Walgreens Balance Rewards Program Has Changed, We’ve Got Everything You Need to Know!
Starting today, November 4th, Walgreens has implemented changes to the Balance Rewards program. You will now find that every 1,000 points will equal $1, and a maximum of up to 5,000 points will be allowed to be redeemed per transaction ($5 reward).
So, how do the new Walgreens Balance Rewards work?
Starting today, you’ll only be able to redeem points at the following five tiers, which will include a new 4,000 point tier. And, the maximum redemption limit per transaction will be 5,000 points ($5 reward), which means that your points will be of less value as you accumulate them. 😏
- 1,000 points = $1 discount
- 2,000 points = $2 discount
- 3,000 points = $3 discount
- 4,000 points = $4 discount
- 5,000 points = $5 discount (max)
Note that points cannot be redeemed to purchase alcohol, dairy, tobacco, prepaid cards, clinic services, prescriptions, pharmacy items or services, contact lenses, and photo orders not picked up in store.
No!!! Seriously!?!? I always use my points for my Christmas cards. I have $60 right now. Ugghhh
Same here! Ughhhh
I find Walgreen’s so expensive. You shop there enough to get that many points?
I agree Sharon.
It’s the same with CVS and Rite Aid. Overpriced. But you can get it cheaper at CVS with all the coupons and deals. I bought (and returned) ROC eye cream at RiteAid for $25.99, less $5 store coupon and $2 manufacturer’s coupon. Even with these, still more expensive compared to Target or Walmart at $15.99, and less $2 coupon.
Drug stores are NOT mass merchandisers. They have a very limited shelf space, so the prices for those slots WILL be higher than Walmart or Target. But drug stores offer rewards back, which makes them competitive or BETTER than those stores if you play the game right!
On the flip side, there are many people (esp elderly) who don’t want to shop at a huge store like WM and since there are Wags & CVS stores on practically every corner, will shop for groceries & household items, not caring about the shelf price. They don’t care if it’s $2 more! There have been times I’ve gone to CVS for otc meds bc it’s 2 mins down the street. I can get what I need and back home in less than 10 mins. Whereas WM is 10 mins away, then I have to find parking, walk into the store, find what I need (and maybe get distracted by the holiday/season stuff!!) ck out, then drive back home, which could take 30 mins or more!
I’m so glad you posted this a while back. I was able to use $35 on my $40 purchase last night. Picked up some items I wouldn’t normally buy.
Thanks Hip2Save!!
I agree. I’m glad the notice was posted prior, I used up my $35 for some freezer food items that were on sale and soft drinks. Paid $2.xx oop but at least I got them used and probably won’t be going there as much now unless the deal is REALLY good! I am not a fan of this new point system.
I really don’t like Walgreens. And even more now that my Rite said is turning into a Walgreens. 😫
It is so expensive.
Can someone remind me of their policy of using reward points? If you redeem points, you won’t earn points, correct? If you redeem points, will a register reward still print?
You can redeem and still earn points on non threshold offers only. Like buy 2 items get 5000 points you can still earn and redeem at the same time. If the offer is spend $20 on items and get 5000 points back, you wouldn’t be able to use your points and still get points back. You can use points to pay for a register reward deal and it will print with no problem. Hope this helps?
I used up most of my points last week. Made me mad that I felt I had to “waste” them on high-priced items that I rarely ever buy, just to get rid of them. Will probably never set foot in Walgreens again.
I feel the same way. Last week I purchased items that a teacher requested, then yesterday I purchased healthcare items for my dad. I always had used the points for items for me, I feel cheated.
I bought perfume worth $50.46 and used points but I’m planning to return it to get store credit. I rarely return items but at that point I don’t see anything I want to spend my points on.
It’s a rewards program. So I am grateful I can earn points and redeem for spending you know. Not many merchants offer any type of programs anymore.
I agree, Stacy. I am happy that some stores still offer loyalty programs!
I feel like everyone is rolling out a rewards program. 7 -11 gas stations have it now and so does Whataburger!!!
I agree. Most people aren’t store loyal. They have to do something to get you in the door.
I will be doing separate transactions when needed.
Walgreen’s Balance Rewards program has sucked since they changed it a few years ago. I find myself rarely going there for anything anymore since my CVS is so close and their ExtraCare program has remained fairly consistent.
Glad to give Cvs my business anyway,who is doubling rewards for this week
TRUE!!
Same here. I like cvs much better. Never got anything from Walgreens program. Always find better deals at cvs and better rewards too!
I agree. I stopped shopping there a few years ago when it changed bc the new program was too cumbersome/complicated for me.
I had to spend $105 in rewards last night. I ordered my Xmas cards and hope I don’t put my family and friends into shock sending the day after Thanksgiving. Got a few Razor gift sets, a few toys for the grand kids, lots of stocking stuffers. I shop there a lot so I’m thankful that I was able to get so many things with my points.
