- Coupons: The Rite Aid I frequent is very coupon-friendly. Click here for a link to their coupon acceptance policy. Like CVS and Walgreens, Rite Aid allows you to "stack" store coupons and manufacturer coupons for extra savings. Rite Aid has one extra perk not found at the other drug stores--Video Value coupons. See below for more details. That means occasionally you can use THREE coupons for the purchase of one item. Here's an example:
Hair color $9.99
-$3.00 in-ad coupon in sales flyer (You must have the cashier scan this.)
-$3.00 Video Value coupon
-$3.00 manufacturer coupon
Cost: $0.99
Be on the lookout for other coupons at your store. I've seen lots of peelies stuck to various products. Occasionally Rite Aid comes out with coupon booklets. Check near your pharmacy or ask a cashier if any are available.
- Wellness + Program: Rite Aid's Wellness + Program means big savings for you! It's a loyalty card program similar to the ExtraCare card you use at CVS. You'll need to get a Wellness + card before shopping at Rite Aid. You can get one from a cashier or by clicking here. On the second page of the enrollment form, click "No, I do not have a wellness+ card" and they'll mail you one.
You earn 1 point for every dollar you spend on non-prescription purchases. You earn 25 points for every prescription you get filled. You get various rewards as you earn certain amounts of points. Click here for more details. You'll also get to take advantage of special sale pricing, exclusive store coupons, and 10% off Rite Aid brand products.
- + UP Rewards: +UP Rewards (UPs) are available on dozens of items each week. They are similar to the ExtraBucks program at CVS. You find items with advertised +UP rewards, pay the purchase price (less any coupons), and a reward will print at the bottom of your receipt. Use your +UP rewards to pay for future purchases. Be careful to look for +UP limits in your weekly circular.
- Single Check Rebates: Single Check Rebates (SCRs) is another great program offered by Rite Aid. Rite Aid will issue a new SCR directory each month. Look at the dates on the directory carefully--the rebate period does not always coincide with the first and last of the month. The directory will list dozens of items that can be submitted for rebates. You'll get reimbursed for the full rebate amount even if you use coupons to purchase the item!
Filing for your rebates is easy. You just go to Rite Aid's SCR website and enter in the information from your receipt. You'll have to register if it's your first time using the site. It will take a few days for Rite Aid to validate your purchases. You'll get an email confirmation when it's finished. Here's a tip: Enter in ALL your receipts, even if you don't think any rebate items were purchased. It won't hurt anything, and who knows--you may have qualified for a rebate you knew nothing about! If you don't want to enter your receipts online, there's a form on the back of the SCR directory that can be mailed in.
You can only request to have your check mailed to you once per earning period. They'll combine all your qualified rebates and mail you one check. I wait until the end of the month to request mine. In August, I qualified for 5 rebates--$10.00, $5.00, $2.99, $2.99, $2.00. Rite Aid mailed me one check totaling $22.98. It takes about 2-3 weeks to receive your check after you request it.
- Video Values: Another great program from Rite Aid! You earn valuable coupons by watching video advertisements for various items. Super easy. There are different videos each month. Click here to see the videos available this month. You can watch as many or as few as you want. These Video Value (VV) coupons can usually be combined with manufacturer coupons and in-ad coupons for major savings! Be sure to look at the coupon policy for more details.
The only problem I've had with my Rite Aid is that the shelves aren't always well-stocked. Sometimes they don't even carry the advertised items in the store. It's frustrating when you arrive on Sunday morning to learn that you can't purchase the items you'd planned. Also, their regular prices are pretty expensive, so I usually stick to sale and clearance priced merchandise only.
If you've never shopped at Rite Aid, give them a try! There aren't that many in our area, and they need our support as they compete against other chain drugstores.
Here's an example of a Rite Aid shopping trip.
July 31, 2011
Rite Aid Total before coupons: $68.06 + tax = $74.15
Today's Out-of-Pocket: $14.07 + tax = $20.16, with $5 UPs remaining
-$12.99 qualified SCRs
Total Out-of-Pocket: $1.08 + tax = $7.17
-$12.99 qualified SCRs
Total Out-of-Pocket: $1.08 + tax = $7.17
Savings: $66.98, 90%
This is probably my best transaction ever. I bought a ton of name-brand products for such a small amount! This breakdown will give you an idea of how I used +UP rewards, Video Values coupons, and Single Check Rebates.
I started with $3.50 UPs from a previous purchase.
Transaction # 1:
3 Gillette Men’s Deodorant @ $3.98 = $11.94
Used (3) -$2/1 mfr coupons
Cost: $5.94 or $1.98 each
Used (3) -$2/1 mfr coupons
Cost: $5.94 or $1.98 each
4 Gillette Men’s Body Wash @ $3.98 = $15.92
Used (4) -$2/1 mfr coupons
Used (4) -$2/1 mfr coupons
Cost: $7.92 or $1.98 each
Pantene Conditioner $3.49
Used Free Pantene Product coupon
Cost: FREE
Used Free Pantene Product coupon
Cost: FREE
Transaction # 1 total before coupons: $31.35 + tax =$33.95
-$17.49 mfr coupons, -$3.50 UPs from previous visit. -$1 non-prescription purchase VV coupon, -$3 off $15 survey coupon
OOP: $6.36 + tax = $8.96, received $10 UP rewards for buying $30 worth of P&G products
-$17.49 mfr coupons, -$3.50 UPs from previous visit. -$1 non-prescription purchase VV coupon, -$3 off $15 survey coupon
OOP: $6.36 + tax = $8.96, received $10 UP rewards for buying $30 worth of P&G products
Transaction # 2
4 Crest Pro-Health Rinse @ $5.00 = $20.00
4 Crest Pro-Health Rinse @ $5.00 = $20.00
Used (4) -$2 mfr coupons
Cost: $12 or $3 each
Oral-B Power Toothbrush $5.99
Cost: $12 or $3 each
Oral-B Power Toothbrush $5.99
Used -$3 mfr coupon
Cost: $2.99
Nivea Men’s Body Wash $3.74
Cost: $2.99
Nivea Men’s Body Wash $3.74
Used -$2 mfr coupon
Used -$1 VVcoupon
Cost: $0.74
Nivea Women’s Body Wash $3.99
Used -$1 VVcoupon
Cost: $0.74
Nivea Women’s Body Wash $3.99
Used -$2 mfr coupon
Used -$1 VV coupon
Cost: $0.99
Skinny Cow candy 6-pack $2.99
Used -$1 VV coupon
Cost: $0.99
Skinny Cow candy 6-pack $2.99
Used -$1 mfr coupon
Used -$1 VV coupon
Cost: $0.99
Transaction # 2 total before coupons: $36.71 + tax = $40.20
Used -$1 VV coupon
Cost: $0.99
Transaction # 2 total before coupons: $36.71 + tax = $40.20
-$16 mfr coupons, -$3 VV coupons, -$10 UP Rewards from Transaction #1
OOP: $7.71 + tax = $11.20, earned $5 UP Rewards for spending $25 on oral care products and submitted $10 SCR for mouthwash and $2.99 SCR for toothbrush
OOP: $7.71 + tax = $11.20, earned $5 UP Rewards for spending $25 on oral care products and submitted $10 SCR for mouthwash and $2.99 SCR for toothbrush
