After weeks of sharing drugstore coupons at Walgreens, CVS, and Rite Aid, I decided it is time for a detailed comparison of the free loyalty programs at each chain. I listed everything you need to know about each store, including my overall impressions. Which is your favorite drugstore rewards program?
By joining these free loyalty programs you’ll get lower prices on many items in the store, just as you would at the grocery store.
Links to drugstore reward programs
Walgreens coupon policy
Rite Aid coupon policy (PDf)
Rite Aid Single Check Rebate program
CVS does not list their coupon policy online. Request a copy at customercare@cvs.com or by calling 1-800-746-7287.
March 29th, 2011 at 9:44 am
Julia…Thanks for doing all this legwork for us! Most appreciated!
March 29th, 2011 at 10:24 am
In NJ CVS EB for items in that weeks flyer appear immediately on your receipt. Expiration date is longer than Walgreens,
March 29th, 2011 at 10:58 am
Hey I think the CVS chart is wrong — The ECBs appear at the end of the transaction. Which means you can use them immediately on your next transaction. The 2% rewards appears quarterly and are totally separate from the weekly ECBs you earn per purchase of the featured ECB earning product. — Otherwise great chart
March 29th, 2011 at 11:39 am
All the info was great until overall impression; I use these all the time and would score them the opposite: walgreens is worst because u cant buy a RR item with a RR so you have to buy some overpriced item to send the RR. CVS is the best as the rr print out at the bottom of your receipt and u can buy anything and use coupons too.
March 29th, 2011 at 12:18 pm
I wish Clarks Pharmacy (Mr. Prescription) had a rewards program. I always get my drugs from them because they do not try to gig you on the price like Walgreens and CVS do.
I have one prescripton that CVS charges me over $12 for and Clarks only charge me $6. I have another that is only $9 at Clarks and $34 at Walgreens. And that is with my insurance card. Last time I tried Walgreens they were way to high so I made them transfer my script back to Clarks, the counter person at Clarks said to me “they tried to gig you didnt they” yep they sure did.
March 29th, 2011 at 12:21 pm
@Christie and @Dolores Flynn I checked with CVS and you are both right. There are instant CVS Extra Bucks rewards that print out at the end of your purchase. They can be used on your next purchase.
You also earn 2% on most purchases and one Extra Buck for every two prescription. The 2% and prescription EBs print out every quarter.
I updated the chart to reflect these changes. Thanks for keeping me on my toes!
March 29th, 2011 at 1:15 pm
I’ve been doing the Rite Aid rebates for a long time. Like the simplicity and the employees are friendly. Don’t like the CVS stores and they don’t have the things on rebate/sale I buy like Rite Aid. Walgreens is 2nd best if I use the rewards right away. I don’t like to stress about expiration dates.
March 29th, 2011 at 2:59 pm
We use CVS. Wasn’t sure what it entailed, but we don’t shop without it!
March 30th, 2011 at 7:21 am
I like the Rite Aid program, as there are more Rite Aids near me than the other stores mentioned. First I scan the Sunday ad (buy-one-get-one-free items like saline, certain meds are great), then clip any Rite Aid coupons, combining with any that I already have. If there is a rebate, that’s a bonus. Second, I use the UP rewards later.
March 30th, 2011 at 8:43 am
I’m leaning more towards RiteAid at the moment. Then CVS and finally Walgreens. Walgreens stresses me out with their 2 week expiration dates, sometimes their sales aren’t so great and next thing you know, the RR are expired. Guuuuuurrr
April 11th, 2011 at 7:31 am
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