For: Consumer Reports Posted 01 Feb 2023, 17:02 pm EST
Many merchants offer special digital offers that you can access from your phone. Here we show you how to find them, as well as other tips.
By Brian Vines
There is no doubt that our phones are much more than tools for making calls. In addition to telling us about the weather, finding directions, and reminding us of birthdays, a smartphone can be a way to save money. Coupons and rebates have long been a way to save, but more and more manufacturers and retailers are connecting consumers with deals through their brand apps. If you search your phone’s app store, you’ll find many well-known names like McDonald’s, Walmart and Kohl’s whose apps can be downloaded to get discounts and benefits.
Here are some apps to turn your smartphone into a deal detector:
Walmart: The nation’s largest retailer matches prices against itself. Scan an item in the store using the Walmart app, then tap the walmart.com tab next to the “at your store” tab. If the walmart.com price is lower, the Walmart store will match the online price.
Target: The mega-retailer’s rewards program offers 1% cash back for every eligible purchase online, in-store or through the Target app, to be used toward future purchases. Membership also includes a 5% discount on a single purchase on your birthday, if you provide that date.
Dollar General: This discount chain – with nearly 19,000 stores in 47 states – offers $5 off a $25 purchase every Saturday, which can be redeemed through the DG app or by presenting the bottom portion of a printed receipt.
McDonald’s: The fast food giant’s app awards points for orders in the drive-thru, at the counter, in the app and at kiosks, redeemable for free food. For example, with 3,000 points you can get six pieces of McNuggets for free. A $1 spend on the mobile “order & pay” shopping feature gets free medium fries every Friday.
Kohl’s: The Kohl’s Rewards program offers 5% back on every purchase, which you can use toward future purchases. When used in-store, the app adds all available store and personal discounts to the scanned item. The store also designates certain weeks “Kohl’s Cash Earning Periods” in which shoppers can earn $10 of Kohl’s Cash for every $50 spent (Kohl’s Cash cannot be used to purchase Sephora products). Kohl’s shoppers age 60 and older enjoy a 15% discount on their purchases in the store on Wednesdays. The same offer applies to members of the military, regardless of age, every Monday.
more tips
Stores often have exclusive policies on coupons and other discounts. These are some of the most prominent:
No Coupon Policy
Whether it’s because store prices are already too low or because they offer other discount programs, your manufacturer coupons won’t work at Aldi, Costco, Fresh Direct, and Sam’s Club.
Discounts for seniors
Fred Meyer, Harris Teeter, Hy-Vee, New Seasons Market, Piggly Wiggly and Walgreens sometimes offer senior discounts of 5% to 10% on many items on certain days of the week or month. Consult your nearest store.
discounts from the car
At Albertsons, Giant Eagle, Kroger, Meijer, Publix, and Target, you may not have to set foot in the store to redeem print or digital coupons because they will accept them during curbside pickup transactions. Call ahead for details.
Dollar Deals
Dollar Tree will accept only one manufacturer’s coupon per item purchased in the store, even on buy one, get one free deals. Dollar General issues its own coupons and accepts manufacturer coupons, and allows coupon combinations in certain situations.
coupon duplication
Harris Teeter doubles manufacturer coupons up to $0.99. Stop & Shop does the same for customers who use their loyalty card.
Editor’s note: This article was also published in the February 2023 Consumer Reports magazine.
Consumer Reports is an independent, nonprofit organization that works side by side with consumers to create a fairer, safer, and healthier world. CR does not endorse products or services, and does not accept advertising. Copyright © 2023, Consumer Reports, Inc.
Consumer Reports has no financial relationship with the advertisers on this site. Consumer Reports is an independent, nonprofit organization that works with consumers to create a fair, safe, and healthy world. CR does not endorse products or services and does not accept advertising. Copyright © 2023, Consumer Reports, Inc.