Rite Aid 101

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Rite Aid currently has 3 programs:  Single Check Rebate, the Wellness program and the +UP Rewards program.

:: SINGLE CHECK REBATE AND WELLNESS

Rite Aid primarily uses the Single Check Rebate (SCR) system.  Rather than give you instant savings, selected products each week and month are eligible for a SCR.  Participating items may be found in both the weekly circular as well as the monthly Single Check Rebate book (available only in the store or may be viewed online here)

You do not need a store loyalty card in order to participate in the Single Check Rebate program, but you will need to register an account at RiteAid.com.  If it is the first time that you are registering, you should receive valuable Rite Aid coupons (such as a $5 off $25 coupon).

Rite Aid now has the Wellness program, with it’s own Wellness Card.  While you do not need the Wellness card in order to participate in the Single Check Rebate program, you DO need it to get many of the special pricing listed in the weekly ad.

The most important thing to remember about the SCR program is that you may only request a SINGLE CHECK per month.  If you buy items eligible for a SCR at the beginning of the month and immediately request your refund check, you will be unable to participate in the program for the remainder of the month.

To submit your refund, simply visit the Single Check Rebate area of RiteAid.com.  Once you have logged in you will be prompted to enter the store number, register number and transaction number from your Rite Aid receipt (don’t worry – they show you on the website where to find this information).  In many cases, you may receive a message telling you that they are waiting for information from the store before they can process your refund.  Don’t worry if you get this message….it can take up to 5 days for Rite Aid to receive the transaction information from the store!

It is best to simply enter your transactions as you make them during the month.  This eliminates the possibility of lost or forgotten receipts.

At the end of the month, simply log back on to your account and request  your check for all eligible rebates for the month!

With very few exceptions, Rite Aid SCR deals are Limit 1 per household.

Your Single Check Rebate can be deposited in to your bank just like any other check.  It can also be used the same as cash at any Rite Aid store.

Many people like to take their first SCR check and simply purchase a Rite Aid gift card that they can use for purchases the following month.  If you do this and continue to purchase items that qualify for a SCR, you can simply “roll” your rebates in to future purchases, eliminating the need to pull more money out of your wallet (especially if you are able to find a few “moneymaker” transactions like the Crest example described below).

:: +UP Rewards Program

+UP Rewards are very similar to the Extra Care Bucks program at CVS, in that they are coupons that appear at the bottom of your receipt when you purchase a qualifying item and can be used towards any other item in the store (with certain exclusions such as tobacco, stamps, etc, as required by law).

Qualifying +UP Rewards items can be found in the weekly circular. As of this date (6/20/10), +UP Rewards will “roll”, meaning that you can use an +UP Reward to pay for another item that is generating an +UP Reward and still receive a new +Up Reward.

+UP Rewards appear to be unlimited as of 6/20/10…so if you purchase 3 of an item in a single transaction that generates an +UP Reward, you will receive 3 +UP Rewards at the bottom of your receipt.

:: Coupon Policy

Rite Aid allows the use of 1 manufacturers coupon and 1 Rite Aid coupons per item.  Manufacturers coupons are redeemed at face value…Rite Aid does not double coupons.

Rite Aid will frequently put coupons in their ads that are labeled “Manufacturers Coupon”.  Check the bar code on those coupons:  If the serial number starts with the letters “RC” then they are actually Rite Aid coupons (because they can only be redeemed at Rite Aid) and can be stacked with a manufacturers coupon (meaning that you can both coupons on the same item!)

It is with coupons that you can turn a Single Check Rebate deal in to a moneymaker!  Like CVS, Rite Aid frequently has “free after rebate” items.  Using a coupon will not reduce the amount of your Single Check Rebate.

For example:  Let’s say that Crest Toothpaste is on sale one week for $2.99 with a $2.99 SCR and you have a $1 coupon.  If you use the coupon, you will only pay $1.99 (plus tax, where applicable) and still be able to submit for a $2.99 Single Check Rebate.

Rite Aid changed their corporate policy in March 2009 and now accepts Internet Printable coupons.  As of now, the value of the IP cannot be greater than $5.  They also do not accept IPs for “Free” items.

If you have any questions or I missed anything, please don’t hesitate to ask!