Are You Vaccinated? Claim These Discounts and Freebies as a Reward
More Americans are getting their COVID-19 vaccinations every day, hopefully bringing us closer to the pandemic's end. And while that should be incentive enough to get the shot, some companies and states are starting to sweeten the deal with freebies, discounts, and even million-dollar lotteries. Here are some other places where flashing your vaccine card might get you more than a thumbs-up, including Panera, Chipotle, and other big names.
Related: A State-by-State Guide to Vaccine Incentives
Carb lovers, get ready: Panera will give all vaccinated customers one free bagel per day from July 2-4, the store has announced. No other purchase is required, but the offer is good only for customers ordering in person at their local bakery-cafe.
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Bring a buddy to Chipotle after 3 p.m. on July 6 to enjoy a buy-one-get-one-free entree offer for vaccinated customers. The chain previously gave away 250,000 free burritos to health-care workers as a pandemic thank-you.
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If you still haven't gotten your vaccine, Walgreens is dangling $25 in Walgreens Cash as an incentive to do it in store. Don't have a myWalgreens account? No problem: You'll get a $25 Walgreens gift card instead. The offer is good through July 3, and you can make an appointment online.
You can't beat the convenience of grocery delivery, and Instacart is offering the chance for some free food dropped off right at your front door. If you're vaccinated, you can enter to win a $500 Instacart gift card, a prize the company will give to 200 lucky recipients. Enter the contest right here through June 30. Residents of New York and Florida aren't eligible.
While many states have offered a variety of incentives to lure reluctant residents to get their vaccinations, the most popular offer by far: Money, both in the form of million-dollar giveaways and college scholarships. Louisiana is the latest state to announce a big lottery, joining states including California, Colorado, Massachusetts, Ohio, and many others.
Related: A State-By-State Guide to Vaccine Incentives
Verizon is offering an additional 10% off any one accessory they offer, which can range from smart home devices, game controllers, headphones, and more. The discount is also stackable, so it can be used as an additional discount on already reduced-price items. The discount is also available to first responders and teachers.
West Virginia recently grabbed headlines by announcing it would not only give out two grand prizes of $1.6 million and $580,000 to residents who have been vaccinated, but two custom trucks, 10 custom hunting guns, five lifetime hunting and fishing licenses, and more.
Related: You Won't Believe These Weird Vaccine Incentives
United passengers who uploaded proof of vaccination to its sweepstakes website have a shot (pun intended) to win a round-trip flight for two anywhere in the world (where United flies). Thirty winners will be chosen, and five will get the grand prize: one year of free flights for the winner and a companion. Prizes will be doled out by the beginning of July.
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Let's do this, America: If 70% of American adults get at least their first vaccine shot by July 4, beer giant Anheuser-Busch says everyone 21 and up will be eligible for a free drink. All the details are here.
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How's this for a sweet reward? Show your vaccination card at Krispy Kreme and you can get one free original glazed doughnut every day from now until the end of the year. You must show up in person to get your freebie — online orders or deliveries aren't eligible.
If you're a Shake Shack-loving New Yorker, your vaccine could be a ticket to a free meal. Anyone who gets their vaccine on an NYC mobile vaccine bus can get a voucher for a free burger while supplies last.
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A vaccine could be your ticket — literally — to the Super Bowl in 2022. Fifty tickets will be up for grabs in a giveaway for vaccinated fans, the NFL has announced. You can also snag a 25% discount at NFLShop.com for receiving your vaccine. Meanwhile, NASCAR will be giving away Daytona 500 tickets, while Major League Soccer will offer vaccinated fans a 30% discount on merchandise and the chance to go to the 2021 MLS All-Star Game. (More of a baseball fan? Some MLB teams are offering ticket deals for vaccinated fans — keep reading.)
Kroger is following in the footsteps of several states with its own vaccine lottery. People who get their COVID-19 vaccine at Kroger or its family of stores can register here for a chance to win one of five $1 million drawings. There are also some pretty nice consolation prizes: During each million-dollar drawing, Kroger will draw 10 winners of free groceries for a year.
Related: 18 Secrets for Shopping at Kroger
The nation's largest pharmacy chain has teamed up with several other companies to offer hard-to-beat prizes. Those who get at least their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine at CVS or from a CVS pharmacist at an off-site clinic by July 10 are eligible to win five $5,000 giveaways, 10 seven-day cruises with Norwegian Cruise Lines, a VIP trip to the Super Bowl, and much more. Enter here.
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Get vaccinated at your favorite team's stadium and you can nab free tickets and other incentives courtesy of Major League Baseball. Check the specifics for your local team here.
