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\n\tGlobal apparel retailer Gap<\/a> is back in the headlines after announcing the launch of a new membership program, dubbed \u201cEncore<\/a>,\u201d last week.<\/p>\n \n\tThe multi-tiered program \u2014 with \u201cCore,\u201d \u201cPremier\u201d and \u201cAll-Access\u201d\u00a0levels \u2014 gives shoppers a chance to earn points and redeem rewards across all four of Gap Inc.\u2019s iconic brands<\/a>: Old Navy, Gap, Banana Republic and Athleta. The rebranded loyalty program also introduces an Encore credit card, which offers cardmembers the \u201cmost expansive earning opportunities,\u201d per a release, in addition to a host of fashion<\/a> and entertainment perks.<\/p>\n \n\tHere\u2019s what to know about the Gap Encore membership program, plus a look at some top trending pieces to pick up online at Gap.com<\/a> right now.<\/p>\n \n\tGap\u2019s new Encore points program offers three tiers: Core, Premier and All-Access. The basic Encore program is free to join, while the Encore Mastercard is by application only online<\/a>. Shoppers can jump to the next tier based on their annual spend or card member status. For example, you can move from the Core to Premier level after just $350 in annual spend\u00a0across all the Gap Inc. brands in-store and online.<\/p>\n \n\tThis is a program, Gap says, that is \u201crewarding both engagement and long-term relationships.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n \n\tIn general, all three tiers offer perks like free shipping, early access to shop limited-edition collections, a yearly \u201cbirthday bonus\u201d gift, and points that you can redeem for apparel and gift cards online. Members also have the ability to save with the \u201cCreate Your Own Sale Day\u201d perk, which lets you pick one day a year where you save 15% off your entire purchase.<\/p>\n \n\tCore and Premier status members earn five points per dollar spent at the Gap family of brands (which also include Gap Factory and Banana Republic Factory)\u202f; Encore Mastercard holders earn 25 points per dollar spent. Encore card holders also earn 15 points per dollar spent at other apparel brands, and five points per $1 spent at everywhere else that Mastercard is accepted. Worth noting: Purchases at Amazon, Target, Walmart and wholesale clubs like Sam\u2019s Club and Costco are excluded.<\/p>\n \n\tAll-Access card members get free alterations at Banana Republic and the ability for extended returns, with up to 60 days from purchase to send something back.<\/p>\n \n\tGap is also touting new \u201cfashion, entertainment and cultural moments for members,\u201d including the ability to redeem Encore points for Disney gift cards, AMC theater tickets and \u201cnever-before-sold items and \u201climited-run products\u201d \u2014 think signed accessories by Athleta brand ambassador<\/a> and Olympic champion Simone Biles<\/a>, or special-edition Gap and Old Navy bag charms<\/a>. Members can also redeem their points for one-of-a-kind experiences, like the chance to win a trip to New York City to meet with Zac Posen, the current EVP and creative director of Gap Inc. Gap says Encore card members will also get \u201cpriority access to select experiences and enhanced benefits\u201d with details to be announced later.<\/p>\n \n\tGap, Banana Republic and Old Navy have long offered their own branded credit cards, but the Encore Mastercard combines all the brands \u2014 and their perks \u2014 into one. The new card is offered by Barclays, and enrollment is now available online<\/a> and in stores across Old Navy, Gap, Banana\u00a0Republic\u00a0and Athleta.<\/p>\n \n\tThere is no annual fee for the card and you can also add additional users and card holders. Keep in mind that purchases made by authorized users will earn points that will be deposited into your rewards account.<\/p>\n \n\t\u201cFashion is entertainment, and today\u2019s customers aren\u2019t just buying apparel, they\u2019re buying into brands that shape culture and tell compelling stories,\u201d says Richard Dickson, President and Chief Executive Officer of Gap Inc. in a press release. \u201cEncore connects our brands and partnerships in new ways to meet that demand and change how customers engage with our brands. By bringing fashion, entertainment and access together, we are building momentum, deepening relationships and creating long-term value across our portfolio.\u201d<\/p>\n \n\t\u201cEncore is a powerful new tool to bring our Fashiontainment platform to life,\u201d adds Pam Kaufman, Chief Entertainment Officer of Gap Inc. \u201cThrough partners like Disney, NBCUniversal and AMC Theatres, we can translate what people love on screens and stages into experiences they can actually access \u2013 from early drops and exclusives to cultural moments you can\u2019t get anywhere else. It\u2019s a new way to participate in entertainment through style, and to feel closer to our brands.\u201d<\/p>\n \n\tThe new Encore loyalty program is officially in effect, just in time for Gap\u2019s spring sale<\/a>, which gets you up to 50% off<\/a> men\u2019s and women\u2019s basics, seasonal staples and collaborative drops. Here\u2019s a look at some of the best pieces to pick up online right now.<\/p>\n \t\tA boxy and oversized reinterpretation of the classic Gap denim jacket, this one features a dark wash, relaxed sleeves and \u201cthe softest denim ever made,\u201d per a product description online.\t<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n \t\tGap\u2019s popular cardigan is made from a super-soft cotton and nylon blend, and available in regular, petite and tall sizes. Choose from more than ten colorways on sale online.\t<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n \t\tGap\u2019s bestselling women\u2019s jeans cut a flattering figure for all body types and styles, with more than 20 different washes available and inclusive sizing. What we like: this pair of jeans is made in part with recycled materials, and they are part of Gap\u2019s \u201cWashwell\u201d program, which uses at least 20% less water during the production process.\t<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\t\tWhat Are the Gap Encore Tiers?\t<\/h2>\n
\n\t\tWhat Are the Gap Encore Perks?\t<\/h2>\n
\n\t\tHow to Apply for a Gap Encore Credit Card\t<\/h2>\n
\n\t\tWhat to Buy at Gap Right Now\t<\/h2>\n
\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tUltraSoft Oversized Balloon-Sleeve Icon Denim Jacket\t\t\t<\/h3>\n
![\"CashSoft](\"https:\/\/www.hollywoodreporter.com\/wp-content\/themes\/vip\/pmc-hollywoodreporter-2021\/assets\/public\/lazyload-fallback.gif\")
\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\t<\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCashSoft Crop Cardigan\t\t\t<\/h3>\n
\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\t<\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tLow Rise Lace-Up Long & Lean Jeans\t\t\t<\/h3>\n