For Safeway shoppers who enjoy playing the “grocery game” (as in “How much can I save this trip?”), you can play an actual game and win big prizes. Yes, Safeway’s popular Monopoly game is back! But, like everything else, there’s a whole new way to play. No more paper game board, instead you’ll be playing on your computer or through an app.
Through Tuesday, May 4, earn Shop, Play, Win! game pieces for your shot at $230 million in prizes, including $1 million cash, a vacation home, groceries for life, gift cards and lots of smaller prizes, including cash and products.
It’s easy to play. Each time you shop you earn 1 ticket for every $25 qualifying purchase in a single transaction, up to 4 tickets for $100 purchase AND earn 1 ticket for each featured item you buy.
(Note: We’ve noticed the system is a bit more generous and is awarding tickets for most purchases regardless of meeting the $25 minimum.)
Open the tickets to reveal a digital code. In a game piece, you get one of three options: an instant prize, digital code to play the Match 3 game online or a discount offer.
You then scan the ticket code to play. Instant Ticket Prizes, as well as cash and product offers, will be deposited directly into your Just for U rewards account. Those who win big, will receive special instructions how how to claim their prize.
Here’s how Instant Win works
First, open your SHOP, PLAY, WIN! MONOPOLY game tickets and READ the coupon portion to determine if you won an Instant Prize. Each winning coupon includes redemption instructions.
Instant Win Prizes must be scanned or entered into your SHOP, PLAY, WIN! account. Store Level Prizes (see list below) will be loaded directly to your Just for U account to to redeem at checkout with your account’s phone number. NO COUPON IS NEEDED AT CHECKOUT.
Store Level Instant Prizes that require scanning with your SHOP, PLAY, WIN!® account:
- $25 Just for U/rewards! Cash
- $10 Just for U/rewards! Cash
- $5 Just for U/rewards! Cash
- $2 Just for U/rewards! Cash
- $1 Just for U/rewards! Cash
- FREE Products
- 50¢, $1, $2, $5 Discount Offers
High-Level Instant Win Prizes must also be scanned in your SHOP, PLAY, WIN! account to activate verification form delivery to your email account.
Here’s how Match 3 works
- Scan or enter the Digital Match 3 Coupon code in the app or on the website.
- The site will reveal 9 generic TITLE DEED CARDS (you can’t see what text is behind the TITLE DEED CARDS).
- Select any 3 (and only 3) TITLE DEED CARDS, and then click the SUBMIT button.
- The 3 selected TITLE DEED CARDS will be revealed.
- If ALL THREE EXACTLY MATCH color properties and product image, you are a potential winner of the specified prize.
- Potential winners will be provided details on how to verify and claim the prize.
- If ALL THREE selected TITLE DEED CARDS DO NOT EXACTLY MATCH, you will receive a participating vendor offer or be awarded a specific number of tokens that will be stored in your game account.
- Read the “match” or “no match” notification window and follow any redemption directions provided.
- Potential High-level and Low-Level winners will receive an email verification form to return for verification and awarding of the prize.
- Free Product or Coupon Offers will automatically be clipped into your Just For U account.
- Cash Rewards will be added as a credit in your Just for U account.
In some cases you will receive tokens, instead of a prize. Tokens can be redeemed for rewards such as grocery gift cards, discounts on gas or groceries and free products. Each reward has a specific number of tokens you must spend to redeem it.
Bottom line, the new game is about finding three matching symbols to win — not collecting a bunch of game pieces. As a result, there will be no rare game pieces necessary to win.
We can already hear the grumbling about the all-digital aspect of this system. But there is some good news: Customers earn a game piece for every $25 in qualifying grocery purchases — up to four (4) game pieces in a single transaction.
Previously, customers automatically earned just one game piece per transaction — in addition to any game pieces earned for purchasing bonus products. (The bonus products option stays the same this year.)
The change means customers will now potentially earn more game pieces per transaction, especially if you regularly spend more than $50 per shopping trip.
Keep your game pieces!
Even though the game is very popular, the odds of winning can be a challenge. It’s easier than you think because each game piece is labeled with the prize for which it’s valid.
Just to be clear, once again, you must keep all of your game pieces, even after scanning. Do not throw them away. You need to the physical game tickets for redemption.
All High-level and Low-level prizes require the submission of a verification form along with the original winning coupon, per the instructions on the verification form.
Of course, you still want to open your game piece to see, if you’ve earned an online code, coupon or instant prize.
You must tie your Shop Play Win account to your Just for U account. As a result, any prizes you win, such as FREE products, discounts or gift cards, are automatically added to your Just for U account.
