Credit Card Programs - Maximizing cash back at Walgreens

Anyone know what is the best way to maximize cash back at Walgreens? It seems the best around for Walgreens is 2%. Aside from getting gift cards
at a grocery store, is there a better way to earn a higher cash back percentage?

Only way I can think of is via the old Amex Blue cash card that bumped you up to 5% on drugstores (and gas, and groceries) after spending 6.5k in a year. I don't think there's a card that always gives you 5% at drugstores.

Incidentally, there's a lot of free after rebate stuff at Wags this week. If you buy those, then get the rebate in the form of a Walgreens rebate card, you'll get a 10% bonus.

Amex Hiltons give 6 HHonors points at drugstores. If you value them at $0.005 then you get 3%.

US Bank Cash+ allows drugstores to be picked as a 2% category, if you redeem in $100 increments you get a $25 bonus gift card, or 2.5% cashback. you also can pick two other 5% categories off a list.

Yes, I already use the AMEX Blue Cash (original version), where I have to spend 6.5k to get the 5% cash back. I just wonder if I am getting the best results overall. 6.5k @ .50% = around 32.00. Whereas, 6.5k @ 2% = 130.00.

I have just about every credit card, but I cannot seem to find one that gives around 5% religiously on groceries and drug stores. I just wish they had one that pays more aggressive than that. I do not think the AMEX Blue Cash preferred is for me due to the 75.00 annual fee, plus only 1% CB on drug stores.

If it is grocery cashback that you are thinking about, don't shy away from the Blue Cash Preferred. The 6.5k at 0.50% vs 5% = a lost 6.5k * 4.5% = $292, which far exceeds the $75 annual fee of the BCP.

Of course, the BCP 6% is for grocery stores, and not for drugstores, so if you specifically have huge charges at Walgreens, then the BCP might not be the appropriate card to charge to.

The citi Ty preferred card did offer 5 thank you points at drug stores for the first 12 months several months ago. The best I had ever seen was 5 Ty points for the first 6 months but I believe that offer was pulled recently . But as we know with citi in the past some expired links have worked.

Drugstore.com on the UR portal is presently offering 10pts/dollar. The consistently offer high bonuses. Their prices are consistently better than local stores (sometimes by a lot). Shipping is free if you buy >$25 and has always been very fast for me. Incidentally, I think their prescriptions are handled by Walgreens (I've never actually gotten a prescription from them, but I have seen an advertisement that indicated as much)

The no-fee Amex Hilton says it gives 6X at drugstores. If I bought Vanilla reloads/GCs at Walgreens, would this count as a legit purchase at a drugstore for 6X points? Has anyone had this work positively at Walgreens? And if so, is there an annual cap on this? Or would it be classed as a cash advance?

The no-fee Amex Hilton says it gives 6X at drugstores. If I bought Vanilla reloads/GCs at Walgreens, would this count as a legit purchase at a drugstore for 6X points? Has anyone had this work positively at Walgreens? And if so, is there an annual cap on this? Or would it be classed as a cash advance?


Yes, it would count as a drugstore purchase, however, it is not a true 6%. as HHonors points are greatly reduced. It is good if you use Hilton a lot, but for cash or points, not so much. I think it equates to around 2.5% in real value.

Yeah, I get that. I just wasn't sure if the purchase of GCs/reloads at Walgreens cleared as an actual 6X purchase that earned points, or if it was considered a cash advance, or simply a transaction that didn't earn points, like a load onto an AMEX Pass Card. And if there was an annual cap on how much spend could earn the 6X points.

And come to think of it, does Walgreens even accept credit cards for items like that? I know most gas stations don't. In fact, pretty much none.

Yeah, I get that. I just wasn't sure if the purchase of GCs/reloads at Walgreens cleared as an actual 6X purchase that earned points, or if it was considered a cash advance, or simply a transaction that didn't earn points, like a load onto an AMEX Pass Card. And if there was an annual cap on how much spend could earn the 6X points.

And come to think of it, does Walgreens even accept credit cards for items like that? I know most gas stations don't. In fact, pretty much none.

Walgreens wouldn't accept credit cards or their own gift cards for Visa gift cards or other types of gift cards when I tried it about a year ago.

Yes, I already use the AMEX Blue Cash (original version), where I have to spend 6.5k to get the 5% cash back.

Perhaps you can talk to Amex about a Product Change to BCE or BCP. Even if you do not get the sign up bonus on the BCP ($150 credit), it is an overall great cash back card. I always advocate BCP over BCE, primarily because of gift cards through grocery stores even if you don't do a whole lot of groceries (l know you have indicated that you do not want GCs per se). I think currently only the US Bank Cash+ comes close to BCP.

Perhaps you can talk to Amex about a Product Change to BCE or BCP. Even if you do not get the sign up bonus on the BCP ($150 credit), it is an overall great cash back card. I always advocate BCP over BCE, primarily because of gift cards through grocery stores even if you don't do a whole lot of groceries (l know you have indicated that you do not want GCs per se). I think currently only the US Bank Cash+ comes close to BCP.

The $75.00 annual fee would negate any advantage for BCP.