Beginners Guide to Walgreens

Walgreens has two rewards systems, one is an older system called Register Rewards, the other is the Balance Reward system started September 2012.  Walgreens is not easiest of the three drugstores, so take your time figuring this out and start slowly in the stores.

If you are a more visual learner then watch the two videos below that cover each program.

Register Rewards

These are coupons that are printed using the Catalina machines that some grocery stores use.They are Walgreens specific coupons (i.e. you can’t use them anywhere else).Register rewards are actually coupons given by the Manufacturers of the products that are on special that week.For example: You buy Bounty Paper Towels and a $1 Register Reward prints – this register reward is provided by Procter and Gamble.When you turn around and use your Register Reward, Walgreens will then submit that coupon to Procter and Gamble and get reimbursed.

What makes a Register Reward print? Register Rewards are linked to specific products each week.Sometimes you only need to buy one item, sometimes it is for buying a certain amount of products.

Can I use a Register Reward to buy the same item again? NO! If you go in and buy an item or items that make a RR print and then you try to use that specific RR again to buy the same items the next RR will not print.This is how Walgreens tries to “limit” the number of deals per person.

Example: You buy toothpaste and get $2 RR, you can’t buy another toothpaste and use that RR to get another RR.

Can I use a Register Reward to buy a different Register Reward item or items? YES! You can “roll” your RR buy using them on a different Register Reward deal. As long as you are not using them on the same products (see above). If you want more of a Register Reward deal then alternate you purchase with another purchase.

Example: Buy Toothpaste, get $2 RR. Then buy Shampoo, use the $2 RR, get $3 RR. Buy another toothpaste use the $3 RR and you will get another $2 RR.

How long are Register Rewards good for? It varies. Most are good for 2 weeks some that you get will be good for a shorter amount of time.Expiring of Register Rewards is the most difficult part of their system.

What if my Register Reward doesn't print?

Some Walgreens stores have reprogrammed their Catalina machine (the machine that prints out Register Rewards). If you buy an item and are told that using a coupon made your RR not print, you are probably in one of those stores. There is nothing in Walgreens advertisements that state you can’t use coupons. If your RR does not print, don’t bother with the store management (they can fix it but don’t like to), just leave and call 1-888-8COUPON and talk to the Catalina company and they will mail you the RR that she have received.

What order should I hand over my coupons in?

Walgreens computers are programmed to not accept coupons for an item if the coupon is over the price the of item. To help reduce problems use coupons in this order when checking out.

• Any $/$$ (like $5 off $20 purchase)
• Register Rewards
• B1G1 manufacturer coupons
• Other Manufacturer coupons
• Then Store coupons

I know this is backwards to use your register rewards first, but they seem to work better if used first. Because they are a manufacturer coupon the system will kick them out if you have already used a coupon from that manufacturer. If it is going to kick out a coupon you would rather it not let you use a 50¢ coupon than a $5 RR.

Because most Walgreens coupons are really price changing codes rather than money off coupons, you want to use these last. You want the computer to think the item is full price when you use your manufacturer coupon. Then use the store coupon to reduce the price to 59¢ or whatever the coupon is for. If your store is quick to use store coupons first then keep your store coupons out of sight until after manufacturer coupons have been used. Put manufacturer coupons on top of the products to help them get scanned first.

A Tip: If you are not a regular weekly Walgreens shopper When you know you are going to get a RR from a certain transaction, have another transaction ready to use it right then.This solves the problem of having to remember when they expire. Think of items you need weekly, paper goods, diapers, the Sunday paper etc. to use it on.

Balance Rewards

In general for those that are new to Walgreens shopping, you need to get a Balance Rewards card. You can sign up online or in your store. When you purchase participating products you will earn points. These points add up and stay on your card until you have enough to redeem for money off your next purchase.

You can redeem them only at certain levels:

• 1,000 pts = $1 off
• 2,000 pts = $2 off
• 3,000 pts = $3 off
• 5,000 pts = $5 off
• 10,000 pts = 10 off
• 18,000 pts = $20 off
• 30,000 pts = $35 off

Buying participating sale items will earn points, but you can also earn them by filling prescriptions (500 per prescription) and by participating in Steps with Balance Rewards program. You track your steps and healthy behaviors and earn Balance Rewards towards savings in the store! You’ll earn 20 points for every mile your walk or run and another 20 points when you track your weight. As with anything Walgreens does there are some quirks that you need to remember. The biggest one, you can not earn balance rewards in a transaction that you redeem rewards in. In other words if you are buying something that should give you 3,000 pts and you use some points you have saved up to help pay for that item… you’ll end up not earning any points at all on the transaction. My tip: Balance Rewards work really well with Register Rewards! Get in the habit of using the Walgreens Register Reward system with the Balance Reward program. Head in and break your buggy into two piles. Buy all of your Register Reward items first, then use all of those rewards to pay for your Balance Reward items. Any points you earn, save them and next week you can use them to pay for your Register Reward items!