Walgreens: Now Redeem Balance Rewards Once You’ve Reached Only 1,000 Points

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If you are a frequent Walgreens shopper, you may be excited to hear about the new update to their Balance Rewards Program! Starting today, 5/5, you will now be able to redeem your Balance Rewards points once you have reached just 1,000 points (instead of the usual 5,000). Keep in mind that during checkout you will need to let the cashier know that you would like to redeem your Balance Rewards points and how many you would like to redeem. Also, you do not have to redeem all of your points, but you do have to redeem them within the following values:

Go here to see full terms and conditions.

And, don’t forget to check out all the fantastic deals to be had at Walgreens this week! šŸ˜€

(Thanks, Who Spends Money and all you readers who emailed!)

Join The Discussion

Comments 57

  1. Jess G.

    Is there a way to check how many points you have online?

    • Catie

      Yes you can go to the walgreens page and there is a link for balance rewards. You have to register online if you haven’t already

    • Tamara

      It is easier to just call on your phone. I just called and it’s automated. They just pull your phone number up by the phone you are calling from and they tell you your points right away. It literally takes about 20 seconds!

      • Tamara

        Woops, and now I realize that this was from back in May and I just now commented on it. Haha šŸ˜€

      • Dorothy Neddo

        What phone number did you call to find out how many points you have?

      • Irene Gamez

        I HAVE BEEN GETTING EMAILS,HOW DO I CONTACT BECAUSE I RATHER CALL,& THEY SAY I HAVE A REWARD WAITING!

  2. Sandy

    I’ve got 48,000 points and plan on redeeming 40,000 to use towards geraniums this year.

  3. Beth

    I like this a lot better than having to start at $5!! I didn’t redeem any points today -if only the cashier would have told me this I would have used some of them.

    • sshyne

      I had to ask the cashier once could I used my reward points on a transaction, the cashier told me the computer have to ask, I then asked to see a manager, the manager told me all the cashier have to do is hit a certain key and it will use your rewards, such a shame the cashier told me that.

    • Craig

      AGREED!!!!

  4. michele

    IT IS ABOUT TIME!

  5. Alison

    This was the best surprise at checkout today!

  6. DealGirl

    This is great news! There are times when I only want to spend a few dollars, so this should benefit us a lot!

  7. Allison

    Does anyone know if you are eligible to receive $20 Balance Reward dollars and you only spend 15 in your transaction, can you use the leftovers on another day or do you lose them? ive tried to read the fine print but can’t find an answer.

    • Moria

      You would lose the leftovers.

    • Kristy

      Yes, you lose them. I had $5 one day & the cashier asked if I wanted to use them. My total was $3 and some change. I lost the remaining amount which I though was not fair.

      • sshyne

        I hate they do not let you carry over what is left it sucks

  8. Moria

    I was wondering why this week’s ad had low value points=this much money off.

  9. Melissa

    I still hate the balance rewards system. I find it too complicated with too many “gotchas” so that you don’t get the “rewards” promised.

  10. Deana

    I went today to WAGS and did not get to redeem any points as I only had 3500. I told the cashier that it should allow me to redeem at 1000 points but was told the computer would prompt me, which it did not. She had no idea about the rewards policy. My receipt still says you may redeem at 5000 not 1000. What’s up with that? Walgreens….ugggg. Why do I do this to myself? I did however, make a trip to CVS afterwards where I actually walked out of the store with CVS paying me to take their items out. Making $7.25 and getting free stuff is awesome. I spent $2.75 OOP and received $10 ECB. I love CVS!

  11. CouponBBB

    CVS is waaay better than Walgreens at rewards and I shop at both, including Rite Aid, which also sucks for making you wait 24 hours to redeem up+ rewards. CVS rocks – and whoever is running that company is a genius because it prompts me to shop there more. There are 3 stores in a block radius where I live, CVS Walgreens and Rite Aid. CVS is the only one that’s always busy. LOL! Give us rewards and we will come!! šŸ™‚

  12. K.V.

    My receipts still say you can only redeem at 5,000 minimum. The Walgreens website still states this too. Are you sure this policy has changed? See here right from their site:

    Redemption
    Q: How do I redeem my points?
    A: You can redeem your points at any Walgreens or Duane Reade store during a purchase or online at Walgreens.com with as little as 5,000 points. The more points you accumulate, the larger the reward. See the complete redemption chart below.
    Points earned Reward
    5,000 $5
    10,000 $10
    18,000 $20
    30,000 $35
    40,000 $50

    I wasn’t prompted to use mine until I reached over 5,000 or $5

  13. Ruth

    I now have over 84,000 points. Are you saying if I redeem 40,000 points in one transaction, I will LOSE the rest? An employee said I could redeem any amount however,
    no mention of losing any. I was only accumulating to save for Christmas shopping.

