Rite Aid’s New Load2Card Feature – Changes to +Up Rewards (starts September 2nd)
Heads-up for all you Rite Aid shoppers! Beginning September 2nd, 2012, +Up Rewards will be automatically loaded to your wellness+ card (they will no longer print at the bottom of register receipts!). In addition, a +Up Reward can only be redeemed starting at 6AM on the day after it was earned and expires 14 days after issue.
Please note that you will have the option to receive your +Up Rewards on your register receipts rather than having them loaded on your wellness+ card. If you prefer this paper option, just visit your local Rite Aid store and ask the cashier to switch you to the paper +UP option (you will need to show your wellness+ card or give the phone number associated with your wellness+ account) or call 1‐800‐RITEAID to switch to paper +UPs. If you choose to use paper +UPs, +UP activation will still be at 6AM the day after the +UP is earned.
Rite Aid will also be launching +UP Text Notifications so you can track your +Up Rewards on the go. Wellness+ members can text “REWARD” to “RATEXT” on their mobile phones to receive a weekly text of the number and value of the +UPs available on their wellness+ card.
For more information about these upcoming changes, check out the Rite Aid Facebook page and/or click here.
So what do you think about these changes?!
I was in the test market. I hated the load to card option and once they allowed us the choice of one or the other I immediately went and switched it back to paper rewards. There were too many complications when they would load directly to my card. I was on the phone probably 6 or 7 times with their cooporate office trying to sort things out.
On a blog someone said its better to have paper ups because you can hand them in last allowing for more savings. If on card they will deduct in beginning possibly messing up your deal. I don’t know if this is true. I’m still a bit new at this. I was just starting to gt the hang of doing multiple transactions at RA!
In the test market, you had to give them your coupons BEFORE they scanned your wellness card in order to prevent the +Ups from being deducted prior to your coupons.
I am aware that this move is an environmentally conscious effort. However, I feel that this will interfere with various transactional shopping scenarios; presumably the mechanized system and the cashier will have more control over your purchases than you will. As well, if rewards automatically are credited first, then certain manufactures coupons would certainly not be accepted by the system, or cause the transaction to become negative, and cause another filler item to be selected, which will increase the tax amount. Also, I live in a small town, with one Rite Aid in my entire county, and if I elect to receive paper rewards, waiting a day could jeopardize my ability to find the great deal item in the coming days after my initial waiting period. I am never in favor for any chance that will alter my shopping trips.
I was in the test market too. I opted to have my rewards print on the receipt also. However, I have completely stopped shopping at Rite Aid for all items which generate +Ups. Having to wait until the next day to redeem is just too much of a hassle, and my Rite Aid no longer allows the use of +Ups to purchase the Sunday paper.
Me, too. I never attempted to shop Rite Aid after the switch, even though I like that this limits the extreme couponer/shelf clearers. Bummer about not using Up rewards on the paper. Used to do that to spend my Ups. Ah, well. Rite Aid will be left with the truly hard core couponers and their loyal customers. I really don’t need the hassle of drugstore shopping until the coupon fad begins to fade away.
honestly, will coupons ever fade out of your life ? i know i will NEVER shop the same way again no matter how rich i am it is not a fad it is a lifestyle
Also if they load up how do you know if you did it right and got the up? Do you have to go check online or what?
The a summary of the +Ups loaded to your card should print on your receipt. If you opt out of the Load2card, the actual +Ups should print in addition to the summary
Boo! I love to just turn in my Up Reward right after I earn it. The cashiers were always great about it. :*(
I don’t care for this– this will probably limit the number of trips I made to Rite Aid…I like to use the rewards right then, just like you can @ CVS and @ Walgreens. I really like Rite Aid but this will definately change the amount I shop there.
I dont think I will like that 🙁
I was also in the test area and there were TONS of problems with it in the first couple months and I also had to make a lot of calls to corporate. Hence why they were testing it out though and it seems they have got the bugs fixed. I did end up opting out also and have the UP’s printed. I might switch back if the text tracking notification works though.
Too much of a hassle with the “can’t be used until the next day” rule… I usually just roll my +Ups in the same shopping trip… going multiple times a week definitely puts a damper on things.. 🙁
I’m keeping the paper option. I like to SEE exactly how much in rewards I have. Since these work just like cash, I feel I have better control over how I pay for my items in the store when I have my rewards in my hand. One computer glitch and I’m screwed. And I don’t like the fact that you have to wait until the next day to use them either. Why are they fixing something that’s not broken? Jeez.
CVS here I come!!
Lol! U posted the same time I did (below) Lol!!!
