Couponing can be confusing, especially if you’re trying to figure out which stores give you the most bang for your buck. Learning how to coupon is just the first step. Knowing h ow to stack coupons and pair them with sales or store rewards is where the real savings happen. And if you want to go even further, our Ultimate Guide to Rebate and Cash-Back Apps can help you turn everyday purchases into extra money back in your pocket.
So what actually makes a coupon policy stellar? Let’s break it down.
What Makes a Great Coupon Policy?
Not all coupon policies are created equal. The best ones give you flexibility and make saving easy, whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned couponer. Here’s what we look for when ranking stores:
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Coupon Stacking: The ability to use more than one coupon on the same item (like a manufacturer coupon plus a store coupon) for maximum savings.
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Ease of Use: Digital coupons, a user-friendly app, and cashier-friendly policies that don’t make you feel like you’re jumping through hoops.
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Freebies: Stores that accept coupons that let you get an item for free.
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Clear Rules on Clearance: The best stores let you use coupons on clearance and sale items, which is where some of the deepest discounts happen.
These are the factors we used to rank the top stores for couponing. Let’s see who came out on top.
Store Coupon Policy Cheat Sheet
We pulled together the best coupon policies in one place so you can save it, pin it, or print it. (Click on the graphic below or click here to expand.)
1. Target Coupon Policy — Easy 🌶️
Target is one of the easiest stores to coupon at because of the variety. With over 200 Circle offers in the app and the ability to stack store and manufacturer coupons, you can save big whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned couponer.
Target Coupon Policy Highlights:
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Allows one manufacturer coupon, one Target coupon, and one Circle offer (like 20% off One A Day Vitamins) per item.
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Limit of four identical coupons per household, per day.
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Adjusts coupon value if item is less than coupon.
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Allows free product coupons* (but not printed from the internet).
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Allows coupons on clearance and sale items.
*A free-product coupon is a rare, high-value coupon that manufacturers sometimes send out to get you to try their product, no purchase necessary. You’ll still be responsible for all applicable sales tax, but you essentially get a completely free item. Not all retailers accept them, so we’ve highlighted those who do on this list.
Learn how to coupon at Target and then score all the Target deals .
KCL TIP: Use the Target app to scan barcodes in-store. You’ll often find hidden Circle offers that you didn't know about.
2. Walmart Coupon Policy — Easy 🌶️
Couponing at Walmart is simple: one coupon per item, and it works on clearance and Rollback deals. They ended coupon overages in September 2023, but you can still score freebies with rare free item coupons.
Walmart Coupon Policy Highlights:
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You can use one coupon per item.
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Limit of four identical coupons per household, per day.
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Doesn't allow for coupon overage.
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Allows free product coupons (but not printed from the internet)
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Allows coupons on clearance and Rollback deals.
KCL TIP: Use the Walmart app to scan items for Walmart clearance . This is where couponing with a Rollback really pays off.
3. Publix Coupon Policy — Easy 🌶️
Publix is a couponer’s dream because they accept competitor coupons, run weekly BOGO sales, and even allow overages (given back as a Publix gift card). Stack coupons during a BOGO, and your total can drop to pennies (or even leave you with a gift card from overage).
Publix Coupon Policy Highlights:
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Allows one manufacturer coupon and one Publix coupon OR competitor coupon per item.
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Limit of eight of the same coupons per day, per household.
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Allows overage on coupon value. You get a Publix gift card if your coupon is more than the product cost.
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Allows free item coupons.
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Allows coupons on clearance and sale items.
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Accepts competitors’ coupons.
KCL TIP: Stack two coupons on a BOGO deal — one for each item — for double the savings.
4. Dollar Tree Coupon Policy — Easy 🌶️
Dollar Tree is all about freebies, but you’ve got to watch the fine print. Pay close attention to size restrictions on coupons, and you’ll have no trouble scoring items for free.
Dollar Tree Coupon Policy Highlights:
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Allows one manufacturer coupon per item.
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Limit of four identical coupons per household, per day.
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Limit of two internet (printable) coupons per customer, per day.
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Adjusts coupon value down if item is less than coupon.
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Allows coupons on clearance and sale items.
Learn how to coupon at Dollar Tree and then score all the Dollar Tree deals .
5. CVS Coupon Policy — Intermediate 🌶️🌶️
CVS is one of those stores that can feel simple at first but gets more advanced once you dive in. The real power comes from stacking up to four coupons per item and earning ExtraBucks — basically free money to use on future purchases.
