If you’re going to be a CVS ExtraCare member, then you have to know how to become the expert of racking in ExtraBucks.
Not sure how to use them? Don’t know what CVS ExtraBucks are? Well, read this and then head to your nearest CVS store to save some serious cash.
And if you want all the best CVS deals, don’t forget to download The Krazy Coupon Lady app and turn your notifications on for CVS.
1. What are CVS ExtraBucks?
Being a CVS ExtraCare Member is about more than just unlocking their deals. It also gets you CVS Cash in the form of ExtraBucks Rewards! The ExtraBucks CVS rewards are basically money you earn with every purchase that can be used toward a future transaction at CVS.
CVS tracks your purchases to reward you with coupons based on your shopping habits. For example, I got CVS rewards in the form of $2 ExtraBucks when I purchased Lindt or Ghirardelli chocolate based on what I already bought at CVS. CVS will cater ExtraBucks offers for what they think you’ll want to buy again.
2. Join CVS ExtraCare before you shop.
Before you buy anything at CVS, sign up for a free CVS ExtraCare account. Once you have a CVS ExtraCare account, be sure to present your card or phone number every time you shop. You have to be a CVS ExtraCare member to unlock the sales at CVS.
3. Earn CVS ExtraBucks Rewards through sales and special offers.
There are two ways to earn ExtraBucks. One of those ways is through weekly sales and special offers. Look in the CVS weekly ad for deals to earn ExtraBucks using your CVS ExtraCare card. You can also look at your CVS ExtraCare account online or in the app to see if there are special offers just for you.
4. Get 2% back in CVS ExtraBucks on every transaction.
The second way to earn CVS ExtraBucks is by simply using your ExtraCare card for each transaction. Fair warning … this isn’t going to be your home run on ExtraBucks. You’ll earn 2% back in rewards. You can either use them in your very next transaction or stack them up for a bigger redemption. I typically earn about $5 every few months, but hey, it’s still free CVS money.
Every quarter if you haven’t redeemed your rewards, it’ll cash you out. ExtraCare members who don’t redeem rewards digitally (through the app or CVS.com) will receive a quarterly printout of their accumulated rewards balance. For digital users, ExtraBucks Rewards that are unused and haven’t been sent to your ExtraCare card will be reissued on a printed coupon at the end of the quarter. Your ExtraBucks must be over $1 for them to be printed out.
5. Get $10 in ExtraBucks each month from CVS CarePass.
The CVS CarePass program is a nice and easy way to get $10 ExtraBucks each month. It’s a paid program that’ll cost you $5 monthly, but it pays you back more than it costs. There are tons of benefits, including making money every single month. Plus, CVS will give you the first month for free!
TIP: Check out our deep dive into the nitty-gritty of CVS CarePass.
6. Get the most from your CVS Rewards by rolling them from one transaction to the next.
CVS Rewards usually expire within 30 days, so you’ll want to use them quickly.
You’ll also want to be strategic about how you earn and spend them. Split your transaction into two separate ones, and buy the items you’ll earn the most ExtraBucks with first.
Then you can immediately turn around and use those ExtraBucks to pay for the next transaction. AND you’ll earn additional ExtraBucks even though you’re paying with them, too.
Free. Money.
7. Use a combo of ExtraBucks Rewards, coupons, sales, and rebates to get free products — or even make money.
Stacking coupons at CVS is the key to becoming an expert CVS couponer — and to scoring CVS deals under $1. By using a combination of coupons, you’ll pay the least amount out of pocket but bring home the most in savings.
One deal I did this on was for Crest mouthwash. It was on sale for $3.99 (regularly $5.49). There was an ExtraBucks offer of “Buy three, get $5 in ExtraBucks.” I also had a $2 off $12 mouthwash CVS coupon and a $5 off 3 Crest digital coupon. After using all those coupons, my total was $4.97 for three bottles of mouthwash. And I received $5 back in ExtraBucks. Even sweeter, I used $3 in ExtraBucks from a previous deal so I only had to pay $1.97 out of my pocket.
Related: Learn how we save 80% on razors at CVS by stacking coupons.
9. Join CVS ExtraCare Pharmacy & Health Rewards to earn $5 in ExtraBucks when you reach 10 credits.
It pays to get your prescriptions at CVS. Every transaction earns you a specific number of credits. (Even your pets’ prescriptions can help you earn credits.)
- Fill a prescription = 1 credit
- Enroll a family member (including your furry ones) = 1 credit
- Fill a 90-day prescription = 3 credits
- Create a CVS.com account & link a prescription = 3 credits
- Get a flu shot at CVS = 3 credits
TIP: Sign up your entire family on one card (including your pets!) and you can each earn up to $50 in ExtraBucks a year.
9. Add your birthday for $3 in ExtraBucks.
Once you set up your CVS account, make sure you add in your birthday. You’ll receive $3 in ExtraBucks as a special treat.
10. Make sure to check your online account for ExtraBucks.
Click the ExtraCare link once you’re on the CVS website and logged in. Some ExtraBucks have to be manually loaded onto your card (or printed). To do this, just hit the “send to card” option in the app or on CVS.com.
11. Don’t spend more than you have to — you only have to pay 98% to earn ExtraBucks.
If you see an offer that says, “Get $5 in ExtraBucks when you spend $20,” you only have to spend $19.60, or 98% of $20 to earn the $5 reward.
If that sounds confusing, check out our detailed post on the CVS 98% rule and how we use it all the time!
UP NEXT: The Best CVS Deals Available Now
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