7 Ways Seniors Can Get Free Stuff From Companies (If They Ask)

Nowadays, many businesses understand the value of catering to your demographic. They often offer complimentary items or special discounts in return for reviews or even word-of-mouth marketing.

In the article below, you will find creative ways to get these free perks.

1. Sign Up for Loyalty and Membership Programs

Many companies use loyalty programs to reward regular customers with free items, exclusive discounts, or reward points. Seniors can often access additional perks by signing up with these programs.

Retail and Grocery Store Rewards Programs

Stores offer reward systems allowing older adults to earn cash back or points on what they buy, eventually leading to free items. For example, you can get free health supplements if you already have enough points on your Walgreens rewards.

Some retail and grocery stores with discounts and rewards programs for seniors include the following:

• AARP Rewards: Members enjoy discounts on daily essentials like gas and groceries, earning points that can be redeemed for exclusive rewards.
• Kohl’s Rewards: Provides 5% cash back on purchases, with additional discounts like 15% off for seniors every Wednesday.
• Ross Dress for Less: Offers a 10% discount every Tuesday for customers 55 and older.

Restaurant Birthday Clubs

Joining a restaurant’s birthday or loyalty club can provide delightful perks like free meals, desserts, or other treats to celebrate your special day. The following are some restaurant birthday clubs you can join:

• IHOP Pancake Revolution: Members get a free full stack of pancakes on their birthday.
• Red Lobster’s Fresh Catch Club: You can get a free appetizer like a shrimp cocktail or a free dessert for your birthday.
• Olive Garden eClub: You get a complimentary dessert when you dine in the restaurant on your birthday.
• Baskin-Robbins Birthday Club: You get a free scoop of ice cream on your birthday month.
• Buffalo Wild Wings Join Blazin’ Rewards: You get a free snack-sized order of wings on your birthday.

Hotel and Travel Loyalty Programs

Signing up for hotel and airline loyalty programs is an excellent way to earn free stays, upgrades, or other perks. Below are some examples of hotel and airline loyalty programs.

Hotel Loyalty Programs

• Hilton Honors: Offers free nights and exclusive member discounts through accumulated points.
• Marriott Bonvoy: Provides free nights, room upgrades, and travel packages.
• IHG One Rewards (Holiday Inn, Intercontinental, etc.): Grants free stays and flexible rewards that can be redeemed through dining or other hotel experiences.

Airline Reward Programs

• Delta SkyMiles: Extends free flights, upgrades, and access to exclusive travel lounges.
• American Airlines AAdvantage: Points can be redeemed for flights, hotel stays, or car rentals.
• Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards: Earn points for free flights, seat upgrades, and other perks.

2. Reach Out Directly to Companies

Sometimes, a direct approach can be surprisingly effective and lead to free samples or promotional items. Companies appreciate feedback or customer engagement and usually respond positively to requests.

Request Free Samples or Coupons

Contacting companies through their website or email is an easy way to request free samples or product coupons. Companies often give these items away to people interested in their products. It’s an excellent way to try new items at no cost.

When you sign up on Dove’s or L’Oreal’s website, you can get free soap packets, skincare products, or makeup samples. Meanwhile, Sephora gives out free samples of their skincare, makeup, or fragrances with your purchase or upon request in stores.

Provide Positive Reviews on Products or Services

Leaving positive reviews for brands you love or often use can also lead to freebies or thank-you gifts. Companies reward loyal customers who promote their products online.

Starbucks Rewards gives points or free drinks when customers leave reviews or feedback via their receipt survey system. Meanwhile, Fitbit offers free straps or accessories to loyal customers who post favorable reviews or feedback on their products online.

3. Take Advantage of Senior-Specific Discounts and Promotions

Many businesses go beyond standard discounts for older adults. They have senior-focused deals offering complimentary items or services. You can score free meals or drinks, or even event tickets.

Free Drinks or Meals

Restaurants and cafes frequently offer seniors complimentary beverages or desserts on specific days.