    • Allison

      I’m really not sure. I think if you follow the dollar amts above you are okay if your final transaction is at least the same as the balance rewards…so if you spend 21 on a transaction you can use a 20 reward…but if you have a 19 transaction and use a 20 reward the extra dollar does not roll over. call the balance reward number and confirm!

  14. Daniel Kelley

    as often as i am in walgreens and use my rewards card it has never gone over 4000 point is it really worth it? i mean 4000 points = what $3 bucks not much of a savings for what i spend

    • barb

      I earned 120,000 points this week on the monitors and only paid tax. Thats over $120 dollars to spend on whatever, love Walgreen’s!! Its worth it.

  15. sirk

    at my local walgreens, i cannot use any of the denominations. the system only allows so much. i.e. angel soft t.p., wanted to use points for the entire package, but the cashier said it can olnly be $1.00.

  16. Wally

    At our store we ask every transaction if they would like to redeem any points they have & we notify them how many/dollar amts. they have even if they don’t want to redeem! The pin pad will only show an option when it reaches 5,000 pts ($5) so you will have to ask for anything less -which they can because “redeem points” button will light up if you have the minimum amt of eligible items in your transaction BEFORE tax and coupons are applied

    A few weeks ago an email came down and per CORPORATE we are told NOT to tell customers about the 1, 2, or 3 dollar amounts to “cut down on lower amount transactions”

    Needless to say, this policy of $1-$3 option was put in due to CUSTOMER suggestions..the CUSTOMERS earn them while paying my paycheck as well so I therefore will continue to tell customers they have points.

    Also, from now until March 1st ask the employee to activate the “Winter Beauty Event”. You must have a beauty product in your transaction but once active you will earn 50 points per DOLLAR spent in beauty on top of any regular points (as long as you don’t redeem points…per state/federal laws we can’t do both)

    On your reciept it will show “BONUS POINTS EARNED” w the BEAUTY points
    then at the bottom it will have all the points added (from anything else you might have earned in store)

    A good way to earn a lot of points is items like P&G products…. spend $10 and earn X,XXX (you will earn the X,XXX in addition to the extra pts for each whole dollar you spend!)

    Once activated, you don’t have to scan it again…

    Also, if you have a smart phone download Walgreens app and enter in your acct number (you can call the 1-800 # if you don’t know it) and you can digitally “clip” manufacture coupons that are stored on your phone until they expire..once your rewards card is in the transaction it pulls up all your coupons and applies them if you have the items! (also shows you how many and the redemption amt of points you have and pulls up every transaction you have used your rewards card with & how many (if you have) points you’ve earned in that transaction)

    The amts are now

    1,000 points = $1
    2,000 points = $2
    3,000 points = $3
    5,000 points = $5
    10,000 points = $10
    18,000 points = $20
    30,000 points = $35
    40,000 points = $50
    70,000 points = $85
    80,000 points = $100

    $85 & $100 will NOT be in print on anything walgreens in addition to the $1, $2 and $3 amts not sure why….

    if you look at the point values, it pays off more if you rack them up you get more “money” for less points!! Remember if stocking up, points do expire after 36 calendar months from earned. Also, it is no longer an option to redeem a higher amt for a lower transaction, like the issues above due to the issue of not rolling over. This was also changed because of customer suggestions….you should have been told at the register that the left overs didn’t roll over by the cashier as well….I guess some locations are better than others. :/

    I know this is really old discussion but hopefully some people see this and I save someone time/hassles!

    • Rose

      Thank you so much! I just came from Walgreens and was super confused as to the point/RR system. Your explanation is truly helpful. Thank you for your time šŸ™‚

    • Elisabeth

      Thank-you!! I just signed up for the card and your post really helped me understand it all!!

