CVS Launches Own Payment App Tied To Loyalty Program

Image courtesy of Mike Mozart

Two years after CVS stopped taking Apple Pay, the pharmacy company has finally rolled out its own version of a mobile payment app tied to a loyalty program. 

CVS announced today the launch of CVS Pay, which will be part of the company’s already existing mobile app, integrating payment, prescription, and its ExtraCare loyalty program.

“Over the past year, our digital team has brought to market numerous new digital tools like CVS Pay that make shopping at CVS Pharmacy easier and more convenient,” Brian Tilzer, Senior Vice President and Chief Digital Officer, CVS Health, said in a statement.

The idea behind the service, besides playing catchup to options like Apple or Google Pay, is to eliminate the steps customers must take when checking out at stores.

Currently, shoppers must have a physical ExtraCare card — or have an associate look up their information — to earn rewards points. That means when paying for goods they have to dig through their wallet for that card, as well as their payment method of choice.

With the app, CVS is putting all of this data, as well as verifications for prescriptions and payment data, in one place.

For now, CVS is rolling out the system in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Delaware, with a national adoption expected later in the year.

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