Leap Day, occurring on February 29, presents a unique opportunity for consumers to access special promotions, freebies, and discounts. Because this date appears only once every four years, many brands structure their offers to celebrate the extra day. These promotions range from complimentary food items for individuals born on Leap Day to widespread discounts available to the general public. The following guide details verified offers and deals available on Saturday, February 29, based on current promotional data.
Exclusive Offers for Leap Day Birthdays
A significant portion of Leap Day promotions is reserved for "Leaplings"—individuals born on February 29. These offers typically require the presentation of a valid photo ID to verify the birth date. The goal of these promotions is often to compensate Leaplings for the rarity of their birthday celebration.
Dining and Food Freebies
Several national restaurant chains offer complimentary food items to Leap Day birthday holders.
- Denny’s: Denny’s provides a free Grand Slam to anyone born on February 29. This offer is valid at all locations nationwide for dine-in customers only and requires a valid photo ID.
- Farmer Boys: Leaplings can redeem a free Big Cheese cheeseburger on Leap Day by showing a photo ID.
- Olive Garden: Olive Garden offers four free dolicinis desserts to customers celebrating a Leap Day birthday. This gesture is intended to make up for the lost birthday years.
- Main Event: This entertainment venue offers a free party fun sundae to Leap year babies with proof of a February 29 birthday. The sundae features four gelato flavors, brownies, cookies, chocolate syrup, doughnut holes, whipped cream, sprinkles, and candy.
- Popeye’s: According to reports, Popeye’s has offered free chicken sandwiches to Leap Day babies in the past.
Retail and Service Promotions
Beyond dining, other brands have created unique contests and freebies for Leaplings.
- Hotels.com: A promotional campaign allows 29 people with Leap Day birthdays to tweet at @hotelsdotcom, sharing their birthday struggles for a chance to win a discount code worth $290, applicable toward any hotel stay.
- Lay’s Potato Chips: The brand invites those born on February 29 to comment on their Leap Year social media post to potentially win a free bag of chips.
- Which Wich: A sweepstakes offers the winner a coupon for a free 7-inch sandwich added to their Vibe Club account each week for the next four years. Details are available at www.whichwich.com/LeapDay2020.
- Milk Bar: This bakery chain offers a free full-sized signature Milk Bar Birthday Cake to anyone with a valid ID showing a Leap Day birth date.
General Public Deals and Discounts
While some offers are exclusive to Leaplings, many brands provide discounts available to all customers on February 29. These deals often utilize the number "29" or "24" in pricing or percentage-off discounts.
Food and Beverage Deals
Restaurants frequently roll out special pricing for the general public on Leap Day.
- 7-Eleven: Customers can purchase whole pizzas for $2.29 in-store and via the 7NOW delivery app (limit of five). First-time users of the 7NOW app receive a $29 discount on orders over $50 using the promo code 29OFF50.
- Papa Murphy’s: Customers can receive 29% off all online orders by using the code LEAP24. This offer is typically valid on the Thursday preceding Leap Day.
- Milk Bar: For those not born on February 29, Milk Bar offers its signature Cereal Milk Soft Serve for a reduced price of $2.29, a discount of approximately $4 from the regular price of $7.
- Marie Callender’s: The brand offers whole pies at a significantly reduced price, providing an opportunity to purchase a pie that typically retails for $16 at a lower cost.
Travel and Hospitality
Travel companies often utilize the extra day to promote booking incentives.
- Amtrak: Amtrak celebrates the extra day with a sale offering up to 50% off travel fares. This sale is typically valid for only two days.
- Great Wolf Lodge: Families can take advantage of the "extra-ordinary Leap Day sale" for stays booked on February 29. The deal applies to stays between April 13 and May 21.
Entertainment and Retail
Other sectors, including entertainment and casual dining, participate in the festivities.
- BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse: The chain introduces a three-course Brewhouse Combo for $29.95. This includes a choice of soup or salad, an entrée, a Pizookie dessert, and a BJ’s Gold Medal Beer Flight.
- Amusement Parks (Orlando): Various attractions in Orlando offer special Leap Day deals, though specific participating venues vary by location.
Understanding the Leap Year Context
The concept of a Leap Year is rooted in the astronomical fact that Earth takes approximately 365.25 days to orbit the Sun. To keep the calendar synchronized with the planet's movements, an extra day is added to the calendar every four years. However, because the actual solar year is closer to 365.24219 days, the system requires adjustments. "Century" years (those ending in -00) are skipped unless they are divisible by 400. For example, Leap Day was skipped in 1700, 1800, and 1900, but observed in 2000.
The rarity of February 29 makes it a prime marketing opportunity. Brands leverage the "once every four years" angle to create urgency and excitement around their promotions. The next Leap Day will occur on Wednesday, February 29, 2028.
Tips for Maximizing Leap Day Offers
Consumers looking to take advantage of these deals should be prepared for specific requirements.
- Verification: For Leapling-exclusive offers, always carry a valid government-issued photo ID. Some brands may also accept a birth certificate, but a driver’s license or passport is standard.
- Timing: Many Leap Day deals are valid only on Saturday, February 29. However, some promotions, such as the Papa Murphy’s code, may be active slightly earlier in the week.
- Location: Check local participation. While national chains generally honor these deals, individual franchise owners may have discretion. For example, Milk Bar exclusions apply to locations inside Nordstrom in New York City and Bellevue, Washington.
- App Usage: Several deals, particularly those from 7-Eleven and Hotels.com, require the use of specific apps or social media platforms to redeem.
Conclusion
Leap Day offers a diverse array of promotions, ranging from free meals for those born on February 29 to significant discounts on travel, food, and entertainment for the general public. By understanding the eligibility requirements and verifying offer details with the participating brands, consumers can effectively celebrate the extra day in the calendar year.