Rite Aid: Update on Wellness Program for 2012
Beginning January 1st, 2012, Rite Aid will be making some changes to its current Wellness+ Program.
New Coupon Management Tool
Rite Aid will introduce Load2Card, a new coupon management program that will allow all wellness+ members to save, manage and redeem Rite Aid and manufacturer coupons available throughout the internet via their wellness+ card. Every week, members will have the opportunity to load an average of more than $100 in savings directly to their wellness+ card. The coupon savings will automatically be deducted from applicable purchases when customers scan their wellness+ card at checkout. Paper coupons will continue to be accepted.
Beginning January 1, 2012, Wellness+ members can enable the direct-to-card savings by logging in to their online wellness+ account on www.riteaid.com. Customers who do not yet have a wellness+ account will also be able to create one at this time and to use Load2Card immediately.
Silver Members Can Now Choose New Wellness Rewards of Their Choice
Beginning in 2012, Silver Wellness+ members (when you reach 500 points!) will earn a wellness reward of their choice, such as a gym membership, health/fitness magazine subscription or health screening. All members will receive notification of reward eligibility and redemption details on their register receipt and by email.
New Bronze Membership
Rite Aid has created a brand new bronze tier for members who reach 250 points in a single year. Bronze tier members will receive 10% off all Rite Aid brand products every day as well as a one-time 10 percent off shopping pass for use in the store.
The silver and gold tier point levels will stay the same at 500 and 1,000 points respectively. Upon reaching 500 points, silver members receive 10% off all qualifying non-prescription purchases every day. After reaching 1,000 points, gold members receive 20% off all qualifying non-prescriptions every day. Anyone who reaches silver or gold status by the end of 2011 will retain their status throughout 2012.
+UP Rewards will continue to print at the bottom of a register receipt and will continue to be redeemable like cash toward a future qualifying purchase. In terms of Wellness points, one point is earned for every dollar spent on non-prescription purchases and 25 points are earned for every prescription filled (prescriptions paid for in whole or in part by state or federal healthcare programs such as Medicare or Medicaid and prescriptions filled in NY or NJ are not eligible by law for accrual of points.
My cashier said they were tying the +ups to the card they printed through. So no more using my +ups on my moms card or visa versa.
I was told that you would have to wait 24 hours to use the Ups reward, so that means you cannot make a second purchase and use the ups rewards from the first. Also do you still have the gold status?
That’s certainly not true right now.. you can use UPs 10 seconds later. If they load UPs onto your card electronically, maybe that will change, but I’d like to think not. Cashiers are often very poor sources of information for this sort of thing 🙁
I thought they already did that?
I saw this email this morning… what I’m wondering is if you will be able to use an electronic coupon and the same manufacturer’s coupon on the same item.
For instance, at the Harris Teeter I shop at, I can load eCoupons on my VIC card and still use a manufacturer’s coupon. A few weeks ago, I had an eCoupon for B2G1 Welch’s sparkling grapejuice. I paired that with the 2/2 Facebook coupon and a .75/1 (which doubled) to get the juice for .50 a bottle.
Think RA will do the same thing?
I didn’t know that you could do that at Harris Teeter. I’ve never used the eCoupons on my VIC card because of that.
Do the points reset every year? Like it says on my receipt
Your wellness+ points will be rest on January 1, 2012
I have 294 points right now on my card 🙁
TIA!
Yes, they reset on January 1st every year. However, if you reach one of the levels Silver or Gold) you will have that % off until December 31st of 2012.
I just reached the gold status so that’s great. 20% off next year.
unfortunately, yes if you don’t reach the goal. Last year, I was about 50 pts short of silver, so I had to start building my points back up Jan 1 2011. Finally hit Silver status for this year, middle of November (I just don’t shop @ RA as much as I do CVS)
I’ll have Silver for 2012, which I am so happy, I thought I was *never* going to reach 500 pts!
I am curious about the Load2Card. Didn’t CVS try to do the same thing with ECBs a few months ago and had problems? They changed it so now you can only load the $/$$ or % off to your card. I’d like to have the option to load magic coupons to my card, sometimes I get the silliest coupons. I don’t have a dog, never bought dog food, yet the past 3 weeks I’ve gotten dog food crts!
