Giant Eagle offers multiple pathways for consumers to obtain free products and significant discounts through couponing, digital offers, and loyalty programs. The grocery chain provides opportunities to acquire items at no cost, particularly when combining manufacturer coupons with store sales and doubling policies. Shoppers can access free groceries, household goods, and personal care items by following specific strategies outlined in weekly advertisements and digital platforms. The retailer’s coupon doubling policy and loyalty programs play a central role in achieving free or near-free products.
Coupon Doubling and Free Product Opportunities
Giant Eagle automatically doubles coupons valued at 99 cents or less. This policy transforms modest coupons into substantial savings, often resulting in free products when paired with sale prices. For example, a 75-cent coupon doubles to $1.50 off. When applied to items priced at $1.50 or less, the product becomes free.
Specific examples of free items obtained through this method include: - Skintimate Shave Gel: A 75-cent manufacturer coupon from the July 11 Smart Source insert applied to the travel size priced at $1.49 results in a free product after doubling. - Colgate Wave Toothbrush: A 75-cent coupon from the July issue of All You magazine or the July 25 Smart Source insert applied to a toothbrush on sale for $1.50 yields a free item. - Sugardale Meat Hot Dogs: Available for free after applying a 50-cent coupon. - Colgate Toothpaste (4 oz): Available for free after applying a 50-cent coupon.
Other items can be acquired for pennies. A 75-cent coupon for Betty Crocker Warm Delights, which retails for $1.67, doubles to $1.50 off, leaving a final cost of 17 cents.
Digital Coupons and eOffers
Giant Eagle provides digital coupons that can be loaded to a customer’s Advantage Card. These eOffers function differently than paper manufacturer coupons; they do not double in value and supersede paper coupons if used for the same item. eOffers trigger automatically when the linked item is purchased.
A specific digital offer highlighted is the ability to clip a coupon for a free 16 oz. can of Adrenaline Shoc Energy Drink. To redeem this offer, a customer must: 1. Log in to the Giant Eagle website or app. 2. Load the coupon to their Advantage Card. 3. Purchase a 16 oz. Adrenaline Shoc Energy Drink in-store. 4. The discount applies at checkout.
This offer is limited to one per account and was noted to expire on May 14, 2021. Digital coupons are accessible in-app or online while shopping.
The eAdvantage Program
The eAdvantage program offers weekly deals, including freebies. Registration is required at the Giant Eagle website. Some eAdvantage deals are exclusive to GetGo gas stations. These deals are distinct from the digital coupons loaded to the card.
Loyalty Programs: myPerks and Fuel Perks
Giant Eagle has transitioned from the Fuelperks program to the myPerks program to incentivize shopping.
myPerks Program: - Earning: Customers earn 1 perk for every $1 spent on groceries or gift cards, 2 perks per gallon of gas at GetGo, and 5 perks per qualifying prescription at the pharmacy. - Redeeming: - 50 perks = $1 off the order total (grocery or gas). - 100 perks = $0.10 off per gallon of gas. - 150 perks = 2% off the grocery total.
Fuelperks Program: - Customers earn 10 cents in Fuelperks for every $50 spent, resulting in a $3 savings per $50 transaction. - Fuelperks can be redeemed at GetGo gas stations. - An additional earning opportunity exists: customers earn 20 cents in Fuelperks for every $50 spent on restaurant gift cards.
Giant Eagle encourages customers to switch to myPerks by offering coupons ranging from $5 to $10 in value.
Weekly Circulars and In-Store Sales
The weekly circular is a primary source for high-value coupons and sale information. Giant Eagle occasionally includes coupons worth $25 to $50 in these circulars. Shoppers are advised to check the circular for "Buy One Get One Free" (BOGO) deals and other promotions.
Examples of recent BOGO deals include: - Natures Fresh Boneless Chicken Breasts - Market District Sirloin Tip Roast Value Pack Steaks - Hefty Plates, Bowls, or Cups (30-80 ct) - Pepperidge Farm Layer Cakes or Turnovers (12-19 oz) - Ristorante Pizza (11-13 oz)
Other sale items paired with coupons result in low out-of-pocket costs: - Birds Eye Vegetables (8-16 oz): Costs $0.41 after using five $1/2 coupons when buying 11 items. - Vlasic Peppers or Relish (9-12 oz): Costs $0.41 after using five $1/2 coupons when buying 11 items. - Dannon Non-Greek Multipack Yogurt or Danimals Drinkable Yogurt: Costs $1 after a $1 coupon. - International Delight Coffee Creamer (32 oz): Costs $1.50 after a 75-cent coupon. - New York Texas Garlic Toast, Breadsticks, or Knots: Costs $1.70 after a 40-cent coupon. - Nabisco Oreo Cookies or Belvita Biscuits: Costs $1.75 after a 75-cent/2 coupon. - Suave Professionals or Essentials Shampoo or Conditioner: Costs $0.50 after a $1.50 coupon.
Competitor Coupons and Curbside Pickup
Giant Eagle generally accepts competitor coupons. The retailer also offers curbside pickup and grocery delivery services. - Curbside Pickup: Free service with a minimum order of $35. Tipping in-app is optional. - Grocery Delivery: Costs $9.95 with a minimum order of $35. Drivers accept tips.
Other Promotions
Herdez Salsa: While Herdez coupons are rare, they can be paired with in-store sales. Additionally, customers can save via cash-back programs such as Ibotta, Checkout51, and SavingStar.
Kids' Freebie: A specific mention was made of a Saturday freebie for kids 12 and under: Caramel Popcorn. This was noted in a Kmart context within the source data, but represents the type of freebie events that grocery chains sometimes host.
Conclusion
Giant Eagle provides a robust framework for consumers to acquire free products and maximize savings. The cornerstone of this strategy is the store's policy to double coupons valued at 99 cents or less, which frequently results in free personal care and food items when combined with sales. Additionally, digital coupons, the eAdvantage program, and the myPerks loyalty system offer varied avenues for discounts and freebies. Shoppers should monitor weekly circulars for high-value coupons and BOGO deals, and utilize the myPerks program to earn points for future savings on groceries and gas.