Walgreens New Balance Rewards Program: Questions Answered + Lots of New Info

onlinements 225

1. 

   Flower January 3, 2014 at 11:04 pm MST

   Q: I recently purchased 2 Listerine mouthwashes to claim the 2000 points. Paid in cash…Then 2nd transaction, i purchased 2 Rembrandt toothpastes to get the 3000 points. Now, I told the cashier to use my 2000 points from the Listerine and Ill pay inc ash whatever balance I have after the 2000 points..She said its ok BUT I wont be able to get /earn the 3000 points anymore since ill be using the 2000 points from the 1st transaction. So I ended up paying in cash again…so whats with this? I wanna roll my points so Ill only pay lil in cash. thats basically the reason why I purchased the items with qualifiying rewards points..Like how can u say u only paid this little when in fact you cant get bal. points when u use the balance rewards points to pay ?

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  Read the article... January 13, 2014 at 10:19 pm MST

  It’s simple you can’t get points on an item when you pay with points. Because the points are a bonus from Walgreen’s themselves they don’t get paid by manufactures for them like register rewards which are basically manufacture coupons. If you could buy points items with points that would create an infinite loop of free items and they would have their shelves cleared by everyone and be going bankrupt pretty fast.

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  Marge McCord February 9, 2014 at 7:46 pm MST

  But if you want to use old points balance in your account, not use the new ones you would accrue that day, I think you should be able to. I still think it’s not a fair rule!

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2. 

   Barbara Smith January 26, 2014 at 1:33 am MST

   Even though I signed up and got a card in the store, which I use for every purchase, and get prescriptions refilled regularly I have never accrued ANY points, ever! I went online and there is a list of purchases, but no points! This has been the last year and a half or more. I don’t get it!

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  Jamie January 31, 2014 at 10:43 pm MST

  The numbers for your balance reward card and the one that is inn your account different? Can’t figure out how to link my already card to acct so that numbers match

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  Toby March 28, 2014 at 7:16 am MST

  Barbara – is you prescription coverage from a government agency? Federal, state, county, and city government coverage does not accrue Rewards. Walgreens considers it the same as Medicare, Medicaid, Tricare and other government paid insurance. So all teachers, fire fighters, civilian government employees, etc do not earn rewards. Walgreens clearly discriminates against government coverage. Their defense is an IG statement that those with Medicare, Medicaid, Tricare may not receive rewards or kick backs. I agree with those receiving benefits without being considered an employer based benefit plan. But all of the people who are employees of the government, and pay their premiums like any other employer, are actively discriminated by Walgreens Balance Rewards.

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3. 

   Marge McCord February 9, 2014 at 7:44 pm MST

   I’ve been trying to figure out that, if I want to redeem some of my Balance Rewards points, I CANNOT be purchasing any item that has points that would be added to my account – or I would not get credit for the new purchase/points – is that right? So —- how do I know in advance if there will be points awarded me on my purchases? I have quite a large amount of points in my Balance Rewards account, but don’t want to lose any new ones. I think this is a “not fair” clause, and that probably a lot of people are not aware of it. After reading Paragraph #5 above, it’s almost as clear as mud – not quite, tho’.

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4. 

   Julia King February 13, 2014 at 10:06 pm MST

   Why is dairy excluded in the rewards programs ?

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5. 

   Keiesha Shortd February 14, 2014 at 11:03 pm MST

   I used my balance rewards card this afternoon and once I got home I checked my account and it showed I gained 20 points but I saw that those points were forfeited due to inactivity. I want to know if I will have to get another balance rewards card or talk to someone at Walgreens to re-instate my account to keep my points

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6. 

   Priscilla February 16, 2014 at 2:10 pm MST

   Good question about the milk because CVS gives rewards on milk!

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  nskcsf February 17, 2014 at 10:19 am MST

  Everyone better start looking VERY closely at their receipts for the correct amount of points. I am owed 23580 from last weekend and 2500 from this weekend. I returned an item that the points were not given for the day before but 300 points were taken away the next day.

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7. 

   Mike March 13, 2014 at 7:05 pm MST

   How can I correct my zipcode, I am told it is wrong and can’t redeem any points till this problem is corrected.

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  Keiesha Shorts March 13, 2014 at 9:56 pm MST

  Have you tried getting them to correct it for you in the store, if you don’t have a account through the Walgreens website create one and see if you can update your zip code.

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  Jeff W Baily October 20, 2015 at 10:40 am MST

  This can be easily corrected if you still know your phone number just ask a cashier when you are in store, but use your phone number don’t have them scan card, it’s easier for them to then click update info. They will be glad to correct this for you.

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8. 

   Pam Cole (Gary Cole is the retired employee) March 14, 2014 at 11:28 am MST

   I am trying to figure out how to sync my balance rewards with my employee purchase card (retired). Can you please help me?

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9. 

   Steven Mynatt March 16, 2014 at 12:43 pm MST

   Is Hyoscyamine Sulfate Tabs SL covered under BALANCE REWARDS PLAN?