  17. Sanford Kelly

    I recently purchased an item at Duane Reade and my receipt said and I qoute,”To see your points balance, please go to duanereade.com/balance”. However, that proved to be untrue and misleading because the page has absolutely no options to check balance reward points. So, in the spirit of common courtesy, common decency, and integrity, I’m asking Duane Reade/Walgreens to please have the moral compass to prove a seamless, clear cut, and uncomplicated online option on their web page to check reward point balances for both PC’s and Smartphones!! – Mr. Sanford Kelly – Card No# 7140 4528 10693

  18. Jeanne Crockett

    I am truly disappointed with the program because after being told at the pharmacy that I would earn a lot of points because of the cost of the medicines I just found out that I get nothing. The reason being because I am on medicare. One way or the other you lose !!

  19. Wendy

    Does anyone know if you can buy gift cards with points? If so, that would be a way to get around the fact that you can’t pay for prescriptions with points. I would think you could pay for prescriptions with a prepaid Mastercard, for example.

  20. Barb

    Can’t redeem points for gift cards. It’s in the terms and conditions on the Walgreens site.

  21. Jodie Finney

    I was there yesterday and I had 2000 points that I wanted to redeem toward my purchase so I told the cashier that I had a couple bucks in balance reward points. She then said I couldn’t redeem them until it hit 5000. Wish I knew better then.

  22. Beatrice

    I just googled how to redeem your points. It sounds very complicated to me and people that don’t know or forget to ask loose points = money. I never knew what the points were for or how to redeem them. It would be nice if you like (all) other stores would make it easy for customers to get money back with immediate price deductions or gift cards or printed out money back points to use! Or at least have the cashier offer to use points for people (like me) that don’t know thy have them (instead of the constant candy pushing- the 2 reasons why I hardly ever shop at Walgreens any more). I buy a lot and it is nice if stores give cash back without me having to ask or it.
    Anyways thanks to google now I know and I will try but for other people that don’t have the time to figure it out make it easy like other stores šŸ˜‰
    Have a great day… B

  23. susan

    This program is the most complicated I have ever used. No one likes it., no one understands it. Too hard. Can’t get points and use points, wtf. After 30 years changing over fully to CVS.

    CVS ROCKS, TRY THEM!!! Every time I go, I get get cash back coupon of at least 5 or 10 dollars. Then,annually. Beauty program soooo easy.

    Life is complicated, shopping shouldn’t be. Since beginning thus program Walgreens has robbed us blind. U can’t even get sale items unless show card. Fire whoever made this genius program.

    CVS is so much more pleasant experience, money saving.

  24. Les

    I’m sorry so many have had confusion or been misled regarding the Balance Rewards at Walgreens. It’s really not that difficult. However, the program is always revolving, with new and (I think) better benefits available. For most part, the plan can be downloaded and is fairly simple to understand.
    When the program first launched, you had to have the minimum of 5000 points to redeem. That is no longer true. It starts at $1 for 1000 points and goes up from there. When the “Redeem points” is highlighted, that advises the cashier that points are available for redemption. When the button is pushed, it shows the beginning point value at 5000 points, HOWEVER if it’s a smaller purchase AND THE CUSTOMER REQUESTS IT, cashiers can see if there is $1, 2, or $3 available for the customer to use. Then the customer can decide if he/she really wants to redeem or let them ride.
    Keep in mind that the system advises and computes the points allowable for redemption. You can’t fight or argue with it. There are exemptions, which are on line under the guidelines. For he regular customer, they aren’t many and most are understandable. This program is one of the best out there. But as with any program, you need to somewhat educated and know how it works. If you make the right purchases to earn the points, you can save lots of money. Many people do, including me.

    • Christine Beattie

      All I want to know is what products can

      be purchased with balance reward points.

      • Les

        You should be able to redeem your points on anything but excluded items such as gift cards, dairy, alcohol, cigs, prescriptions. If you buy paper products, cleaning, OTC meds, bandages, makeup, foot care, food, etc, you can redeem. Unless you have less than 1000 points, you should be able to redeem. Of course, the longer you let your points build, the sweeter the feeling when you decide to redeem. It’s your choice.

  25. Magda L. Ramirez Torres

    I want yo now how many points I have

    • Tracy

      Your point balance prints on the bottom of your receipt or you can register your card at http://www.walgreens.com and check your point balance and earn there are also other ways on the site to earn free points by keeping track of healthy choices. The cashier cannot tell you your point balance but can check to see if you have redeemable points available to use.

