Subway Hypes New Rewards Program but Customers Get Less Than Before

CLEVELAND, OH — Subway customers across the country received a notification this week that reads like a standard thank-you note, but the details tucked inside the April 1, 2026, update signal the end of a longstanding perk for local sandwich fans. The company’s latest communication to its Sub Club members confirms that the “Fourth Footlong Free” reward is being retired. It is a move that marks a transition from a simple, item-based loyalty system to a more complex points model that favors the house. The shift is absolute. According to the Sub Club terms, any stamps members have currently accumulated toward a free sandwich will be forfeited once the update takes effect on April 1. While customers can still redeem any full “Free Footlong” coupons they have already earned before they expire, those who are a stamp or two short will see their progress reset to zero. It is a significant change for the millions of users who have grown accustomed to the predictable buy four, get one free cadence that has defined the brand’s digital rewards for years. In place of the stamps, Subway is leaning entirely into its points-based currency. Members earn 10 points for every dollar spent at any of the company’s nearly 20,000 U.S. locations, including the dozens of franchises scattered throughout Cleveland and its surrounding suburbs. Once a member hits 400 points, they receive $2 in Subway Cash. The math means a customer must spend $40 just to see a $2 credit. Unlike the previous system, where the reward was a specific menu item regardless of price fluctuations, this new fractional credit system places the burden of rising food costs on the consumer. The company’s fine print clarifies that “earning” rewards does not mean they have actual monetary value. Subway’s legal disclosures state that points and Subway Cash are strictly promotional and cannot be exchanged for cash or applied to gift card balances. There is also a “use it or lose it” catch for those who do not visit their local shop often. Points expire after six months of inactivity, and Subway reserves the right to terminate accounts that have not seen any action in a year. Redeeming that Subway Cash requires a bit of precision at the register, too. If you apply $4 in rewards to a bill that totals $3.50, the remaining 50 cents is gone forever. The company’s terms are clear that it will not provide change or roll over the balance on small transactions. It is a rigid structure that reflects a broader trend in the fast-casual industry, where national chains are moving toward models that offer more predictable accounting and fewer high-value redemptions. Most Subway locations in the Cleveland area are independently owned and operated by franchisees who have to balance these corporate mandates with their own rising labor and supply costs. The updated agreement reminds customers that Subway MyWay LLC is not responsible for the daily operations or issues at individual restaurants. While the corporate email promises “amazing offers and benefits” to come, the immediate reality for the lunch crowd is a system where the rewards accumulate more slowly and expire more quickly. Customers who want to keep their current progress must complete their stamp sets and earn their free footlong coupons before the April 1 deadline. After that date, the digital ledger resets for everyone. Questions regarding specific account balances or the transition can be directed to the help section within the Subway mobile app. -------------------- At Cleveland 13 News, we strive to provide accurate, up-to-date, and reliable reporting. If you spot an error, omission, or have information that may need updating, please email us at tips@cleveland13news.com. As a community-driven news network, we appreciate the help of our readers in ensuring the integrity of our reporting.