SavingStar: Use Digital Coupons at Rite Aid, CVS & More (Redeem for Cash & Amazon Gift Cards!)
If you currently shop at a grocery or drug store that issues a store loyalty card, such as CVS, Rite-Aid, Albertsons, Dillon’s, Kroger, Ralph’s, and many more, you may be interested in signing up for a SavingStar account! SavingStar is a national, fully-digital grocery eCoupon service similar to Upromise that allows you to add paperless eCoupons to your existing grocery and drug store loyalty cards… AND they currently have over 24,000 stores participating that represent nearly 100 retail chains! Basically, whenever you use your card to pay at checkout and purchase an item for which you’ve loaded an eCoupon for, the savings will automatically be deposited into your SavingStar account, which can then be redeemed for a deposit into your bank or PayPal account, an Amazon gift card, or a donation to American Forests once your account reaches $5!
Interested? Here’s what you’ll need to do…
*Head on over here and register for a FREE SavingStar account (be sure to click on the confirmation link sent to your Inbox).
*After logging in, enter your zip code to see what stores are available for you to link your Store Loyalty cards to. I am so excited that Rite Aid and CVS are both participating stores! 🙂
*Then browse through the available eCoupons and click to activate the ones you want. If you have an iPhone or Android, you can even download the SavingStar app so you can click the eCoupons you want, even while you’re out and about shopping! Just download the iPhone app or Android app to get started.
*After the eCoupons have been activated, whenever you use your loyalty card at checkout and purchase an item that you have an eCoupon for, your savings are automatically added to your SavingStar account (Note- your grocery bill will stay the same).
*Once your SavingStar account reaches $5, you can request a payout from a deposit into your bank or PayPal account, an Amazon gift card, or a donation to American Forests.
Here are a few Frequently Asked Questions you may also have…
How often are new eCoupons available?
Currently, SavingStar makes most new eCoupons available on the first of every month – though new offers may become available at any time.
How will I know that I’ve received my savings?
All savings will be posted to your SavingStar account empowering you to track exactly how much you’ve saved over time. They’ll also send you an email to alert you when your savings post.
How quickly do my savings post to my SavingStar account?
Your savings will typically post to your SavingStar account between two days and two weeks after your purchase, depending on how quickly stores send us purchase data. In rare cases it can take up to 30 days. SavingStar is actively working with retailers to post your savings as quickly as possible.
Are SavingStar eCoupons doubled by retailers?
Retailers typically do not double digital coupons. This is also true for SavingStar eCoupons.
I’m a member of Upromise and see that its Grocery eCoupons are powered by SavingStar. Can I participate in both Upromise and SavingStar?
Yes. In fact, SavingStar (which was created as an independent company when it was spun out from Upromise) provides the eCoupons for the Upromise service. You may register for both the Upromise and SavingStar services, including registering your same store loyalty cards in each service. However, you may only activate a particular eCoupon in one service during a single promotion period. In the future, you’ll see SavingStar powering other rewards services as well.
My store is participating, but it doesn’t have a store loyalty card. How do I save at my store?
There are a handful of SavingStar participating retailers that do not have traditional store loyalty cards. Some have “Upromise keytags” resulting from their participation in the Upromise Grocery eCoupons program which SavingStar powers. In these cases, you may register the retailer’s Upromise keytag in your SavingStar account. As is the case with any card that you register, SavingStar will know to credit the account that you have used to activate any particular eCoupon offer. If you don’t have one of these keytags you can get one at the retailers’ customer service desk. (Note: you don’t need to be a Upromise member to register a Upromise keytag with SavingStar or to save with SavingStar.) Other retailers have other forms of unique identification numbers, such as phone numbers, that can be used. See the card registration page in your Account for details regarding each individual retailer.
How cool is that!? Head on over here to sign up! This site was brand new to me, so please feel free to leave a comment if you’ve already signed up with SavingStar and share what your experience has been like so far. Thanks!
Do the eCoupons replace a regular MQ or are they in addition to a MQ and/or store Q?
Wondering the same thing…
I too am wondering the same thing!
They are in addition. Collin- correct me if I am wrong =)
okay, so just to clarify, I can use a Manufacturer’s coupon, an store coupon, and still get reimbursed on my SavingStar account?
yes you can use a manu,store,upromise,and saving star all at once
Thanks Collin! This sounds awesome. One question though, can these eCoupons be stacked with man. coupons? I see that my cvs is participating 🙂
okay, let me make sure i get this right (i never used digital coupons before…) so say for rite aid i download a $1 off coupon for lotion. Say the lotions $2. So my out of pocket would still be $2 but i will get reinburst from that website with one of their payment plans? *Thanks to anyone who answers 🙂
The way I understand it is these coupons do not deduct anything while you are at the counter checking out. You use your regular coupons as usual and then in the back of your mind keep note that you have a digital coupon for $1.00 back into your digital piggy bank because you purchased that product. Once you get to $5 you can cash it out. Hope this makes sense.
That is how I read it too.
