The End Of Freebies How Companies Are Phasing Out Perks And What Consumers Can Still Access

The landscape of free services and promotional offers in the United States is undergoing a significant transformation. Major companies across various sectors are implementing changes that restrict or eliminate previously accessible benefits, reflecting a broader shift in how businesses approach free offerings. From social media platforms modifying their developer access policies to retail establishments tightening membership requirements, consumers are experiencing what many are calling the "end of freebies." This article examines how these changes are affecting users, what free services and perks remain available, and how consumers can still access valuable benefits without cost.

Social Media Platforms Ending Free Developer Access

Social media platforms Reddit and Twitter have recently implemented substantial changes that effectively ended free access to their application programming interfaces (APIs). These APIs, which allow third-party applications to interact with the platforms, were previously available without charge. Under Elon Musk's leadership, Twitter dramatically increased prices for its API and eliminated the free tier, effectively dismantling its entire developer ecosystem. This move led to popular third-party apps like Twitterrific and Tweetbot offering refunds to users as they ceased operations.

Reddit followed a similar path earlier this year, with CEO and co-founder Steve Huffman explicitly citing Elon Musk as an inspiration behind the company's decision to stop allowing developers to access the site's API for free. The developer of the Apollo app, one of the most popular third-party Reddit clients, indicated that running his application would cost approximately $20 million annually under the new pricing structure. These changes have sparked significant backlash from Reddit users, with reactions described as "ugly" across the platform.

Both company leaders have justified these changes by citing the use of their APIs by artificial intelligence systems like OpenAI's ChatGPT without remuneration. The shift from free to paid API access reflects a broader trend of companies seeking new revenue streams in an increasingly competitive digital landscape. While the immediate impact has been felt most acutely by developers and users of third-party applications, these changes may eventually affect how regular users interact with these platforms.

Retail Establishments Restricting Access to Perks

In the retail sector, Costco has recently moved to restrict access to its food court, a perk that was previously available to both members and non-members. The retail giant is reportedly implementing stricter enforcement of a policy that has technically always required membership for food court access, though enforcement has varied significantly across locations nationwide.

A sign posted at a Costco store in Orlando, Florida, announced that "effective April 8, 2024, an active Costco membership card will be required to purchase items from our food court." This change directly impacts access to the company's famous $1.50 hot dog and soda combo deal, which has long been considered an accessible perk even for non-members. The store encouraged visitors to "join today" and directed them to the membership counter for details.

While Costco has long been known for its leniency with non-member visitors, the company has gradually tightened restrictions over time. In 2020, multiple media outlets reported that Costco expanded membership requirements to include outdoor food courts, which previously did not require a Costco card. These changes reflect a broader trend in retail where companies are increasingly limiting benefits exclusively to paying customers, potentially reducing the appeal of casual visits to stores for non-members.

Remaining Birthday Freebies and Promotional Offers

Despite the trend of companies phasing out free services, numerous food establishments continue to offer birthday freebies to customers who sign up for their loyalty programs or email clubs. These perks remain accessible to consumers and provide tangible benefits without cost.

Restaurant birthday freebies include: - A free scoop of ice cream on your birthday at participating establishments - A free birthday milkshake from Arby's for members of their Birthday Club - Free Dippin' Dots for members of the Dot Crazy program - A free dessert for members of Jack's BBQ Pitmaster Club - A free donut and coffee for Krispy Kreme Rewards members - A free sweet treat on your birthday for MyPanera Rewards members - A free dessert on your birthday for Olive Garden E-Club members - A free dessert for My Chili's Rewards members - A free dessert for dine-in customers at Capital Grille - A certificate for a FREE Milk Shake on your birthday for Burger Lounge online registrants - A FREE colossal brownie Sundae on your birthday for Buca di Beppo E-club members - Free yogurt for TCBY email subscribers - A free dessert on your birthday at Von's 1000 Spirits - Free chocolate-covered strawberries on your birthday for members of The Melting Pot's online club

Some retailers also offer birthday month benefits, such as American Eagle Outfitters, which provides 15 percent off during a member's birthday month for those who sign up for their rewards program. These programs typically require customers to provide their birthdate when registering for an account or loyalty program, after which they receive notifications about their upcoming birthday benefits.

Senior Discounts and Educational Opportunities

Older adults continue to have access to various free and discounted programs across different sectors. Educational opportunities include free noncredit courses at community colleges in the Los Angeles area. Santa Monica College has offered a free noncredit Emeritus program for 50 years, and Pierce College in Woodland Hills provides a similar program called Encore for adults over 50. These programs allow seniors to audit a variety of classes, from art and concert music to political science and occupational training. Los Angeles City College also offers free noncredit courses for all adults.

Some universities offer paid programs with reduced fees for seniors. UCLA's Senior Scholars Program at Longevity Center allows auditing one class for $175 and up to four classes for $625. UC Irvine's Osher Lifelong Learning Institute costs $25 in the summer, $160 per semester during the spring and fall, and $235 for the whole year, with unlimited class options for older adults. Most of these educational programs offer online classes to accommodate various preferences.

In the food service sector, numerous restaurants offer senior discounts, with some providing specific freebies. Dairy Queen and KFC offer a free drink for adults 55 and up. TheSeniorList website maintains a regularly updated list of restaurants offering discounts and freebies for seniors, though these benefits may vary by location, so calling ahead is recommended.

The Evolution of Free Services to Premium Tiers

As companies seek to balance providing free services with generating revenue, many are implementing tiered systems where basic features remain free while premium options are available for a fee. The FreeStuff bot, for example, maintains its core features as free for all users while offering additional benefits for premium subscribers. These premium features include notifications about Prime Gaming deals, games, and in-game content; customization options; and automation capabilities.

This model allows companies to maintain a user base while generating revenue from those willing to pay for enhanced features or experiences. Netflix provides another example of this approach, having successfully implemented a crackdown on account sharing across multiple households. Despite initial customer grumbling, Netflix subscriptions increased following this policy change, demonstrating that consumers may adapt to new restrictions when presented with clear alternatives.

Similarly, Meta and Twitter have implemented verification systems with premium tiers, offering additional benefits beyond the previously free verification mark. Meta promises better customer support for verified subscribers, while Twitter Blue users receive editable tweets and fewer ads. Twitter even disabled SMS two-factor authentication for non-paying users, making it a premium feature. These changes represent a fundamental shift in how companies monetize services that were previously free.

Conclusion

The landscape of free services and perks in the United States is undergoing significant transformation, with numerous companies implementing changes to restrict previously accessible benefits. Social media platforms like Reddit and Twitter have ended free API access, affecting third-party developers and users. Retail establishments such as Costco are increasingly restricting benefits to members only.

Despite these trends, numerous freebies and discounts remain available to consumers. Birthday freebies from restaurants and food establishments continue to provide value, while educational opportunities and senior discounts offer benefits to specific demographics. Companies are also experimenting with tiered service models that maintain free basic features while offering premium options for those willing to pay.

As consumers navigate this evolving landscape, staying informed about available benefits and understanding the changing terms of service will be increasingly important. While the era of unlimited free services may be ending, opportunities to access valuable benefits without cost continue to exist for those who know where to look.

Sources

1. Tech Generosity Over Silicon Valley: Replacing Freebies with Airline-Style Upcharges, Fees
2. No More Freebies: Costco Cracks Down on Food Court Access
3. Birthday Freebies in Seattle
4. Best Freebies, Discounts for Seniors in Los Angeles
5. Free Stuff Bot