CVS or Duane Reade? Which Chain DrugStore is the Best?

I'm a Drugstore Junkie. I live in NYC, and we have many Drugstores that offer the same products, and offer good deals.

My top three are CVS, Duane Reade, and Rite-Aide. I have several of all of the mentioned in walking distance.

Which one gets my loyalty?

The one that is the best.

Rite-Aide is, okay, but any specials are only "mail in rebates'. Too much hassle.

The two big guns in the chain drugstore world are CVS and Duane Reade. Both offer store cards, that basically offer discounts by just using the card when you purchase anything.

I have three CVS stores in my direct area. I have two Duane Reade stores in my neighborhood. I also have three Duane Reade near my job. So, as far as location and convenience - they are equal.

Both CVS and Duane offer a 'rewards' system. When you sign up you can get a card to track your purchases and gain rewards with each purchase.
Which one is better? Which drugstore has the best deals?

CVS came out with ECB (Extra Care Bucks). Nice name. Basically, it is saying - CVS cares, and we will give you some bucks when you shop with us with the card.

I have my card on my key chain, so I never leave home with out it. I always use it at CVS even for the smallest of purchases. CVS ECB has a quarterly incentive. Get back 2% on all your purchases. That might not sound like alot of money, but any money back is money in your pocket - or to spend. CVS ECB can only be spent in CVS. They are printed on your receipt, like a coupon. The Extra Care Bucks act like cash, so you can buy anything you like.

Here's where things get great with CVS ECB,- they have weekly offers where you can buy a product and also get back $ in the form of ECB.

Some examples are: Buy a certain toothpaste for $X, and get that same amount back in ECB. It's FREE. Buy $15 of a certain name brand, and get $5 ECB back - so it's only actually $10. And if you use coupons, it's much cheaper. Many other bargains will show up on your receipt after a purchase. You might get a coupon for $3 off of $15, Or a receipt coupon for money off on products you normally buy.