9 ways to save money at CVS
By Cameron Huddleston/GOBankingRates
With more than 9,500 stores, CVS has the largest network of pharmacies in the U.S. You can get a lot more than prescriptions at these drug stores, though.
CVS also sells a wide range of products -- from food and household goods to small appliances. So, when you run in to pick up a prescription, you can grab a package of coffee, coffee filters and a pot to make your morning brew, too. Additionally, customers can get medical care at the more than 1,100 CVS locations with MinuteClinics.
In short, this popular drug store chain offers convenience to its customers. However, you have to make sure that you're not paying too much for that benefit.
Click ahead for a look at nine ways to save at CVS.
This article was originally published by GOBankingRates.
1. Join the CVS rewards program
ExtraCare is the CVS savings and loyalty rewards program that's free to join. As a member, you can earn 2 percent back on most non-prescription purchases in the form of ExtraBucks, which are issued quarterly. You can also get ExtraBucks for certain items in the CVS weekly circular. Rewards are printed on your receipt at the time of purchase.
You can sign up online for ExtraCare or pick up an application in stores. Moreover, you can use the rewards for in-store and online purchases. Be sure to register your card at CVS.com to get email offers and send CVS coupons and ExtraBucks rewards to your ExtraCare card. Finally, you should pay attention to the expiration dates on your rewards so you don't lose them.
2. Get pharmacy and health rewards
To receive rewards for prescriptions, ExtraCare members must sign up for the ExtraCare Pharmacy & Health Rewards program, said money-saving expert Andrea Woroch. You'll earn $5 in ExtraBucks rewards for every 10 prescriptions you fill. Additionally, you will be able to get rewards by filling prescriptions at Target, since CVS bought the big-box retailer's pharmacy businesses at the end of 2015.
You can use rewards on most products in the stores and online -- not just pharmacy items. Be aware that pharmacy credits expire at the end of each year, Woroch said.
3. Register for the ExtraCare Beauty Club
According to Woroch, CVS customers can earn $5 in ExtraBucks for every $50 spent on beauty products and an additional $3 on their birthdays through the ExtraCare Beauty Club. However, you must register for this program separately. It's free to join online at CVS.com, and new members receive a 10 percent off pass for beauty products.
"As long as you stick to beauty items that are on sale and use coupons for these beauty items, it's a great way to save and get something back for your purchases," Woroch said about the program. Moreover, if you're unhappy with a beauty product, you can return it for a full refund, thanks to CVS's money-back guarantee -- even after you opened and used it.
4. Visit the ExtraCare Coupon Center before shopping
You should always make your first stop in CVS the ExtraCare Coupon Center, said Mary Hoover, creator of the money-saving blog MissiontoSave.com. Scan your CVS ExtraCare card at this red kiosk to receive store coupons, which can often be stacked with store promotions and manufacturer coupons for even more savings.
The kiosk will also provide you with a summary of any CVS coupons you received by email and had sent to your ExtraCare card. For added convenience, you can redeem your quarterly ExtraBucks at the ExtraCare Coupon Center.
5. Stack your savings
"The way to save the most at CVS is by stacking coupons and current store promotions," Hoover said.
Customers should start by checking the weekly ads for ExtraBucks offers that provide additional rewards on certain items. Next, look for manufacturer coupons for those items on sites such as Savings.com and Coupons.com. Be sure to check CVS.com for store coupons and CVS ads that can be combined with the manufacturer coupons for even more savings, Hoover said.
6. Save with store-brand items
From household essentials and food items to beauty products and office supplies, CVS offers an extensive line of affordable generic-brand goods that are comparable to popular brand-name items and available at lower prices, Woroch said. She went on to reveal that customers could often save 20 percent to 30 percent on purchases, simply by purchasing the CVS brand.
7. Get the app
It's not enough to have a CVS rewards card. If you download the free CVS app, you can also get exclusive mobile offers, Woroch said.
You can link your ExtraCare card to the app simply by scanning it. According to Woroch, consumers can then send deals to their cards for instant redemption at checkout.
8. Shop online and schedule recurring deliveries
You can get up to 20 percent off plus free shipping if you use the CVS.com Ship & Save program to schedule regular, automatic deliveries of certain items. Although you can't combine the discount with sales offers, you will get the sale price -- if it's greater -- on your first order. Items that are eligible for Ship & Save will include an option to schedule a recurring delivery online.
9. Get a raincheck for out-of-stock sale items
If CVS marks down an item but it's already sold out by the time you get to the store, you can secure a raincheck, according to SimplyCVSShopping.com -- a site about saving money at the pharmacy chain. Simply let a sales clerk know that the item you desire isn't available, and you'll receive a slip of paper showing the sale price and the number of products you want.
Rainchecks never expire, according to CVS.com. So, you can bring your raincheck back when you want to get the sale price you missed out on the first time.