Walgreens becomes first retailer to integrate loyalty program with Android Pay

Walgreens Balance Rewards members can now seamlessly apply their loyalty account at checkout through Android Pay, expanding the company’s portfolio of unified mobile payments solutions.

This latest integration gives the more than 85 million active Balance Rewards members, many of whom use Android devices, another way to earn and use loyalty points in-store, and eliminates the need to separately scan or enter their Balance Rewards card.

“We’re continually looking at ways to enhance the customer experience through innovative and forward-thinking technologies,” said Abhi Dhar, Walgreens senior vice president and chief information officer. “We’re proud to have been the first retailer to integrate our loyalty program with the two leading mobile payment providers, and to give our customers another channel for greater access, choice and convenience with our loyalty program.”

To get the most out of purchases, users can add their Balance Rewards card information to the Android Pay app downloaded on Google Play. Before payment, members simply hold their Android device near the PIN pad and the appropriate rewards information is applied. To check out, members then hold their Android device again near the PIN pad for payment. Android Pay is easy to set up and users will continue to receive all of the rewards and benefits offered by credit and debit cards.

“We want to make in-store payments simpler for everyone, so we've worked with Walgreens to implement Balance Rewards with Android Pay in their stores nationwide – giving customers instant, frictionless access to their loyalty card when they pay,” said Pali Bhat, Google senior director, product management. “Now, Walgreens customers can speed through the entire checkout process in as few as two taps with their Android phones.”