Overview: Claiming vs. Redeeming Rewards
Claiming your Trail’s End Rewards is the step that officially releases your earned rewards from Trail’s End. Redeeming is the separate step where you choose and receive your actual gift card through our rewards partner, Tango.
Claiming happens in the Trail’s End App or Trail’s End website
Redeeming happens later through a link emailed to you
Note: Before a Scout can claim rewards, the Unit Leader must submit and release rewards in the Trail’s End Leader Portal.
How a Scout Claims Rewards in the Trail’s End App
Open the Trail’s End App.
From the dashboard, tap the Rewards Level banner (for example: “You have $XXX available to claim”).
Tap Claim Now next to your rewards balance.
This button only appears after you have reached a reward level and your Unit Leader has released rewards.
Confirm that you want to claim your rewards.
You must be 18 years or older to complete this step.
A rewards redemption link will be sent to the email address on the Scout’s account.
For Redemption instructions, please see How to Redeem Your Gift Card
How to Claim Rewards Using the Trail’s End Website
Log in at https://portal.trails-end.com/login
Click Rewards in the left-hand navigation menu.
Click the Claim button in the upper-right corner.
Your rewards redemption link will be emailed to the address on the Scout’s account.
For Redemption instructions, please see How to Redeem Your Gift Card
How to Find a Previously Claimed Gift Card
Note: Follow these instructions if your redemption link has expired also.
Ensure the account email address is correct before claiming
In the Trail’s End App
Tap the Rewards Level section on the dashboard.
If you have no current rewards, it will look slightly different. Tap “View My Claims History”
Scroll to My Claims History.
Tap the arrow icon.
Confirm by tapping Yes, email claim history.
Tips
Check spam or junk folders
The email is sent to the address on the Scout’s account
Deadline to Claim Rewards
Rewards must be claimed by June 30 following the year the sales were made.
Examples:
Rewards from the 2025 sale must be claimed by June 30, 2026
Rewards from the 2026 sale must be claimed by June 30, 2027
Unclaimed rewards expire after this deadline and cannot be recovered.
What Happens After You Claim
A redemption email will be sent to the email address on the Scout’s account
That email contains a link to redeem your rewards through Tango
Redemption instructions are covered in the article: Redeeming & Managing Trail’s End Rewards
Tax Reporting Requirements (SSN, W-9, and 1099-MISC)
Federal regulations require Trail’s End to issue a 1099-MISC to anyone who receives more than $600 in gift cards within a calendar year.
If applicable:
You will be prompted to enter a W-9 before claiming rewards
Enter the Scout’s name and Social Security Number, not the parent’s
Only one of SSN or EIN is required (most Scouts will use SSN)
Note: The $600 threshold is based on the calendar year, not the sales year. Claiming rewards from a prior sale year in the current calendar year may impact whether a W-9 is required.
Full instructions can be found on the IRS W-9 form. Please consult a tax professional for additional guidance.