Score Big Savings: How to Get Free Magazine Subscriptions

Magazine subscriptions can add up quickly, but with some savvy shopping, you can score totally free issues on an ongoing basis. Getting free magazines delivered right to your mailbox is a great way to keep up with news, trends, and entertainment without spending a dime.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore some of the most popular methods for getting free subscriptions to your favorite glossies. With a range of techniques — from publisher special offers to reward program bonuses — you’ll learn multiple ways to enjoy the latest releases without getting hit by any subscription fees or mailing costs.

Take Advantage of Publisher Freebie Offers

One of the easiest ways to land a totally free magazine subscription is to go directly to the source — the publishers themselves. “Introductory offers” or “try before you buy” deals are common sales tactics magazines use to hook new readers.

These offers typically waive the cover price and mailing fees for an initial set of issues. Trial lengths can range from a few months to over a year. They represent a great no-strings-attached way to sample various titles across interests like:

• News and politics
• Health and fitness
• Food and cooking
• Home decorating
• Gardening
• Arts and crafts
• Sports and recreation
• Science and technology
• And much more

When the introductory free issues stop arriving, you can decide if you want to continue with a paid subscription or simply enjoy the free ride while it lasted.

“From heavyweight news reporting to quirky indie releases — get ready to be surprised and delighted as free magazines turn up monthly in your mailbox.”

Here are some top magazines currently offering free trials worth grabbing:

The Week

The Week delivers a unique digest of the latest world news, events, and cultural coverage from over 150 international sources in one compact read. Enjoy nine free issue with no delivery fees.

Get the deal here »

Food Network Magazine

For those who live to cook and eat, Food Network Magazine serves up insider cooking tips, recaps of popular shows, and pages of crave-worthy recipes. Get eight free issues with free shipping when you sign up.

Get the deal here »

HGTV Magazine

If you’re looking for renovation inspiration, the latest interior design trends, and DIY decor tips, check out HGTV Magazine. Score a free one-year subscription valued at $36.

Get the deal here »

Women’s Health

Stay motivated and look your best with workout tips, nutrition advice, and more from Women’s Health magazine. Get up to five free giftable issues.

Get the deal here »

When perusing publisher freebie offers, keep the following tips in mind:

• Compare trial lengths. Shorter intro terms of 3–5 issues may signal lower quality. Go for longer trials when possible.
• Watch the expiration date. Don’t let your free deal lapse into a paid renewal without deciding if you want to continue.
• Cancelveniently. If you’re not enjoying the free subscription, cancel hassle-free before getting billed.
• Go direct. Avoid third-party magazine deal sites and sempre sign up through the publisher’s official website.

Following popular magazines across social media can clue you into whenever they make free subscription deals available to new readers. So stay tuned into your favorites.

Cash in Credit Card Rewards

If you want to score free mags while also padding your wallet, then cashing in credit card rewards points could be the way to go. Many travel, airline, and general rewards cards offer magazine subscriptions as incentives you can claim.

Issuers like Chase, Citi, Capital One, Bank of America, and American Express all include dozens if not hundreds of popular magazine titles in their loyalty rewards stores. And more niche credit unions and banks also let members exchange points for free editorial content.

“Ditch the newsstand hassle and enjoy free issues mailed on the regular simply by trading in your credit card rewards stash.”

Rates can vary, but commonly you can get a full year’s subscription for anywhere from 800 to 2,000 points depending on the magazine and program. Compare this to paying $10-$20 per issue on average if buying individually at the grocery store checkout!

To start racking up points for magazines, consider rewards cards like:

• Chase Sapphire Preferred®
• Capital One Savor Rewards
• Citi Premier® Card
• Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards
• Wells Fargo Go Far Rewards

Be sure to check each program’s initial bonuses and earning rates on categories like travel, dining, groceries, streaming services, etc. to maximize the points you’re bringing in.

Then visit their redemption portals and browse the magazine options available. Here are some of the hottest titles up for grabs:

Cosmopolitan

Fun, fearless females will find the latest on fashion, beauty, relationships and pop culture in glossy mega-mag Cosmopolitan. Grab a one-year subscription for as little as 800 airline miles.

Food & Wine

For under 2,000 points, Food & Wine serves up five-star cuisine content including recipes, restaurant guides, wine recommendations and more in eight coveted annual issues.

Wired

Get insight into emerging technology, digital culture, entertainment and more with 12 monthly issues of tech trailblazer Wired, usually starting around 1,500 points.

Bon Appétit

If you’re hungry to level up your cooking skills with seasonal dishes, restaurant secrets, and test kitchen tips, 12 months of Bon Appétit starts at just 1,250 points.

And once you redeem those initial subscriptions, many programs will let you continually renew the mags year after year for more points without interruption.

Enter Contests, Sweeps & Rewards Programs

In addition to credit card incentives, tons of contests, giveaways, surveys, loyalty clubs, and bonus opportunities across brands regularly offer magazine subscriptions as prizes.

These promotions represent fun, shareworthy ways to win your way into free media content. And people are winning them every single day.

“With so many brands looking for consumer participation online, you have plenty of chances to score freebie mag subscriptions just for sharing your opinions.”