Thanks Grace & Mel!! 🙂
Also you can only redeem coupons if you have your card present , so if you forget your card you can’t use them ugh
I have two 10% off coupons that I earned from them but every time I go to use them the cashier tells me I can’t. I’ve tried using it on full priced formula and diapers and even candy. I asked once the cashier what I could use it on and they didn’t know! What do you guys use yours on?
Option 1: Call the store before you shop; ask to speak to the manager.
Option 2: Shop at a different Rite Aid location.
Option 3: Call 1-800-RITE-AID (1-800-748-3243). They’re not as helpful as they once were, but calling should solve your problem.
I think that particular store is just different. I used my 10% off on a purchase of diapers and food.
i have like 3000 rite aid points and i don’t shop there anymore, only perscriptions. if your family needs medication, just get it filled at rite aid and you will reach gold level status in no time! i need to get more into couponing again because taking a break has affected my budget big time, but I think even when I do hit it again, Rite Aid is too big a pain in my butt. At our local stores the employees are rude and act like you are stealing if you are using ac oupon, I have complained to corporate with little response
It must be a Rite Aid thing, two of the managers at the rite aid closest to me are the rudest people I have ever met. I have been nothing but nice to them, who wants to be on the manger’s bad side when your trying to coupon, but they can’t stand my couponing. Last week I had 4 transactions and after the second one she said you will have to go to the back of the line this isn’t fair to the other customers. I get that I am taking longer than the typical customer but they do money orders there and I have waited on people just as long for that. I don’t feel I should have to accommodate their customers, I feel they should have to accommodate their customers by using the other register that is NEVER open. I don’t care though, I play by the rules, there is nothing they can do to prevent me from shopping there, the savings are to great. I wonder if it is true that they are going to make you wait 24 hours before redeeming. I won’t shop there much anymore if that’s the case.
my rite is great the one i go to the one on the other side of town not so much.. they are rude and make you feel like you are stealing.. and dont even get me going on WAGS.. i hate them.. they wont adjust coupons even though their policy says so i just get blank stares… i was so annoyed i put the coupon policy at all the registers i was like something worth reading!
I have had the same experiences Jenn and Stacy with Rite Aid Managers – far from friendly and take forever with coupons and each Rite Aid location makes up their own rules with whichever mood they might be in for that day. Reason why I don’t shop much at Rite Aid. I love CVS, Walgrens & Walmart.
I completely agree- The managers at my Rite Aid seem to have no customer service skills what-so-ever! I had one TERRIBLE shopping trip there a few months ago when they refuse to accept my black and white printed coupons (saving on ink) and accused me of coupon fraud- may I remind you that I shop there every single week! They also refused the coupons they couldn’t scan because they said they “do not get reimbursed for unscannable coupons.” What a load of Bull! I complained to corporate, but got no response, although I haven’t seen the cashier since, so maybe something happened. And btw, they have before and ever since manually put in coupons, so I am not impressed with their lies. That having been said, I live in rural Vermont and have no other drugstore within a reasonable distance to coupon at, so I am stuck with the grumpy, dishonest Rite Aid, but man oh man do I save some money there!
Wow, it’s no fun reading a bunch of negativity. I’m sorry to hear a few of you have had bad experiences at Rite Aid. We have all gone through our own bad experiences with different stores and different management. I don’t want your reviews to put a poor stereotype on RA. The two Rite Aid stores in my town are very good (not every employee is super nice, but most are), and the 3 times I’ve had to call Corporate this year, they have been so helpful and understanding each time and really take time to listen to your concern. I have had each issue solved to my satisfaction. It’s taken all year long slowly accruing points, but I will reach gold status within the next week. Rite Aid will continue to get my business throughout the year 2012!
Complain by phone, not by email. I’ve gotten great results (and the first time there was a serious issue with refusing to take coupons at a particular store, they sent me a free $5 gift card as well.. and I didn’t have another problem there)
Danielle,
Which rural Vermont Rite Aid? It must be the same one I go to!! I thought they would be more decent here in rural friendly Vermont, but they are not! You have to watch them scan the coupons like a hawk!
Mary- I live on the edge of Vermont and actually do my shopping in Woodsville, New Hampshire. Thanks for the heads up about contacting corporate via phone, I will definitely do that next time, but hopefully there won’t be a next time! My last couple of runs I have been pleased that they have new coupon scanners that seems to have no problem scanning my coupons, like the old ones ALWAYS did!