I think I’ll be cashing out my ups again. I only recently got back into rite aid, and either having the up come off in order of exp date or amount would mess up some transactions. Plus, I don’t want to wait till the next day to use my rewards. I earned them, I should be able to spend them how I like, not make multiple trips to the store throughout the week.
You can call Rite aid on Sept 3rd and opt-out the load to card option
I hope CVS doesn’t start doing something similar. That would really suck!
Another reason I love shopping at CVS 🙂
Thanks for the heads up, Collin! I will definitely be sticking with paper +Ups!
Stupid changes! I loved being able to use my Up rewards the same day they printed! Having to wait a day to use them is only going to make me waste gas with having to make multiple trips during the week. No thanks, I’ll stick with CVS!
That’s the whole point in my opinion of the register rewards – to have you come back to the store on another day to spend them. So far we’ve just been fortunate that we could use them the same day.
I stopped shopping at Rite Aid when I was in the test market for this. Too much hassle. I like to have my rewards immediately. Luckily I have a great CVS!
Yeah, I’ll be doing more business at CVS.
Ups do not last long as it is, now you can’t use them the same trip. Deals aren’t good when you have to add in gas & time to make an extra trip. I got away from RA a few months ago, just went back yesterday. Appears I will be staying away again.
I honestly think the company thinks it will make more money in the long run. They probably figure that a lot of people will stop getting so much free stuff with their up rewards. Then forget they even have them till after they expire!
Can you opt in to paper rewards online or do you have to *scoff* call or do it in person?
I’ve read that you can enroll at the register as long as the cashier knows what he/she is doing. I really don’t want to call CS as I was on hold for over an hour last time:(
I’m sure I will be opting out also. I like using mine right away, but Rite aid is so close, it wont be that big a deal to wait for next day. Thanks for the heads up!
I don’t like not being able to use them right away either. I called customer service and opted out if the load to card which only took a few minutes. I do,have a store at the corner so I guess I’m lucky if I have to wait until next day.
If you just called today, people were told that opt out is only good till Sept. 2nd. After that you’ll have to call again and have it reset.
Wow. Not a positive change. Looks like I will stick to the CVS, Walgreens loop instead. Although walgreens is becoming a pest also with what you can use your $$ on. =)
The cashier at Walgreens told me yesterday I would not be able to keep my register rewards from my second scope deal if I used my rewards from the first transaction on the second. I told him if he didn’t give them to me I would call corporate. I went to another Walgreens 2 miles away and did 5 more transactions without a problem. But their new computer system is a real pain in the neck!
Starting on September 14th all Walgreens nationwide are going to the Card Points system. Every 10,000 points equals $10 off a purchase. They will no longer have Register Rewards. My area was a test for the points system and it was horrible. They switched us back at the beginning of the year so I started shopping at Walgreens again. My brother in law works at Walgreens and all employees just got their new cards yesterday. You get 1 point per dollar spent however some items you will get 5x the points. It takes FOREVER to get any type of reward if any at all. No more Walgreens in my future come September.
did your BIL say as of Sept 14, no more RRs? I posted below based on info that I was given by both a store manager & a relative that works at Wags (2 different stores) that the card will be in addition to RRs. The manager told me based on future ads, there are RR deals, and there is a possibility of a phase out, but not right now. I can’t see Wags dropping RRs, esp when CVS & Rite Aid issue them. These rewards are like instant rebates, and they are worked out with the manuf. Wags would be loosing out A LOT dropping RRs and solely going to a point system.
@Ellie, that info isn’t quite correct. Mel is correct. There will be RR and points. I heard they’re working to enact some safeguards to prevent people from buying multiples of the same items (i.e., rolling RR and deals).
From all the info I’ve read, I think my little bit of Wags shopping will be done in the fall. I’ve also heard the consumer card doesn’t roll out nationwide till October.
Adding: I’ve seen Walgreens ads into the month of Sept. and they do advertise RR deals.
I’ve never used my rewards the day I earned them. I my community, RiteAid has the cheapest price for a gallon of milk, so I go there at least once a week if not more. I do like having the paper rewards and think I will stick with those because if I’m seeing the expiration date I know I have to make a trip to the store. I do appreciate knowing about the change and knowing that I have the option for paper.
I was in the test market too. I didn’t realize there had been the option to do paper still. I don’t like the load next day options, but just keep my fingers crossed that in the next 2 weeks there will be some good deals (which of course I find on hip2save!) usually I am going into rite aid once in a 2 week period before my ups expire anyway.
