Junk Mail Magic

Ask how a loyalty program uses household addresses

Before you join, read what the enrollment form and the program's published policy say about postal use of your address, then ask the program about anything they leave out. Some programs share addresses or offer detailed mail settings and others do not, so find out what this program does and which choices it gives you.

By Junk Mail Magic. Updated .

Questions to settle before enrolling

  1. Read the enrollment form and the program terms or privacy policy for any sections on mail, offers and partners. Copy the exact wording into your notes.
  2. Check whether the form separates mail the account needs, such as a membership card, from optional promotional mail. If it does not, ask whether they are separate.
  3. Ask whether paper offers are on by default, which kinds of paper mail the account can receive, and whether you can turn off the promotional kinds and keep the account.
  4. Ask whether partner companies or affiliates receive the household address. If they do, ask whether that has its own setting or is covered by the general promotional setting.
  5. Ask how a second adult at the same address is recorded, and whether one member's choice applies to anyone else at that address.

Use the program's own words

A logo or program name does not show who holds the address or whether it is shared. Base your decision on the form, the published policy and any reply you get. An email setting may not cover paper mail, so ask which channel each setting controls.

A reply saying the program offers no postal choice still helps. You can then join and skip any optional paper offers that are available, or decide not to join. Keep this worksheet private and do not paste statements, receipts or other correspondence into it.

Private worksheet

Example for your own use. Replace the bracketed details and review what you share.

Program name: Where I read the policy (form, terms, privacy page): Exact wording about postal offers: Paper offers on by default? (yes/no/unclear): Partner or affiliate sharing stated: How to turn off promotional paper mail: Does my choice cover other adults here? (yes/no/unclear): Questions sent on [date]; reply received on [date]: Decision:

Decide before you hand over the address

Send the questions through the contact route listed in the program's own terms or website. Compare the reply with the written policy before you enroll. If the two disagree, ask which one applies to your account and write down the date you asked.

Official source

Reduce loyalty-program mail without leaving the programAsk whether a postal preference covers partner sharingKeep each adult’s privacy and mailing choices separateFind postal marketing language in a privacy policyBefore joining another listAll practical mail guides

Keep personal records with the organization that handles them

Junk Mail Magic is for ordinary unwanted advertising. Use the official contact route in this guide for records, account changes or someone else’s correspondence.

Compare removal routes