Oh no!!!!!!! All my points?!?!
I earn about 4,000 points a month using their Healthy Choices program without spending any money so I’m not complaining. I’ll just make smaller purchases more often.
Thanks H2S for the earlier heads up about the change!
You’re very welcome, Suzanne!
Same for sure. But I got mixed up. I thought the post said the 4th was the last day we could use them ‘as usual.’ I’m so bummed 😭 But I’ll spend them anyway.. I had 45 – wondering if that changes since the rules changed…
As long as they don’t close like all my sears that’s are around I’m okay with that 😁
Thankyou for the heads up a couple weeks ago! Last night I think I ordered enough tampons and disposable contacts to last me a year just to blow through my points. 🤷♀️
You’re welcome! 🙂
Contacts? I didn’t to use my points on contacts!
I guess there will be plenty more “I see threes” from the Walgreens cashiers now, as we have to waste time splitting our orders up into separate transactions!
One more reason I will not shop at Walgreens, sorry!
Yeah I’m over Walgreens now. Their leaked Black Friday ad is really sad too.
I am looking at your shopping scenario this week and see “coupon found in the 11/4 RMN” . what is RMN?? I am familiar with other abbreviations but RMN is new. Help???
Hi there! That is the Retail me Not insert which comes in the Sunday paper. Hope that helps!
My closest Walgreens is such a pain they deny you getting any more then 3 of any sale item period which is so stupid the ad doesn’t limit or say that cant even do deals that require a certain amount to hit the deal it ridiculous almost feels like its targeted at me specifically i get price errors alot there now and issues its not pleasant been denied buying what iv wanted like the puffs deal weeks ago buy 10 get 5.00 back in rewards wouldn’t let me and that happened twice iv had issues multiple times there they keep making up crap or excuses they even tried denying me buying 5 items that were on clearance even took 2 of em and left me at the register and started taking it back to the shelf while i was there checking out 😠 then said it was clearance then said ok then i can do it. But if its a different manager iv gone and has no issues its not like I’m clearing shelfs either its ridiculous. Raised prices on some stuff compared to other walgreens city over go to other one more now. Now point change dont like either.
Thats really stupid that they are limiting it like that if they have candy on sale I’m going to get more then 3 of them i like there .39 cent sales on candy or close to that thats ridiculous.
Do you happen to live in Cedar Park? Sounds like a mgr Ive seen do stuff like that to other customers…SMH…
Nope its one of the utah Walgreens iv never had this type of problems before till last few months other stores are still good so far but the one if its one of the managers then its awful if its the other then its fine but i never know so i go to the other one now
Love the heart keychain in the picture! Where can I get one?!
Hi Cindy! I am looking for the answer to this and will update here once I find out! 🙂
That is Mary’s keychain which she got from Dayspring. It seems they are no longer available now though. 🙁
They should do a reward system like Shopyourway. Then you could redeem any amount you please. Could be 10 cents or any other figure. Not just a dollar or on the dollar.
Walgreen’s is so ridiculously overpriced anyway…so personally I don’t care at all, that they changed their Rewards program. Walmart is usually the cheapest for all drugstore items, at Target I can save 5% and can earn gift cards buying drugstore products, and Amazon Prime will deliver many things same-day or in 2 days at most…thankfully lots of other options in 2018!
I was thankful this was posted a few weeks ago. I used $120.00 in points last night and my son used$50.00.
Thank you
You’re welcome!
I appreciate the notice on this as I was able to use my points last week. I am cool with the new rewards system as the merchants do still need to do what make sense to them while trying to keep their business going. I support them as long as they sell quality products at a good price. Some stuff are pricey at Walgreens but then you get some good deals on certain things if you watch for sale or BOGO, etc. Good for them to try to be creative. They have to…otherwise, just look at Toysrus and Sears…
i went to walgreens last night to use up my points, they had allready changed over at 8:30 last night, im done with them.
I stopped using walmart when they decided to allow one like coupon per purchase even if the coupon says you can use up to four like coupons per purchase. Then the clerk told me that couponers are the reason groceries are so high. It isn’t fair to the people that can’t use coupons either.
I used to be a loyal Wags shopper, until they quit sending out a sales flyer in the paper every week. Their website for coupons is a long drawn out process, not worth my time. Now they change this rewards! I’ve had it. I quit going to Rite Aid because they changed their program. Add Wags to my list of stores I’m desserting.
I have 28.870 points saved at walgreens.When do they expire?Will I have to use them all up before the end of the year?
Very unhappy with these changes. I will not be shopping at Walgreens any more. I used to save up my rewards until I reached the $40 or $50 mark, and then I would use the reward on something more expensive like fragrances. Walgreens needs to bring back the old program and policies or the company will lose many customers, including myself!
Yes this sux! I used to go there several times a week now only if I have to and even then I avoid it…