Walgreens' new loyalty program rewards customers

Walgreens is rolling out a new program to reward its customers with cost savings, points, and rewards for purchases, services, and healthy behaviors.Called Balance Rewards, the comprehensive loyalty program will begin Sept. 16 for customers who enroll in stores, a press release announced. More than one million consumers have already enrolled online since Sept. 6.

"Our loyalty program is distinctive," said Graham Atkinson, Walgreens' senior vice president and chief customer experience officer in the release. "Balance Rewards offers easy enrollment, instant points, and endless rewards, as well as ways to get, stay and live well at Walgreens."

The program will also be available at all Duane Reade stores, and customers can enroll at those stores as well. Their Duane Reade FlexRewards points will convert into Balance Rewards points.

"This comprehensive rewards program is one of Walgreens' largest and most important programs in company history,” Atkinson said. "As part of our strategic vision to become America's first choice for health and daily living, Balance Rewards is the latest innovation in Walgreens' long heritage of helping customers be happy and healthy."

Customers can join at checkout counters, photo kiosks, and online.

They can also join by using the Walgreens mobile phone app or by scanning the QR code found on signs in stores.

"Walgreens designed Balance Rewards entirely for the consumer," said Adam Holyk, Walgreens divisional vice president of loyalty and consumer insights, in the release. "We have utilized the latest technologies in loyalty programs to make it easier for customers to save, earn, and redeem points."

Balance Rewards members can earn points for purchases and prescriptions - if allowed by state law - and by completing activities that help them stay well.

Rewards points won’t expire as long as customers shop at Walgreens at least once every six months and redeem their points within three years. Customers can redeem their points for thousands of items in stores and online, and they can choose how and when to redeem them.

"Balance Rewards also strengthens our ability to better understand our customers, meet their changing needs, and treat our best customers even better," Holyk said.

"Customers will see more customized stores with improved product mixes and rewards on popular products."