Two Interesting #CokeRewards Promos: #Free #Cinemark Movie Ticket + #Free World of Coca-Cola Ticket

Ever since Coke revamped its rewards program, the pickings have been slim. The "prizes" are mostly awarded via sweepstakes. Occasionally, an actual reward (input X codes, get this...) will popup. I keep an eye out for these. The chance to win a prize can be nice, but it's only a chance versus a guaranteed exchange. I prefer a bird in the hand.

Both of these promotions may require you to download and install the new Coke Rewards app, which is named simply Coca-Cola, if you haven't already. (Some rewards opportunities appear in the app only.) I was a beta-tester for the new Coke Rewards app and never really ventured back to the site. So I haven't visited the Coke web site to check whether these also appear there.

If you're unfamiliar with Coke Rewards, basically most Coke products have codes or icons on them. You save the codes and input them to enter sweepstakes or sometimes to get select rewards directly. (Sip & Scan icons work on the same premise and mainly function as an alternative to code entry.)

If you like movies or museums/attractions, then you may like these currently available rewards.

Reward 1: Scan or input 15 product codes and you'll unlock a General Admission Adult Ticket to the World of Coca-Cola. This promotion expires 09-Oct-18. The e-ticket itself expires 31-Dec-2018. You can complete this offer once.

Reward 2: Scan or input one code (or icon) and receive a Free Cinemark Movie Club One-Month Trial Membership, a movie watching subscription service (similar to MoviePass or AMC Stubs A-List). The trial includes One Free Movie Ticket, concessions discounts and more. A Credit Card is required to sign-up for this Cinemark Movie Club trial. The membership will automatically renew, if not canceled. This promotion expires 24-Sep-2018. Limit one per account.

What are you waiting for, get thee to the app store!

Lookout For Coke's New Iconic State Flavors #Beverages #Soda

Coke State Flavors

Some time ago, I received an email from the Coca-Cola Company touting its new Coke variations, based upon iconic State flavors. There were like 4 flavors in the first batch which were mentioned in the email, but of course, the only two I recall are Georgia Peach and California Raspberry, my dual home states. I have yet to see any of them in-store, but then again, I seldom go out to shop Brick & Mortar any longer. I'm almost exclusively an online shopper.

A friend recently spotted some of these sodas in the wild -- quaintly, he still shops in physical stores -- and was kind enough to text me a shelfie of Georgia and California side by side. I'm curious to try them. Apparently they contain natural fruit flavors and pure cane sugar like "Mexican" Coke.

What other flavors should Coke include in the line? Have you tried any of the flavors already available? What did you think?

#WeeklyRewind: That's So Last Week! #Deals #Coupons #Rebates #Freebies

I love both quality and value and have little interest in brand name (without one or both of the aforementioned characteristics propping it up). My shopping is geared toward finding the best deals on things I want, will actually use or use as gifts for others. Toward this end, I scored several fun shopping deals over the last week, including 1-cents Folgers Ground Coffee (11.3 oz plastic canister), 79-cents Ocean Spray Ruby Red Grapefruit Juice (64 fl oz bottle), a free V8+Energy Drink (12 fl oz can), a free Starbucks Hearty Brown Rice Salad, nine free 12-packs of assorted Coca-Cola products, five bags of "Cooked Perfect" Meatballs (14 - 20 oz assorted varieties) for $3.86 total and a 13 oz jar of Nutella for 25-cents, in addition to the other deals (like a free coffee grinder and free toy bowling set) mentioned previously in my posts over the past week. Not a bad haul!

But today begins another week, so I'm excited to see what I can find this time around. Tomorrow is Pi Day, so perhaps some free or cheap pizza at the very least? The hunt for deals is such a fun pastime!

Morning: #Annular #SolarEclipse #Skywatchers + Evening #OscarsParty #Oscars2017

There will be a "Ring of Fire" or Annular Solar Eclipse visible in South America and Africa this morning. Would have loved to be able to witness it from here, but no such luck for us North American skywatchers. Will look for pictures online later. I'm certain somebody will get some spectacular shots and post them.

Meanwhile, I'm prepping for our Oscars 2017 Party this evening. We generally don't actually watch the awards show itself (which is most often too long-winded and self-congratulatory) except for the original song performances, but we will have it on the telly as background noise during the festivities. We're making 7-Layer Nachos, assorted veggie fries (including French fries) and jalapeno poppers for snacks. There's also Key Lime Pie and (in a nod to the Oscar statuette) Golden Oreos for sweets. For beverages, we've got Cheerwine Milkshakes, assorted Coke products (for floats, shakes & mixers) and a full bar.

We play movie trivia games and debate our own award selections. Should be a fun evening. And then early next week, we'll be partying more, because... Mardi Gras! I happen to adore the idea of surprise trinkets hidden in food --- as long as one is forewarned --- so, of course, I love King Cake. (So help me, I'm finding that baby this year.) Looks like February is going out with a blast!

My Coke Rewards Holiday Catalog: Free #Soda + Movie Ticket

All my favorite sodas are cherry-flavored. As a child, I sipped Cheerwine and Cherry 7Up whenever I could and then added Cherry Coke, Cherry Sprite and Cherry Dr. Pepper to the stable as I got older. This is interesting, because I don't generally like cherry-flavored-anything-else. I don't like cherry yogurt or cherry pie. I love FRESH cherries off the vine, but not things made with cherries, except for soda. The palette can be an odd thing, I reckon. (I feel similar about blueberries. Love the plain fruit, don't like many blueberry-flavored items.)

Anywho, this brings me to My Coke Rewards (MCR) which is intended to reward folks for drinking Coke products. Most Coke products come with a rewards code printed on them. Codes have different point values depending on the product (size/serving). After you register for an account, you simply collect these codes and input them at the website, mycokerewards.com and bank the points. The website also includes a rewards catalog featuring items  for which you can redeem your banked points.

Being a native Georgian, I am required to drink Coke products. Well, it would seem that way at least. My father was such a hard-core Coke fan for most of his life, that we kids used to joke he had Coke in his veins instead of blood.

The Holiday Catalog often provides the most value for your points as the Coca-Cola Company puts up rewards at a discounted points redemption. Many folks bank points all year in order to redeem them at the holidays. One of the most fun rewards that is included each year is a Free Sparkling 12-Pack Coupon for 30 points. Considering it normally costs ~50 points to redeem for single-serve drink coupon (16oz, 20oz, 32oz depending on product) that is mailed to you, getting a 12-pack for less is a great reward. The Holiday Catalog also generally includes some version of an AMC Movie Ticket + Free Concession Drink, plus assorted gift cards all available for reduced points.

The program has been going on for a number of years, I've been a member for at least a decade. It used to be more robust in the variety and type of rewards offered, but has changed over the years. However, it still provides an added value for me because I like soda and drink it anyway, so may as well get something back.

Looking forward to my free twelve-pack. Will I go for Cherry Coke or will Cherry Sprite be available in stores? Choices, choices.