Drug stores can be really tricky. I am no master of them, but I have definitely learned a lot in the last few months.
First thing: join the loyalty programs! There really is no reason not to. Rite Aid has their Health+Wellness program and CVS has an ExtraCare program. Walgreens does not have one to join at this time. Joining these will enable you to get the best deals. Bonus: if you prescription is at either Rite Aid or CVS, you'll earn bonus points or bucks, depending on the program.
How they work:
Rite Aid: when you use your card on specially marked products, you will earn Up+Rewards. These Up+Rewards will be found at the bottom of your receipt. Okay, tricky part: you will earn both points for dollars spent and Up+Rewards. The points will translate into a shopping pass, for example x-amount of points will earn you a 10% off entire transaction. *Prescriptions will earn you points faster.* The Up+Rewards are just like getting a Rite Aid gift certificate at the bottom of your receipt. You can use these on your next transaction.
CVS: Probably the coolest one, simply because there is a Coupon Center at all CVS locations. You flash your card and out pops coupons. You can even scan your card multiple times a trip! When you use your card at check out, you will earn Extra Care Bucks. Much like the Up+Rewards, these are CVS gift certificates that you can use on your next transaction.
Walgreens: For some, this is the most frustrating. Others, this is the most flexible. Walgreens does not have a loyalty card, and therefore does not track your purchase history. You can still earn things, though. They have Register Rewards that will print on the bottom of your receipt. Just like the others they are Walgreens gift certificates. Okay, this is how walgreens is frustrating: no card=not tracking, which means if they limit, it is only per transaction, not per person. Which leads me to some special notes about the cards:
~Rite Aid and CVS have limits on certain products that you can buy and earn the rewards on. They track this with your card, so you can't go back the next day and earn more rewards. The limit is for the entire week. Walgreens, however, does not track. So, technically, you can go in everyday and then buy the limit per person. Usually, though, the limit that you can buy and earn rewards for is really small: only 1 or 2. My guess is that people take advantage of this system..or lack thereof...because tons of people complain of bare shelves in their Walgreens on all the forums.
Okay: How to get those rewards on the bottom of your receipt:
Check the ads. Every week the drug stores will put out a circular with all of their deals. Pay close attention. They will all point out what can earn you those rewards on, how much the reward is for, and in fine print, what the limit is.
Example: Let's say one of the ads shows Gillette Deodorant sale price as $3, and there is $2 reward you can earn, and limit is 1. You can go in, get the deodorant, swipe your card if applicable, pay the $3, and then earn the $2 gift certificate. Spent $3, made $2. *If you bought two, only one $2 reward will print at the bottom of your receipt. That limit that they put on it, is really for the reward. You can technically buy all you want, you'll only earn whatever the limit is for the rewards. I, personally, would not exceed it.* However, if there is a different product that you can earn rewards on, you can buy that within the limit, and earn those rewards too. On my recent trip to CVS, I earned 3 different ExtraCare Buck amounts at the bottom of my receipt from 3 different products.
I'll tell you how to get the most out of these rewards soon!
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