I’m writing this because I’ve experienced the same issue at Chipotle over and over again, and I know many of you have too. When I go to redeem my rewards, I scan my code at the register and hear the normal “successful” beep — the exact same sound you hear when it actually works. But I later realized that even though it sounds like it went through, it often doesn’t actually apply to the order.
What I’ve learned is this:
If the employee hits the button to move to the payment screen before scanning your rewards, it will never apply. But the system still makes the correct beep, making you think it worked. In many cases, employees will even tell me “yep, it went through,” but when I check my receipt, there’s no line that says “Your rewards are on the way.”
This has happened to me at multiple locations, multiple times. And after reading tons of posts online, I realized it wasn’t just me — it’s happening to a lot of people. If this is happening nationwide, Chipotle is saving tens of millions of dollars in rewards they should have been giving out. Whether it’s intentional or just a deceptive system design, the end result is the same: customers aren’t getting what they earned.
Because of this, I launched chipotlescams.com to organize the evidence and bring together people who want to do something about it. My goal is to build a solid case for a potential consumer-fraud or deceptive-practices lawsuit. To do that, I need help from people who have had the same experience.
Document your next visit if a reward fails to apply
(Save the receipt, record the process if legal in your state, take screenshots of your app, etc.)
Share your story and evidence through the form on the site (for now - briansmith84@gmail.com)
Repeat the test at your local Chipotle if you’re able — especially noting whether the cashier hit “payment” first
Spread awareness to others who’ve had the same issue
My goal is to gather enough consistent, repeatable evidence to bring to a class-action attorney. If you’ve had similar problems or want to participate, you’re invited to be part of the effort.
You earned your rewards. You should actually get them.
Let’s make sure this doesn’t keep happening to everyone else.