Denny’s has branches that occasionally provide free coffee or drinks to older adults and a dedicated 55+ Menu with discounted meal prices. McDonald’s and Chick-fil-A also offer free or discounted coffee for seniors at participating locations.

Complimentary Museum, Cinema, or Event Tickets

Museums, theaters, and parks often extend seniors free admission or discounted tickets. Some even have specific days when older adults can access events for free.

Shakespeare in the Park in New York, Chicago, and other locations host free performances during summers, with priority seating available for seniors. On the other hand, the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York City offers free admission to visitors aged 65 and over on the first Friday of every month.

Meanwhile, some community-supported Regal Cinemas offer free movie screenings for older adults during specific senior appreciation events. Seniors 60 and above enjoy discounted tickets at participating Regal Cinemas nationwide.

4. Participate in Surveys and Focus Groups

Many companies rely on seniors’ input for market research and product development. In return, they can get free products, gift cards, or even cash for their participation.

Product Testing Opportunities

Many brands send free products to older adults in exchange for their honest feedback. A good example is Philips Lifeline, which seeks older adults to test personal emergency response systems (PERS) and related medical alert devices. Testers get the products for free in return for feedback on effectiveness, usability, and comfort.

Online Survey Platforms

Websites like Swagbucks, LifePoints, or InboxDollars reward users with gift cards for completing surveys. Swagbucks lets users earn points they call “SB” when they finish online tasks like answering surveys, playing games, or watching videos. These points can be redeemed for cash through PayPal or gift cards.

Meanwhile, LifePoints offers users the chance to earn points by completing surveys on different topics, which can be used for gift cards, PayPal cash, or charity donations. InboxDollars pays users to take surveys, watch videos, play games, and shop online. They can cash out their earnings through PayPal, gift cards, or checks.

5. Leverage Social Media and Company Websites

Social media platforms and company websites are goldmines for freebie opportunities and giveaways. Many companies host giveaways or respond to customers directly on their Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram accounts. Engaging with them can lead to free items.

Participate in Social Media Giveaways

Many companies regularly host contests on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram, where winners can receive free products. All you have to do is follow them on social media to stay updated and join their giveaways.

The following are some of the brands that often conduct these social media giveaways to consumers and followers:

• Starbucks: They give away gift cards, merchandise, or free drinks to winners of their giveaways on Instagram and Twitter. For example, they encourage users to share photos with their seasonal cups for a chance to win free drinks for a year during a holiday campaign.
• Target: They run Instagram giveaways offering product bundles, home decor, or gift cards as prizes. They recently gave away a $500 Target gift card to a winning participant of a campaign where they asked people to like and comment on a post.
• Amazon: Amazon hosts product giveaways on Twitter and Instagram, often asking users to follow accounts or retweet posts to enter. A recent giveaway extended free Echo Dots to participants who used a designated hashtag and followed the company’s account.

Engage With Brands Online

Commenting on or tagging brands in posts can sometimes lead to unexpected rewards like exclusive perks or freebies. Many companies actively monitor their social media channels to build customer relationships and boost their image.

They reward enthusiastic or loyal customers who share personal stories, creative posts, or genuine feedback about their brand, products, or services. Sometimes, their thank you comes in discount codes, free samples, or even full-size products.

Some of these companies include:

• Coca-Cola: The company is known for engaging with fans on Twitter and Instagram. Users who showcase Coca-Cola products in their posts and use brand hashtags like #ShareACoke may get rewards like branded merchandise or personalized Coke bottles.
• Oreo: This cookie brand frequently interacts with fans who tag them in creative posts featuring their cookies. Those who post fun art or innovative recipes using Oreos can get limited edition flavors or exclusive product bundles from the company as rewards.
• Lush Cosmetics: Lush has a strong media presence and is popular for interacting with avid consumers. Fans who post about their favorite Lush products and tag the brand on Instagram often get thank you or direct messages with offers of free samples or early access to new product lines.

