It's flu season again and we just reviewed the Walgreens Flu Shot Gift Card. It's a clever way to market flu shots; however, this gift card falls short in several areas and bucks the trend of gift cards becoming more flexible and more consumer friendly. As a result, there is a 30 point difference in ScripSmart's Gift Card Score® when compared to the standard Walgreens Gift Card.
Walgreens Flu Shot Gift Card - Gift Card Score - 37
At a cost of $29.99, the Walgreens Flu Shot Gift Card is redeemable for one flu shot. Unfortunately the gift card expires in 5 years and is not redeemable for any other merchandise. This is a major drawback, especially considering the fact that the gift card does not guarantee a flu shot for your recipient this flu season.
In the event Walgreens' flu shot supply is depleted, you're recipient will be out of luck and have to wait until next year to redeem the gift. Furthermore, the Walgreens Flu Shot Gift Card does not lock in the cost of a flu shot. If the price increases any time, you're recipient will need to pay the difference.
The Walgreens Gift Card - Gift Card Score - 67
If you're considering the Walgreens Flu Shot Gift Card, we recommend you first consider the Walgreens Gift Card. It's a significantly better option for consumers and unlike the Walgreens Flu Shot Gift Card, the Walgreens Gift Card does not expire. It can also be used for a flu shot or any other merchandise at Walgreens, Rxpress or Walgreens Pharmacy.
Where's The Upside?
It's a bit surprising Walgreens created a product which is so much less flexible and offers no upside in exchange. At the very least, the Walgreens Flu Shot Gift Card should lock in the price of a flu shot for your recipient, guarantee availability of a flu shot this flu season or offer a flu shot at a discounted rate.
It seems it would have been smarter to simply produce a Walgreens Gift Card with a flu shot graphic and keep the same terms: no expiration and redeemable for just about everything at Walgreens. If you buy the Walgreens Flu Shot Gift Card, you're supporting Walgreen's decision to offer a product which is less consumer friendly and your gift just might come with an undesired side effect: a headache.
ScripSmart's Gift Card Score is designed to help you find and support the best gift cards available; just check the Gift Card Score before you make your next gift card purchase.
