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CVS is one of those places you don’t plan to go to often, but somehow end up at constantly. Cold meds. Shampoo. Birthday cards you forgot to buy until the last minute. A prescription pickup that turns into a full aisle wander. It adds up.

Which is why this is worth knowing: CVS has a free rewards program that quietly makes those routine trips cheaper and faster, and a surprising number of regular shoppers still aren’t using it.

You don’t need a credit card. You don’t need to remember a password. You just give them an email or phone number and start getting access to member pricing, coupons, and rewards you can actually use.

That’s it.

What CVS ExtraCare actually does

ExtraCare is CVS’s free loyalty program, and it works in the background while you shop.

Here’s what you get just for signing up:

• Member-only sale prices in store and online
• Personalised coupons based on what you actually buy
• 2% back in ExtraBucks Rewards on most purchases
• A birthday reward, because of course
• Pharmacy rewards, up to $50 a year for prescriptions and vaccinations

ExtraBucks aren’t points that disappear into nothing. They’re basically CVS money you can use on future purchases, which makes those surprise CVS runs sting a little less.

Why this matters if you shop at CVS (even if it’s casually)

This isn’t a rewards program that only makes sense if you’re extreme couponing or shopping weekly. It works because CVS is already where people go for everyday stuff.

If you buy things like skincare, vitamins, household basics, or prescriptions, ExtraCare quietly stacks savings on top of what you were already spending. No new habit required.

You’re already checking out. You’re already in the app. This just adds rewards to the routine.

There’s also a paid tier, and it actually makes sense for some people

CVS also offers ExtraCare+, which costs $5 a month or $48 a year. It includes everything in the free tier, plus some upgrades that are genuinely useful if CVS is one of your main stores.

If you buy store-brand items, manage prescriptions, or rely on delivery, this tier can easily cover its own cost. If you don’t, the free version still does plenty.

No pressure to upgrade. It’s just nice that the option exists.

Why January is the right time to sign up

CVS is currently running Extra Big Deals, a promotion with hundreds of discounts that are only available to ExtraCare members. It runs through January 24, and you can’t access the deals without an account.

This is one of those moments where signing up immediately pays off, especially if you’re already restocking essentials or trying to rein in spending after the holidays.

The bottom line

CVS ExtraCare isn’t flashy. It doesn’t ask you to change how you shop or remember to jump through hoops. It just sits there, quietly rewarding the fact that CVS is already part of your life.

If you shop there even once a month, it’s probably worth knowing about and using.