Cvs Extra Thanks Event July 2022 Free Gifts And Promotions Guide

CVS Pharmacy's annual Extra Thanks Event returned in July 2022, offering ExtraCare members daily free gifts through the CVS mobile application. This 14-day promotion, running from July 10 through July 23, provided loyalty program members with an opportunity to receive full-size products across various categories at no cost. The event, accessible exclusively through the CVS app's "Deals & Rewards" section, demonstrated CVS's commitment to rewarding its nearly 75 million ExtraCare members with valuable promotions.

Overview of the CVS Extra Thanks Event

The CVS Extra Thanks Event, also referred to as "14 Days of Gifts," is an annual promotional offering that provides ExtraCare loyalty program members with free products and rewards. In July 2022, this event ran for 14 days, from July 10 to July 23, which was shorter than in previous years. According to available information, the event had lasted approximately 30 days in both 2019 and 2021, suggesting that CVS may have adjusted the duration for the 2022 iteration.

The event was structured to provide a different free item or offer each day, with values ranging from $1 to over $8. Unlike many sample programs that offer trial-size products, CVS's promotion included full-size items from their store brands and select national brands. The promotion was accessible to all ExtraCare members who had linked their accounts to the CVS mobile application, allowing for both in-store and online redemption options.

Eligibility and Participation Requirements

To participate in the CVS Extra Thanks Event, consumers needed to meet several eligibility requirements. First, they had to be members of CVS's ExtraCare loyalty program, which is free to join. New members could enroll directly through the CVS app by tapping the "Account" tab and selecting "Link your card or enroll" next to the ExtraCare logo.

Existing ExtraCare members needed to ensure their accounts were linked to the CVS mobile application to access the daily free offers. The free gifts were made available exclusively through the "Deals & Rewards" section of the CVS app, where members could find and clip the digital coupons for each day's offering. Once clipped, these coupons could be digitally sent to the member's ExtraCare card for redemption either in-store or online.

Participation was limited by inventory availability, as CVS noted that these free items were offered "while supplies last." This limitation meant that early access to the app was recommended to secure desired freebies before inventory was depleted. The CVS app provided functionality for users to check inventory levels at their local stores, helping shoppers plan their redemption timing.

Daily Free Gifts and Product Categories

The CVS Extra Thanks Event featured a diverse range of products across multiple categories. Each day offered a different item or reward, creating variety throughout the 14-day promotion. The complete list of daily free gifts during the July 2022 event included:

• Sunday, July 10: Free CVS Health First Aid Case ($3.99 value)
• Monday, July 11: Free CVS Health Melatonin 5mg Chewable Strawberry Tablets 60 ct. ($8.59 value)
• Tuesday, July 12: $3 off CVS Health First Aid product ($3.00 value)
• Wednesday, July 13: Free CVS Plastic Bandages 60 ct. or Flexible Fabric Bandages 30 ct. (up to $4.79 value)
• Thursday, July 14: Free CVS Health Antibiotic Ointment 0.5 oz. ($7.59 value)
• Friday, July 15: Free $1 ExtraBucks ($1.00 value)
• Saturday, July 16: Free CVS Health Dental Floss Picks 75 or 90 ct. ($3.29 value)
• Sunday, July 17: Free CVS Health Pain Reliever 50 ct. (up to $7.99 value)
• Monday, July 18: Free Gold Emblem Abound Heavenly Light Popcorn 5 oz. ($3.39 value)
• Tuesday, July 19: Free CVS Aloe AfterSun Gel or Lotion (up to $4 value)
• Wednesday, July 20: Free Gold Emblem Sparkling Water 33 oz. (up to $1.69 value)
• Thursday, July 21: Free CVS Airshield (10 ct. effervescent or 32 ct. chewable) or $8 off Live Better Elderberry (up to $8.29 value)
• Friday, July 22: Free $1 ExtraBucks ($1 value)
• Saturday, July 23: Free Golden Emblem Abound Omega Trail Mix 6 oz. ($3.79 value)

The products spanned several categories, including health and wellness items, personal care products, snacks and beverages, and monetary rewards in the form of ExtraBucks. This variety allowed participants to receive free items across different aspects of their shopping needs.

Product Values and Total Savings Potential

The value of individual free gifts during the CVS Extra Thanks Event varied significantly, ranging from $1 for ExtraBucks rewards to $8.59 for the CVS Health Melatonin Chewable Tablets. The average value of the daily offerings was approximately $4.45, with several items valued between $3 and $4.

For consumers who successfully redeemed all 14 free gifts during the event, the total potential savings amounted to $62.40 in free products and discounts. This substantial value proposition demonstrated the significant benefits of CVS's loyalty program and the retailer's investment in customer appreciation.

