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TL;DR
- CVS ExtraCare Rewards is free and easy to use
- ExtraBucks add up faster than expected
- ExtraCare+ can be worth it for frequent CVS shoppers
- January’s Extra Big Deals are members-only
I don’t love tracking rewards. I don’t stack coupons for fun. And I definitely don’t want another app that promises savings but ends up forgotten on my phone.
But CVS is one of those places I end up in anyway. Prescriptions. Skincare refills. Cold medicine when something hits overnight. Once I realised how often I was already shopping there, signing up for CVS ExtraCare Rewards felt less like a “program” and more like common sense.
I didn’t change how I shop. I just stopped paying full price for things I was already buying.
Here’s how ExtraCare fits into my actual routine, not a hypothetical one.
How ExtraCare Works in Real Life
ExtraCare is free to join. You sign up with an email or phone number, and that’s it. From there, savings show up in three places that actually matter:
- Member-only sale prices in-store and online
- Personalised digital coupons
- ExtraBucks Rewards earned back on purchases
It’s low effort. I scan my card or app, the discounts apply automatically, and ExtraBucks build up without me doing much at all.
Prescriptions: Where the Savings Quietly Add Up
This is where ExtraCare surprised me the most.
Through CVS Pharmacy Rewards, members can earn ExtraBucks for prescriptions and vaccinations, up to $50 per year. That money rolls right back into future purchases, which usually means toiletries or household basics I’d be buying anyway.
When I upgraded to ExtraCare+, the free same-day prescription delivery became the real win. Not having to carve out time to pick something up when I’m already stretched thin feels like a genuine quality-of-life upgrade.
Beauty and CVS Health Products
I already gravitate toward CVS Health® brand products for basics. Skincare staples. Vitamins. Personal care items.
With ExtraCare+, you get 20% off CVS Health® products automatically. No codes. No minimum spend. It just applies.
That discount alone can cover the monthly cost if you shop these categories even semi-regularly. For me, it made switching more of my everyday items to CVS Health feel like a smarter choice, not a compromise.
The App Is Where the Program Actually Works
I didn’t expect to like the app, but this is where ExtraCare becomes useful instead of theoretical.
The CVS app shows:
- My personalised coupons
- My ExtraBucks balance
- Weekly and member-only deals
I check it before I shop, clip what applies to me, and that’s it. No printing. No remembering codes. The savings show up at checkout.
It feels designed for people who don’t want to think too hard about saving money.
When ExtraCare+ Makes Sense
ExtraCare+ costs $5 monthly or $48 annually. Whether it’s worth it depends on how you use CVS.
For me, these features tipped it over:
- Free same-day delivery
- Free shipping
- Free same-day prescription delivery
- Access to a 24/7 pharmacist helpline
If CVS is already your go-to for prescriptions or essentials, those conveniences start paying for themselves quickly.
The January Bonus: Extra Big Deals
Right now, CVS is running Extra Big Deals, which are only available to ExtraCare members and run through January 24.
Hundreds of everyday items are discounted, and you don’t need to do anything special beyond being a member. It’s a good reminder that ExtraCare isn’t just about long-term savings, it also unlocks moments where prices drop immediately.
Conclusion
I didn’t overhaul my shopping habits. I didn’t become someone who plans errands around coupons. I just stopped leaving savings behind.
ExtraCare works because it fits into how most of us already use CVS, for prescriptions, beauty basics, and last-minute essentials. If you’re already walking through those doors or tapping the app, you might as well get something back for it.