Then, simply enter your phone number at checkout or the gas pump to redeem. This is a great feature, especially when you accumulate tons of smaller FREE grocery items. The discounts are automatically applied at checkout.
Though the game officially ends on May 4, you can still redeem game pieces and coupons through May 27.
Looking for free tickets?
Click here to read our post about how to obtain Monopoly game pieces for free.
If you win any prizes, let us know. Good luck!
Remember, MHOTC is not affiliated with Safeway, so we can’t answer questions about the Monopoly game, including why the app doesn’t work or how to find winning tickets.
If you can’t find answers on the official website, it’s best to check with the Customer Service Desk of your local Safeway store or contact its customer service line at 1-877-723-3929.
I am not happy and upset about the way you are doing monopoly this year. Not all peaople have the kind hone you need to play this game. Because we do not have this kind of phone, we can not play. Nest time please do the game as you have in the past. That way everyone can play.
Joanna – Mile High on the Cheap is not affiliated with the game. We just help our readers understand the rules. We suggest you take your complaint to the Customer Service Desk at the store next time you shop. Maybe if enough people complain they will change it in the future. But we think they are being extra cautious this year because of the pandemic. — Laura
It says when you win a prize it’s added to your just for u account. I don’t see them on there. I can pull up the list on app to see what I’ve won, but are they suppose to show up on the just for you also. So u can easily see what they are, I’m confused
Jackie – I had the same issue. I just went through the list of what I won (it’s listed under your token history) and wrote it down on a piece of paper. Then I’ll just take with me when I shop. If for some reason I don’t get the item for free, I can show the list in the app to the clerk. I admit this is not the best method (very old fashioned), but for now I’m going to try it. Maybe Safeway will upgrade the Just For U to show Monopoly prizes. That said, I did win $1 cash and the next time I shopped it did give me that $1 when I checked out. — Laura
I went to the Safeway on E 14th Ave in Denver and my receipt says I earned 3 Monopoly tickets but I did not receive any tickets. Where are you supposed to get the actual ticket from?
Jen – If you go through the regular checkout line, the cashier will give them to you. If you go through self-check, you need to show your receipt to the cashier helping customers in the self-check area. They have the tickets. – Laura
I was having the same problem as Jackie about not finding the list of winnings in Just For U, but I just stumbled across it. Click on “My List” in the Safeway app and the winnings are listed under “Special Offers.” Hope that helps!
How do you get the codes?
Amaya – Please read our story. It explains how the game works. — LD
I cannot figure out how to scan codes. When I bring up the app all I get is a set of title deeds and no other options
Bonnie – We have no affiliation with the Monopoly game. However, you may want to remove the app and install it again. It is pretty easy to use when working. It just asks you if you want to play the game and then there are large “buttons” to tap to scan the codes. If you have further issues, you may want to ask someone at your Safeway store. Usually there is someone at the customer service desk who can find someone in the store who is using the app and can show you the steps. — Laura
I have no idea whatsoever how to play this game. It is totally incomprehensible to me. I’ve downloaded a scanner and the store app and still have no idea how to play or understand a word of the instructions. I have about 80 tickets that are totally worthless because no one can explain how this game works. Is there a website for Monopoly for Dummies? I have spent hours trying to figure this out and I’m totally lost.
Almost Half of the free items I got today did not come off. Clerk had to credit my receipt. He checked I did purchase correct items and I know I scanned in bar code because that is how I knew about free items. They are always very nice and give me my free items as long I purchase correctly, but overall I agree with above comments very aggravating this year having to remember everything you have won. I am sure I have forgotten some things. Frustrated.
I am in agreement with Sheryl, I’ve spent an inordinate amount of time on this. I’m going to Walmart and Aldi’s to shop tomorrow! Bye bye Jewel!
I have a disabled young man that played this game and now it’s computerized! I was about to send all the play pieces, that I have collected to him but to find out now, it’s all done on the computer! What if a lot of older people and etc. don’t have excess to computers?? I am so disappointed, as my son is…He so enjoyed it but now he can’t play…Thanks, Safeway for not thinking!!
I cannot figure out how to play this game. Instructions are to confusing. I am not able to scan to my phone. You need to clarify and be very specific step by step.
Clara – As we have started repeatedly, MHOTC does NOT operate this game. If you want step-by-step instructions we suggest you ask someone at the Customer Service Desk at your local grocery store. – LD
game is trash this year
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Am i able to view which board cards i currently have collected? i am trying to see if have collected the 3 items in the orange section?
Jess – You must be playing last year’s game. The 2021 games does not have “sections”.