The inclusion of ExtraBucks rewards as two of the daily offerings provided participants with additional flexibility and purchasing power for future CVS transactions. These rewards, essentially store credit, could be applied to subsequent purchases, extending the value of the promotion beyond the initial 14-day period.

Redemption Process and Availability

The redemption process for CVS Extra Thanks Event free gifts was designed to be convenient for ExtraCare members. Once a digital coupon was clipped through the CVS app's "Deals & Rewards" section, it could be applied to purchases either in-store or online. In-store redemption required presenting the linked ExtraCare card at checkout, while online redemption applied automatically when using the same account for the purchase.

All free gifts were subject to availability, with CVS explicitly stating that offers were valid "while supplies last." This limitation created a sense of urgency among participants, as certain popular items might sell out before the end of their designated day. To help mitigate this issue, CVS recommended that shoppers check the app early each day to see the offering and visit stores promptly if they desired a particular item.

The event also featured the option for in-store pickup of online orders, with CVS highlighting that purchases could be ready in as little as one hour when using their free CVS Pickup service. This convenience feature helped ensure that participants could secure their free items efficiently, regardless of their preferred shopping method.

Comparison with Previous Years

The 2022 CVS Extra Thanks Event differed from previous iterations in several notable ways. Most significantly, the 2022 event lasted 14 days, which was shorter than the approximately 30-day events held in 2019 and 2021. This reduction in duration may have reflected CVS's strategy to create greater urgency and higher engagement during the promotional period.

The 2022 event also maintained consistency with previous years in offering a diverse range of products and maintaining the value of free gifts. Some of the most popular categories from prior events, such as CVS Health first aid products and snacks from the Gold Emblem Abound line, continued to be featured in the 2022 promotion.

The shift toward app-exclusive access that began in earlier years continued in 2022, with all free gifts being accessible only through the CVS mobile application. This digital-first approach aligned with CVS's broader retail strategy and the increasing preference among consumers for mobile shopping solutions.

Strategic Importance for CVS

The Extra Thanks Event represented a significant component of CVS's customer loyalty and retention strategy. By providing valuable free gifts to its ExtraCare members, CVS reinforced the benefits of its loyalty program and encouraged ongoing engagement with both the physical stores and the mobile application.

The event also served as a promotional vehicle for CVS's private label brands, such as CVS Health and Gold Emblem Abound. By offering these products for free, CVS exposed consumers to their quality and value, potentially driving future purchases of these brands.

From a marketing perspective, the 14-day format created multiple touchpoints with customers, keeping the CVS brand top-of-mind throughout the promotional period. The daily nature of the offerings encouraged regular app engagement, which CVS noted had resulted in a 40% increase in coupons sent to users' ExtraCare cards from the app in the preceding year.

Consumer Considerations and Best Practices

For consumers interested in maximizing the benefits of promotions like the CVS Extra Thanks Event, several best practices emerged from the 2022 iteration. First, early and regular app checking was essential to stay informed about daily offerings and secure desired items before inventory depletion.

Second, maintaining an active ExtraCare account linked to the CVS app provided the most seamless redemption experience. This integration allowed for instant access to offers and simplified the checkout process for both in-store and online purchases.

Third, understanding the value proposition of different types of rewards helped consumers prioritize which free gifts to pursue. While product offerings provided immediate value, ExtraBucks rewards offered flexibility for future purchases, potentially yielding greater long-term value for regular CVS shoppers.

Finally, planning shopping trips around the redemption of free items could optimize the overall shopping experience. By combining free gifts with other CVS promotions and sales, consumers could achieve maximum value from their shopping trips.

Conclusion

The CVS Extra Thanks Event of July 2022 demonstrated the retailer's commitment to rewarding its ExtraCare loyalty program members with valuable promotions. Through this 14-day event, CVS offered a diverse array of free products, including health and wellness items, personal care products, snacks, beverages, and monetary rewards in the form of ExtraBucks. The promotion, accessible exclusively through the CVS mobile application, provided significant value to participants, with total potential savings of $62.40 for those who redeemed all available offers.

The event highlighted CVS's strategic approach to customer loyalty, combining digital innovation with traditional retail elements to create an engaging promotional experience. By offering full-size products rather than samples, CVS demonstrated confidence in the quality of its products and its commitment to providing genuine value to its customers.

For consumers, the Extra Thanks Event represented an opportunity to access high-quality products at no cost while experiencing the benefits of CVS's loyalty program. The promotion reinforced the value of regular engagement with both the CVS app and physical stores, positioning CVS as a competitive player in the retail loyalty landscape.

Sources

1. Krazy Coupon Lady - CVS Extra Thanks July
2. WRAL - CVS Sales July 17-23
3. Freebies4Mom - CVS Freebie
4. Mass Market Retailers - CVS App Event