1. Register Reward. This is the term Walgreens uses for it’s catalina program. A catalina is a coupon that prints at the cash register- it can be for products or it can be for a dollar amount off your next transaction. So when I say $2 Register Reward- that means when you purchase that particular item you will get a little coupon after you pay that is good for $2 off your next purchase.
2. You need 1 item for every coupon you use. Coupons are considered any manufacturer coupon or a register reward. So you can not purchase a Colgate toothbrush, use a manufacturer coupon and use a register reward. That would be considered one item and 2 coupons and the register will not accept it.
3. Fillers. Fillers are an item you do not use a coupon on. In the scenario above you need a filler so that you have 2 items and can use 1 coupon and one Register Reward. Fillers can be something super inexpensive like a .10 pencil or candy or whatever you like. Fillers can also be used to bring your total up to use a register reward. If you have a register reward for $3.00- your BEFORE TAX total needs to be at least $3.00. If you have item for $2.99 the register will not allow you to use a $3 reward- you need a filler to get above the $3 mark.
3. Rolling. You can go back and forth between register rewards but you can not roll the same item. For example, you can not buy a Colgate toothbrush and use that register reward to pay for the next Colgate toothbrush. The register will accept the first register reward but it will not print another one. So you will have lost money. Instead you need to go back and forth between rewards. If you want 5 toothbrushes, you might consider buying one and using the reward to get-say a shaving cream, then using that reward to get another toothbrush etc.. etc… This can be a little confusing because it is not just the item but the company. So if Colgate toothbrushes have a register reward and Colgate toothpaste has a Register Reward you can’t go back and forth because it is the same company. You would want to buy a toothpaste, then something else, then a toothbrush etc..
5. Buying multiples of an item. If I did want to purchase 5 toothbrushes, I would need at least 5 transactions. If an item is free after reward you can only buy one at a time. If you buy 5, you will pay for all five out of pocket and only receive one reward. That is why you often see people with multiple transactions at Walgreens. If there is a long line and you have a number of transactions you may consider doing two and then stepping aside. I also like to find the photo center or beauty counter as I am less likely to hold up the line in those areas.
6. If you have a list of several different items that each have a Register Reward you can buy them all at once and you will get each Register Reward. You might want to split the transaction so that you can spend the least amount out of pocket.
For example, if I wanted to buy the following:
If I split up the transactions and bought:
The system is fairly straightforward once you get these basics down. One other important note on the register rewards is that you need to pay very close attention to the expiration dates. Once they expire they are useless so be very careful you don’t waste your money!
Anonymous says
Very good post. I am learning about using RRs everytime I go there. It is a learning process. One thing that has been working for me is if I want to buy something that is less than my RR then I will use milk as a filler. The RR's say they don't work on dairy, but I never have trouble and this helps me to get milk cheaper than at the grocery store. I have used this so many times that my family started asking why we were buying milk at Walgreens now. I guess if your cashier is really tough they might tell you you can't do this, but if they don't prevent it it will work.
Anonymous says
How about using tp or paper towels as a filler? Can this be done? I've never had enough tp! Ha!
Lori M.
uma says
can I use RR for next purchase of RR items?
thanks,UV
Charlene says
Yes you can but you have to be careful not to use the same manufacturer as the second RR won't print. So you can't use an Olay RR (from Procter and Gamble) on Pampers (also P&G) if the Pampers is also generating a RR.
Anonymous says
If you use a RR for less then the total, will you receive the difference back? i.e. RR is for $10 and total for stuff you are buying is $6. Will you get an RR for $4, or is it lost? Thanks.
Charlene says
It is lost- actually you can't use it at all. if you spend 9.99 and the RR is for 10 the register will beep. A mgr could probably overide the register but in my experience they will just tell you that you can't use it.
Anonymous says
If I have 10 coupons (manufacturer and store) and buy 5 items, I need to buy 5 fillers so my coupons match my item number right?
Charlene says
Hi Anon. Yes that is it exactly.
Anonymous says
how do you find out what items give rr?
Farhana says
I am having hard time with walgreen deals. this week I used a RR from last week to pay for Triaminic but the $5 RR didn't print. How do I know who the manufacturer is for a specific product?
Charlene says
That can be tricky- you should see on the left side of the catalina something like "compliments of Unilever" or whatever company. Than look on the label of whatever you are buying to see who the manufacturer is.
