A few weeks ago I was at Total Wine & More. That’s nothing new. I shop there quite frequently, and you can find me there pretty much every Wednesday after work buying all the new beers. Last week, while checking out, the cashier asked me, “Are you a member of our rewards program?”
Nope! But I was intrigued. I asked more about it and signed up with my telephone number. I gave my email address, too, in hopes of even more discounts and special offers. Sure enough, within a few days, I received an email from Total Wine explaining more about the program.
Te program is called Total Discovery, and rewards frequent shoppers. When I was checking out, the cashier handed me a brochure explaining more about the program. There are three levels to this Total Discovery program.
Select 0-4,999 points per year
At this level, you receive exclusive offers, whatever that means, personalized product recommendations* and easy access to your past purchases and shopping lists*. I’ll probably be stuck at this level for a while, but can see myself reaching the next level within a few months.
Reserve 5,000- 24,999
This levels gets you all of the above, and invitations to Total Discovery events. Wen I worked at Total Wine, they were always hosting wine events… Hopefully some of these events will be beer events, too. You also receive product upgrade coupons. Not sure how that will affect me, but I’m excited to learn more… Assuming I reach that level later this year. The next level is where things get interesting.
Grand Reserve 25,000 or more points per year
Not sure I’ll hit this level anytime soon, but challenge accepted. With this level you get consultations by appointment and priority notifications on limited-release products. For beer, more than wine, I wonder who these consultations would be with… But hey, I’m willing to find out. It would be fun to schedule one just to see what is discussed. I wonder if anyone has already reached Grand Reserve status yet…
They make joining Total Discovery easy… All you need is a phone number and email address. You can also join on your mobile device by visiting www.TotalWine.com/Join.
The first time I was informed of this program, I was told it was valid only on Winery Direct and Spirits Direct products. I rarely buy spirits and I never buy wine, yet I get monthly reminders of my spend level. According to the brochure, you get 15 points on Winery Direct/Spirits Direct items and 10 points per dollar on all other eligible items. Guess that explains it!
Granted, some restrictions apply. But this is a new program that will encourage me to spend more at Total Wine. Maybe one day I’ll reach Grand Reserve status! Visit www.TotalWine.com/TotalDiscovery to learn more. Cheers!
*Coming soon
I made a purchase today..how do i get reward credit…their computer was down,,,fort myers
That is a good question. I would recommend calling the store and/or going back tomorrow with a copy of your receipt. Are you on Twitter?
i purchased $166.21 today & want to get reward credit
Did the cashier ask you for your phone number? If not, take your receipt back to the store and they can provide you the proper points. It has happened to me before. Easy fix!
how do I get on to get rewards
The next time you are at Total Wine & More, just ask and they can add you at the register. You can also visit https://www.totalwine.com/register to register online. Cheers!
I made a purchase today and for got to give my phone number. (410)647-8794)
Ticket Number 570381 at your Laurel, MD Store amount $104.57 I would like the reward credits>
All so I do not get your e-mails
Thank you for your comment. Please note that this blog is not officially related to Total Wine & More. Please call your store to discuss this transaction. Thanks again!
yes, but what are the “points” good for?
john
There are different membership levels, and based on your spend, you will receive coupons, invites to member events, etc. For example, a few weeks ago I was invited to a member event focused on local beers. Takes only a phone number and it pays you back for the dollars you would be spending anyway!
I have not received any emails since I signed up a few months ago.
Please contact your local Total Wine & More to make sure they signed you up correctly.
I was just there, paid with cash and the guy at the register didn’t ask for my telephone number, after I paid, I asked about how I would get my points and he told me to just go online, which I did and there’s no place to input my purchase. I got the feeling he just didn’t want to be bothered!
I am sorry to hear you are having that experience. I would suggest calling the store tomorrow, telling them what happened, and letting a manager help you with this. Try that tomorrow and comment back with what happened. I am curious. Thanks for reading and for your comments, Regina. Cheers!
Purchased over $100 of product and asked cashier to post to my rewards account. curtly she told me I should have told her that before she rung up order. She told me to go online to post it myself. I tried and couldn’t find the proper link to do so. Called 855-328-9463 and advised to go to total wine/points. still couldn’t find. might be operator error.
However, why wouldn’t the cashier be advised to ask the customer if the were a member of the rewards/points club/ Don’t you want people to join?
I don’t want to go back to the store as you have advised others to do. Please send me the link to add the total to my account.
Thanks,
T Ford
I am sorry that you are still having issues. Unfortunately, I do not have an official affiliation with Total Wine. Are you on Twitter?
I would like to join your points program.
I only drink gin, vodka , VO, royal crown.
Is this possible? I have your email but I never see any coupons or points.
If you are not affiliated with TOtal Wine, why do you have questions to answer? Please enter me in the point system.
Hey, thanks for your comment! To join Total Discovery, please go here >> https://www.totalwine.com/register. If you have any receipts you want to keep the points from, the next time you are in the store, they can help you take care of that. It is a great program. Cheers and please let me know if you have any more questions!
how do I find out how many reward points I have?
Sandy, thanks for reading and thanks for your question. You can find that information on their website, or the next time you are in, just ask your cashier. They can tell you. Hopefully you have a lot! Let me know if I can assist any further, Sandy. Cheers!
It’s also posted on your receipts.