  26. Magda L. Ramirez Torres

    How can I Nos how many poinst I hace in money

  27. TONI Burnes

    I don’t know how to get my 5,000 points that I received after a purchase and it told me to go to the Walgreen.com/balance and enter register my email I did So I guess I have to wait and see I left my mobile to receive text messages If possible why don’t they have the automated number available that we may call I get a total of points it’s annoying will give it time if not beneficial to a frequently visited customer why continue to be if not appreciated it’s nice to be rewarded with discounts and coupons from time to time I do use the entire store services from beauty to camera development to pharmacy and food beverages hygiene the entire store and hope to be acknowledged and I admire and appreciate the familiar faces when I visit

  28. Les

    Everyone needs to remember that your total point total prints out on your receipt. So, you always know, at the end of every transaction, where you stand. If you purchase something what you KNOW earns points on that transaction, remember you DO NOT want to redeem points. You can’t do both in the same transaction. Make it two separate purchases. Buy the item(s) that GIVE points. Then you have those points added the points you want to redeem. And you should not lose points when you redeem, if you’re savvy at wall. Let’s say you spend $20.19 on a total. The system will advise what you can redeem. This is, of course, minus tax and excluded items such as milk, cigs, alcohol. If the system lets you redeem, use less than your total purchase. You redeem in increments. Instead of trying to beat the system, use $10 instead of $15. You can waste your points if you’re not careful. I try to let my points build until I have at least 40,000 points, so I have plenty to play with. Even then, I might only use half the points, and let the balance roll. That way I always have something to build on. It’s like when someone is in a hurry, throws down a $10 Bill for a $9.67 purchase and says “keep the change”. Yeah, it’s dumb. But people do it. The same is true with the points. AND there should be a brochure available AT EVERY WAG STORE for each customer that wants to read about the program. It pays to be an educated customer.

  29. Lorraine Concepcion

    I love Walgreens prices store

  30. gloria m. aguirre

    I’ve redeemed my balance rewards for many items since the program began. I especially loved buying perfume online and applying $100 to my purchase of four perfumes not available at the store.

  31. Teri

    So excited I hit my $50 reward so time to strategize the sale prices to get the best bang out of their money.

  32. mabel budzinski

    Your new balance rewards is a rip off! I have not been able to record my activities for atleast a wee. This is my second note with no response.

  33. Jim Merrigan

    Your TV ads state that you can earn Balance Reward points by purchasing prescriptions. This is not the case in New Jersey. You need to make a disclaimer,

  34. Thomas Farris

    I have emails saying I have 20 dollars to use, however when I ask at register how much I have available the answer is always 5 dollars, one clerk told me the points can only be used on certain items, how do I find a list o the items, or tell in store.

  35. Jennifer Prinsep

    When I go to redeem any rewards they ask me for my zip code which is 27526 when it is put into the computer I am told that is not a zip code ,well it’s the only one I have so what do I do now ?

    • Leslie

      When you signed up for your card, the cashier may have inadvertently typed your zip wrong. Then, to make matters worse, you approved it without making sure all the info was correct. Don’t feel bad…this happens all the time. You can go on Walgreens.com/balance rewards to fix. It should ask for you to enter your card number (if you have it) or your phone number, which is easier. You need to make sure it’s the same number you used when you signed up. That should bring up all the info that is on file. You can make changes or corrections as needed. Especially if people move, this is important because if the correct info isn’t on file, point perks and extra savings cannot be sent to you. Many people move and the zip code changes. If you use the new one, the system cannot know it, so redemptions are denied. IF ALL ELSE FAILS, there will be an 800 number you can call for additional help. Oftentimes, they will just fix it for you.

  36. Pat Trumble

    I was in our Walgreens (#09344 2455 Leechburg Rd. New Kensington, PA) on 8/31/2017 @ 4:27 pm. I checked out with my merchandise & girl at register said their computer was down to add on my rewards for the total. She said to write you and you would add the rewards on for me. My total was $20.09. I couldn’t use my charge Visa so I had to use cash. Please add on my rewards amount to my balance. The girl who waited on me was very nice and apologized for the inconvenience. Pat

    • Collin (Mrs. Hip)

      Hi there! You will need to contact Walgreens Customer Service – 1ā€“800ā€“925ā€“4733 Hope this helps!

  37. Deb

    When the balance rewards first started, my daughter signed me up. She used my phone number with her name. Now Iā€™m stuck with her name on my bakance reward account. How do I change this to my name, my phone number, and keep the rewards I have accumulated on the card?

    • Allison A

      You just call the balance rewards phone number to change your phone number. It can’t be done online. Not sure if they will let you change the name, just pretend it’s a family account, they won’t care.

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