I too thought the coupon was "fake" after reading some fuss on HCW but I can tell you IT IS NOT. I signed up/updated my email and they sent me a link to the same EXACT server. The only difference is the expiration date. If you take the link:
http://www.extracarerewards.com/welcome/welcome_121607.gif
the last digits are the expiration date 121607, 12-16-07. You can CHANGE that number to ANY Sunday in the year 2007 and you will get the gif for that date. When I updated my account, CVS sent me a link to the gif with the expiration date closest to the date sent and matches the server above. It is indeed legit. CVS just wasn't good about covering their tracks and people found the pattern to the link code.
However, when I updated my account TODAY they sent me a different code embedded in the email, rather than a link to a code. That way, my email address and name prints on the paper with the code.
I suspect that the plan is to offer all discounts this way or with CRTs in the near future. I imagine they are just working out the kinks and eventually they will shut down the server hosting the gifs OR keep the server open until the end of this year with the last of the gifs expire.
As long as they keep emailing me different codes and printing out $10/50 CRTs (have had a minimum of one a week), I don't have any use for the old generic code.
HTH someone.
PS, between tylenol and advil PM I have enough sedative pain relievers to put myself in a coma for the next year. (mind you I only use one cvs card!)
I also received my "winterize your medicine cabinet" rebate for the great medicine deal we had a few weeks ago. They only sent $4.50 rather than $5 but I figure its all gravy anyways!