I was attempting to finish an article about the Family Tree DNA conference this past weekend and include special conference sale price information, but it looks like that article just isn’t going to happen right now.
Typically, the conference is held in November, so the Holiday Sale begins the last day of the conference. That’s not the case this year, so Bennett announced a special sale just for conference attendees, project members, and through me, you too! Read on, because these sale prices are NOT available to the general public although you can certainly share with your families.
Thank you Bennett!!!
The good news is that while I realize I just can’t get that article written right now, I’m providing the sale price information which is only valid through month end. These are really good prices.
- $30 off Family Finder ($49) – Use Code: GGC19FF
- $50 off Y-37 ($119) – Use Code: GGC19Y37
- $70 off Y-67 ($198) – Use Code: GGC19Y67
- $70 off Y-111 ($289) – Use Code: GGC19Y111
- $200 off Big Y-700 meaning have never taken any Y DNA test ($449) – Use Code: GGC19BIGY
- $50 off MtFull Sequence ($149) – Use Code: GGC19MTFULL
If you have taken one of the Y DNA STR tests, have never taken the Big Y-500 but want to upgrade from an existing 12, 25, 37, 67 or 111 marker STR test to the Big Y-700, here are the upgrade codes:
All coupons codes expire March 31, 2019 and may not be used in conjunction with other promocodes, discounts, or offers.
Big Y-700 Upgrade – $179
The greatly anticipated Big Y-700 upgrade is now available.
In addition to the above sale prices for purchases, Bennett is offering the introductory upgrade price to move from the Y-500 to the Y-700 at just $179 through the end of the month. I was actually very surprised to see the price this low since it’s an actual rerun.
Family Tree DNA reviews each order to assure that enough DNA remains for the test. If not, they will reach out to you before processing begins to request another vial. If the tester is deceased, meaning they can’t provide an additional sample, please notify Family Tree DNA so that they can flag the sample for special handling in the lab, if necessary.
I wrote about the Big Y-700 here. If you want to read the scientific nitty-gritty, the Big Y-700 white paper is here. The white paper refers to the Big Y and compared to the Big Y-700. The Big Y is the same test as the Big Y-500, the difference being that Family Tree DNA added the additional STR markers for free (totaling 500) for all testers who had taken the Big Y and renamed the test at that time to Big Y-500.
To recap the benefits of a Big Y-700 as compared to the Big Y-500:
- Big Y-700 provides 50% increase in quality SNPs over Big Y-500
- Provides quality reads of Y chromosome regions not previously available
- An additional 200 STR markers bringing the total from at least 500 to at least 700
- Better coverage meaning fewer no-reads
Note that with the improved sequencing technology, it’s possible that men run on the Big Y-700 platform may not exactly match men run on the earlier Big Y-500 platform. If you’re working with a group of men who you “need” to be on the exact same platform in order to derive family lineages, then you’ll want all of the men on the same platform so you are comparing apples to apples. In the case of the Estes project, I’m hoping that the new technology will further divide my roughly 10 Big-Y men into distinct lineages in order to provide increased granularity.
I know that the price will increase after month-end and I don’t want anyone left behind. With my luck, the man I don’t upgrade will of course be the one with a newly-to-be-discovered mutation that I need.
If you are interested in upgrading from an existing Big Y-500 to a Big Y-700, there is no code needed. Click here to sign in to your account and then click on the upgrade button on your Y-DNA section of your personal page.
You’ll then see the Big Y-700 upgrade, but only at this price for a few more days.
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I have a Y-37 kit. My current upgrade price to Big Y-700 is showing as $569 ($649-80). When I try to apply the GGC19BIGY code, it tells me “This coupon requires a greater amount to be purchased”. Perhaps it only applies to brand-new kits that don’t require an upgrade…?
No, it should work. You may need to initiate a chat with support for assistance.
As a followup, there are now additional discount codes to upgrade from an existing STR kit to the Big Y-700. The other upgrades are from an existing Big Y-500 to a Big Y-700, or to purchase a new Big Y-700 kit from scratch for someone who has never done any Y DNA testing at all. Now, the upgrades from Y STR tests (12, 25, 37, 67 and 111) to a Big Y-700 are included with separate discount codes. I’ve updated the article to show the discount codes.
The same thing for my husbands kit! will not give me the 449.00 price with the GGC19BIGY code! Upgrading from Y37 to Y700.
I just talked to FTDNA. You’ll need to call support or do the chat.
As a followup, there are now additional discount codes to upgrade from an existing STR kit to the Big Y-700. The other upgrades are from an existing Big Y-500 to a Big Y-700, or to purchase a new Big Y-700 kit from scratch for someone who has never done any Y DNA testing at all. Now, the upgrades from Y STR tests (12, 25, 37, 67 and 111) to a Big Y-700 are included with separate discount codes. I’ve updated the article to show the discount codes.
As a followup, there are now additional discount codes to upgrade from an existing STR kit to the Big Y-700. The other upgrades are from an existing Big Y-500 to a Big Y-700, or to purchase a new Big Y-700 kit from scratch for someone who has never done any Y DNA testing at all. Now, the upgrades from Y STR tests (12, 25, 37, 67 and 111) to a Big Y-700 are included with separate discount codes. I’ve updated the article to show the discount codes.