One big perk? CVS calculates ExtraBucks before your coupons apply. That means you earn rewards based on the full shelf price, even if you’re stacking coupons to drop your out-of-pocket cost. Master rolling rewards (earning rewards in one transaction and then using those rewards in your next transaction) and working the buy/spend thresholds, and you can score CVS deals that rival Black Friday.
CVS Coupon Policy Highlights:
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You can use one manufacturer coupon and up to three CVS coupons per item. Check out the ways to stack coupons at CVS for more details.
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No coupon limit per transaction.
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Adjusts coupon value down if the item is less than coupon.
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Allows free item coupons.
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Allows coupons on clearance and sale items.
Learn how to coupon at CVS and then score all the CVS deals .
6. Kroger Coupon Policy — Intermediate 🌶️🌶️
Kroger is a solid mid-level store for couponers, especially with digital coupons that work on grocery pickup and delivery. You can stack savings during Mega Sales, and some stores even allow manufacturer coupons alongside Kroger’s 5x digital coupons (though rules vary).
Kroger Coupon Policy Highlights:
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One manufacturer and one Kroger store coupon per item (stacking varies by location).
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Limit of three identical coupons per household/day (internet coupons may be capped at two).
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Adjusts the coupon value down if the item costs less than the coupon.
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Free item coupons accepted.
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Coupons are accepted on clearance and sale items.
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Digital coupons are available in the Kroger app.
Learn how to coupon at Kroger and then score all the Kroger deals .
7. Dollar General Coupon Policy — Intermediate 🌶️🌶️
Dollar General is best known for its weekly $5 off $25 digital coupon on Saturdays, which you can stack with manufacturer coupons and instant savings offers. It takes a little planning, but the savings add up quickly if you map out your cart in advance. The Dollar General coupon math is what makes things tricky, but once you learn it, you got it.
Dollar General Coupon Policy Highlights:
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One manufacturer and one Dollar General store coupon per item.
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Limit of five identical coupons per household/day.
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$5 off $25 Dollar General coupon available every Saturday.
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Adjusts the coupon value down if the item costs less than the coupon.
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Coupons are valid on clearance and sale items.
KCL TIP: Pair the $5 off $25 coupon with instant savings offers for double the discount.
8. Walgreens Coupon Policy — Hard 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Walgreens can deliver some of the biggest savings, but the rules are tricky. You’ll need to juggle Register Rewards, Walgreens Cash, and coupons. Plus, each store manager has leeway on enforcing limits. No overage is allowed, and you must have at least one item for every coupon or reward you use.
Walgreens Coupon Policy Highlights:
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Allows one manufacturer coupon and one Walgreens coupon per item.
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Register Rewards count as manufacturer coupons.
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A filler item must be used to redeem a Register Reward and a manufacturer coupon.
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Limit of four identical coupons per household, per day.
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WON'T accept coupons that are more than the value of the item. NO exceptions!
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Allows free item coupons (but not printed from the internet).
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Allows coupons on clearance and sale items
Learn how to coupon at Walgreens and then score all the Walgreens deals .
KCL TIP: Separate transactions to roll Register Rewards and Walgreens Cash without losing value.
Honorable Mentions
These four retailers didn’t make the “best stores to coupon at” cut because they don’t accept manufacturer coupons in the traditional way. But you can still get great savings with in-house coupons and promo codes.
Costco Coupon Book and Policy
You can’t use manufacturer coupons at Costco, but their monthly deals work like automatic coupons. Look for their warehouse booklet in the mail or at the customer service desk. You have to be a Costco member to get the deals, though, so make sure you’re actually buying enough to make the membership worth it.
Check out the latest Costco deals .
Amazon Coupon Policy
Amazon doesn’t accept paper manufacturer coupons, but you may occasionally find promotional codes and digital Amazon coupons that can be applied to specific products to save money.
To find the best deals, follow our Amazon Deals page .
Sam’s Club Coupon Policy
Like Costco, Sam’s Club doesn’t accept manufacturer coupons, but their monthly Instant Savings act like automatic discounts. You need to be a member to access the deals, but wait for Sam’s Club to run a promo where you pay the $45 membership fee and get a $20 gift card to spend in the store.
Here are all of the Sam’s Club deals .
Aldi Coupon Policy
Aldi doesn’t accept manufacturer coupons, because 90% of the items sold are Aldi’s exclusive brand. Many of those items cost 50% less than typical prices at other grocery stores. Look for items marked “Aldi Finds” for some of the best discounts in-store.
Aldi does offer regional promotions or coupons tied to events, such as an Aldi store Grand Opening. Keep an eye on your mailbox or look in stores for special promotions near you.
Check out these Aldi deals .
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