All you ever wanted to know about shopping at Safeway

Here are a few frequently asked questions about shopping at Safeway.   I hope you find it helpful!

What is Safeway’s coupon policy?

Safeway accepts manufacturer coupons and their own store coupons.   Select stores double coupons up to $.50 and “round up” coupons $.51+ to $1.00; ie, a $.45 coupon is worth $.90 and a $.75 coupon is worth $1.00.  Coupons $1 or more are redeemed at face value.   No known limit to the number of coupons accepted or doubled.

The stores that double coupons do it every day.   You don’t need a special “pass” to have your coupons doubled, just your Safeway card.   The following stores in the Colorado Springs area are known to double coupons:

5060 North Academy (Academy and Union)
3335 North Academy (Academy and North Carefree)
2890 North Powers Blvd (Powers and Constitution)
1920 South Nevada (Nevada and Southgate)
1121 North Circle Drive (Circle and Galley)

The following stores do not double coupons:

840 Village Center Drive (Rockrimmon and Vindicator)
2210 North Wahsatch (Wahsatch and Madison)
3275 West Colorado Ave (Colorado and 33rd Street)
624 Highway 105 (Monument)
7655 McLaughlin Rd (Falcon)
1101 East US Highway 24 (Woodland Park)

”Overage” is not typically given – if the item you are buying is $.75 and you have a coupon for $.50 off, generally that coupon will only double up to $.75.  Internet coupons are accepted at the stores I shop at, though I know some individual stores have set limits on this.   They do not allow two coupons on a buy-one-get-one-free sale.   You can combine a store coupon with a manufacturer’s coupon.

Safeway periodically puts out coupons for $10 off your purchase of $50 or more.   These typically state that the minimum purchase is after club card savings and store coupons.   Your manufacturer’s coupons should come off after the $10 discount as long as your total with store coupons and discounts is $50.

You can also use  Proctor and Gamble e-coupons at Safeway.   These are put on your card online and come off automatically when you check out.  These can be used in addition to paper manufacturer’s coupons.

What is Safeway’s ad cycle?

Sales cycles run Wednesday through Tuesday with an occasional weekend or Sunday through Tuesday sale.  Ads appear in the Gazette on Wednesdays or are available on their website.   If there’s a Sunday through Tuesday sale, the ad appears in the Gazette on Sunday and on their website.

What type of promotions do they offer?

In addition to their regular sale prices, Safeway periodically does promotions like “buy five participating items save $5 instantly at checkout” and “buy 20 participating items get a coupon for $15 off your next shopping order”.   Some of these can be great deals when combined with manufacturer’s coupons!   These type of promotions are almost always limited to one per transaction.

Safeway also offers catalina (checkout) coupon promotions, which are sometimes advertised throughout the store.   An example would be “buy five StarKist tuna pouches save $1 on your next order”.   They also often have coupon booklets for special promotions throughout the store, particularly at the pharmacy or customer service counter.

Finally, Safeway offers a gas savings program called Power Pump Rewards.   For every $100 you spend at Safeway, you receive a discount of 10 ¢ off your next fill-up.   These are cumulative for the quarter, so if you spend $300 in-store, you’ll receive a discount of 30 ¢ off each gallon at your next fill-up.

I can’t find any rhyme or reason for how Safeway counts your gas reward points – all I know is that I almost always earn more points than the number of dollars I actually spent.   I think it somehow figures it based on your total before manufacturer’s coupons but after store discounts – but not all store discounts.   It’s confusing, and if anyone know exactly how it works, please share!

Note that not all Safeways in Colorado Springs have a gas station; in fact, only a few do.   Here’s the stores that do have a gas station: (7655 McLaughlin Rd (in Falcon), 1101 N Circle Drive (just off Circle and Galley), 6941 Mesa Ridge Parkway (in Fountain), and 1039 East US-24 (in Woodland Park).

Why should I use a Safeway Club Card (store loyalty card)?

You must use your club card to get sale prices, use in-ad coupons, receive coupon doubling, or participate in special promotions.   Gas savings points are also tied to your club card.

Why should I shop at Safeway?

Safeway has some great promotions, particularly when they run a huge “buy x get $x” sale with hundreds of participating products.   They also frequently feature in-ad coupons that can be combined with manufacturer’s coupons that have enabled me to score great deals on cereal, beverages, and more.

I’ve found Safeway (along with Albertsons) to have the best sale prices on meat.   I typically buy my ground beef at Safeway because it’s freshly ground in-store.

Anything else I should know?

You can get a discount of $.05 per bag if you bring your own (either plastic or reusable).

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Happy Safeway shopping!   If you have any other information you think should be included, please let me know.