CVS/pharmacy’s ExtraCare rewards program is paying off for customers.

Cardholders received a combined total of more than $1.9 billion in savings and rewards throughout 2009 by using their ExtraCare card each time they shopped at CVS/pharmacy or online at CVS.com.

“In 2009, Americans continued to cut costs and look for new ways to help stretch their dollar,” said Bari Harlam, vice president of marketing for CVS/pharmacy.

The savings CVS provided in response to that trend represent a sizable increase from last year’s total. In the final quarter of 2009 alone, ExtraCare cardholders earned a total of $76,257,924.50 in savings. With more than 62 million active cardholders, CVS/pharmacy’s ExtraCare Rewards program is one of the most popular ways consumers save money throughout the year, and it remains the largest retail loyalty program in the U.S.

ExtraCare cardholders came out in droves in 2009 with seniors leading the charge as the fastest growing demographic of rewards program users with more than 7.3 million to date and growing. Overall, the numbers show that ExtraCare is gaining in popularity as value becomes a key decision maker for where consumers shop, and the program itself saw an increase of 10 million active card users from December 2008 to December 2009.  Both the number of men and women who signed up for a card increased substantially, growing by 8.7% and 7.9% respectively since last year.

“In 2010 we’re raising the bar even higher for ExtraCare members as we focus on providing additional savings on the products our customers need and value most like prescriptions and over-the-counter medications,” Harlam said.