Walgreens Catalina / Register Rewards FAQ

[PMFan]

Admin Note: Please see our guide on to getting the most out of the Catalina Coupon for more information


LINK to NON-RR Walgreens FAQ and Policy

Thanks to everyone for asking questions about the RR program. I've incorporated the Q&A from many threads here. I hope you find it useful information.

If you want a direct answer from Walgreens go to walgreens.com and click on contact us. Ask them your question. They will email you the answer.

Q: What exactly are Register Rewards (RR) ? Are they like cash off your next order (OYNO).
A: They are catalinas that print up after your qualifying purchases. The OYNO RR can be used like cash toward future purchase. RRs are considered Manufacturer's Coupons (MQ) and are included in the "coupon count" so you will need one item for each MQ/RR you are purchasing in the transaction.

Q: What is a catalina and catalina machine ?
A: The catalina machine is a different machine that sits right next to the one that prints the receipt. Some catalinas will print when an item is scanned. The RR seem to come out of the machine after transaction is complete (paid). The catalinas also look different than the register tape because they have red borders and wording on both sides, as well as a barcode.

Q: Will more than one register rewards print out on the same transaction (buy 2 different products that each have a register reward)?
A: If you buy two (or more) DIFFERENT register rewards items in one transaction, one reward each will print. However, if you buy two of the SAME item, only one RR will print. Best to do separate transactions.

Q: Do you bring up all the items to the register and request they ring them seperately?
A. That is the easiest way. Store management may have their own policy on this practice. However, IF you have items from different promotions, you may ring them in the same transaction and get multiple RRs (one for each promotion, per transaction).

Q: Can I use my RR or IVCs at other stores ?
A: Walgreen's RR's should only be used at Walgreen's, unless your store has a policy that allows them to be accepted as competitor coupons. If you have a store that allows the use of IVCs or RRs as competitor's coupons, please do not post about it in the WAG forum. Check the rules of posting in that particular store's forum to determine whether discussion is allowed there.

Q: Can I use manufacturer coupons with a RR/Catalina OYNO coupon ?
A1: The register considers the RR a manf coupon. You cannot have more coupons than items. If you have coupons for every product you are buying, the RR will beep. So you'll need to throw in a filler item. Look for cheap stuff in the clearance section or get a pack of .30 gum (the manager should be able to make the RR go through but that's highly YMMV and not usually worth the hassle)
A2: If you use an OYNO & a manf on the same item. The manager has to manually enter one of them*. The OYNO is same as cash. Or you can use a cheap filler item & then not need a cooperative manager, but if you're using an OYNO & other Q from the same mfr, then the OYNO must be scanned last.
*key sequence
Method 1: Second coupon (OYNO) is NOT scanned. Use manager key. Enter amount. Hit mfr coupon. I think this will not always work if there was first an unsuccessful attempt at scanning the OYNO = have to void & start over.
Method 2: (This of course always works). Don't scan either of the coupons. Add the 2 coupon amounts together. Enter that total amount. Hit mfr coupon.
NOTE: Cash drawer balances on coupons on either of these 3 methods.

Q: Can I combine a manf catalina and an insert manf coupon?
A: You can't combine these, you have to use one or the other. They are both manf coupon.

Q: Are RR and Catalinas manufacturer coupons ?
A: Not all RRs are manf. Manf start with a 5 or 9, & are not followed by 00000. MOST are, however.

Q: I have a Walgreen's raincheck (RC) for an OOS Register Reward items. When the item is in stock (after the sale) will I receive / obtain the Register Reward Catalina coupon for the item(s)?
A: If the RR promotion for that item is still in progress, you'll receive the RR using the RC. If the RR is over, the answer depends on your local consumer advertising laws. The RC should indicate the price AFTER RR or that you'll receive a GC for the RR amount. Otherwise you're out of luck.

Q: Are there items that cannot be purchased with Register Rewards?
A: Yes. Register Rewards can not be used to purchase gift/phone/prepaid cards, stamps, prescriptions, tobacco, alcoholic beverages, sales tax, Prescription Savings Club membership and money orders, among other things. Dairy is excluded in some states. Each RR lists exclusions, so please read those carefully.

Q: Can I use more than 1 RR per order ?
A:Walgreens response to HCW on Feb 25, 08: You can use your Register Rewards but you can not have more coupons than you have items. It might be easier to ring up items in separate transactions, but please check with the store management. If you have further questions, please contact Walgreens Advertising Department at 847-914-2500.
NOTE: make sure you have equal number of manf coupons/RR and items. These are called "filler items". Inexpensive candy or gum are examples of fillers. Some stores will not allow you to use 2 or more of the same type of RR in one transaction. For example, not allowing two $10 P&G RR but do allow a $2, $4 and a $10 RR in one transaction. Again, please comply with the "one per order" as applicable.
TIP: you can use a 7-day or IVC on a filler item and should not count toward your total # of manf coupons used.

