How to Save at Walgreens: A Complete Guide

Shopping at Walgreens can feel complex, with a system of digital coupons, Walgreens Cash, and Register Rewards. However, once you learn how their system works, you can unlock some of the most impressive deals available anywhere, often getting everyday essentials for a fraction of their retail price. This guide will show you how.

💡 Hack #1: Join myWalgreens - It’s Essential

Nothing else matters if you aren't a myWalgreens member. It's free to join and is the key to unlocking all sales and digital coupons. With it, you'll earn 1% Walgreens Cash rewards sitewide and a huge 5% Walgreens Cash rewards on all Walgreens-branded products. You simply enter your phone number at checkout to link your purchases to your account.

💡 Hack #2: "Clip" Digital Coupons Before You Shop

This is the most critical step. Unlike some stores, discounts at Walgreens are not automatic. You must go into the Walgreens app or onto their website and digitally "clip" the coupons you want to use. This includes both manufacturer coupons (e.g., "$1 off Crest") and store coupons (e.g., "$5 off a $20 purchase"). Once clipped, they will apply automatically when you enter your phone number at checkout.

💡 Hack #3: Understand the Two Types of Rewards

Walgreens has two main types of rewards that can be confusing. Here's the simple breakdown:

• Walgreens Cash: This is a points system. You earn W Cash on specific promotions (like "Buy 2, get $4 W Cash"). It accumulates in your account and can be redeemed in increments ($1, $2, $5, etc.) directly at the register.
• Register Rewards (RR): These are physical coupons that print out from a machine next to the register after you complete a qualifying purchase. They are technically manufacturer coupons and can be used on your *next* transaction.

💡 Hack #4: Plan Your Trip with the Weekly Ad

The Walgreens weekly ad runs from Sunday to Saturday and is your roadmap to the best deals. The most successful shoppers review the ad at the beginning of the week, clip all the relevant digital coupons in the app, and plan their shopping trips to combine sale prices with coupons and rewards offers for maximum savings.

🎯 The Takeaway: Plan, Clip, and Stack to Win

The key to saving at Walgreens is planning. Before you shop, check the weekly ad and clip all your digital coupons. Walgreens is one of the last few stores where you can truly achieve the ultimate "stack" - combining a sale price, a manufacturer coupon, a store coupon, and a rewards offer all in one transaction. Mastering this strategy is what makes shopping at Walgreens so rewarding.

P.S. Looking for coupons to save at other stores? For a constantly updated feed of the freshest discounts, make sure to check out our main Deals & Coupons section.

And if you love learning how to be a smarter shopper, our Savings Tips and Hacks blog is packed with more guides and insider tricks! You can also find great ways to earn extra cash for your shopping fund.