Also- it’s funny because you still get the super long receipts even if the ups are loaded to your card; they still print to show you what was loaded to your card-not saving much paper, but at least it helps me keep up with them. Maybe the text alerts will tell you when your
Oops! Didn’t finish…..
Was saying maybe the phone feature will have text alerts for when your ups are getting ready to expire….
I was confused when I read this because this is exactly what I’ve already been doing at Rite Aid. I only started couponing a couple months ago. My area must have been a test area. I have actually had a resent problem with their system. Being that the up rewards only last a week I went in to the store to buy some things knowing that some of my rewards expired that day. I went home later to check online and find out that the rewards that were taken off my card were ones that expired at a later date and the ones that expired that day were still on my card! Apparently they come off your card automatically according to the size of the up reward ($5 will be used automatically because the $4 or $3 reward). Pretty annoying. There must be some way to fix this but just to warn you!
I meant to say up rewards last two weeks. And $5 rewards will be used automatically before the $4 or $3 reward, not because. Sheesh, must have been in a hurry.
Exactly! You are not in control!
Ill stick with CVS from now on. I have two little ones and I don’t want to have to make any extra shopping trips to rite aid. Its not worth the hassle in my opinion.
I as in the test market, it was horrible. You have NO control over how they are used or when. They just come off. My shopping is more strategic. I switched to paper as soon as I could.
Collin – If you can, since it’s still a few weeks away, please send a reminder post on September 3 so we can remember to call in to request the paper option. Thanks.
You can call in today. Don’t have to wait. I called in today to opt out/
Sounds like more of a hassle. I will opt in for the paper reward to have control of how *I* spend my money. I’m not sure what RA is trying to do… but with Walgreens going to a card in a few weeks, the big winner in all this will be CVS!
I think you are right … no control at Rite Aid, and no RR at Walgreens with their oddball “points” system that gives a lesser discount.
from what I understand, RRs will still be offered, and at some point, may be phased out, but not right now. The point system will be somewhat similar to the tiered discount at RA (reach 1000 pts, get 10% off) instead you’ll get a GC when you reach 5000 pts. You are right, the point system will be a lesser discount though and probably take longer to reach than Silver at RA!!
I wish I had a CVS near me. I don’t prefer walgreens because of all the restrictions they put on the RR and there isn’t a CVS within a 100mile radius. : ( I will probably stick with Rite Aid. I do all my shopping in one transaction at Rite aid anyway, and then roll my paper +ups into the next weeks deals. I never go back the next day to do separate transactions. Its a waste of time in my opinion.
I try my best to learn the rules at each store and have my transactions in order when I
reach the checkout so as not to waste anybody’s time. Just when I have the rules down pat they have to CHANGE them again! They’ll have to have some great deals to entice me in there again.
Now someone correct me if I’m wrong. If Rite Aid is doing this to protect the environment and use less paper, then let’s take a look at the current receipts. After the total, I have my wellness point total and then a quite big blank space, then a huuuge thing about the survey you can complete. How about rethinking their whole receipt system in such a way that you don’t need to waste so much paper for the survey thing and make the +Up rewards shorter and use as little paper as possible.
I don’t think I believe that it’s environmentally motivated.
I don’t either. I expect that a lot of people’s UP+ rewards will end up expiring without being used to they’ll probably end up making more money.
Lets be honest how many of you have enough ups from previous purchases that you can do more than 1 transaction per day or have more than 1 Wellness Card?Just opt out for paper Ups .How many times does someone find a good deal and tells everyone and we run out to do the deal.So its not like we will be making extra trips
well….i always do a minimum of 2 to 3 transactions in one visit. I think the point is that they are trying to just make it more difficult for people who use coupons. We earned the up rewards by buying the sale items so why in the world should we have to wait 24 hours to use them??
Its a good thing they just built a cvs close to where i do my grocery shopping… this makes me almost done with rite aid
The only plus about this is that the UP+ rewards are now 2 weeks long. As it is currently if you buy something on Monday or Friday they’ll expire 2 weeks from the previous Sunday – the 1st day of the sale week. I don’t like that because if you make purchases at the end of the week you don’t have 14 days to use the UP+ rewards.
However, everything else in this new system is a HUGE negative.
I agree with all of you! We earned them we should use them as we like! I would go to CVS but the closest one’s 45 minutes away and Walgreens is an hour away. So I guess I’ll just deal with it, however on September 3rd I will be getting the rewards back to paper. Good luck ladies 🙂
I think this has less to do with the environment and more abt limiting transactions.
Now I shop at rite aid only if have have to, the stores here (M.Beach) are not coupon friendly and most of the cashiers and managers have the nastiest attitude when you use coupons and roll the UPS. They’ve already lost a lot of customers and obviously they’ll lose more soon.