As a followup, there are now additional discount codes to upgrade from an existing STR kit to the Big Y-700. The other upgrades are from an existing Big Y-500 to a Big Y-700, or to purchase a new Big Y-700 kit from scratch for someone who has never done any Y DNA testing at all. Now, the upgrades from Y STR tests (12, 25, 37, 67 and 111) to a Big Y-700 are included with separate discount codes. I’ve updated the article to show the discount codes.
OH – I sure hope that I am doing this correctly for I tried to paste in a screen shot then got a something else.
I tried looking for the upgrade price of $179 but even when I used your “click here” then when to “upgrade” on the account I saw the price of $549.
Is the $179 price over already?
Thanks, Pattie
No, not at all. You have to sign in to your account. Then, if you have already taken the Big Y test and you click on upgrade, the $179 will be the first item on the upgrade page.
Thank you — No I had not taken the Big Y but the Y-37. When folks start talking about Y — I get confused. Thank you that it explains it. Pattie
As a followup, there are now additional discount codes to upgrade from an existing STR kit to the Big Y-700. The other upgrades are from an existing Big Y-500 to a Big Y-700, or to purchase a new Big Y-700 kit from scratch for someone who has never done any Y DNA testing at all. Now, the upgrades from Y STR tests (12, 25, 37, 67 and 111) to a Big Y-700 are included with separate discount codes. I’ve updated the article to show the discount codes.
Are you sure you have it right there? The White Paper compares Big Y 700 to Big Y. No mention is made of Big Y 500. Big Y came out in 2013. Big Y 500 in 2017. Are Big Y and Big Y 500 the same thing, only adding access to the STRs?
Yes, the Big Y 500 added the STRs. So they are the same.
It seems to me that the listings for Big Y, 500 & 700 have changed at Family Tree DNA to Big Y.. Last time checked Big Y 700 was listed . Now the it is listed as Big Y only? I does show 850+ snips. I believe don’t need to upgrade.
Hi Robert. The only test that can be ordered from scratch today that is a Big Y is the Big Y-700. You can not order a Big Y or its successor, the Big Y-500 anymore. You can, however, upgrade from the Big Y/Big Y-500 to the Big Y-700.
Is it posdible that it will change my terminal haplotype?
Yes, it’s possible.
Indeed it could Duane. One of my relatives ordered an upgrade to Y500 in November, so was one of the first to receive Y700 results in February. For a couple of weeks his terminal haplogroup was a known one from Y500.
A couple of weeks later I noticed the terminal SNP had changed. Due to a couple of ‘close’ (as in the MRCA is about 1000 years ago) matches also receiving their Y700 results a new branch was found, with another branch downstream (which my relative is negative for).
He has 17 private variants so there is still considerable potential for further branching in the future as others test which is exciting. Y-DNA has been a steep learning curve for me, and extremely interesting.
Roberta,
Thank you for posting this news and these codes!
The timing was perfect for us.
I am trying to upgrade my big Y-500 but proceed to checkout does not work.
You’ll need to call support or use the chat.
Will the BigY 700 (or the 500 before) replace the STR, either 37,67, or 111…or I have to order both as separate tests, the SNPs test (bigY) and the STR separately?
If you order the Big Y 700 and have never ordered any STR tests, then they are included. Otherwise order the upgrade from the level you have tested too. The article is updated to reflect special upgrade pricing.
Thank you Roberta for your clear answer. I have another question: I have done the Big Y 500. I have only one match, Southern Italian like me, but different surname and not genealogically connected. If I upgrade to the Big Y 700, and loose that match, does it matter? Interesting that I have also done the STR 111, and I only have matches at the 12 markers level (different surnames and not genealogically related), and not one more at any of the other levels and at any distance!
You will probably still match them.
Thank you. I’ll upgrade and see what happens while I study this more.
Roberta –
Did I misunderstand how the current sale is being offered?
We want to upgrade one of our Male FF Kits to “Y67”.
When using the code below –
$70 off Y-67 ($198) – Use Code: GGC19Y67
– the comment override message allowing only $30. off.
Any suggestions ?
The first set of numbers are direct purchase prices, not upgrades. The second set of prices are upgrades to the Big Y-700. There aren’t any upgrades from one STR level to another STR level. Sorry.
Thank you for this notice about the sales. I was able to pick up some family finder tests at a very good price. I know that Myheritage uses the same labs as FTDNA (or uses FTNDA’s labs) but I am curious to know if it’s the same test/chip as FTDNA or does Myheritage measure fewer markers than FTDNA? Thank you….
They use the same exact chip.
Roberta it is now mid July. My project member believes cost of 111 marker str test counts against cost of big y as sn upgrade. Csr at ftdna said same thing but didn’t know an str from a snp and thought they’re all snps. Cant find anything about upgrade to big y discounts on ftdna web site. Where please is this information on that site or does it no longer apply?
The sale is over, but, if you order a Big Y upgrade, the price reflects any untested STR markets. So the customers gets the STRs and the Big Y.