Shopping at CVS, you won’t find traditional price matching or price adjustment. But that dosn’t mean you can’t score some serious savings.
Although CVS might have prices slightly above competitors, knowing how to get those prices down is key, and possible. Luckily, there are even better ways to save at CVS than price matching. For one, CVS is one of the best drugstores for couponing, and learning how to work their ExtraCare program goes a long way. So don’t overpay for that bottle of Tide just ’cause you really need it.
I’ll walk you through the six best ways to save money at CVS, and I’m not just talking about saving a dollar here and there. I’m talking about BIG savings — like potentially walking out of CVS with free items. Once you start using these tips to save at CVS, you’ll forget all about price matching. Worst case — you can always use the CVS return policy if you find something cheaper.
For more smart shopping tips and savings hacks, download the KCL app or text HACKS to 57299.
1. Sign up for an ExtraCare account and download the CVS mobile app.
The bulk of saving money at CVS comes down to these two things: You MUST sign up for the ExtraCare program, and you should definitely download the CVS coupons app.
ExtraCare is the free rewards program for CVS customers, and to be honest, it’s the best of all the drugstore programs. Every time you shop with your ExtraCare card, you’ll earn ExtraBucks. ExtraBucks are basically free cash you can spend on future CVS purchases. Sign up for an ExtraCare account online or in the CVS app. It’s free and it’s easy (I promise).
Having the CVS app on your phone can help you save and find the CVS weekly ad deals super easily. You can literally view the weekly ad page by page and load coupons and ExtraBucks promos right to your ExtraCare card. Once you link your ExtraCare card to the app, you can use your phone to scan your card at checkout, so pretty much everything you need is all in one place.
2. Stack manufacturer coupons with ExtraBucks promos and CVS store coupons.
Who needs a price match when you can stack coupons? Some coupons in the CVS app are manufacturer (MFR) coupons, while and others are ExtraCare coupons (aka CVS store coupons). The key to saving big at CVS is to stack an MFR coupon with an ExtraCare coupon on a single item.
Don’t forget — the MFR coupons in the CVS app aren’t the only ones out there. You can also print manufacturer coupons online or clip them from inserts in your Sunday newspaper. Find ExtraCare coupons in the CVS app, on CVS.com, or from the ExtraCare Coupon Center (it’s that big red coupon kiosk in CVS stores).
You can only use one MFR coupon per item, but CVS lets you use two of a certain ExtraCare coupon on a single item as long as you reach the purchase threshold. For example, if you have two $3 off $15 CVS coupons, you can use both if your total is over $30.
Even better, deals in the weekly ad usually have ExtraBucks promos built in. You’ll see an offer like, “Spend $40 Get $10 ExtraBucks Rewards.” Most products in the weekly ad are eligible for the ExtraBucks promo, so it’s not that difficult to reach the $40 threshold.
Related: If you’re asking the question: Can you stack CVS coupons? The answer is yes, and we teach you how.
3. Use rebate apps like Ibotta to get money back on CVS purchases.
You’ll miss out on CVS savings if you don’t know how the Ibotta app works. Ibotta gives you money back on purchases when you upload your receipts. Scout for CVS offers in the Ibotta app, then add them to your list before your shopping trip. After you shop, upload your CVS receipt within seven days to get money back on the qualifying items.
You can also see all the Ibotta deals available right now.
4. Use the KCL mobile app to get CVS deal alerts and see the latest offers.
Maybe we’re biased, but The Krazy Coupon Lady mobile app is a great way to see all the best CVS deals. You can even set up deal alerts to receive a notification when your favorite products go on sale.
Download the KCL mobile app and add CVS to your favorite stores (go to “Stores” and tap the heart icon next to CVS). This will make sure all the latest CVS deals show up in your custom feed.
Then set up deal alerts for products you buy at CVS (go to “Alerts” and tap “Customize your deal alerts”). Scroll through our list of top products and brands and toggle on deal alerts for the ones you love. We’ll send you a push notification every time a hot new deal or freebie drops!
These are some of the best deal alerts to set up in the KCL mobile app if you’re a CVS shopper:
Aveeno Bounty Charmin Colgate Cottonelle | Dial Dove Gain Garnier Gillette | Glade Huggies Kleenex L’Oreal Maybelline | Neutrogena Pampers Suave Tide Venus |
5. Use a CVS rain check to lock in sale prices when items are out of stock.
CVS has one of the best rain check policies out there. A rain check helps you extend a sale price if the on-sale item is out of stock at your store. When you check out, ask the CVS cashier for a rain check to buy the item when it’s back in stock. The cashier will hand you a paper voucher for your rain check. This will basically extend the coupon expiration date for you only. When the item is back in stock, head to the store and use the paper voucher to get the sale price.
The best thing about CVS rain checks is that they don’t expire. You can get a rain check for any out-of-stock item on sale (AND still earn ExtraBucks after the ExtraBucks promo ends).
For more info, see the official CVS rain check policy.
6. Compare CVS prices in store with the Amazon mobile app.
It’s not the same as a price match, but you can use Amazon’s mobile app to compare CVS prices in store.
Open the Amazon app and tap the camera icon next to the search bar. Hold your camera over the barcode of any item to search for it on Amazon. This will tell you if you’re getting a good deal or if you should hold off and buy the item somewhere else. Don’t forget to factor in your savings from coupons, ExtraBucks, and rebate apps when you compare CVS prices to others!
Find Stores That Will Price Match
While CVS doesn’t price match, many other stores do. Price matching can help you get the lowest price without going from store to store. Take a look at our full list of stores that price match competitors to see who participates!
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