Ups being loaded to Wellness Card in January??

[isis]

Just got back from a quick RA run and the cashier was telling me that starting in January, UPs will be loaded to your Wellness Card upon purchase, and then automatically deducted the next time at ckout. Now, I didn't have time to really talk to her (my sisters dd started wailing so we hightailed it out of the store LOL)... but CVS attempted this over the summer and it didn't fly. Not sure I like the idea, esp if I don't have a say-so in the amount of UPs I want to use

Anyone else hear such thing or am I the last to find out

[clippyclippy]

The only good I can see of it is if I don't need to have the exact UPs to redeem in a transaction. For instance, if I have earned a 4.00 UP a 6.00 UP and a 2.00 UP in a previous visit, and my current trip total is 6.99- if it takes off 6.99 and leaves a balance of 5.01, that would be less hassle.

The UPs could still expire as they were earned, but if redemption were simplified, that would be a good thing.

It's interesting to think about.

[sh7693]

I am skeptical about this too. Like isis, I want the say in how many UPs I use in a particular transaction.

[randacren]

i've heard about it, i don't think i like it either....... also they are adding a bronze level instead of having just silver and gold...

[amylynne01]

I would only like this if I can use them like clippy said. +up balance is $14, my transaction is $7.12, so I have $6.82 left. However, there are some purchases I make that I DON'T want to use my +ups (last minute cards, etc), so I don't want to lose that control.

[iwik]

I got an email from them about the changes for next year 'Discover the NEW Wellness+' and it says

The following benefits were added so you get more rewards for being a loyal Rite Aid customer:

• Load2CardSM, a new coupon management tool that will allow you to save, manage and redeem Rite Aid and manufacturer coupons directly through your wellness+ card.*
• When you reach silver status at 500 points, you'll earn a wellness reward of your choice, such as a gym membership, health/fitness magazine subscription or health screening.*
• A brand new bronze tier for members who reach 250 points in a single year. Bronze tier members will receive 10 percent off all Rite Aid brand products every day as well as a one-time 10% off shopping pass for use in the store.*

The 1st one sounds more like an e-coupon thing.

[$Saving!]

Of late, RA deals have been less than stellar and I find myself shopping there less and less.

Among the drug store deals, the one who will come out on top will be the one who lets the customer control their spending, both the rewards offered and the the deals offered.

It will all shake out when the powers that be see the bottom line of any change, and I don't believe a change such as this would improve sales.

[$Saving!]

Here is the full press release from RA:

"Camp Hill, PA (December 13, 2011) – Rite Aid is making exciting changes to its wellness+ program to deliver even more value to its most loyal customers. Starting Jan. 1, 2012, all members will find it easier to shop and save at Rite Aid with exclusive access to the drugstore industry’s first coupon management tool. In addition, members who reach the silver level of Rite Aid’s free customer rewards program will enjoy new wellness rewards of their choosing.
“Wellness+ has been a game-changer for Rite Aid,” said Ken Martindale, Rite Aid Chief Operating Officer. “As we grow the program, it’s important that we continue to enhance its value to members. Through innovative tools and exciting, new wellness rewards, we’ll deliver more value than ever before to wellness+ members – our most loyal customers – in the new year.”
Rite Aid will introduce Load2Card, a new coupon management program that will allow all wellness+ members to save, manage and redeem Rite Aid and manufacturer coupons available throughout the internet via their wellness+ card. Rite Aid is the first in the drugstore industry to offer this tool. Every week, members will have the opportunity to load an average of more than $100 in savings directly to their wellness+ card. The coupon savings will automatically be deducted from applicable purchases when customers scan their wellness+ card at checkout. Paper coupons will continue to be accepted.
To enable the direct-to-card savings, on or after Jan. 1, 2012, members simply need to activate and log in to their online wellness+ account on Rite Aid Pharmacy - With Us, It's Personal. Customers who do not yet have a wellness+ account will also be able to create one at this time and to use Load2Card immediately.
Also new in 2012, when members reach 500 points, they’ll earn a wellness reward of their choice, such as a gym membership, health/fitness magazine subscription or health screening. All members will receive notification of reward eligibility and redemption details on their register receipt and by email.
Members of wellness+ will also be able to enjoy three tiers of savings and rewards in 2012. Adding to the gold and silver wellness+ membership tiers, Rite Aid has created a brand new bronze tier for members who reach 250 points in a single year. Bronze tier members will receive 10 percent off all Rite Aid brand products every day as well as a one-time 10 percent off shopping pass* for use in the store.
The silver and gold tier point levels will stay the same at 500 and 1,000 points respectively. Upon reaching 500 points, silver members receive 10 percent off all qualifying non-prescription purchases every day. After reaching 1,000 points, gold members receive 20 percent off all qualifying non-prescriptions every day. Anyone who reaches silver or gold status by the end of 2011 will retain their status throughout 2012.
All members of wellness+ will continue to enjoy everyday benefits, available immediately upon enrollment, including:
· +UP Rewards, which print at the bottom of a register receipt and are redeemable like cash toward a future qualifying purchase
· Members-only sale pricing throughout the store
· 24/7 exclusive access to a Rite Aid pharmacist by calling 1-800-RITE-AID
With more than 44 million enrolled members, Rite Aid’s wellness+ program was recognized as the top-ranked and most-recommended loyalty program in the country by Zocalo Group this past February and was awarded the Shopper Technology Institute's 2011 LEADER Award in October. Launched in April 2010, wellness+ has been the drugstore industry’s first and only customer loyalty program to provide health and wellness benefits in addition to the shopping discounts, store and manufacturer coupons, and special prices offered to members. Members earn points every time they shop at Rite Aid. One point is earned for every dollar spent on non-prescription purchases and 25 points are earned for every prescription filled.
To learn more about all of the changes to Rite Aid’s wellness+ program effective January 1, 2012 or to enroll, visit Rite Aid Pharmacy - With Us, It's Personal or any Rite Aid pharmacy."

[Mommy2at42]

I didn't see anything in the press release that indicated that the up rewards would no longer print on the receipt. In fact, it says they will.

"All members of wellness+ will continue to enjoy everyday benefits, available immediately upon enrollment, including:
· +UP Rewards, which print at the bottom of a register receipt and are redeemable like cash toward a future qualifying purchase"

Just sounds like they are adding an electronic coupon feature.

[isis]

Yeah, it seems the cashier that told me this was a little too enthuiastic!! She caught me yesterday as I was checking out and apologized for the misinformation. She explained that the new feature to load coupons to our Wellness cards is to be more competitive with the other drug stores (CVS has the coupon center and I believe Walgreens has a mobile coupons now)
Now, if they offer $/$$ like CVS, then I'd be a very happy RA shopper!