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10. 

    Cleveland Brown April 9, 2014 at 11:25 am MST

    WHAT DO I DO WHEN MY PHONE NUMBER HAS CHANGED?

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  Kayla Marie Carte June 27, 2014 at 4:43 pm MST

  You can still use the old phone number you have for the card,it’ll still be in the system. But i’m sure you can update it

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11. 

    Marian Shirlee April 15, 2014 at 12:05 pm MST

    Can you use your balance rewards points to purchase dairy (eggs)?

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12. 

    Warren Brantley May 15, 2014 at 1:08 pm MST

    The times I have made 2 purchases, at the same store, on the same day, but at
    different registers, (e.g.- 1 at pharmacy & 1 at front), only one of the receipts will
    show points (opening,earned,&closing points balance). The other receipt shows my Balance Rewards Account #, but nothing else! Nothing earned, No Balance, No
    Anything!
    This discrepancy alone seems wrong, (and bad enough), but am I also being cheated out of points I should have earned on the second transaction?

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13. 

    Tom May 15, 2014 at 2:15 pm MST

    Can you use your points to purchase prescription drugs?

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  Keiesha Shorts June 10, 2014 at 11:43 pm MST

  I know you get points for getting your prescription filled, after you get 5,000 points it can be used to buy anything

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  jenny June 30, 2014 at 4:26 pm MST

  No, you cannot. Only OTC.

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14. 

    Kayla Marie Carte June 27, 2014 at 4:45 pm MST

    I’m having trouble remembering what zip code i used for one of my cards,is there a way of checking that rather than giving the person at the register multiple zip codes

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  Keiesha Shorts June 28, 2014 at 12:00 am MST

  If you have a Walgreens account you can change any information that needs to be corrected.

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  Jeff W Baily October 20, 2015 at 10:52 am MST

  You can also use your phone number at store and simply ask cashier to update the zip code. Don’t have them scan card key in your phone number attached to it, so it will immediately popup on thier screen to update. Also make sure you tell cashier before you do this you want to update your zip so they will know to select option.

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15. 

    jenny June 30, 2014 at 4:28 pm MST

    Do we have to buy all items included in one transaction to get the RR? Or does it track like cvs and break up transaction?

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  Keiesha Shorts July 2, 2014 at 12:31 am MST

  What is RR?

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16. 

    Calvin July 7, 2014 at 12:46 pm MST

    I have points equaling $35 on my balance reward card. Can I use it all at once to buy one item, ie Blood testing kit?

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17. 

    Terri July 10, 2014 at 5:20 pm MST

    If I use my food stamp card am I still able to receive the points?

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18. 

    pat baumgardner July 31, 2014 at 7:24 am MST

    how do I go about edit my personal information with walgreens balance rewards card.
    when I get to the point of trying to use some of my 86,000 points they ask for a zip code. I try the ones that I know and the machine kicks me out.

    Pat

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  Jeff W Baily October 20, 2015 at 11:01 am MST

  Ask a cashier at the store to update your zip code. Then key in your phone number associated with your balance rewards (don’t have them scan card) and they will update your zip code for you to new one. Also if you have a walgreens.online account you can always update your info whenever you need through website. If you don’t have one just sign up and use your phone number that is linked to your balance rewards, it should still be able to find you. You will get a screen saying it found your card account and an option to link it.

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19. 

    Israel September 25, 2014 at 1:50 pm MST

    I have gone to Walgreens to refill my prescription several times and I haven’t been awarded any points at all how can I claim for my last past transactions I do have a balance reward card with Walgreens.

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20. 

    Mike September 28, 2014 at 11:44 pm MST

    Why is there a redemption limit ? I had $50. in points, and bought a can of Lysol. Cashier only took $5. off !?!? I expected it to be free. I called Walgreens 1-800 number, and was told that was wrong, my purchase SHOULD have been free. I next made a purchase online, the drop box options only went as high as 18,000 points…I had 42,000 !!! Again, I was limited. Then I see my credit card had a temporary authorization on it, for the full amount ( not the discounted-after-points amount ). I don’t know what’s going on, and neither do any Walgreens employees it seems.

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  Smith January 14, 2015 at 8:23 pm MST

  I had the same experience, but only 1550 points. I wanted to use them all,but the cashier said, ” you have only 1000 points.” The day before, there was 1550 points in my account so that I was really sure that I had 1550 points. When I got home, I looked up my points again, sure enough I have 550 points left.
  I had the other mastery stories that I lost some money from Walgreens. Now all of my family hate to go there.

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21. 

    Marion Ewing September 29, 2014 at 4:00 pm MST

    Picked up a prescription and paid for it out of pocket. Not covered by insurance, Why didn’t I receive any points? I always have before.

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  Elizabeth October 4, 2014 at 7:39 pm MST

  Evidently if you work for a government entity, even if you pay for insurance, you can’t get the points. Also evidently if you get Social Security or have any form of Medicare (even just Part A), you can’t get the points. Spent a lot of time today tracking this down.