Anonymous says
Do store coupons count when trying to buy enough items for each coupon? E.g. I have four manufacturer coupons and 1 store 7-day coupon; I want to buy 4 items. Will the register beep since the store coupon counts as a coupon I need an item for, or does the store coupon not count? (Hope this makes sense).
imfsi says
I tried to use a RR for the Triaminic today (a P&G RR) and was told I could not use a RR and get another RR, although I had previously done so. They also told me my subtotal had to be more than $1 for a RR to print. This was today. I left frustrated and called customer service and they also told me a RR is considered an "offer" and since "offers" cannot be combined, they will not generate a RR if ANY RR is used. Since when? I am not sure if this is a "new" (changed) policy or if it is store-specific. I tried the Triaminic and Advil and neither generated a RR, so I asked for a refund and left. Are there any printed rules for RR? I told them it is "false advertising" if an "offer" says you will get a RR, but can't get it because you didn't pay more than $1. Shouldn't the ad have to say that? I thought I was doing okay at Walgreens, but I am highly frustrated and ready to give up on them. It seems ridiculous that they can change the rules at random. (Earlier this week, I did several transactions where the subtotal was less than $1, I paid with a RR and got the RR). The on-duty manager said they had a store meeting on Wed or Thur and were told of the changes to the RR policy–including the $1 rule. Uggh.
Anonymous says
I had an experience where I was buying 4 things on sale with one walgreens coupon. I also had two regular coupons – according to what I thought I read in how to maximize your savings at walgreens I should have been able to use a Register reward too – one coupon per item. Anyway, the register would not let me use the register reward until they used it first – then it would take all the coupons and the reward. Just something to remember is this happens to you.
When I have problems at Walgreens getting things to work and everyone is getting a little frustrated I often will say "you know CVS has a program like this and it works much easier – they don't limit you rewards (ECBS) like Walgreens does" I think they need to be reminded they have competition.
Anonymous says
So can I use to register rewards in the same transaction if I'm buying two items?
Anonymous says
Can I use multiple register rewards in one transaction? For instance, if my total is $20 and I have 4 $5 register rewards, can I use all of them at once?
Anonymous says
very good post – I now understand why the register beeped at me today. I was buying herbal essence shampoo at $2.99 and using $1.00 coupon (to get $2 RR back) and vasaline lotion at $6.99 and using a $1.50 coupon (to get $7 RR back). In addition to the 2 coupons, I handed over a $2 RR from a previous transaction – and it beeped. Neither I OR the cashier knew why the register wouldn't accept it. The cashier kept voiding and reringing coupons trying to "fix" the problem, but it always beeped on the 3rd coupon/RR. Eventually, she just rerang one of the items for $1 less as a way to get around the register not taking the $1 coupon. Now that I know what was going on, I kind of feel bad. Next time, I'll grab a filler (like the 22 cents Neccos I got for the second transaction with just the shampoo).
thanks for explaining this!
-Sharon
Michelle says
I visited Walgreens and they told me that I could only use one coupon/item. I had a Walgreen coupon and a manu. and they said I couldn't do that. But in all of the posts, it is listed like that…ad in coupon and manu. coupon. Michelle
Anonymous says
Can you use a Walgreen's catalina coupon (not a register reward) with a manufacturer's coupon? Like a catalina for 75 cents off Kleenex and stack it with a manufacturer's coupon?
Anonymous says
Hi
Does an in-ad coupon also count as a coupon?
Anonymous says
Hi,
First, so glad to have found a NorCal blog!
Second, the comment about a store meeting for new policies kind of disturbed me. I haven't heard that yet in the San Jose area. (crossing fingers)I did call customer relations about my questions and unfortunately they said, no "policy" but guidelines, so I guess it depends on the store manager. I've found a couple good ones and a couple more difficult.
For the last 2 posts, ALL catalinas (for product or money) are manufacturer's coupons. In-ad coupons do not count against your mc count. (per customer relations)
Charlene says
Yes, Anon is correct- you can't use the cat with a MQ. The catalina will say at the top manufacturer coupon. Now if you get a BOGO cat and have a manufacturer coupon you can use both since it is 2 coupons and 2 items.
Also the in ad coupons have never counted in the past so they shouldn't. I had a trip not too long ago where it did so who knows. I always suggest having a filler just in case you need it.