Saving at CVS - Extra Care Program, Extra Care Bucks and Coupon Programs

How To Maximize Your Savings at CVS Pharmacy

By Donna L Montaldo, About.com Guide

CVS pharmacy has an excellent customer loyalty program called ExtraCare which participants receive mailers featuring special coupon offers and health information. They also receive exclusive cardholder savings on select merchandise, and will earn "Extra Bucks" (EBs) for purchases they make during designated shopping periods.

The Extra Bucks are not rebates but actual coupons which print out at the bottom of your receipt when qualifying items are purchased. The EBs can then be used to purchase almost all merchandise sold at CVS with some exceptions including alcohol, tobacco, lottery, gift cards, money orders, postage stamps, pre-paid cards, prescriptions, and special order Home Health Care items, including footwear. The Extra Bucks can be redeemed on purchases in-store or online at CVS.com.

ExtraCare Bucks Step-by-Step Basics

Apply for an ExtraCare card by visiting Join Extra Care at the CVS website.

When you apply for the Extra Care card you will see the question, "Do you wish to receive valuable offers via email?" which you should check "Yes" in order to receive additional coupons and special offers via the Internet along with the mailer you will receive in snail mail.

At the time of purchase give the cashier your Extra Care card so that you can earn your Extra Bucks. If you forget your card you can give the cashier your phone number and she can look up your account information.

You can earn Extra Bucks Rewards three ways -

• Earn two percent back with every purchase in-store and online at CVS.com. Excludes purchases of alcohol, tobacco, lottery, gift cards, money orders, postage stamps, pre-paid cards, prescriptions, and special order Home Health Care items, including footwear.

• Earn one Extra Buck for every two prescriptions purchased in-store and online at CVS.com. Excludes purchases of pharmacy items paid for in whole or in part by state and/or federal health care programs and prescriptions purchased in-store in NJ and NY, and controlled substances in Louisiana.

  • Your account will be updated with the above Extra Bucks rewards every three months and will print on your store register receipt, or you can visit CVS.com to print your Extra Bucks online.

• Earn Extra Bucks on select brands advertised in CVS's weekly ads. Your Extra Bucks will print on your receipt immediately following your qualifying purchase(s) and are redeemable in-store only.

ExtraBucks Rewards Tips:

Combining manufacturer coupons, items from the weekly CVS sales ads, CVS coupons and rebates will help build the amount of ExtraBucks Rewards you accumulate.