CVS Pharmacy provides a variety of savings opportunities through its loyalty programs, weekly sales, and digital coupons. Consumers can access significant discounts on health, beauty, and household products by utilizing specific strategies such as the ExtraCare program, CarePass membership, and targeted promotions. The retailer frequently offers bonus rewards, buy-one-get-one deals, and free shipping incentives that can reduce out-of-pocket costs on everyday essentials.
CVS Loyalty Programs and Membership Benefits
CVS offers two primary membership tiers that provide distinct savings and rewards: ExtraCare and ExtraCare Plus (formerly known as CarePass).
ExtraCare Program
The ExtraCare program is CVS’s foundational loyalty offering. Members earn cash back on purchases and receive access to exclusive savings opportunities. According to the source data, signing up for the CVS ExtraCare program allows customers to earn cash back for their purchases. Members also gain access to exclusive discounts on a wide range of products, including Huggies diapers and laundry detergent. To join, customers can obtain an ExtraCare card, which can be linked to the CVS mobile app for easier access to deals and rewards.
ExtraCare Plus (CarePass)
For enhanced benefits, CVS offers the ExtraCare Plus membership, previously referred to as CarePass. This premium tier requires a subscription fee of $5 per month or $48 per year. Members receive a $10 monthly promo reward, which effectively offsets the cost of the membership. Additionally, the plan includes 20% off all CVS Health brand products and free one-to-two-day shipping on qualifying orders.
Source data indicates that CVS automatically provides $10 ExtraBucks per month to CarePass members. The membership also includes free same-day delivery or free shipping on eligible orders. One source notes that members can earn points that can be traded for CVS promo codes, although the specific mechanics of this point redemption are not detailed in the provided materials.
Weekly Deals and Coupon Match-Ups
CVS releases a weekly ad featuring rotating deals on groceries, personal care items, and household goods. Deal-matching websites frequently analyze these ads to suggest optimal shopping scenarios using manufacturer coupons and store promotions.
Current Deal Examples
Based on the provided data, valid deals from mid-November included: - Grocery Savings: Buy-one-get-one-free offers on snacks such as Oreo, Chips Ahoy!, Nutter Butter, Nilla Wafers, Lorna Doone, and Honey Maid. Pop-Tarts and Rice Krispies Treats were also available on a BOGO basis, potentially lowering the cost to as little as $2.14 per item when purchasing two. - Coffee and K-Cups: McCafe, La Colombe, Green Mountain, and Donut Shop K-Cups (10-count) were priced at $4.99, a significant reduction from the regular price of $12.49–$14.49. - Personal Care: Crest toothpaste or mouthwash was sold at $4.99 each (regularly $5.79–$6.49), with a promotion offering $5 ExtraBucks when purchasing two select items.
Strategic Shopping Scenarios
The source data provides a specific shopping scenario designed to maximize savings. The example involves purchasing two Maybelline Color Sensational Lipsticks at $4.64 each, two Crest products at $4.99 each, and one Conair Hair Tool at $19.99. By applying available coupons—$3 off Maybelline, $1 off toothpaste, and $1 off mouthwash—the total drops to $34.25. The shopper then earns $6 in ExtraBucks for the Maybelline purchase, $5 for the Crest purchase, and $10 for the Conair purchase, bringing the final cost down to $13.25 for $62.55 worth of merchandise.
Digital Coupons and Receipt Submission
Shoppers are encouraged to use digital coupons available through the CVS app or website. Additionally, submitting receipts to third-party apps like Ibotta for cash back and Fetch Rewards for points can further increase savings, though these are external programs not directly operated by CVS.
Holiday Sales and Seasonal Promotions
CVS offers special deals around major holidays, including Christmas and Memorial Day. These sales often feature clearance discounts, bonus CVS gift cards, and buy-one-get-one offers. The retailer also holds an annual Black Friday sale in November, which typically includes deep discounts across all categories. During the holiday season, CVS releases photo coupons, which are useful for creating holiday greeting cards at a reduced price.
Shipping Policies and Free Delivery
Understanding CVS’s shipping policies is essential for maximizing value, particularly when ordering non-prescription items.
Standard Shipping
CVS provides free shipping on all non-prescription orders totaling $35 or more. Orders below this threshold incur a shipping cost of $5.49. Customers receive a confirmation email immediately after placing an order, though tracking numbers may take up to 48 hours to become active.
Prescriptions and Same-Day Delivery
Prescriptions ship for free anywhere in the United States. CVS also offers same-day delivery for prescriptions and select other items. For ExtraCare Plus members, free same-day delivery or free shipping is included in the membership benefits.
Combining Promo Codes
Customers can use promo codes found on sites like CouponFollow to reduce their total further. These codes can often be combined with free shipping offers, provided the order meets the minimum threshold.
How to Access Free Samples and Promotional Offers
While the provided source data focuses heavily on discount codes and rewards rather than traditional free samples, there are avenues to obtain free or nearly free products through CVS.
CarePass Monthly Rewards
The $10 monthly promo reward provided to ExtraCare Plus members can be used to purchase items effectively for free if the item costs $10 or less. This serves as a consistent method to acquire products at no out-of-pocket cost.
Bonus ExtraBucks
Earning ExtraBucks—CVS store credit—through promotions allows shoppers to "roll" these rewards into future purchases. For example, earning $10 in ExtraBucks from a Conair purchase can be used to pay for another item, effectively making that subsequent item free.
Digital Receipts and Text Alerts
By staying connected via digital receipts and text alerts, customers can receive targeted offers. The source data suggests that these alerts help shoppers stay informed about savings opportunities, though specific details on free sample availability via these channels are not provided.
Maximizing Savings on Specific Categories
CVS offers targeted discounts across various product categories.
Beauty and Personal Care
The retailer frequently runs buy-one-get-one 40% or 50% off deals on beauty products. For example, a buy-one-get-one 40% off deal was available for L'Oreal Paris Revitalift Derm Intensives Hyaluronic Acid Face Serum. Garnier SkinActive Micellar Cleansing Water was offered at buy-one-get-one 50% off. Olay Regenerist Collagen Peptide 24 Face Moisturizer was discounted from $38.99 to $29.99.
Health and FSA Eligible Products
CVS allows customers to use Flexible Spending Account (FSA) dollars on thousands of eligible products. The retailer also offers deals on cough, cold, and flu medicine, as well as first aid supplies. Veterans can join the Veterans Advantage program to receive a 20% off CVS promo code and free shipping on every order.
Digital Tools for Savings
CVS provides several digital tools to help consumers manage their savings.
CVS Mobile App
The CVS mobile app allows customers to view all deals and rewards in one place. It facilitates the storage of the ExtraCare card digitally and provides access to digital receipts and text alerts.
Weekly Ad and Website
The CVS Weekly Ad, available online, lists current BOGO offers, limited-time sales, and CVS promo codes. Checking the Weekly Deals page before shopping is recommended to ensure the best savings.
Social Media
Following CVS on social media is suggested as a method to access insider deals and coupon codes not found elsewhere.
Conclusion
CVS offers a robust ecosystem of savings through its ExtraCare and ExtraCare Plus programs, weekly deals, and holiday sales. By leveraging digital coupons, tracking receipts through third-party apps, and understanding shipping policies, consumers can significantly reduce their out-of-pocket costs. While the provided data does not detail specific free sample programs, the availability of monthly promo rewards, bonus ExtraBucks, and high-value discounts serves as a practical alternative for acquiring products at low or no cost.