GameStop's redesigned PowerUp Rewards program cuts used game discount

Instead of 10 percent off all used games, members will get $5 off any item they want each month, and rewards do not stack.

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GameStop is making some major changes to its PowerUp Rewards program, and they aren't exactly for the better.

Going forward, the program will be taking away the 10% discount on used games it previously offered members, and instead it will be offering a $5 monthly coupon to use on anything in the store.

Additionally, new PowerUp Rewards Pro level subscribers will get an extra $5 certificate to sign up with – so you can potentially get $10 for joining the program. But you won't be able to stack these coupons, as they don't roll over each month. Also, the $5 you get each month cannot be used for pre-orders, which is frustrating news for anyone who might be planning on dong just that. You'll have to continue ponying up your own $5 if you want to reserve new games, unfortunately. 

Subscribers will get invites to exclusive events, 2X PowerUp points when they purchase something at GameStop, as well as a new subscription to Game Informer. Anyone who pays the $19.99 per month option for a membership will get the physical magazine, but the cheaper $14.99 version only comes with a digital subscription.

GameStop PowerUp Rewards logo
GameStop PowerUp Rewards logo

These changes aren't exactly the greatest thing to have happened to the program, and in fact give shoppers fewer rewards, especially if they're routinely buying used games. Perhaps it's just another sign of GameStop's financial distress, given the company's financial struggles over a lengthy period of time.

What do you think of the new changes GameStop is making to the program? Will you continue to shop there? Be sure to let us know in the comments below. 

Senior Editor

Fueled by horror, rainbow-sugar-pixel-rushes, and video games, Brittany is a Senior Editor at Shacknews who thrives on surrealism and ultraviolence. Follow her on Twitter @MolotovCupcake and check out her portfolio for more. Like a fabulous shooter once said, get psyched!

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  • reply
    February 24, 2020 11:22 AM

    Brittany Vincent posted a new article, GameStop's redesigned PowerUp Rewards program cuts used game discount

    • reply
      February 24, 2020 11:37 AM

      And with that I will never enter a game stop again for a video game.

    • reply
      February 24, 2020 11:44 AM

      Do you think their PowerUp Rewards cards work at other places?

      I'm gonna try TGIFriday's. Maybe the one in Franklin Mills.

    • reply
      February 24, 2020 12:17 PM

      [deleted]

    • reply
      February 24, 2020 12:44 PM

      I think my Game Informer sub ran out or they just stopped coming -- one of the two. lol

    • reply
      February 24, 2020 2:22 PM

      gamestop should just stop baling water and sell, their ship is mostly sunk

    • reply
      February 24, 2020 3:18 PM

      It's unbelievable to me that GameStop outlasted Blockbuster.

      • reply
        February 24, 2020 5:22 PM

        Blockbuster got killed by Netflix and Redbox.

        The Netflix equivalent for gaming has been a non-factor thus far.

        And Redbox literally just gave up on renting games so they weren’t a threat either (not that renting is what GameStop does)

        There’s been a few games now where they’re (almost) digital-only but there’s a physical version exclusive to GameStop. Sort of like Limited Run on a larger scale (actually I think at least one was done by Limited Run). I could see an ironic future thing happening where GameStop has the only physical copies of a bunch of games and they leverage their advantage (brick and mortar) that way. Sort of like the gaming equivalent of a vinyl record store in the age of Apple Music.

        • reply
          February 24, 2020 5:24 PM

          Actually I guess the real Netflix equivalent is Steam and online digital stores for the consoles.

          Steam is a big enough factor/competitor that GameStop basically just dropped most PC games.

          Consoles they can potentially compete with easier since until they drop physical media they have the advantage I noted above.

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