Related: 17 Tips for Scoring a Deal on Baseball Tickets
Nutmeg State Gov. Ned Lamont announced on May 24 that Connecticut has launched an umbrella incentive campaign coined "Summer On Us," which includes more specific programs aimed at providing the vaccinated with free food, drinks, and fun. You can learn more about specific events and offers here.
If you haven't received your vaccine yet, Target is offering a nice incentive to get your shots from one of its 1,700 in-store CVS pharmacies. Right now, it is giving out coupons for $5 off in-store purchases when shoppers get immunized at Target. Appointments can be made online.
Related: 17 Insider Secrets for Big Savings at Target
Safeway, Albertsons, and several other prominent grocery chains are targeting those who haven't received their vaccine yet. Do it in store and you'll get a coupon for 10% off a shopping trip. Visit the White House's vaccine incentives hub for a list of all participating stores.
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If you're not yet vaccinated and live in one of the six Midwestern states where supercenter and grocery store chain Meijer is located, it also has a nice incentive for getting the shot in one of its in-store pharmacies: a coupon worth $10 that's good toward any purchase. Already vaccinated? There's a deal for you, too: Show your completed vaccination card — from any provider — at a Meijer pharmacy and you'll get a coupon for $10 off a $50 purchase.
If you're willing to share a vaccination selfie on Instagram, online shopping rewards app Drop will give you from $20 to $50 in points that can be redeemed at a wide range of places, including Amazon and Starbucks. You have to use the hashtag #DropCovid and tag the company, @JoinDrop.
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The ride-sharing giant has pledged to provide free rides on appointment day for those getting their COVID-19 vaccines at Walgreens. The initiative is part of a larger effort to provide up to 10 million free or reduced-rate rides for those who need help getting to and from vaccine appointments.
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For its part, Lyft has partnered with CVS, the YMCA, and others to provide free rides to vaccine appointments for those in need. Rides are coordinated through community nonprofits.
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It's hard to say where and when we'll need to flash proof of COVID-19 vaccination in the future, but two of the nation's major office-supply chains are pitching in to keep your card in top shape. You can take it in for free lamination through July 25 at Office Depot and OfficeMax.
Related: From Harry Potter to Louis Vuitton: Convenient and Clever COVID-19 Vaccine Card Holders
If you've got life insurance through John Hancock, make sure you're a part of its Vitality rewards program before you get your shots. Participants who get their COVID-19 vaccines will get 400 reward points that can go toward perks like discounts on travel, retail, food, and fitness wearables.
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You've lived through history, so now go soak up some more for free at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library in Springfield, Illinois. Through June, visitors can receive free admission with proof of vaccination. Select the ticket option "COVID" when booking online.
What better way to blow off pandemic steam than with a few classic video games? Up-Down, an arcade chain with locations in six Midwestern cities including Minneapolis and St. Louis, will give fully vaccinated customers 20 free tokens, an offer that will stay on the table through the end of summer.
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In addition to national chains, here are just a few of the local restaurants offering vaccine discounts:
Jose Andres: If you're recently or soon-to-be vaccinated and live around Washington, D.C., celebrity chef Jose Andres has a great deal for you: a $50 gift card. Those who show they were vaccinated May 8 or later can get the deal at Jaleo DC, Jaleo Crystal City, Oyamel, Zaytinya, or China Chilcano.
Market Garden Brewery: How’s a 10-cent beer sound? This Cleveland brewery is giving the ultra-cheap brewskis to everyone who shows their complete COVID-19 vaccination cards.
Nathan's Famous: This iconic New York City spot will give a free hot dog to patrons who visit the Coney Island shop on the same day of their vaccination and show their vaccine card.
Oak and Reel: This special-occasion Italian restaurant in Detroit has been offering vaccinated patrons a hefty 50% off.
Rumbleseat Bar & Grille: This restaurant in Chicopee, Massachusetts, is offering 20% off all food orders on Mondays for customers who show proof of vaccination, as long as mask mandates remain in effect.
Super Duper Burgers: How do some free fries sound? Snap a picture of yourself at your vaccine site, then post it on Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook with hashtag #covidvaccine. Show the picture to the cashier at one of these San Francisco-area restaurants and dig in.
Uno Dos Tacos: Get some free chips and salsa at this San Francisco restaurant by following the same process from sister chain Super Duper Burgers.
Village Tap: This Chicago bar has been offering a $10 gift card "as a token of our gratitude" to the first 1,000 customers who show proof of vaccination.
Washington is hoping to take the sting out of getting vaccinated by offering marijuana. The Joints for Jabs promotion is available for those 21 and over who are getting first or second shots until July 12. Participating marijuana retailers will be providing the prerolled joints, and the offer cannot be applied to other products. This isn't the first vaccination promotion Washington has had to push vaccination numbers, by the way — the state also gave the thumbs up to a free beer, wine, or cocktail offer.