I’m sorry to hear that! I must have the BEST Rite Aid around! My manager stops me when she sees me shopping to give me tips or a heads up about things she is ordering more of because she knows they will be free after coupons, rebates, etc. She has gone out of her way to make couponing enjoyable and to keep my (and other couponer’s) business. I love my Rite Aid!!
not everyone, i not only have medicare but I also live in NY and they do not allow points on it here its against the law. I personally think its silly and cannot understand why it would ever be illegal to earn points on perscriptions you purchase, I think everyone should be able too, so many here are paying so much, a bonus should be well deserved,
this is stopping people from creating multiple accts and using the Rite Aid Wellness coupons and it ties in with the RA card –
its a shame that the shelf clearers have done this and that show extreme couponing its just making it harder for us.. thanks hoarders…..
I agree with you!! There is a lady that hits our local Rite Aid and will stand in line in front of the cashier and ask others to use theire rewards card with the items she cleared from the shelves. She will get in arguements with management. I think this is wrong. Play by the rules or find legit loopholes don’t cause problems with the stores because it ruins it for the rest of us.
Sounds like we might go to the same Rite Aid. The lady at mine actually pulled that at our local Wags too and the asked her to leave and not come back. She still does, but only a manager can check her out now, other employees won’t deal with her. Its sad, especially when the stores start to take it out on other customers who use coupons. I had to jump through hoops for a year before the stores started to trust me and see that my couponing was legit and I wasn’t trouble – I knew the lady and they associated me with her. Sorry for long long commentary, but I was really hurt for a long time because of what this woman did and said. If everyone acted and respected coupons like Collin has taught us, everyone would be happy!!!!!!!!!!
agree 🙂
So, will there still be video coupons I wonder?
I was wondering about vv too or how stacking will work with ra coupon and man coupon. My manager told me yesterday that you will no longer be able to use up rewards on next transaction it will need to wait until the following day. he said they should be informing all members of this change this week. I wish we had another pharmacy but we don’t atleast now my management is good with me now:) If this is the case it will take a budget adjustment for sure.
Rite Aid should extend the amount of time that +UPs are valid. +Ups are usually only good for 14 days, and most rite Aids are poorly stocked. Not being able to use +UPs immediately is a major issue. I see lots of folks being stuck with expired +UPs and only the illusion of a bargain.
you don’t need to get ‘stuck’ with expiring UPs…why don’t they use them on essentials like toilet paper? some people, all they want to do is keep rolling them and they get upset when they can’t…why don’t they just use them?
my location never allowed a flip, so I would try to make it back before expired. Sometimes I run at the last minute because I remember ohhh ups, I have $10 expired right now, didnt realize they expired on christmas eve 🙁 For the most part I did always use them but when your household is down a vehicle it gets hard, plus all mine close at 9pm.
Nola girl…I agree with you! With all the up’s loaded to your card and I would bet my paycheck that on the receipt it will not break down when each are expiring and will just “fall off conveniently” so you lose money….
Also, when kroger did this I haven’t shopped there at all in months this was a big part of why and they do not even have the whole uos loaded problem! You forget when each of these loaded coupons expire. Or I have have a higher value coupon that I couldn’t use because it had already deducted the lower amount coupon on the card.
I also like handing them a coupon and not hoping it is on the card and has not expired since I can ride the short bus sometimes..lol!! 🙂
I totally think RA is painting this as a good thing…but ultimely unless you are overly diligent with keeping up with the ups on the card and when they will expire….we will lose LOTS of cash. Smoke and mirrors!
RA is really hurting finanicially and I seriously doubt I am going to chance losing my ups…out of sight..out of mind…which is exactly what they want and you to spend more OOP.
I give it 6-9 months and I bet some of you will agree with me when you start losing big money.
I am not trying to be negative at all…just a realistic view you may want to consider if you continue to shop there. I hope I have given you something to think about. 🙂
Hmm a free gym membership when you hit the silver status next year? Wonder what gym it would be for since the other rewards they mention like a fitness magazine subscription can’t be worth more than $50 retail.
If I have to wait 1 day to use Up+ rewards that would be a turn off to shopping there. I don’t do tons of transactions but I may do 2 or 3 a day. Plus that also means that you can’t go to other Rite Aid stores and use your rewards their the same day.