Q: If I use an RR generated from product X and buy another of product X will another RR print?
A: BEWARE! This is known as rolling RRs. MOST times the register will not print an RR for product X if an RR generated from product X was used to pay for that transaction. So a BIG YMMV. If you find that an RR is or is not rolling, post in the forum for others benefit/awareness.

Q: Most RR require you to buy $X of a product/brand. For the dollar amount that it requires, is that computed on the the regular price, sale price, before mfc, after mfc, before store coupons, after coupons, etc?
A: The amount counted toward the requirement is the total of the items at the sale price before any other discounts (IVC coupons, manufacturer coupons,etc.) are taken off.
If you use coupons and the RR does not print and the mgr says it's because you used MANF coupons, you may want to have them re-ring without using coupons to show that it's not the use of coupons that is making the RR not print. Be sure you have all the right sizes, etc before trying this option.
On TSUAlum93's CouponKarma website, there is a letter from corporate (labeled "coupon/catalina expiration"). The relevant line is, "Using manufacturer coupons and/or paying with a gift card should have no barring on whether the coupon prints out."

Q: My catalina expired, am I outta luck ?
A: As a general policy, you're out of luck, but you can ask at your store. However, given that it is WAG Policy not to accept any expired coupons/RRs, please do not post about using expired RRs on HCW, if you're lucky enough to be allowed by the SM to do so.

Q: What if the Catalina is torn and won't scan?
A: They can enter the #s manually IF the #s part in small print is visible.

Q: What if I return an item that I received an RR on ?
A: Per the terms on the RR, the RR must be surrendered at the time the items are returned. If you've already used the RR, then you would not be able to return the items for a full refund.

Q: My Walgreen's is a Happy Harry's. I didn't see anything in my ad about the RR. Can anyone verify that they work here in my store?
A: Please check with your local store management.

Q: There is an "F" by the product name purchased. At the bottom of the receipt it says "F=Eligible flex spend acct item (FSA). What does this mean?
A: Some employee benefits packages offer a Flexible Spending Account, or Healthcare Savings Account. The F on the Walgreens receipt indicates the item is an FSA item.
You can find more info here: http://www.bls.gov/opub/cwc/cm20031022ar01p1.htm

Q: My RR/Catalina didn't print. What do I do ?
A1: The store will give you a form to fill out and mail in to catalina
A2: 1-888-8coupon, option 3
A3: use the online form: Contact | Catalina Marketing

************************************************** ***
Please do not post about "rolling" the P&G Catalina coupon on more P&G products.
Many stores are running Catalina & Register Reward (RR) promotions this week and I would like to remind our members to please read the small print on these Catalina coupons. If the Catalina coupons say something to the effect about "Not valid on P&G products" we ask that all members refrain from posting about rolling these Catalina coupons onto more P&G products.

Rolling means that you purchase items that result in a Catalina coupon and you take that Catalina coupon and use it on your next order of products and receive another of the same kind of Catalina coupon.

Again... we are asking that you refrain from posting about rolling the P&G Catalina coupons if the wording on the Catalina's prohibit the use. Even if your cashier or store manager gives you the OK just keep that to yourself. We want to encourage use of the promotions as outlined by the wording on the coupon.

Thank you,
Heidi (QOTH)

P.S. - Posts that discuss rolling the P&G Catalina coupons are subject to the warning & infraction system. We hate to do it... so please don't post about it.
************************************************** ****

[pennywatcher]

Did you get this information from Walgreens corporate or Customer service?
My RR didn't print and I got the standard "it's because you used coupons" bullcrap. Does anyone have an email stating this is a Walgreens policy? I know it is but I want something in writing to show the stupid dooofus ASSistant manager.

On TSUAlum93's CouponKarma website, there is a letter from corporate (labeled "coupon/catalina expiration"). The relevant line is, "Using manufacturer coupons and/or paying with a gift card should have no barring on whether the coupon prints out."

[nrpeace17]

There has been much discussion on the board regarding the redemption of Walgreen's register rewards. People are posting about using these at stores other than Walgreens. These register rewards are generated as a marketing effort in accordance with an agreement between Walgreens and various manufacturers. We have been told that stores other than Walgreen's may not receive redemption for these coupons when presented at the clearing house.
In light of this, any posts discussing the use of these Walgreens RR coupons anywhere other than at Walgreens will be deleted unless your store accepts Walgreens Catalinas as competitor coupons, as a matter of policy. We understand there may be other exceptions made on the store level, but please do not post about it here in the Walgreen Forums.