Walgreens Beginners Guide

Walgreens is yet another drugstore that is fabulous for finding deals and steals each week.  Here are a few things you should know to maximize your money when shopping here: 

Walgreens Coupon Acceptance Policy:

As always, first I advise that you print out a copy of the Walgreens coupon acceptance policy.  Always, always, always keep this with you!  It's best to have this as back-up you never know when you might need it :) 

Walgreens In Store Value Coupons:

Walgreens has a number of sources for in-store coupons:  they can be found in the weekly ad (both in-store and online here), the In Store Value coupon booklet (found near the weekly ad in store or online here), and in various regional/seasonal booklets found in the pharmacy section or beauty counter.  There are four main things to remember about using Walgreens coupons in your transactions:

·         #1 – These are store coupons and can be used in conjunction with manufacturer coupons to maximize your savings.

·         #2 – Walgreens coupons do NOT count towards you item to Register Reward ratio (I’ll explain more below).

·         #3 – You will only need to use one store coupon per transaction, as it will automatically apply to all of the qualifying products in your purchase.  For example, if you have a Walgreens coupon for $1 off Downy products and decide to buy (4) Downy products, your one Walgreens coupon will trigger a $4 discount. 

·         #4 - Always, always, always hand over your manufacturer coupons first, and then your Walgreens store coupons.  This will avoid a whole host of hassles and make your transaction go much smoother.

Walgreens Register Rewards:

Register Rewards (a.k.a. Catalina coupons) are manufacturer coupons that print out at the register after you have completed a qualifying transaction.  There are a number of rules to remember when attempting to earn or use them:

·         #1 – Register Rewards have a limit of one per item purchased, just like a manufacturer coupon.  For example, if you have a Register Rewards and a manufacturer coupon you would like to use in a single transaction,  you need to have at least two items in your purchase to attach them to.  Look for inexpensive filler items (clearance items, small candies, pencils, erasers, etc.) to boost your item to RR/manufacturer coupon ratio.  As I mentioned above, Walgreens store coupons do NOT count towards this ratio. 

·         #2 – Only one Register Reward will print per deal per transaction.  This means that if a deal says you can earn a $3 Register Reward for purchasing a certain product, only one Register Reward will print for that item no matter if you buy 1 or 10.  Multiple Register Rewards will only print when you make a purchase containing multiple qualifying deals. 

·         #3 – As a general rule, Register Rewards do NOT roll (there are exceptions, but I will alert you to these special deals).  This means that you cannot use a Register Reward from one qualifying deal to repeat the same transaction and expect a second RR to print.  The only way to generate a second RR is to use a RR from a different qualifying purchase.  (A.K.A. do NOT repeat RR deals in succession.  Break them up and alternate to trigger the varying qualifying RR’s to print).

·         #4 – Register Rewards will expire two weeks from their print date, hence the reason you will want to “roll” them each week to prevent them from going unused.

Other Helpful Information:

·         Before making your purchases, take a look and check your Catalina machine and make sure the little light is green.  This signifies that the machine is in working order and will spit out your Register Rewards.  Should your RR not print you may need to have your transaction re-rung.  Most cashiers should be willing to do this.  In the event that they are not so helpful, you may need to contact the Catalina Corporation at 1-888-8coupon to see about having them send you your qualifying RR.

·         Per the Walgreens coupon policy, overage should not be given.  Be prepared to have any surplus savings reduced to match the value of the product.  Should your cashier not do this, be prepared by adding a few filler items in your transaction to absorb the overage.

·         Per the Walgreens coupon policy, two coupons may be used against a B1G1 free sale.  You will also be able to use a B1G1 free coupon on a B1G1 free sale, making both items free (in most cases)!  

·         Should you have any issues, please speak to your store manager.  If you still have an issue, you may call customer service at 1(800)925-4733 or send them an e-mail here.