Look for “Free Sample” Pages

Many business websites have dedicated pages for requesting free samples. Users usually fill out short forms to ask for these samples, which range from beverages and snacks to household products and skincare items. Sometimes, they also partner with other companies to offer free samples for them.

Companies do this to attract new customers and showcase their products’ quality. People trying their products this way promotes brand loyalty and word-of-mouth marketing.

SampleSource partners with various companies to distribute free household or personal care items, or food. Users create profiles on the website and choose the available samples. These will be delivered for them to try out for a review or a rating.

6. Explore Senior-Friendly Organizations and Nonprofits

Some organizations focus on providing seniors with free products like medical equipment, mobility aids, or household items. These groups understand that many older adults live on fixed incomes, making it hard for them to afford necessities.

These nonprofits offer hearing aids, walkers, bathroom grab bars, and kitchen tools for free or subsidized. They may also provide free assistive technology like magnifiers or voice-activated devices.

Charitable Organizations

Nonprofit or charitable organizations provide gently used or surplus medical equipment at minimal to no cost. Other organizations include:

• Goodwill Home Medical Equipment: They offer gently used medical equipment like crutches, walkers, and hospital beds for free or at a low cost.
• Free Wheelchair Mission: They grant free wheelchairs to seniors and other people in need worldwide.
• Lions Club International: They extend free or low-cost hearing aids and eyeglasses through assistance programs for older adults and underprivileged individuals.

Senior Resource Centers or Fairs

Communities often have senior resource fairs to connect older adults with valuable resources, services, and products to support their well-being. These events happen at local community centers, churches, or other public venues and serve as one-stop hubs where the elderly can access essential information and items.

These fairs usually distribute free hygiene kits, fresh produce, canned goods, or meal kits to attendees. Some also hand out free medical supplies like first aid kits, pill organizers, or mobility aids like walkers or canes. These events also have booths offering free health screenings, financial advice, or information about senior assistance programs.

The Aging Well Resource Fair in Denver is one example of these senior resource fairs. Others include the Senior Health & Wellness Expo in Chicago, the Senior Resource Day in Austin, and the Senior Expo by California’s Commission on Aging which are held in various locations.

These fairs foster inclusion and a sense of community among elderly people. Aside from providing material aid, they empower seniors to improve their quality of life by connecting them with vital community resources and networks.

7. Check Specialized Freebie Websites

Many websites now connect users to free products, ranging from household to entertainment items. Seniors, or anyone, can community recommendations or target offers on these platforms.

Freecycle and Craigslist

Freecycle is a nonprofit network that promotes the reuse of items by connecting people giving away items with those who need them. Users can post listings for free items like clothing or appliances, fostering environmental sustainability by keeping usable items out of landfills.

Meanwhile, Craigslist is an online classified ad platform where users can sell, buy, trade, or give away various items like electronics or furniture. The site also has a dedicated “free” section where businesses or individuals can post items they want to give away, making it an excellent resource for finding necessities without cost.

Dedicated Freebie Sites

Websites like Freebie Shark, Free Stuff Finder, or Slickdeals are centralized hubs for finding free offers, deals, and giveaways. These platforms curate and update promotions and limited-time offers, providing users with various items they can get for free.

Freebie Shark has free samples, like snacks, beauty products, or cleaning supplies, while Free Stuff Finder provides various deals like gift cards, printable coupons, or free trial subscriptions. Meanwhile, Slickdeals has an active user community that posts and votes on the best deals, including high-value freebies like tech gadgets, grocery coupons, or free streaming service trials.

Ask, Search, and Unlock Free Opportunities Daily

Asking for free items might seem unconventional, but it’s an effective and underutilized way to try new things and save money. Many companies and organizations are now happy to send out freebies to seniors who reach out to them, and plenty of opportunities are available.

Getting free stuff isn’t about luck. It’s about knowing where and how to get them. The strategies here show receiving complimentary items is easy, even if you are an older adult. You simply engage with businesses and organizations and grab opportunities when they come.