Here's a question many of us ponder: do you really save money by joining store loyalty programs that offer discounts or money back on purchases?

The answer is: it depends on the program's quality and benefits, and also on how often you like to shop at a certain store. Benefits also vary depending on whether you're shopping online or in-person.

George Kamel, a financial professional with Ramsey Solutions, says, "Some loyalty programs put the customer first ... others just want you to think they do."

Here are three popular loyalty programs and how they work:

Nordstrom

Nordstrom's rewards program has over 10 million members who spend about four times more than non-members at Nordstrom and its brands, including Nordstrom Rack, HauteLook, and Trunk Club.

The Nordy Club is a points-based system with four tiers: Member, Influencer, Ambassador, and Icon. It's free to join the points-based club. Membership tiers based on annual spending include:

• Member: $1 to $500 spent (1,000 points = $10 Note)
• Influencer: $500 to $5,000 (1,000 points - $10 Note)
• Ambassador: $5000 to $15,000 (2,000 points - $20 Note)
• Icon: $15,000 and up (2,000 points - $20 Note)

Nordy Club's points-based system offers many rewards in addition to Notes which represent 1% and 2% back on purchases, applicable to future transactions. Basic members get 2-day free shipping and beauty perks. Influencers get 3 Double Point personal shopping days and higher tiers even more. Higher levels offer advanced access to sales and free alterations.

There are no disadvantages or costs to a basic Nordy Club membership, but higher levels and advanced perks require Nordstrom's credit card. Many people love this program for the free alterations offered at higher tier levels, but here's a tip: alterations are only free if they are paid for through the Nordstrom credit card.

Kohls

Like the Nordy Club, Kohl's program is free to join. After you join, you earn 5% cash back on every purchase regardless of how you pay. Kohl's offers a credit card, and if you use it to make purchases, you receive 7.5% cash back, making it one of the most generous rewards programs out there.

Kohl's keeps track of birthdays and anniversaries if you tell them, and you can also receive a free birthday gift and access to additional savings throughout the year. The retailer also offers free shipping events each month for those who spend $600 in one year using the Kohl's credit card.

Temu

The online-only digital retailer offers frequent discounts and cash back to customers, including cash back on items that are already sold at a deep discount. You will receive cash back on your purchases simply by using the app and placing an order.

Unlike other loyalty programs, you don't have to formally sign up to get benefits, although they offer a free upgrade program called Temu Circle for frequent shoppers.

Shopping using the Temu app is a lot like playing an online game. You can spin to win coupons, discounts, free shipping, and more. The catch? Temu rewards often require you to buy within a short time frame, and even with free shipping, you may wait a long time to receive items, because the majority of them are shipped from China, where the company is based.

Clothing Store Loyalty Programs: Are They Worth It?

There's little disadvantage to joining a free customer loyalty program at any store where you frequently shop. The store is collecting your personal information, but most people consider access to discounts, coupons, and savings a worthwhile trade-off for providing basic information.

When it comes to credit cards, you may want to consider the benefits and drawbacks in more depth. Many loyalty programs offer better benefits to customers who use store credit cards. If you don't pay the credit card off each month, interest charges will quickly exceed the small amount of points or cash back offered through the program.

Temu represents a new type of loyalty program in the sense that you don't have to formally join. All you need to do is use the Temu app and place an order. The retailer appears to offer deep discounts, and you can also receive free items and free shipping, as well as cash back. Temu frequently sends texts and emails, so if you don't enjoy those types of contacts, it may not be the right retailer for you.

The bottom line? If you enjoy shopping at a store, loyalty programs can offer a budget boost in the form of cash back, free shipping, and early access to sales. However, don't fall prey to some loyalty program tactics such as tiered benefits. You won't be saving money if you buy something you don't really need just to get a special perk or loyalty program status.