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  Marion Ewing October 5, 2014 at 5:12 pm MST

  Thank you, only shop Walgreens for the points. Will transfer my prescription to another store which is cheaper. The drive through is horrible anyway! Thanks!

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22. 

    Elizabeth October 4, 2014 at 7:37 pm MST

    I noticed that I had not accumulated any points for at least four months, although I go to Walgreen’s regularly, at least weekly. I also noticed that I had not received any points for prescriptions. So I called the customer service center and found out that Social Security law prevents my earning points on Rx, although this just caught up with me. On top of that I teach for a state, but it was SocSec that got to them first not being a teacher. This is very unjust for older Americans. I only have Part A because I am working still at age 68, but I could still use the rebates (rewards).

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23. 

    Barbara October 24, 2014 at 10:38 pm MST

    I have never onlinee out on points or rewards it’s a game. I was told that it was a just a promotion they have to get you to buy. I never got anything with my reward or points. I just shop at walmart. Walgreens changes their policy too much!!!!

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  armand assumpico May 21, 2016 at 11:51 pm MST

  Stay away from Walmart.

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24. 

    sandra sewart October 26, 2014 at 11:30 pm MST

    Cannot find a way to automatically add my husband’s purchases to my account, make it like a “family” account. Any suggestions?

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  Tom Jones December 21, 2015 at 9:15 pm MST

  Yes. You CAN do that. Just call W and ask them to LINK the two accounts. My friends have done this …. so that they can use the onlinebined points.

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25. 

    Blood Pressure Kit December 13, 2014 at 10:06 am MST

    It’s difficult to find well-informed people in this particular subject, but you seem like you know what you’re talking about!
    Thanks

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26. 

    Helen December 13, 2014 at 3:43 pm MST

    How do I get my reward points if I have failed to give my rewards card number at time of purchase. Is there a number to call so I can get it?

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27. 

    Mary Baker July 8, 2015 at 11:10 pm MST

    Have been trying to change/add card number of walgreens reward cards on my account. Just havent been able to..please help.

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28. 

    deathprime February 10, 2016 at 2:23 am MST

    So when cupola print out based on your current/previous/favorite purchased products, is this historically tracked somewhere? I wasn’t sure if the program had any available history of purchases and earned points for easier record keeping or if it’s a manual process of recording receipt entries.

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  deathprime February 10, 2016 at 7:33 am MST

  *Edit*
  So when coupons print out…

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29. 

    Jacqueline Perrine March 24, 2016 at 8:28 am MST

    Six months ago, I tried to redeem my points. The cashier said,”Put your zip code in.” Idid. He said , that’s not your zip code. I’ve had the same zip for 30 years. Later, I tried, with the same results. I asked to speak to the manager, He said that probably “You filled out your form wrong.” I said that the pharmacy clerk filed it out. I stopped going to Walgreen for that reason. I went back yesterday, and decided to let you know why I don’t like Walgreen!

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30. 

    Maribel November 1, 2016 at 2:34 pm MST

    I can’t find my card will they give me a new one

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31. 

    George November 2, 2016 at 3:20 pm MST

    Somebody use my card without my knowledge and use the points that I earned. C
    an I get it back and know who uses my card without my knowledge?

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32. 

    Linda Unverzagt December 19, 2016 at 10:29 pm MST

    I have tried twice to use my rewards towards purchases and can’t. I’m asked for my zip code and it doesn’t work so I try my old one and that don’t work either. Now I’ve only lived in two places in over twenty years so I’d don’t know what the problem is. How can I get this problem solved?

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33. 

    Annemiek den Hollander February 11, 2017 at 3:37 am MST

    I didn’t experience any problems with the program.

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34. 

    Mary March 6, 2017 at 1:32 pm MST

    I lived in one city when I got my Balance Reward card but now I have moved. When I go to redeem it I can’t do it because it does not have my new zip code. How do I change the info on my card?

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35. 

    Ronda November 6, 2018 at 9:51 pm MST

    I just purchased $25 worth of items to get 5000 points. When I checked my receipt, it showed that 5000 points were automatically used to pay down my total so that the 5000 did not trigger. I did not ask them to use any points to pay because I know it will lower my total so I don’t get to $25. Why would 5000 have automatically been used to pay? My friend had the same thing happen. She bought diapers for $20 get 10000 but did not receive the 1000 because 3000 in rewards was automatically deducted as part of her payment. She didn’t ask for that either. Why is that happening!? It negates the whole idea of spending to get the reward. I’m going to call customer service but if it’s not corrected I’ll just spend my remaining rewards and never do spend/get deals at Walgreens again.

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36. 

    Brenda Dahl Anderson January 17, 2020 at 1:57 pm MST

    My Balance Reward card is worn out can you send me a new one?

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  Jennifer (Hip Sidekick) January 17, 2020 at 2:07 pm MST

  You’ll want to call 855-225-0400 for help with that.

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