CVS offers various free product opportunities through its ExtraCare Rewards program, primarily accessible via the CVS Pharmacy app, in-store kiosks, and digital coupons. These offers typically require an ExtraCare card and often involve purchasing specific items to earn ExtraCare Bucks (ECB) or receiving instant freebies. The availability of these offers is often time-sensitive and varies by location and user account.
Understanding the CVS ExtraCare Program
The CVS ExtraCare program is the primary vehicle for accessing free products and discounts. According to a 2020 report, CVS launched an "ExtraCare Extra Thanks event" for members. This event provided a free product daily for two weeks, from July 5 to July 18. To access these freebies, users were required to link their ExtraCare card to the CVS Pharmacy app. The free product appeared in the "deals & rewards" section of the app.
- App Requirement: Users must download the CVS Pharmacy app and link their ExtraCare account. This can be done by entering personal information or scanning the physical card. New users can also sign up for a card through the app.
- Event Specifics: During the 2020 event, free items included Ibuprofen and Gold Emblem Gummy Bears. The event was described as a tactic to encourage users to link their loyalty accounts to the app.
- General App Utility: The app is recommended for accessing exclusive coupons and deals, replacing the traditional faded key card.
Free Candy and Food Offers
Several sources document free candy offers at CVS, though many of these reports are dated. It is important to note that specific offers are valid only during designated promotional periods.
- Easter Candy (2017): A 2017 social media post indicated a limited-time offer for free Cadbury and Hershey's candy bars at CVS, expiring on March 18, 2017.
- In-Store Kiosk Coupons: A 2020 report mentioned that scanning an ExtraCare card at the in-store kiosk could print a coupon for a free Milky Way or Dove bar. This required purchasing a participating candy bar (priced at $0.99) and receiving $0.99 back in ExtraCare Bucks. The transaction could be structured to use the ECB on a subsequent purchase.
- Facebook Offers: A blog post referenced a method to get a coupon for a free candy or beverage by liking the CVS Facebook page, visiting the special offers page, and entering the CVS card number and email.
- Other Food Deals: A 2012 blog post mentioned a deal for free Tone Body Wash and $0.25 Vitamin Water, requiring a printable coupon and specific purchase scenarios. Another post from the same era mentioned a sale on candy (Hershey, Nestles, Mars, etc.) for $1, combined with coupons from the "magic coupon machine."
Free Non-Food Products and Samples
Beyond food, CVS has offered free health and household items.
- Health and Sanitization: A blog post mentioned a free 5-count box of sanitizer wipes available at CVS. Another post referenced the free Ibuprofen offer during the 2020 ExtraThanks event.
- Photo Books and Personal Care: Older blog posts (circa 2012) mentioned free Kodak Photo Books using a BOGO coupon and free Tone Body Wash. These offers relied on combining manufacturer coupons with store sales and ExtraCare Bucks promotions.
- General Product Scenarios: Blog posts detailed scenarios to get items like laundry detergent for as low as $0.99 and Schick razors for $0.99. While not strictly free, these scenarios often utilized ECB to lower the net cost significantly.
How to Redeem CVS Freebies
Based on the provided data, the general process for redeeming free offers involves specific steps:
- Link Account: Ensure your ExtraCare card is linked to the CVS Pharmacy app.
- Check App: Navigate to the "deals & rewards" section in the app to find daily freebies or exclusive digital coupons.
- Use In-Store Kiosk: Scan your ExtraCare card at the red kiosk in the store to print paper coupons for free items (e.g., candy bars).
- Facebook Offers: Like the CVS Facebook page and check the special offers tab for digital coupons requiring card number entry.
- Purchase Requirements: For "free after ECB" deals, purchase the required item (e.g., a $0.99 candy bar) and receive the equivalent amount in ECB to use on a future purchase. Note that ECB cannot be used to pay for the transaction in which they are earned.
- Coupon Stacking: Combine manufacturer coupons (from sources like Coupons.com or printables) with store sales and ExtraCare Bucks to achieve free or near-free items.
Limitations and Geographic Restrictions
The provided sources do not specify geographic restrictions for these offers, but they imply that offers are generally available at CVS locations in the United States. However, the age of some sources (e.g., 2012, 2017) suggests that specific deals are no longer active. The 2020 event is the most recent confirmed free product promotion detailed in the data.
Conclusion
CVS provides opportunities for free products primarily through its ExtraCare Rewards program and the CVS Pharmacy app. While daily freebies like those offered during the 2020 "ExtraThanks" event are temporary, regular opportunities for free candy and discounted personal care items exist via in-store kiosks, digital app deals, and coupon stacking. Consumers interested in these offers should maintain an active ExtraCare account, utilize the app, and monitor in-store kiosks for print coupons. Due to the promotional nature of these offers, availability is time-sensitive and subject to change.