Rite Aid drugstore earns extra points for offering convenient and fast home delivery options — especially right now during the coronavirus pandemic. But what's the difference between ordering Rite Aid delivery and Rite Aid delivery powered by Instacart? Did you even know there was a difference?
Listen up because we're about to get into it. Here's what you need to know about both types of Rite Aid delivery.
All RiteAid.com orders over $35 ship free.
Let's talk about traditional Rite Aid delivery first.
When you shop RiteAid.com, standard delivery for orders under $34.99 will cost you $5.99 and will take 3-5 days to ship. If you buy something heavy or was preordered or backordered, the free shipping over $35 won't apply.
Gift cards, bulk orders, applicable shipping charges, Kidcents, and sales tax don't count toward the $35 shipping threshold.
Eligible prescriptions get free Rite Aid delivery.
In response to COVID-19, certain prescriptions get free delivery from Rite Aid pharmacies. Contact your local Rite Aid for more details and keep in mind controlled substances and/or refrigerated medicines aren't eligible.
Get same-day Rite Aid delivery through Instacart.
Order at least $35 worth of products from Rite Aid powered by Instacart and get your items delivered the same day you order them. (Prescriptions are excluded.)
Although you'll be shopping your local Rite Aid store, you won't get to use Load2Card coupons, and you won't get delivery fees waived even when you spend at least $35 unless you're an Instacart Express member (starting at $99/year or $9.99 monthly). Same-day Rite Aid delivery for non-Express shoppers starts at $3.99 for orders over $35. Everyone gets their first order delivered for free.
To save on Instacart, shop sales featured on the Rite Aid Instacart site and apply instant manufacturer coupons for more savings on your order. The instant manufacturer coupons you see on the Instacart site are different from Load2Card savings, and item availability along with prices, vary by store.
You should also factor in Instacart service fees (about 5% of your order for non-Express shoppers) and any tips you want to give your delivery person before deciding whether to shop via Instacart or RiteAid.com.
RiteAid.com and Instacart prices don't always match in-store prices.
All Rite Aid deals aren't created equally — as in, online deals don't always match in-store prices and vice versa. Rite Aid prices vary between stores and brick-and-mortar locations don't honor RiteAid.com pricing.
Prices are up to 30% cheaper when you shop RiteAid.com vs Rite Aid with Instacart.
When you shop Rite Aid powered by Instacart, you'll notice prices are higher than RiteAid.com. That's because Rite Aid marks up products you purchase through Instacart in order to offset the fees Instacart charges them for using their service.
For instance, Bounce Dryer Sheets, Outdoor Fresh 80 ct. is $4.29 on RiteAid.com. On Instacart it's about 26% more expensive at $5.79.
Even when I added a $1 instant coupon from Instacart to the Gain laundry detergent I wanted (making it $6.69, regularly $7.69), it was still more expensive than the same Gain product without a coupon on RiteAid.com (only $6.49).
Unless you need your Rite Aid delivery like, stat, you're better off ordering directly from RiteAid.com.
To use Load2Card coupons, you must shop through RiteAid.com — not Instacart.
Load2Card coupons can be found on RiteAid.com and in the free Rite Aid app. These coupons are manufacturer coupons just like those you print from home.
New coupons are loaded every Sunday. Try to "clip" these coupons as soon as they appear because often they'll disappear before their expiration dates. You may also want to check if new coupons have been loaded in the middle of the week when Coupons.com adds new coupons to their site.
Load2Card coupons are tied to your Wellness+ card, so make sure you're logged into your Wellness+ account online. When you tap to "clip" the coupon, it's loaded to your account and will be automatically deducted when you add the qualified items to your shopping cart. Each coupon may be redeemed once.
When you shop individual items on RiteAid.com, you can easily see if there's an applicable Load2Card offer attached to the item. Clip it to save at checkout.
Earn and redeem Wellness+ BonusCash Rewards on RiteAid.com.
Wellness+ BonusCash Rewards are digital rewards that you can earn by purchasing eligible items in store and online (only available on RiteAid.com not Instacart). They're loaded automatically when you make a purchase and can be used as in-store credit the day after your transaction. You'll have the option to use rewards at online checkout.
You can't use Silver and Gold status percent discounts on Rite Aid delivery orders.
Earn enough Wellness+ Points and receive a special status that gets you an exclusive discount in Rite Aid stores:
SILVER Status (250 – 499 Points): Receive 10% off almost the entire store for six months
GOLD Status (500+ Points): Receive 20% off almost the entire store for six months
Unfortunately, these discounts can only be used on purchases made in store, not online.
Have wine, beer, and spirits delivered with Instacart delivery.
Yes, it's true! In 2020, you no longer have to leave your home for happy hour. Order the alcohol you want and get it delivered within two hours with Rite Aid delivery through Instacart. Alcohol can't be shipped when you order from RiteAid.com.
Refer friends to shop Rite Aid through Instacart and earn up to $50 off delivery orders.
Every time a friend you refer places a Rite Aid delivery order through Instacart, they'll save $10 and you'll earn $10 off a future delivery. You can earn up to $50 referring friends.
You can't return RiteAid.com online orders in store.
This rule is a bummer because not only do you have to go through the trouble of repackaging your product for return, you also have to pay shipping and handling charges. Rite Aid doesn't refund any shipping fees unless the product arrives damaged or if they shipped you the wrong item.
You have 90 days from the original ship date to send your item back. Log into your RiteAid.com account for return details or call 1-800-748-3243.
Issue with your Rite Aid delivery via Instacart? You'll have to contact Instacart.
Let Instacart know if you have any missing, incorrect, or damaged items because Rite Aid won't be able to help. Good thing is, Instacart is pretty good at resolving problems and will send you any credits or refunds via email right away.
