CAMP HILL, Pa. — Rite Aid Corp. is providing American Express cardholders extra incentive to shop at Rite Aid by offering those participating in the Membership Rewards program the opportunity to use rewards points for eligible purchases.

Eligible American Express Card members who have accumulated enough Membership Rewards points to pay for their purchase will be prompted to use points for their purchases after they swipe, tap or insert a Membership Rewards-enrolled American Express Card ­in-store.

Rite Aid is the first pharmacy chain to offer card members the opportunity to use Membership Rewards points for their purchases, according to the drug chain.

And the added incentives come at a good time, as the holiday shopping season has arrived, which Rite Aid stores kicked off last month by offering the best sales of the year — as much as 50% off selected holiday products — which began as early as 8 a.m. Thanksgiving and 7 a.m. on Black Friday.

“At Rite Aid, we know how much our customers value choice and convenience, which is why we are excited to be the first pharmacy chain to offer American Express Card members the opportunity to use Membership Rewards points for their purchases,” said Ken Martindale, chief executive officer of Rite Aid stores and president of Rite Aid Corp. “Thanks to our partnership with American Express, in one quick and easy motion our customers can use the points they’ve accrued through the Membership Rewards program for their purchases, saving them both money and time.”

American Express Card members who are also part of Rite Aid’s free loyalty program, wellness+ with Plenti, will have the option of using their wellness+ with Plenti points, in addition to using Membership Rewards points.

The Membership Rewards program from American Express offers more than a million rewards from more than 500 brands, according to the company, and allows American Express Card members to earn one point for virtually every dollar charged on eligible, enrolled American Express Cards, with many opportunities to earn points faster.

Membership Rewards points are redeemable in a wide selection of reward categories. There is no limit on the number of points an American Express Card member can earn.

American Express’ services include charge and credit cards, business credit cards, the Plenti coalition rewards program, travel services, gift cards, prepaid cards, merchant services and corporate cards.