You still use your regular coupons. You are just getting a “reward” from savingstar. It is just like Upromise, the coupons you clip from them are acutally given to you in money in your account on their website.
thanks kim 🙂 so let me make sure i understand… (i’ma newbie) so if i physically have a $1 cut out coupon and say i also have a .50 cent coupon on this card, i can use both and get .50 in my account? (i hate to ask so many questions but you seem to know what you’r talking about 😀 thanks!)
so the coupon that is downloaded is a manufac coupon? will they still take there own coupon on top after using my ecard coupon?
meant will they take there own store coupon on top of ecard dowload coupon
Just don’t forget about your account for a year! I don’t think that will be a problem for us couponers 🙂
INACTIVE ACCOUNT FEE
SavingStar does not charge a fee to join. However, it is your responsibility to keep your Account active. If your Account becomes Inactive, SavingStar will deduct a monthly Inactivity Fee of $1.99 from any Awards received in your Account. Your Account will be considered “Inactive” if, for a period of twelve (12) consecutive months you have not activated an offer, received an Award, or withdrawn Awards from your Account. In the event that your Account will soon be deemed Inactive, SavingStar will attempt to notify you at your registered email address before it begins to deduct Inactivity Fees from the Awards in your Account. If your Account is Inactive, you may automatically reactivate it by activating an offer or withdrawing Awards.
Hi. This is Josh from SavingStar. To clarify, SavingStar does not inhibit other coupons. Manufacturers typically state that is against their policies for shoppers to use more than one coupon for the same purchase, but if you choose to do so, SavingStar eCoupons will work. Thanks, Josh
Josh, I’m a little worried here. Let’s say I downloaded the huggies e-coupon from Savingstar, but I also have “paper” manufacturer coupon – are you saying can’t use both? Or manufacturer doesn’t want you to use both, or it might work?
Can you tell me how to unselect a coupon once it’s already been activated?
Thanks
Hi Susan,
Once you select a coupon, it cannot be un-selected. Of course, it’s up to you if you want to buy the product. Once the coupon expires it will be removed from your list of activated coupons.
Thanks,
Josh
Well, I am pretty sure that you can stack it with paper mnfr q. Lets say Kroger do not allow you to use both ecoupon and a paper coupon on the same item. Otherwise it would be too good to be true. But I guess its worth trying 😉
“can’t” that is 🙂
Yes Savingstar stacks with manufacturer and store coupons just like upromise coupons do. Also they stack with upromise. So its possible to have an item on sale somewhere use 1) manufacturer coupon 2) store coupon 3) get upromise coupon credit 4) get saving star cash. Assuming a coupon exists for all 4 which is sometimes the case.
One thing I noticed that is troubling is I’m seeing some coupons in saving star say “sold out”. That suggests to me that after a certain number of redemptions they don’t allow any more. This is pretty crappy imho. I do have two of my redemptions from Harris Teeter credited from about 3 weeks ago so I know it is working.
Hi – SavingStar eCoupons will always work. We do not inhibit other services coupons, whether they are paper coupons or digital coupons. Manufacturers typically have their own policies in which they outline rules of usage, but if you select a SavingStar eCoupon it will work.
SavingStar powers the eCoupons for Upromise, but you cannot select the same coupon in both services. If you select the coupon in SavingStar, you will not be able to select it in Upromise, and vice-versa.
Thanks, Josh
No participating in my area in AR. Waa! Glad for you others, though. Thanks for posting the deal, Collin.
Looks like you have to choose SavingStar or Upromise. When I add one from either, it dissapears on the other. (If I add $0.40 Heinz on Upromise, it goes away on SavingStar)
See conversation 9.1 above.
This is great I have heard about these e-coupons before but never really looked into it. Thanks for posting this. I have a kindle and this will be my little savings bank to cash in for an amazon gift card and use it to buy books on my kindle. Super excited. Just scored the glasses deal too so a good day for me and it’s only noon. WOOT WOOT!
I am loving this! Thanks, Collin!
so, is this correct? It loads on all your cards and it just comes off wherever you use it first?
Thanks! I am excited about this site. I signed up, added my cards and added savings. I understand how it works now after reading the comments above I think it is a neat idea since it does not affect your ability to use paper manf. coupons. I am so aggravated at Kroger changing their policy to not allow digital and manf. coupons.
Me too-I give Kroger as little business as possible now that they changed their policy!!!!
I think Josh’s answer is vague because you CAN stack these with other ecoupons, but you’re not supposed to. At least that’s what I’m getting from it.
AFter contacting SavingSTar myself, I got the exact same response from another employee. However, after having a fiasco with an ecoupon and a higher paper coupon at Kroger yesterday (no way to not use the ecoupon and still attach to my card–wanted for gas credits), I am leery about using both. Perhaps CVS will allow but don’t think Krogers will.
Margaret – I know what you mean, as I have had the same problem with paper/ecoupons. However, if this program is like Upromise (and it sure looks like it is, since SavingStar powers Upromise), you will not have this problem. The SavingStar ecoupon will NOT show up on your receipt and technically Kroger doesn’t know you used it. Your purchases funnel to the website, where you receive the savings promised (it is delayed a bit from the date of purchase). I have not tried this myself with SavingStar, but I HAVE with Upromise and have not had a problem at all. Hope that helps!
