If you‘re a regular Kroger shopper, signing up for a free Kroger Plus Card is one of the easiest ways to save money on your grocery bills. This comprehensive guide will tell you everything you need to know about the Kroger Plus Card program, from how to get a card to maximizing your rewards and savings as an expert-level shopper.
What is a Kroger Plus Card?
A Kroger Plus Card is a loyalty card that allows customers to earn points on purchases and unlock exclusive discounts at Kroger stores. It‘s free to sign up, and you can start earning rewards right away.
Loyalty programs have become a key part of the retail landscape, with 90% of companies having some type of loyalty program. For shoppers, these programs are a great way to save money and get rewarded for purchases you‘re already making. And for retailers, they help foster customer loyalty and gather valuable data on shopping habits.
Kroger first launched its loyalty program in 2003 as the Kroger Plus Shopper‘s Card. It has since evolved to better meet the needs of modern shoppers, with the integration of digital coupons, personalized offers, and the ability to earn fuel points. Today, there are over 11 million active Kroger Plus Card users.
How to Get a Kroger Plus Card
Getting a Kroger Plus Card is quick and easy. You have two options:
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In store: Visit the customer service desk at your local Kroger store and ask to sign up for a Plus Card. You‘ll fill out a short form and be given a physical card that you can start using immediately.
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Online: Go to Kroger.com and click on the "Register" button in the top right corner. Fill out the online form with your name, address, and email. You‘ll be given a digital Plus Card number that you can use for online shopping or in-store by entering your phone number at checkout.
Once you have your card, be sure to link it to your online Kroger account. This will allow you to easily clip digital coupons, track your rewards, and view personalized offers.
Benefits of the Kroger Plus Card
So what exactly do you get with a Kroger Plus Card? Here‘s a breakdown of the main benefits:
1. Fuel Points
One of the biggest perks of a Kroger Plus Card is the ability to earn fuel points on your purchases. For every $1 you spend, you‘ll earn 1 fuel point. Once you reach 100 points, you‘ll get $0.10 off per gallon on your next fuel purchase at Kroger Fuel Centers or participating Shell stations.
Some purchases will earn you bonus fuel points:
- Gift card purchases earn 2x fuel points
- Qualifying prescriptions earn 50 points each
Fuel points are awarded monthly and typically expire at the end of the following month. So if you earn 200 points in January, you‘ll have until the end of February to redeem them.
2. Digital Coupons
Kroger Plus Card holders get exclusive access to hundreds of digital coupons. These can be viewed and clipped on the Kroger app or website, and they‘ll be automatically applied when you scan your Plus Card at checkout.
Kroger‘s selection of digital coupons updates frequently and includes discounts on a wide range of products, from pantry staples to cleaning supplies to beauty products. Savvy shoppers know to always check for digital coupons before shopping to maximize their savings.
3. Personalized Deals
In addition to the publicly available digital coupons, Kroger Plus Card holders may receive personalized deals and offers based on their shopping history. These could include bigger discounts on products you buy often or recommendations for new products you might like.
Check the "My Coupons" section of your Kroger account often to see if you have any personalized offers waiting.
4. Sale Prices
Kroger runs weekly ads with reduced prices on select items. While anyone can take advantage of these sale prices, Kroger Plus Card holders may unlock additional discounts or earn bonus rewards when purchasing promoted items.
Regular Kroger shoppers know to always check the weekly ad (online or in store) to plan their shopping around the best deals.
5. Cash Back Rewards
Occasionally, Kroger may run special promotions that allow Plus Card holders to earn cash back rewards on qualifying purchases. These rewards get loaded directly onto your Plus Card and can be redeemed on future purchases.
For example, Kroger may offer 5% cash back on all purchases from its Simple Truth organic brand over a certain period. If you buy $100 worth of Simple Truth products, you‘d earn $5 to spend next time.
Advanced Tips for Maximizing Kroger Plus Rewards
Now that you know the basics of how the Kroger Plus Card works, here are some expert-level tips to really supercharge your savings:
1. Stack Digital Coupons with Paper Coupons
Kroger allows shoppers to stack one manufacturer coupon with up to five Kroger digital coupons per item. That means if you have a $1 off paper coupon and a $0.50 off digital coupon for the same product, you can use both and save $1.50.
2. Take Advantage of "Mega Events"
Every so often, Kroger runs promotions called "Mega Events" where you can get $5 off instantly when you buy five participating items. These events typically feature popular brands and products at already-low sale prices, so the $5 off makes for some amazing deals. If you have coupons for the participating items too, your savings will be even bigger.
3. Use Cashback Apps
Combine your Kroger Plus discounts with cash back earned through shopping apps like Ibotta, Fetch Rewards, or Shopkick for bonus savings. These apps offer cash rewards when you buy certain products or brands, so you‘ll be earning money on top of your Kroger deals.
4. Go Big During 4x Fuel Points Promotions
A few times a year, Kroger may run a 4x fuel points promotion – meaning you‘ll earn 4 fuel points per $1 instead of the usual 1 point. If you have a big purchase to make, like a new small appliance or a gift card, doing it during a 4x event will seriously boost your fuel discount. Some shoppers even buy third-party gift cards (like Amazon or Visa) during these promotions just to rack up points.
5. Get a Kroger Rewards Credit Card
If you‘re a very frequent Kroger shopper, you may want to consider applying for a Kroger Rewards credit card. These cards offer bonus fuel points and discounts on Kroger brands on top of the usual Plus Card benefits, with no annual fee. The downside is that rewards can only be redeemed at Kroger, so it‘s not a good all-purpose card.
Is the Boost Membership Worth It?
In addition to the free Plus Card, Kroger also offers a paid membership program called Boost by Kroger Plus. For an annual fee of $59 or $99, Boost members get free delivery for online orders over $35, double fuel points (up to $1 off per gallon), and additional discounts on Kroger brands.
Whether Boost is worth it depends on your shopping habits and how much you value the extra perks. If you do most of your shopping online and frequently have large orders, the free delivery could be a big money-saver. And if you buy a lot of gas, the double fuel points will add up fast. However, the extra discounts on Kroger brands may not be significant enough to justify the membership cost for casual shoppers.
Privacy and Data Collection
Like most retailers, Kroger does collect data on Plus Card members‘ shopping habits – things like what you buy, how often, and which promotions you respond to. This data helps Kroger personalize offers, plan promotions, and make decisions about inventory and pricing.
If you‘re concerned about privacy, you can limit the data Kroger collects by not linking your Plus Card to a payment method and using a separate email for your Kroger account. You can also request a copy of your data or opt out of data sharing in your account settings.
Key Takeaways
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A Kroger Plus Card is a free loyalty program that allows shoppers to earn points and get exclusive discounts at Kroger stores.
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You can sign up for a Plus Card in store or online, and start using it immediately.
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Key benefits include fuel points, digital coupons, personalized deals, and cash back rewards.
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To maximize your Plus Card savings, take advantage of stacking coupons, special promotions, and cash back apps.
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The paid Boost membership offers additional perks, but is only worth it for frequent Kroger shoppers.
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Be aware of how Kroger collects and uses Plus Card data, and adjust your privacy settings if needed.
Armed with this knowledge, you‘re ready to become a Kroger Plus Card pro and unlock big savings on all your grocery trips. Happy shopping!
