It's a Family Tree DNA Thanksgiving Offer, A Variety of Tests on Sale until Nov. 22

Normally, Family Tree DNA starts its annual holiday sale around this date each year and that sale runs through December 31 along with added mystery holiday rewards each week for test kit owners but it appears the company is mixing things up this year.

This year it is a Thanksgiving Offer sale at Family Tree DNA until November 22, 2018. A large variety of DNA tests are on sale similar to what has been seen prior in its annual holiday sales. Shipping and taxes are extra which vary depending on where the test is being shipped. Shipping to Michigan was $12.95 (the last we know of) which covers receiving and sending the test.

The new Family Tree DNA test kit box.

Also new this year, Family Tree DNA tests will come in a box suitable for gift wrapping and presentation. While all the other DNA testing companies have used printed boxes for shipping their tests to customers, Family Tree DNA continued to ship their tests simply in poly-shipping bags with just the test kit items and the padded envelope used to send the completed test back to FTDNA. As a "gift" it was not that fantastic looking despite all the cool and helpful information and access to tools one would receive with the results.

So which tests are on sale? 

On its DNA test pages of the website, you can see a variety of DNA tests on sale.

Individual Tests
Autosomal Test (male or female) 
Family Finder is now $49, regularly $79 save $30 
This is the test's lowest price offer and it does not happen often.

Y-DNA Test (male-only, father's direct male line) 
Y37 test is now $99, regularly $169 save $70

Y67 test is now $179, regularly $268 save $89

Y111 test is now $219, regularly $359 save $140

Big Y-500 test is now $499, regularly $649 save $150
Expert Level. Note: the Big Y500 includes the Y111 test which gets added to your cart as part of buying the Big Y-500.

mtDNA Test (male or female, mother's direct female line)
mtFull Sequence test is now $139, regularly $199 save $60
 
But that is not all that is on sale ...

If you sign into one of your Family Tree DNA tests, click on upgrades and at the top click on original pricing you will see the complete list of items on sale for the Thanksgiving Sale. The bundled test prices are good for new customers and current customers. The upgrade pricing applies to those existing kits that already have their results. We have included a list of the rest of the sale items below.

If you need help or have questions, customer service is available during the regular business hours of the company which is in the Central Time Zone. Check the FTDNA website for details.

Bundled Tests (for one individual)
Autosomal Test with Y-DNA Test (multiple tests "packaged" as one test kit for one male)
Family Finder with Y37 test package is now $143, regularly $238 save $95
 
Family Finder with Y67 test package is now $223, regularly $337 save $114

Family Finder with Y67 test and mtFull Squence test package is now $362, regularly $536 save $174

Family Finder with Y111 test and mtFull Squence test package is now $402, regularly $637 save $235

Autosomal Test with mtFull Sequence Test (multiple tests "packaged" as one test kit for one person who can be male or female) 
Family Finder with mtFull Sequence package is now $183, regularly $268 save $85

Upgrades for Existing Y-DNA and mtDNA Test Holders 
mtPlus to mtFull Sequence upgrade is now $109, reg. $159
y12 to y37 upgrade is now $69, reg. $109
y25 to y37 upgrade is now $35, reg. $59
y37 to y67 upgrade is now $69, reg. $109
y37 to y111 upgrade is now $148, reg. $228
y67 to y111 upgrade is now $89, reg. $129

y12 to Big Y-500 upgrade is now $489, reg. $629
y25 to Big Y-500 upgrade is now $489, reg. $599
y37 to Big Y-500 upgrade is now $459, reg. $569
y67 to Big Y-500 upgrade is now $399, reg. $499
y111 to Big Y-500 upgrade is now $349, reg. $449


You can compare these sale prices to those of the previous years' holiday sales by clicking on the FamilyTreeDNA label of this blog to see all posts about Family Tree DNA. Look for posts in November of the previous years for holiday pricing. As an example, last year a Y-37 DNA test was on sale for $129 (reg. $169) but with one of the weekly holiday rewards (often seen was a $20 off Y37, Y67 or Y111 test) that price dropped to $109. So this year's sale price of $99 is even better than last year's holiday sale pricing with a weekly holiday reward if you were lucky to get one you wanted.

If you (and the test you manage) belong to an FTDNA Project such as a Y-DNA surname project or geographical project, check if additional pricing discounts are offered with this sale. Normally, FTDNA project members receive pricing discounts on test prices.

Please remember, if you already have a DNA test at Family Tree DNA and want to upgrade that test to include another type of DNA test that is on sale (buy an upgrade to your existing test,) simply sign into that particular DNA test kit and then place the order. You will need to do this for each test separately if you plan to upgrade multiple tests. 

Also, remember that Family Tree DNA also has a DNA Automsomal Transfer option. Autosomal DNA Transfers can be done with 23andMe V3 or V4 tests; AncestryDNA V1 and V2 tests; and MyHeritageDNA tests. The initial transfer is free for a look at your matches and when it is complete it is just $19 to unlock the test to see more and be able to contact matches. We have two posts here and here that explain DNA Autosomal Transfers. An autosomal transfer is a data upload only so no physical test kit is mailed.

One genetic genealogist's advice for autosomal transfers is this: If you tested at MyHeritageDNA or on AncestryDNA v1 chip (with results back before May 2016) then do a transfer. If you tested at 23andMe, LivingDNA or on AncestryDNA v2 chip (with results back May 2016 and after) then purchase a FamilyFinder (autosomal) DNA test. DNA tests on the newer chips share less tested/sampled locations with the Family Tree DNA chip so you will get your closer DNA matches but not as many more distant matches.

Family Tree DNA does not require an annual subscription. Each test kit has its own login/password. You can manage your own test or allow (give access) to someone else to do so for you. Inside the test kit is a release form the tested person signs and sends with the samples so the DNA can be tested. There is also an option to indicate Beneficiary Information (who gets access to your DNA after you are gone) in the test kit account settings.

Unlike many of the other DNA/Genealogy testing companies, Family Tree DNA uses swabs to collect the sample not a spit tube. Swab collection makes it easier for elderly family members who often generate less spit to take a test. Family Tree DNA also is one of the few DNA testing companies that stores the DNA samples so upgrades (other test types) can be added later. And at just $49, the Family Finder (autosomal) DNA test is a great way to get started. 

See you soon at Mt. Clemens Public Library!
LE