7 Safeway Secrets Employees Wish Washingtonians Knew

Store rewards programs are supposed to help, but they don’t always work the way you’d assume.

Washingtonians who shop at Safeway may be missing out on savings because of a few small details.

Here’s what to check before your next trip.

1. A Two-Month Points Clock

Safeway forU points expire within two calendar months, and the month you earn them counts as the first one.

Points earned in January, for example, stay available through the end of February.

So points from your September trip run out when October ends, and until then they can go toward grocery rewards such as $4 off at 300 points or $15 off at 1,000 points.

Subscribers to Safeway forU+, where it’s available, are the exception because their points don’t expire.

2. Dairy That Earns Nothing

Safeway forU doesn’t award points on fluid dairy items in the refrigerated dairy section.

That exclusion list also includes alcoholic beverages, tobacco products and fuel.

Qualifying grocery purchases earn 1 point for every $1 you spend.

Milk isn’t named in the list, but refrigerated milk appears to fall under that fluid dairy exclusion, so those dollars may not earn the 1-point rate.

3. The 25-Gallon Fuel Cap

Safeway’s gas rewards turn every 100 points into 10 cents off a gallon at participating stations that Albertsons Companies owns and at partner stations.

Savings in a single fuel transaction top out at 25 gallons for one vehicle.

The discount also stops at the station’s maximum, which is typically 20 cents a gallon at partner stations and $1.00 at owned stations.

If your tank holds more than 25 gallons, the discount doesn’t cover the extra gallons.

4. Loaded Coupons at the Keypad

Safeway automatically redeems the digital coupons you’ve loaded to your account once you enter your member number or phone number at checkout.

Member prices also require you to use your forU account number or the phone number you registered with at checkout.

Load them early.

If you present two coupons for the same item in one transaction, Safeway gives you the highest discount for that item.

Safeway won’t accept photocopies.

You have to present paper coupons at the time of the purchase.

Not every Safeway offers double coupon promotions, and the terms can differ by time and store.

5. The 30-Day Raincheck

Safeway rainchecks work at any Albertsons banner store that has the item in stock, so you aren't tied to the store that ran out.

Each raincheck is good for one use and expires thirty days after Safeway issues it.

You can ask for up to six items on a single raincheck unless the ad sets a different limit.

Safeway won't provide rainchecks for items advertised as clearance or marked with phrases such as “while supplies last” or “limited quantities.”

Rainchecks also exclude beer, wine, spirits, tobacco, fuel and refrigerated fluid items, dairy substitutes included.

6. Higher Prices Online

Safeway says on its delivery page that the prices you see online generally are higher than in its physical stores.

Those prices may also vary with the fulfillment method you pick.

Pickup fees vary with your location and the time slot you choose.

Online promotions, discounts and offers may differ from those in the store as well.

Check the total first.

7. Free Items With Conditions

Safeway forU members become eligible for a free item offer once a month, worth up to $10, starting at the beginning of the month after they register.

You have to add that offer to your account before the expiration date on the offer.

After you redeem your first free item, you have to buy something with your account in-store or online to keep getting the monthly offer.

The purchase has to land within the 12 weeks before Safeway adds the offer to your account, which is about three months.

New members also get $5 off a purchase of $25 or more, but only within twenty-nine days of creating an account.

The birthday treat offer lands in your account on the first day of your birth month, and you still have to add it yourself.

Daily Offer Changes

Safeway forU bases each member's offers on that member's purchase history.