Free Paramount+ codes run dry: Now what?

It’s been a great run, but after four years, the free Paramount+ code streak has come to an end.

For those in the know, Paramount+ has been easy to get for free through a seemingly never-ending supply of coupon codes, which allowed new and returning subscribers alike to subscribe in one-month increments. These codes had been readily available since at least early 2020, back when the service was still called CBS All Access.

All that changed earlier this month, when the last known Paramount+ coupon code (LODGE24) stopped working with no available replacement. I’ve been keeping an eye out for new codes through various sources, so far to no avail.

While I can’t say for sure that Paramount+ won’t dole out more codes in the future, the drought has gone on long enough to make other options worth considering. In lieu of getting Paramount+ completely free, here are some alternatives:

Work your free trial options

Paramount+ still offers a one-week trial for new customers, which might be enough to watch a particular show or sporting event.

Once you’ve exhausted your free week, you can sign up through third-party subscription marketplaces such as Amazon Prime Video Channels, Apple TV Channels, and Roku Channel Premium Subscriptions. Each of those subscriptions have their own seven-day trials attached. (Just make sure to cancel immediately after signing up to avoid being auto-billed when the trial ends.)

Free Paramount+ (with ads) with Walmart+

For $98 per year, Walmart’s free shipping and grocery delivery service also includes free access to the ad-supported version of Paramount+. While this wasn’t much of a deal in the era of free Paramount+ codes—which even worked with the ad-free plan with Showtime—it might be worth considering now.

Note that new Walmart+ subscribers can get 30 days free, amounting to a kind of backdoor one-month Paramount+ membership. That could come in handy if you’re just looking to binge-watch a show or two. (American Express Platinum cardholders can get Walmart+ for free year-round, though the card itself has a $695 annual fee.)

Get half-off a year of Paramount+ with Showtime

Paramount+ is currently running a promo that takes 50% off one year of Paramount+’s ad-free tier, which also includes Showtime. That brings the price to $60 for one year.

Up to three months of Paramount+ with Amex

Via Doctor of Credit, American Express cardholders can get up to three statement credits of $11.99 apiece when spending $11.99 on Paramount’s premium tier with Showtime. That effectively gets you three months for free. Perhaps the free codes will be flowing again by the time those few months are up.

Sign into the Amex Offers website for confirmation, and note that the promo period ends on August 3. (You’ll also need to cancel the service after the promo period to avoid being billed automatically.)

25% off Paramount+ for students and military

The Paramount+ military discount takes 25 percent off either the Essential plan or the premium plan with Showtime. That brings the price to $4.50 per month or $45 per year with ads, or $9 per month or $90 per year without. The discount applies indefinitely after you’ve verified your status with SheerID.

The Paramount+ student discount isn’t as generous, as it only applies to the monthly Essential plan with ads, but at least it applies for four years after verifying your status.

Take 10% off with code AARP

You needn’t be retired to shave a little bit off the cost of Paramount+. Just use the code AARP at checkout to take 10 percent off any plan, including annual subscriptions. It’s not a great deal, but it’s better than nothing.

Get six months of Paramount+ with Mint Mobile

New Mint Mobile customers can currently get six months of Paramount+ Essential for free. Unfortunately, existing Mint Mobile customers get nothing.

Look for comeback deals

As always, cancelling your subscriptions is a great way to open yourself up to seasonal sales and comeback deals. Since Paramount+ stopped offering free codes for everyone, I’ve heard from a couple of readers who received individual codes for a free month via email, having previously cancelled their subscriptions. Paramount+ also sometimes offers “Wait, don’t go” deals after you click the cancellation button on its website.

Practice patience

I wouldn’t rule out the possibility of new Paramount+ codes—or, at the very least, seasonal sales—in the future. My longstanding motto is that cord-cutting favors the patient; so, if you’re not itching to watch anything on Paramount+ right now, you might as well wait it out. I’ve been sending out Paramount+ codes on a regular basis in my Cord Cutter Weekly newsletter, and will continue to do so if they reemerge in the future.