.

Member-Only Sales and Discounts on Classes

REI holds member-only sales events throughout the year, separate from public sales. These sales typically offer deeper discounts on specific categories—outdoor clothing, camping gear, climbing equipment, or seasonal items. Member-only events are announced via email, in-store signage, and the REI app. If you are not on their email list, you may miss these sales, so signing up is worth doing when you join.

REI also offers discounts on classes and workshops at local REI stores. These cover skills like backpacking, rock climbing, kayaking, wilderness first aid, and bike maintenance. Member discounts typically reduce the class fee by 10% to 20%. Some classes are free for members; others charge a reduced rate. Availability varies by location, so check your nearest REI store's schedule online or in person.

Guided outdoor trips—backpacking expeditions, climbing trips, and multi-day adventures—also carry member discounts. These trips are more expensive than classes (often several hundred dollars) but the member discount can save you $50 to $150 or more. Trip schedules and pricing are posted on REI's website, and you can filter by location, difficulty, and season.

What Membership Does Not Include

REI membership does not provide a discount on every item or every price. Full-price merchandise qualifies for the dividend, but clearance items, final-sale items, and some brands or categories may be excluded. Rental equipment (tents, sleeping bags, climbing gear) typically does not earn a dividend, though you may get a member discount on the rental fee itself. Gift cards do not earn a dividend.

Membership also does not include free shipping, free returns, or extended return windows beyond what REI offers to all customers. REI's standard return policy (one year for most items) applies to members and non-members equally. Some co-ops offer member-exclusive return policies, but REI's does not differ by membership status.

Unlike some loyalty programs, REI membership does not give you points that accumulate or roll over. Your benefit is the annual dividend and access to sales and classes. Once the year ends, the dividend calculation resets, and you start fresh.

How to Join and set up Your Membership

You can join REI in person at any REI store or online through their website. In-store, you pay $20 cash or card and receive a membership card when ready. Online, you pay $20 and receive a digital membership number that you can use right away; a physical card arrives by mail within a few days.

Once you have your membership number, link it to your REI account online. This step is important because it connects your in-store and online purchases to your membership, ensuring your dividend is calculated correctly. You can also add your membership number to the REI app so it is available when you shop on your phone.

If you lose your membership card, you can look up your number in your REI account online or ask at any REI store. You do not need the physical card to shop as a member; your phone number or email can pull up your account at checkout.

Comparing REI Membership to Other Outdoor Retailer Programs

REI is a co-operative, which means members own a stake in the company. Your $20 membership fee is an ownership share, not a subscription. This structure is different from loyalty programs at other outdoor retailers like Bass Pro Shops or Cabela's, which are free to join but do not return dividends.

Some outdoor retailers offer free loyalty programs that track purchases and issue points or coupons. These programs do not require an upfront fee but typically offer smaller discounts or rewards. REI's model trades a one-time $20 cost for a potentially larger annual return if you spend enough at REI.

If you spend less than $200 per year at REI, the dividend may not exceed your initial $20 membership fee. If you spend $200 to $500 annually, the dividend typically covers the membership cost and provides additional value. Regular REI shoppers who spend $500 or more per year often find the membership pays for itself several times over.

Using Your Dividend and Planning Your Purchases

Your dividend is most valuable if you plan ahead. Since it arrives once per year and expires after 12 months, many members use it to buy a major item they have been considering—a new tent, backpack, or climbing shoes. Others spread smaller purchases throughout the year and use the dividend to offset the cost.

You can donate your dividend to REI's nonprofit partners if you do not plan to spend it. REI supports outdoor education and conservation organizations, and donating your dividend is a way to give back while using your credit. You can make this choice in your REI account or at checkout.

If you are new to REI, track your spending for the first year to get a sense of your dividend amount. This helps you plan whether to make a large purchase in December (to use your dividend before it expires) or spread purchases throughout the year. Some members time major gear purchases to coincide with member-only sales and then use their dividend on smaller items.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to renew my REI membership every year?

No. Your $20 membership is a one-time purchase and does not expire. You remain a member as long as you want to be. You do not pay annual fees or renewal costs. Your dividend is calculated and issued once per year, but membership itself is permanent.

Can I get my dividend as cash instead of a store credit?

No. REI issues dividends as store credit only. You can use the credit on any purchase at REI, donate it to a nonprofit partner, or let it expire if you choose not to use it. REI does not convert dividends to cash or refund them.

What happens if I do not use my dividend before it expires?

The dividend credit disappears and cannot be recovered. REI does not roll over unused dividends or extend the expiration date. If you know you will not spend your dividend, you can donate it to one of REI's nonprofit partners instead.

Does my spouse or family member get a separate membership?

Each person needs their own $20 membership. Memberships are individual and not shared. If multiple people in your household shop at REI, each person should have their own membership number to earn their own dividend.

Do I earn a dividend on items I buy at REI Garage or clearance sales?

REI Garage (the outlet section) and clearance items typically do not earn a dividend. Full-price items do. If you are unsure whether a specific item qualifies, check the tag or ask at checkout. Your receipt will show whether the purchase counted toward your dividend.