For example, brands like:

• Consumer Cellular — Monthly magazine giveaways open to wireless plan members
• Ocean Spray — Submit UPCs from products for rewards catalog options
• MyPoints — Earn points with retailers for redeemable rewards like mags
• Oprah Magazine — Sweepstakes, surveys and bonus panels lottery draw coupons
• Perrigo — Product reviews equal contest entries to win magazine gift cards
• Anderson’s — Loyalty program earns free subscriptions and more

Beyond contests and games, many magazines themselves encourage readership through rewards clubs offering free issues for engaging with their brand.

Participate in surveys, read promotional emails, share articles socially, refer friends, leave reviews…these small acts of loyalty can pay off in free entity.

For example:

• Martha Stewart Living — Earn Martha Points through recipes, DIYs, surveys etc.
• Sports Illustrated — Get an Annual Pass via drawings by reading, referring etc.
• Real Simple — Join Rewards and complete “Missions” for chances to win subs
• Family Handyman — Refer new email subscribers for mag gifts
• Inc. — Leave reviews for chances at loyalty freebies

So be sure to sign up for as many magazine rewards programs as you want to receive. Taking just a few minutes to participate or check in on their brands can lead to mailbox surprises.

Refer Friends

Leverage the power of sharing to score complimentary magazines simply by getting the word out about free trial offers.

Many publisher deals allow readers to gift free subscriptions to multiple friends, especially for popular titles aimed at women and families.

So when you come across a hot freebie deal for yourself, go ahead and share some digital love and unlock additional free copies.

For example:

• Food & Wine — Refer up to five friends for six free issues each
• Better Homes & Gardens — Share a special link for six free issues per referral
• Good Housekeeping — Give five friends eight free trial issues

Even after the initial offer ends, you may unlock bonus rewards through ongoing friend referrals:

• Real Simple — Get a free tote bag for every five refs
• FamilyFun — Score free bonus issues each time a friend subscribes

Referral rewards help publishers grow subscriptions while letting you rack up the freebies for sharing. So be sure to blast hot deals that come your way.

Because who couldn’t use a little more beauty, inspiration, laughs, tips, and discoveries arriving at their front door at no cost?

Extend, Repeat & Complete the Set

Once you score an initial free magazine subscription, get your money’s worth by extending it as long as possible.

Before your introductory offer lapses, take advantage of re-engagement deals and renewal incentives publishers typically provide existing subscribers.

Special savings like:

• 2 years for the price of 1
• 60–90% off cover prices
• Bonus Issues
• Retention Gifts
• Early Renewal Discounts

Usually you can find the best continuing subscriber deals by following renewal reminders in your mailbox or the brand’s email newsletters.

Glossies know it’s cheaper to retain readers than acquire new ones, so they’ll entice you stick around if you call to cancel.

When your extensions run out, don’t hesitate to repeat the same new subscriber offers detailed earlier.

Magazines frequently run identical free trial promos year after year. As long as you wait an appropriate amount of time in between (check terms), you can rotational through freebie deals.

Finally, bundling multiple magazines together into discounted combo packages or “All-Access Memberships” provides another way to cheaply extend your free subscription score.

For example:

• Hearst Magazines — Cosmo, Good Housekeeping etc. for as low as $4 per title a year
• Meredith Titles — Better Homes & Gardens, Shape etc. at up to $5 off per magazine

Soon enough your mailbox will overflow with free mags to fuel inspiration all year long.

Maximize Your Freebie Formats

Scoring free physical magazines is just one way to soak up all that glossy goodness. Don’t forget to also tap into digital access that many free offers include.

Activate complimentary tablets apps, websites access, print+digital bundles, downloadble PDF editions and more.

Modern publishers cater to diverse reader preferences across formats like:

• Apple iOS Apps
• Google Play Editions
• Amazon Kindle and Fire Issues
• Texture by NextIssue Unlimited Libraries
• Zinio Digital Newsstand
• Magster Online Portal Access
• And more

Compare deals to choose the subscription format(s) that best align with your reading habits. That way you can enjoy full free access no matter if curled up on the couch or scrolling through your phone.

Gift Free Magazines to Family, Friends & Charities

Once your own magazine basket overflows thanks to this blueprint of freebie subscription tips, pay the savings forward.

Look for gift subscription deals and donation programs to share free (or crazy discounted) issues with others:

• Friends & Family
• Retirement & Assisted Living Facilities
• Schools & Community Centers
• Hospitals & Shelters
• First Responders & Military
• And More

Spread the word to teachers seeking classroom magazines or charities that could use comforting content for the people they support. Various foundations and donation programs accept magazine contributions across causes like:

• Literacy & Education
• Health & Wellness
• Community Building
• Veterans Support
• Environmental Awareness

Free and low-cost periodicals provide knowledge, joy, and connection to readers around the world. So take advantage of magazine publisher philanthropy programs that amplify your own freebie haul while making an impact.

Bring on the Freebies!

As you can see, countless consumer-friendly deals and insider opportunities for scoring free magazine subscriptions exist across popular newsstand glossies.

Now that you’re armed with this blueprint of tips, tricks and resources, you’ll never pay full price for magazines again. And you can look forward to that beloved ritual of fresh reads arriving at your door for free.

So why not treat yourself while also staying informed? Dive in and enjoy free periodicals around your favorite topics delivered on the regular. From weekend splurges to weekday quickies, let the free binge reading commence!