I won gas/grocery reward and I received an email and it shows I won but does not show under my lists like my other ones di
Sue – Unlike the list of items you have one, I am guessing that the gas/grocery award was simply added to your account. So if you had 2 rewards before, you suddenly now show 3 or whatever the number you earned extra. — Laura
Laura- The gas/grocery prize was supposed to be for $15. It has nothing to do with rewards. The email said I can use it at the gas station or sign into J4U and hit grocery option. I do not see any grocery option
Sue – In my Just For U app, I found my $25 reward under “My List”. Don’t ask me why, but that’s where it landed. Also, with my reward it said you have to spend MORE than the amount for it to be applied. So unlike a gift card where yo can chip away at the amount, apparently I have to wait until I spend $25 or more at Safeway and then I’ll get the credited reward. – Laura
I have only 5 monopoly game pieces out of 72 that have scanned. None of the others will scan, even with a white piece of paper behind. I also reloaded the app. VERRY UNHAPPY.
Deleted the vons app and re uploaded it. Found my coupons in wallet under clipped deals. Hope it works for you all!
Thank You MHOTC
for explaining how the Monopoly game woks for 2021. And for posting helpful replys to alot of the apps problems, it has HELP me alot 
Thank You MHOTC
Sincerely
C. Peterson
Can I claim multiple free items from the Monopoly game in ONE transaction? I already see all the free items listed in “My List”. If yes, can we also claim two of the same free item in the same transaction?
Yes, I have picked up multiple bottles of water and at checkout it will simply take each one off your final receipt. You can also pick up as many different items as you wish and get them all at the same time.
I earned almost 500 tickets today only to have them tell me that they are out. None coming in game over.
Thanks for letting us know about this game! We have won a bunch of free products, and only occasionally have trouble redeeming at checkout. But the cashier fixes it for you anyway, so not really an issue.
This game is totally confusing! I have installed the app which doesn’t work as well as logging in on the website.
The game this year was the worst experience I’ve had. I worked so hard to get the $25 cash gift only to find it was gone by the time I accrued enough tokens for it! ALL the cash prizes were gone. I certainly don’t want taco seasoning and waffles! Let the tokens rot. I won’t be playing next year as I’ll be shopping at H‑E‑B. Also, so many of the items I won never went to my account so I couldn’t claim them. This game sucks!!!
In years past, there was an ending date for the game but you still had a few weeks to collect any prizes owed. This year the ending date is May 4th and I still have a pile of tickets. Do I still have time to win some money or do these all go in the trash
Bob – According to the official rules, “The last day to register for and enter a code for the Digital Game is May 18, 2021 at 11:59:59 PST.” We hope this information helps. -BKC
Laura, maybe next year you can ask monopoly to provide you a survey link so the people on here having issues can provide their feedback and they get that survey instead of you guys… otherwise thank you for being patient explaining the rules. I had no problem. Each free item shows up as $0 while scanning. I went to the self checkout and went through each every free item. I think the most expensive free item I got was a pack of perrier water.
Maria,
We wish we could find someone at Safeway/Albertsons to talk to about this, but over the years we have been unsuccessful at reaching anyone at Safeway corporate. Maybe next year we will track down a contact. – Laura
It’s may six is it to late to scan the rest of my tickets is the gane over inline
I want to spend my tokens on just4u cash but it says it’s unavailable. Why? It worked before so I don’t understand. I have spent so much time collecting them
I am a bit confused. So we have until may 18th to redeem any of our tickets we have acquired. But what about the sweepstakes token entry’s. My main question is the 1000$ daily drawing says it ended yesterday may 5th. But today may 6th I see about her drawing and it is still letting us use tokens for entry’s. Is it over? Is it safe to buy entry’s? When will the last 1000$ daily drawing actually end? Any info to help me understand would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you.
Are you allowed to redeem multiple prizes if you have 3 uses listed for french loaf bread if it says limit one. Thanks jeni
Jeni — You’re entitled to all of the prizes you’ve won, including multiples of the same item. The “limit one” refers to one prize per winning game piece — not per item overall. -BKC
It’s so not cool to have a game where everybody can’t play. Better not to have it at all than exclude people. Pay attention corporate execs —- believe it or not everybody in the world DOES NOT HAVE cell phones that can download apps!!! Some folks like it was said before, do not even have cell phones but still enjoy a little fun like playing the Monopoly game offered. Come on guys, I think we can do better than this.
Do you know how they contact drawing winners?
Do we need to watch our emails and spam?
For the drawings we entered with 2nd chance tokens, we don’t need to keep the game pieces we scanned right? The game pieces only need to be kept if you won a bigger prize initially. They wouldn’t know which token came from which scan that actually won the drawing.
Jessica — Winners are contacted my email and it never hurts to check your spam folders. — Laura