Its a little different than with Kroger. Because at Kroger the e-coupons are coming off your bill. These do not so the store has no idea you even used an e-coupon in this case. I agree though, I was pretty bummed when Kroger changed the policy.
HMMMM…. just thought of something. Our Giant Eagle only allows 45 eoffers at a time on the card. I’m wondering if adding more coupons would kick off the ones I have tied to it already. Anyone know?
fyi…from SavingSTar
Unlike Kroger eCoupons, SavingStar is independent of all other coupons and therefore, SavingStar offers do not inhibit the use of other coupons or offers. While manufacturers do not intend for coupons to be used in conjunction with one another, SavingStar will not force you to choose. Thank You, Jaclyn Godfrey SavingStar Customer Service SavingStar.com –
Pick&save participates. It’s a miracle! lol
WOW!!! I didn’t realize Pick & Saves were still in business! Haven’t seen them in many years!!! 🙂
Anyone know about required item sizes? Some say “any” but for the Huggies diapers, there’s one for $1.50 on little movers/little snugglers w/a pict of the Jumbo, and $2.00 for Snug & Dry with a pict of a Big Pack (the boxes you usually find at CVS/Rite Aid, etc). There isn’t anything on the coupon that actually says what size(s) of packs you can use with which coupon… does anyone know if I can use the Snug & Dry coupon on a Jumbo pack??
Thanks!
Hi Becky – you can use the Huggies coupon on the Jumbo pack. Thanks, Josh
Uhh doesn’t the website mention your bill will stay the same? These don’t deduct at all. It’s like getting a hidden RR to your SavingStar account for purchasing the specific item you’ve added to your card. So let’s say you just buy one Sunny D with no coupons but you added the 25 cent
“coupon” from SavingStar. In the end you’ll pay the regular price, nothing is deducted. BUT, you will get 25 cents added to your SavingStar account
How is everyone keeping track of this? I mean if i use the ecoupon and buy 3 items do I get 3x that ecoupon or does it only work for 1 of that item?
Also, lets say I go and buy 5 different items and they are all 1$ off ecoupons from star, how do i know I will get credit for those? do you all print out a list of coupons you have loaded on your card and then check them off the list as you use them?
Thanks!
Hi Susan, Nearly all the eCoupons state “one time use only” which means that no matter where you choose to shop, the coupon can only be used 1 time. If you buy the product at 2 different stores, the coupon can only be used for the first purchase. At the top of your selected coupon list on the right side of the screen, you can click the email or print list buttons. Also, when a coupon expires or once we know that you’ve used it, it will drop off the list of available coupons. Thanks, Josh
I just signed up for this. My question is, I never heard of Upromise before this. Is this something that I should sign up for as well? It seems like above posts are saying that the coupons don’t work for both? Are there different coupons?
Collin, can you add these coupons to your deal scenarios? 🙂
Upromise is very similar to this ecoupon wise, however, you can link it to your student loans (which I do) or a 529 plan towards your child’s education. After so many months they make a deposit (I believe it’s 3 months) towards your linked loan and that’s less money you have to pay. They also have a credit card which works the same way. I’ve been apart of Upromise for about 8 years now and they have paid over 800.00 towards my student loans as a result of the credit card and linking up my store cards and ecoupons (and it’s free). Here’s the website address for upromise: http://www.upromise.com
Keep in mind that this is technically income and the IRS tracks PayPal now, so you’ll have to report and pay taxes on what you get back.
I don’t think we have to worry about that. I wouldn’t. They can see where it’s coming from. It is like your regular savings, and it is not a business.
I presonally have been emailing them regarding my coupons. I went over a month ago to Kroger and I have yet to get anything into my account. I don’t think this really works well for the South region.
@Tracey – be patient because I purchased an item at Kroger that had a Upromise coupon and it took exactly 2 months for it to post to my account.
Colin, I’m new at couponing. Can you still use paper coupons with he Saving Star and Upromise coupons? Or does the the digital coupon cancel out the paper coupon even though you are not saving money on the grocery bill?
I’m trying to understand exactly what is meant by “One Time Use”. Does this mean that if I buy 3 of the same item in the same transaction, that I will only get the savings on one of the items and not all three?
I made purchases at 4 different retailers that I have on my savingstar account and nothing has shown in my account yet. How long does it usually take for these to appear?
If the offer is for one time use you will receive the offer on your first purchase only. After that the offer will drop from your card. your other two purchases during the same transaction or future transaction will not be rewarded.
I just wanted to say that my store partcipates in this. I loaded all the e-copuons onto my card and when i went to check out, I did not get the savings. Luckily, I printed out what I loaded and the manager gave me the money off, but that is a hassle if i have to do it everytime. Is there a reason it did not come off when I purchased teh items?
I get that this post is months old but… The entire chain above is telling you that you will not see the ecoupon savings on your receipt but that it will accumulate in an account. Sounds like the store got ripped off in this situation.
I tried for a payout and it didn’t work
I tried the bank payout and it didn’t work
Savingstar has been around for a while. Do people use it? Do you have success with money posting to your account 2-22 days later? Do you have success with payout?