7 Albertsons Secrets Employees Wish Idahoans Knew

Some Albertsons rules are easy to miss, and missing them can cost you savings.

These are the Albertsons quirks employees wish Idahoans knew before checkout.

1. Two-Month Points Clock

Albertsons for U points expire within two calendar months, and the month you earn them counts as the first one.

Points you earn in January don’t carry past the end of February.

A stack from your October trips is gone by December.

Points don’t expire for FreshPass subscribers where the program is offered.

2. Out-of-Pocket Pharmacy Points

Your Albertsons pharmacy bill earns points only on the part you pay yourself.

A $20 co-pay can earn points.

The Albertsons for U FAQ says only out-of-pocket pharmacy costs, such as prescription co-pays, are eligible to earn points.

The portion your insurance covers doesn’t.

Albertsons lists 35 pharmacy locations in Idaho.

3. Gas Reward Limits

Albertsons says gas rewards take 10 cents off a gallon for every 100 points.

Each fill-up is limited to 25 gallons for one vehicle per transaction.

The discount is also capped, typically at 20 cents a gallon at partner gas stations and $1.00 a gallon at stations Albertsons owns.

Fuel and automotive services don’t earn points.

Points become available at fuel stations about an hour after you earn them.

4. Points Lost on Returns

Albertsons says it deducts points automatically from the Albertsons for U account used for the purchase when you return an item that earned them.

That happens whether or not you present your account number at the return.

Rewards work in reverse: Return or exchange a product you got by redeeming points, and all the points you used are forfeited.

5. One Coupon Per Item

Albertsons lets you combine a manufacturer or store coupon with your Personalized Deals offers, according to the Albertsons for U FAQ.

But the coupon policy draws a line: You can’t redeem two or more manufacturer coupons against the same item in a single transaction.

Albertsons won’t accept coupons without an expiration date, and you can’t use one on an item you got free through an offer.

Albertsons won’t take photocopies of coupons, either.

A coupon worth more than the item doesn’t pay you the difference: It’s redeemed only down to a zero price, so a $2 coupon on a $1.50 item takes your price to zero, and you don’t get the other 50 cents.

6. Raincheck Rules

A raincheck works once.

Albertsons says it’s good at its stores that have the item in stock, and it lasts 30 days from the date it’s issued.

A raincheck covers up to six items unless the ad says otherwise.

Albertsons’ store directory lists 37 locations in Idaho, 13 of them in Boise.

7. DriveUp & Go Refund Window

Albertsons DriveUp & Go gives you 48 hours after pickup to request a full refund for a substituted item, with certain product exceptions.

You decide whether to allow substitutions at all, under “Item Preferences” in your cart.

Pick up your order before 8 PM on the day it’s ready, or Albertsons cancels the order, restocks it and credits your original form of payment.

Order items may only be edited on the same day you place the order.

If your order has alcohol, tobacco or other age-restricted items, someone 21 or older has to be present at pickup to accept it.

Vaccine Records and Transfers

Albertsons says its app only shows vaccines administered by an Albertsons company pharmacy.

That means a shot you got somewhere else won’t show up there.

COVID-19 vaccine records update in 24 to 48 hours, and other vaccines should be available immediately.

Prescription transfer requests may take 3 to 5 days to show up in the app or on the website.

Online Prices, Bags and Tips

Albertsons says loyalty card discounts, savings and sale prices may differ online and in store.

So the total in your DriveUp & Go cart can come out different from the shelf tag at your store.

Compare before you pay.

Albertsons may also charge a service fee on delivery and pickup orders under $30.