I don’t think I’d get too overly worried about anything right now. If you remember, Rite Aid “changed” things a few times and nothing really changed. I was very worried the last time they updated their coupon policy and thought it was going to be all over with great deals at Rite Aid. Until it’s all worked out and a permanent thing, I wouldn’t give it a second thought. Just wait and see how it all plays out. Hey, what’s the worst that can happen…they’ll lose business and realize the mistakes of their ways…we’ll just have to shop elsewhere. It’s going to get very competitive over the next year or so with all stores, Target, Walmart, Rite Aid, Wags, CVS. They’re all going to try to do what they can to make money, but if they make mistakes and realize they’re losing money, then they’ll have to be very creative, and that could be very good for us 🙂 Hey everyone, have a great holiday!
Amen! =)
Nancy, they are not stupid. They know how the economy works. Since CVS, Rite Aid and Walgreens are competitors ; Each of them would not do anything to make customers go somewhere else. So do not worry because you always be able to find some great deals there.
I’m confused it says
+UP Rewards will continue to print at the bottom of a register receipt and will continue to be redeemable like cash toward a future qualifying purchase.
so where does it say +UP will be loaded to the card?
If this prevents some abusers from multiple cards and shelf clearing, I’m all for it!
Ok when I shop I usually do 2 or 3 transactions. I roll my up reward unto the next transaction. according to my manager he said that as of Jan 1st this will no longer be allowed has anyone else heard this?
mine has never allowed a flip, maybe they are doing this because so many locations where already ?
I just came from doing my RA run for the week and talked to the cashier. She said the UPs, for now, would still print on your receipt. What they are trying to do is something like CVS magic coupon machine, except with the load2card, you can pick/choose which coupons you want. (This cashier is a hoot! She works at RA, but shops at CVS!!) oH and she said that *maybe* the VVs will become loadable in the future as well.
hahahaha, thats how our walgreens is…they tell me all the time to go to cvs, or cvs has some great clearance right now, hahaha. I guess that means us chicks can really save 🙂
Ugghhh!! It looks like I’ll be doing a lot less shopping at RA. What a hassle if you’re not allowed to use the ups immediately. I guess they’ll see it when they get stuck with a lot more inventory.
some of these comments are so so true–what does they me.
what does that tell me about rite aid
I asked the cahier today about when the ups would be automatically be sent to card. She told me it was suppose to be 1/1/12.
I was at my local Rite Aid yesterday, and the cashier told me that with any of the spend so much get up rewards back, your total must come after your coupons. Is this new, has someone else had this experience? For example, the Neutrogena, buy $30 get $10 up has to be a total of $30 after coupons.
I don’t know where this cashier was getting her info but that certainly is not the case. I was there yesterday as well and used a ton of coupons to bring my total well below the $30 mark but still got my $10 UP reward.
In 2011 I got 25 wellness+ points for each prescription but starting in 2012 no points. Called RA helpline and was told if any government program pays in any way for prescription no points are given.
My insurance did not change from 2011. I have medicare advangage insurance. Specifically it’s Blue Cross with a Medicare contract. Just like last year the prescriptions are paid from the Blue Cross portion of the contract not the Medicare part. RiteAid must have changed their computer algorithm to exclude Medicare Advantage contracts because it was unable to determine who pays when deciding whether or not to grant points. This is notwithstanding the RiteAid Advice paper states Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan as the payor.
The prescription fine print in 2012 brochure is worded same as that in last year’s.
“Prescriptions paid for in whole or in part by state or federal healthcare programs such as Medicare or Medicaid are not eligible…”.
According to this, points should have been awarded. Does RA’s new interpretation have something to do with Obamacare legislation?
I will be pursuing this further.
I made several purchases today but forgot about my card. Is there a way to have my points put on my card after the fact?
I received mail from the wellness card saying i could go for a no-charge
blood glucose screeing. I went and had this done on 2/20. I expected to receive
a call about my results; no call. I went to quest where I had the bloodwork and they said oh, you will get results in the mail. no results have come in the mail yet. i went to my locale rite aid and the pharmacist did not seem to know what i was talking about. help, i would like to get my results.
I no longer have my card but have a reward balance yet to be redeemed. What can I do to get my card # to sign into my account?
Please help.