Reached Grand Reserve couple days ago. Attended a free wine tasting a couple months ago that was opened to Reserve members when not enough Grand Reserve members signed up. The event was lots of fun and had a great time so made sure to expedite my membership (did a lot of shopping) so I wouldn’t miss out on any upcoming events or specials. Unfortunately I’m just a little too late for the deal GR members got last month, opportunity to buy Pappy Van Winkle. I know my store still has some bottles and hoping they send out another round of emails to redeem chance to purchase bottle of the rare whiskey!
Wow, that is awesome! Thank you for sharing with us, Heather. Cheers!
I had to follow up. . Total Wine is fantastic. . my store knew I was interested in the Pappy Van Winkle invite and since I made Grand Reserve just shortly after they sent members invite to purchase bottle they reached out to corporate and I was able to acquire a bottle of 20yr!
Heather, is there any possibility of trying to get another bottle of Pappy? I’ve been trying to get my hands on one, if you can help that would be awesome! Feel free to reach out ashkan21@me.com Thanks!
I also became a grand reserve member late but called corporate and they called my local total wine spoke with the manager and got me a bottle of pappy you may want to give corporate a call
Yes, I was able to get a bottle this year. I passed on it. Too much for a bottle of something my palate wouldn’t be able to fully appreciate.
love this store good prices
Sometime back my email address changed. Is there a way that I may have my previous points transferred to my new email address? (Previous email was annmozley@yahoo.com My new address is oliviamozley@yahoo.com) This new address is approx. 6 mos. old
Thank you for your comment. What is your local Total Wine & More store?
I would like to have all previous points transferred to a new email address. My previous address was annmozley@yahoo.com. My new address is oliviamozley@yahoo.com
Tank you very much. Please more variety of Kosher Wine with lower price.
Grand Reserve status is almost worthless. I have it.
As a beer fan, it only offers 2 things. Reservation for a single bottle of Bourbon County Brand Stout, and reservation for Sam Adams Utopias (which, chemically, is not a beer). Of course, that’s based on a first come, first served reservation basis. I’ve called corporate to ask them to include other rare beers, and they said the local stores can do that. The local stores informed me only corporate can do it. Finally, after a few weeks of bouncing back and forth, I received some blunt feedback from a worker at the Federal Way store. She said the store can do reservations of special beers for Grand Reserve members, but they won’t. She said it isn’t worth their time. I later learned from another Total Wine employee that they treat beer as the equivalent of a retail loss leader. Their profit margin on beer is thin, and they use the beer as a means to get people in the door to buy wine and spirits.
As for wines and spirits, they have more offerings, but not enough to warrant spending $2,500 a year. I see an offer for a limited wine or spirit come out about once every 3 months. Every single one has been first come, first serve for reservations by Grand Reserve members since they never have enough for all Grand Reserve members. Sometimes, a phone call or an email covers the first come, first serve criteria. But, more often than not (by far), they require you to come to the designated store in person to make the reservation–no emails or phone calls. Not everyone can take off of work mid-day to show up at the store to make reservation. I suspect those who win out are executives by alcohol for corporate events or as business gifts.
At this point, I’ve given up on getting any return on my Grand Reserve investment, and I’ll only shop at Total Wine when the local beer shop imposes bottle limits and I want more of a particular beer.
First off, thank you for taking the time to read about the program and for sharing your thoughts with us. So you know, I reached out to Total Wine and will make sure they see this. I want them to have the chance to provide an accurate response to your concerns. I only buy beer at Total Wine… Some gin from time to time. That’s about it! But I look forward to reaching that status so I can see what added benefits there are. Again, thank you for your support.
Total Wine has good prices. I have grand reserve status, but the points are of absolutely no financial benefit.
Yes, Total Wine does have good pricing. They have a great selection, too. I don’t use it for financial benefit… But it does get you access to limited release items, parties, tastings, etc. What is your local Total Wine store?
How Cn I get my rewards use which they said it’s with my cell no
Thanks for your comment. You use your phone number to gain rewards when you pay at Total Wine & More. Your point totals are on the bottom of your receipt. Let me know if you have any additional questions.
hoiw do u sign up for the rewards program?
Great question! You can visit https://www.totalwine.com/register to register today! Happy spending. Cheers!
After all this, what does it get me and how do I get it? Be brief.
That’s a good question! You get points for dollars spent. Over time, as you accumulate points, you get invited to private events, get access to limited release bottles, etc. You get it by signed up online or at the store. It’s free to join. Hope that helps. Cheers!
I have the grand reserve level, but take little advantage. The wine tastings are usually mid-week, and it is difficult for my wife and I to get there. HOWEVER, I did get the Pappy alert, and was able to score both a bottle of Pappy 20, and a bottle of Van Winkle 12; later, I was alerted for the Buffalo Trace Antique collection arrival, and was able to get a bottle of George Stagg 2016 (15y) and an Eagle Rare 17, all at retail – the first time I have ever been able to get a bottle of Pappy or van Winkle. Honestly, as a bourbon fan, the reasonable chance to actually get one or two bottles of the annual Van Winkle/Buffalo Trace release is worth more than almost any other perk Total Wine could offer me.
Awesome! Thank you for that feedback. Sounds like you are a bourbon guy. Have you had the chance to try Widow Jane yet?
JB – where are you located? Been GR for a while now and only received the BTAC notice (got a bottle of W L Weller). Would love to think I can get something offered up more than once or twice a year.
Good
I just became a Grand Reserve member, and can’t find anything on how to sign up for the free classes. Even when I am logged in, it shows it as costing money. Any idea if I am doing something wrong?
Nice article and very good information.