CVS all day everyday 🙂
I think when big changes are made to the UP’s it’s because of the manufacturer. Rite Aid only wins when someone uses an UP reward, it’s money in their pocket. The only one losing out because of couponers are the manufacturer’s. I will still be visiting Rite Aid because I think they have great sales. I won’t let anyone keep me from getting a good deal.
I won’t be shopping at Rite Aid anymore. I live a half an hour away so I can only go once a week – I don’t like the fact that I can’t roll MY ups anymore…and have to wait til the next day. Stupid.
I’m confused as to how the Load2Card will work.Riteaid says that the card will automatically use your highest UPreward thats loaded on your card.So what if my purchase is only $3.00 and my loaded UPreward is $5.Will Riteaid use my $5 upreward and waste the $2.00 left on it?
No it couldn’t use the $5 UP+. What creates a problem is let’s say you have a $3 UP reward that expires in 10 days and a $2 UP that expires today. It would automatically use the $3 UP which would put your OOP at Zero. Your $2 UP that would that day wouldn’t be used and unless you purchased something else in another transaction you would lose it.
If I have a $2.25 purchase and two uprewards,one for $2 and one for $3 will it use my $2 upreward or will it force me to buy more stuff to use my $3 upreward before i can use my $2 one?
It will use your $2 UP reward. It will use the highest dollar value one that it can first without regards to when the expiration date is on the rewards. So if in your scenario you have (2) $1 UP Rewards that expire today and (1) $2 UP reward that expires in 12 days and (1) $3 UP Reward that expires in 5 days, it will use the $2 UP reward and not the $3 one since your dollar amount is lower than $3. But it will not use your (2) $1 UP rewards that it could even though they expire today. Unless you made another purchase, those would be lost.
The Load2Card UP rewards are taken off before any coupons you give them if you give them your Rite Aid card first. The only way to get around that is to have your coupons scanned first and then have them scan your Rite Aid card. Otherwise you may not be able to use your coupons.
For example: Let’s say you have a purchase totaling $3 before coupons and UP Rewards and that you have (2) $1 UP Rewards, (1) $2 UP Reward, and (1) $3 Up Reward loaded to your card. You have (2) $1 coupons for the 2 items that you are purchasing.
If you scan your Rite Aid card before your coupons are scanned it will use your $3 UP reward and your OOP will be Zero so you can’t use any of your coupons.
If you wait and have your Rite Aid card scanned after your coupons are scanned, your (2) $1 coupons will be deducted and (1) $1 UP Reward. Your OOP will be Zero.
if u havent purchased your mailers for ups, the ones for .29 are also printing a $1 up. yay .71 mm. got 4 of them today
This is making rite aid less user friendly. I will be asking for the paper ups. I prefer to keep track of my own ups on paper. I may do less deals at rite aid without the ability to roll over the ups right away. It will be more difficult to coupon and CVS may become even more popular.
I personally think this is a horrible idea for MANY reasons but mainly because if someone were to use the +ups loaded to their card, anyone could give their phone number and spend their +ups. Totally stupid. I hope they change this back.
I didn’t even think of that, Amanda. That’s a great point. I don’t know how many times the person in front of me in line has asked to have the cashier use my wellness card to get the sale prices because they didn’t have one. In that case, they would get to use all my +UPs as well. Not cool!
I have to drive quite a ways to our nearest rite aid. Using ups the next day is a big deal breaker for me. Dumb idea Rite aid…
I will definitely be opting for paper ups. I don’t like that I won’t be able to spend the up rewards until the next day, but I’m going to try to pay a little more out of pocket on the first week of this so that I have a large number of up rewards and hopefully after that I will be able to do everything I need in one transaction because I have a high number of up rewards. There are so many amazing money makers at Rite Aid I won’t be dumping them. Rite Aid is my favorite store lately!
I wish i have a choice. I have only RA by me, So no choice and dont mind waiting 1 day to use up rewards, i am in the store couple of times a week as i have to pass by it. I guess have to choose paper option.
I understand that companies have to make changes to their policy based on real life sceanoris. (like when I make rules in the house for the kids, sounds great in theory…). Any case, my opinion is we have the option to shop or not shop at a store based on their policies. In the case of the rewards loading on the card, I’m sure someone that has lost their paper copy or had them ruined because they got stuck on the bottom of their bag would be happy with this change. I myself agree with the majority of the responders that I like to have the paper copy and use them as cash. I like that rite aid gave us a choice and didn’t pick for us.