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Use the CVS ExtraCare Rewards program yet?
I will be honest.
I was not always a CVS shopper.
Personally, I always used Rite Aid which I thought was cheaper.
I would always be asked for my ExtraCare card when I did go in CVS, and somehow I managed to find it for whatever item I was about to buy.
That was in the past.
Now, I get e-mails for $5 free, 40% off any item, and other discounts.
I even made $25 dollars off the new CarePass program.
Read our CarePass review here.
This has led me to take a closer look at the CVS ExtraCare program.
It is actually a pretty good loyalty program.
What is the CVS ExtraCare Rewards Program?
ExtraCare is CVS’s loyalty program.
It is free to join and easy to sign up.
You get 2% back on all purchases as well as discounts by e-mail, in store, or with the app or website.
How do you join?
There are two ways to join.
1. In-store
You can join the program in the store.
You will get your card immediately.
They even have key chain cards, so that you don’t lose your card.
2. Online
You can also sign up online, and get your card in the mail later.
What are ExtraBucks?
ExtraBucks (also known as ECBs) are the currency of the ExtraCare Program.
They are like money but are usually printed out like coupons on your receipt or online.
You use ExtraBucks like cash.
For instance, if you have 5 ExtraBucks, it is the same as $5 in cash at CVS stores.
You take it, and buy $5 worth of items like you would with cash.
ExtraBucks is free money.
How the CVS ExtraCare Rewards Program Works
Again, you earn 2% back on in-store or online purchases at CVS.com.
Just make sure to scan your CVS card after each purchase.
Your card should be attached to your online account when you shop online.
Some purchase exclusions that won’t earn 2% are:
- alcohol
- gift cards
- lottery purchases
- newspaper and magazines
Since prescription don’t count, you can earn 1 ECB for every two prescriptions you fill with some exclusions when you join the ExtraCare Pharmacy Program.
Your ExtraBucks will be awarded every quarter.
They will be printed out on your receipt, or you can print it online.
ExtraBucks expire in 30 days, so use them.
Other Ways To Save & Earn With The CVS ExtraCare Rewards Program
1. Check the coupon on your receipt or online
Your receipt will have a coupon.
The coupons will be online in your account too.
Since I am an occasional CVS shopper and don’t buy a lot of items at CVS, the coupons that they give each Extra Care member each month are how I profit from the program the most.
You can check your online account each week.
The coupons are tailored to your shopping habits.
For example, I use CVS for my contact lens solution shopping, so sample coupons I have gotten were:
- $5 off any contact lens solution
- 40% off any one item in the store up to $99
Again, this is the real benefit for me as an occasional CVS shopper.
This has the potential to get an item free or even make money too though.
For instance, if an item costs $3.99 and you had a manufactures coupon for $2, your item would be reduced to $1.99.
The register might then also print out a 4 ECB coupon.
You just made a profit, so pay attention to your CVS receipts.
2. Use the CVS Coupon Center
This is the big red machine inside every CVS.
Once a day, you can scan your card and get a coupon or discount.
This works the same as checking your online account for coupons like the previous method I just described.
If you go in CVS often, you can check the machine.
Most people will probably find it easier to check their online account for coupons.
Again, sometimes, you get free stuff.
3. Cash card offers
Each week, check the circular.
It will have offers for more ExtraBucks.
For instance during Halloween, you could purchase $20 worth of candy and get 5 ECBs back.
This is probably what stands out to people who love to coupon..
Before using these discounts, CVS might look more expensive than other stores.
After you apply one of these discounts and regular coupons, CVS will win with certain products like beauty care.
This is why CVS is known (along with Walgreens) as the coupon store.
People are out getting name brand products for pennies with couponing.
Check out sites like the Krazy Coupon Lady to learn more.
I don’t buy name brand products because I don’t like their ingredients being harmful, but if you buy big brand names in beauty care or other areas, it might be worth looking into.
4. Bag tag offers
If you buy a canvas bag at CVS for $.99, CVS will attach it to your card.
Every time you use the bag, you will get $.25.
After 4 visits, your ExtraBucks will be on your receipt.
5. Sign up for e-mail
Make sure to register your email after you join the ExtraCare program.
Each week, you will receive coupons.
These are usually the same coupons that are in your account, but in the past I think they have put special offers for their e-mail list.
6. Download the app
Right now, you get 3 ECBs for downloading the app.
7. Sign up for ExtraCare Pharmacy & Health Rewards
As I said earlier, you get $1 for every 2 prescriptions you fill.
If you fill prescriptions, this looks like a good deal.
8. Sign up for ExtraCare Beauty Club
You get $5 ECBs for every $50 spent.
You get $3 ECBs on your birthday.
I don’t buy a lot of makeup but other items like shampoo, body wash, and face wash count too.
Tips To Get More Out of the ExtraCare Program As An Occasional Shopper
- If you have diabetes, get twice the points on related purchases
- Check your online account or the Coupon Center for your offers again
- Check weekly sales paper and combine with sales
- Know when rewards expire
- Check receipts for coupons again
- Sign up for e-mails
- Know when your ECBs expire
- Enroll in Beauty and Pharmacy if you buy those items
- Use the app
- Stack offers like BOGO offers, gift cards, CVS coupons, sales, manufacture coupons, and rewards
Summary
The CVS ExtraCare Rewards program is a great loyalty program.
The occasional shopper can profit again.
People who use coupons effectively get items free.
Again, check out the Krazy Coupon Lady.
Even if you are not into couponing or are an occasional CVS shopper, there are still some big savings to be had again.
I said I would review the CVS ExtraCare program, so I did.
Later, I will review the Walgreens loyalty program too.
I am actually only an occasional CVS shopper (don’t fill prescriptions or buy makeup), but I still manage to get enough free stuff or discounts.
I save 40% on my contact solution.
Walmart and Target can’t beat that.
So, if you have ignored CVS ExtraCare for years like I did, check it out.
Again, you can benefit as an occasional shopper.
Do you use the CVS ExtraCare program to save money?