The only thing better than having a rich cup of coffee in the morning is not having to pay for it. If your workplace doesn't provide you with complimentary coffee, or you just don't like the taste of it, there may be some other options available to you to score some java for free.
Brewed Coffee
Most national coffee chains offer opportunities for freebies. It's a way to grow their customer base and keep loyal fans coming back. Take advantage of the following special offers.
- Become a Perks member at Caribou Coffee and you'll get a free coffee after your first visit as a member. You'll also get a free coffee on your birthday. Your purchases will also count toward reward point you can redeem.
- Sign up for Starbucks Rewards and you can earn points toward free coffee every time you visit. The company also sometimes releases special promotional codes, which you can redeem without having to make a purchase.
- Stop by Peet's Coffee for a tasting. They happen twice a month at select locations. You will get to try new and seasonal flavors for free. Check the schedule to find one near you.
- Visit the Seattle's Best Facebook page and like it. Oftentimes there will be a free sample button on the left side of the page. Click on this link and enter your address to receive a free sample of a current blend by mail.
- Join DD Perks and earn a coupon for a free beverage just for signing up. You'll get an additional free Dunkin' Donuts coffee on your birthday and every time you earn 200 points.
- Watch the McDonald's promotional page. The chain often has free coffee offers. In March of 2014, the company gave away free breakfast coffees for an entire two-week period.
More Tips
Make the rounds on National Coffee Day, September 29. Each year several national chains, like Dunkin' Donuts, Starbucks and Krispy Kreme use this day as an opportunity to hold tastings and/or give out free samples.
Also, go to store grand openings. Oftentimes, when a new franchise opens, the company will draw attention to it by offering free coffee to a certain number of visitors. Check your local paper to see when these events will occur. It's likely the company will publish an ad or calendar mention.
Packages of Coffee
Visit and follow the Facebook pages for companies like Keurig, Gevalia, Nescafe, Tasters Choice and Folgers. They often have offers to get free coffee samples by mail, but they are usually up for a very limited time.
Here are some more tips for getting free samples of packaged coffee:
- Write letters or emails to instant coffee companies telling them how much you like their products. It's likely they'll send you samples or free coupons, especially if you inquire about their new products.
- Go to coffee shops right before they close. Sometimes they will give away leftovers that are expiring to keep the selection fresh.
If you frequent a local shop, ask the barista if they have a loyalty program, such as a punch card you can use so that after a certain number of visits you get a free drink. Some also have promotions if you provide them with your phone number or email address.
Driver-Friendly Spots
Whether you're at your local fill-up station or you're on a road trip, keep an eye out for signs offering free coffee with the purchase of gasoline. It brings customers into the store and helps prevent them from falling asleep on the road.
All rest areas in the state of Oregon offer free coffee to travelers during business hours. It's likely rest areas in your state follow suit, although it is not publicized. Again, this is an attempt to keep tired drivers operating their vehicles safely.
A Word of Caution
When you're looking for free coffee over the Internet, always stick to companies' official pages. A lot of scammers will post fake freebie links in an attempt to capture your personal information. There are enough legitimate places available that there is no reason to even take a chance on these offers.
