It’s been less than one month since Facebook launched its new deals service on top of its still-nascent Places platform. But that hasn’t stopped it from lining up some of the US’s biggest brands in time for the holiday season. A few minutes ago, the social network posted a note that shows just how many companies have already climbed on board to offer deals over the holidays. Note that some of these have already been announced (including the charitable Southwest Deal that donates $1 per check-in to the Make-a-Wish Foundation), but seeing them in one place makes it easier to gauge how much traction the feature is getting.
So why is this important? As we’ve discussed before, these location services are in a race to snap up deals with as many national brands as possible, in addition to the longtail of local businesses. Some of these brands want exclusivity (they don’t want to be on the same location service as a competitor), and brands will probably work with one or two location services instead of taking a shotgun approach so as to minimize shopper confusion. And many people are just trying out location apps for the first time — if they start associating deals with Facebook (or Foursquare or SCVNGR or Gowalla) then that might the app they turn to first in the future.
Of course, Facebook isn’t the only service with big brands on board. Foursquare is currently doing some very interesting things, with Safeway and Pepsi, and had plenty of deals lined up with national brands for Black Friday today, with offers from the likes of Toys R Us and RadioShack. And SCVNGR recently signed up Coca Cola for a big holiday promotion.
Here’s the Facebook overview, via the note posted to Facebook’s Places page:
Southwest Airlines: Donating $1 per check in towards air travel to the Make-a-Wish Foundation.
Hard Rock Café: Donating $1 to WhyHunger to fight childhood hunger and poverty worldwide. Through December 31 (or up to $100,000).
JC Penney: Check in to receive $10.00 off $50.00 purchase towards an assortment of merchandise and services.
H&M: The first 2000 check-ins will receive 20% off any item of your choice.
Starbucks: Donating $1.00 per check in to Conservation Intl to help protect 5,000 acres of forest.
24 Hour Fitness: Donating $1.00 to KaBOOM! for every person who checks in using Facebook Places.
The North Face: Donate $1.00 to the National Park Foundation for every individual who checks in at one of America’s nearly 400 national parks or visits a The North Face retail location.
REI: Supporting local conservation efforts, each time you check in at an REI store, REI will donate $1 to a local nonprofit.
The Palms Casino Resort, Las Vegas: Check in to receive an offer to extend your stay for one extra night at no cost. If you can’t stay the extra night, receive a room upgrade.
TAO and LAVO, Las Vegas: Check in at TAO Las Vegas or LAVO Las Vegas and receive complimentary admission for you and one guest on your next visit.
Harrah’s: Offering a number of Deals at its various properties for people who check in at each location.
Bally’s: buy one Jubilee! ticket and get one free.
Paris Las Vegas: buy one Eiffel Tower Ride pass and get one free.
Rio: get free admission to the VooDoo Lounge.
The Flamingo Las Vegas: buy one Paradise Garden Buffet and get one free.
O’Sheas Las Vegas: buy one drink at the Dublin Up Bar and get one free.
Harrah’s Las Vegas: buy one Flavors Buffet and get one free.
The Imperial Palace: buy one Emperor’s Buffet and get one free.
Caesars Palace: buy one Lago Buffet and get one free.
Planet Hollywood: buy one Spice Market Buffet and get one free.