Ready to fill up your tank for less? Kroger's Fuel Points program is a fantastic way to turn your everyday grocery shopping into significant savings at the pump. It's not just about groceries, either – there are several ways to stack up those points quickly. Let's dive in and learn how to master the art of earning Kroger Fuel Points!
Your Ultimate Guide to Earning Kroger Fuel Points
Imagine getting a discount on every gallon of gas just by buying your usual groceries. Sounds good, right? That's the power of Kroger Fuel Points! This guide will walk you through every step, from signing up to maximizing your earnings and understanding the redemption process.
Step 1: Are You In? Get Your Kroger Shopper's Card!
Before you can start accumulating those precious fuel points, you need to be part of the Kroger Family of Stores loyalty program. If you're not already, this is your very first, and most crucial, step.
Sub-heading: Joining the Kroger Loyalty Program
In-Store Sign-Up: Head to the customer service desk at any Kroger or Kroger Family of Stores location (like Fred Meyer, King Soopers, Ralphs, etc.). They'll help you sign up for a free Shopper's Card right then and there.
Online Registration: Prefer the digital route? Visit the Kroger website (or your specific banner store's website). Look for a "Sign Up" or "Create Account" link. You'll typically need to provide your name, email address, and create a password. You can then link an existing Shopper's Card number or get a new digital one.
Mobile App: Download the Kroger mobile app (available on iOS and Android). The app is incredibly useful for tracking points, clipping digital coupons, and managing your account. You can sign up directly within the app as well.
Pro Tip: Even if you have a physical card, creating a digital account is highly recommended as it unlocks online-only deals and makes tracking your points much easier.
Step 2: The Core Principle: Shop & Earn!
The fundamental way to earn Kroger Fuel Points is by doing what you already do: grocery shopping!
Sub-heading: Earning Points on Everyday Purchases
Groceries: You earn 1 Fuel Point for every $1 spent on most eligible groceries when you use your Shopper's Card. This applies whether you're shopping in-store, using pickup, or opting for delivery.
Exclusions: Be aware that some items are typically excluded from earning fuel points, such as alcohol (in some states), fluid milk and milk products (where required), tobacco, money orders, postage stamps, product deposits, promotional tickets, taxes, and fees (including pickup and delivery fees). Purchases made at Kroger Family of Stores Fuel Centers also do not earn fuel points.
Sub-heading: Boost Your Earnings with Strategic Purchases
Prescriptions: This is a fantastic way to rack up points! You can earn 25 Fuel Points for non-federally funded prescriptions and 1 Fuel Point for every $1 of your out-of-pocket costs for federally funded prescriptions. Even better, you earn 75 Fuel Points for each 90-day script. If you have regular prescriptions, make sure to fill them at Kroger pharmacies.
Gift Cards: This is often overlooked but incredibly powerful for maximizing points. You typically earn 2 Fuel Points for each $1 spent on most gift cards. This includes gift cards for other retailers (like Amazon, Target, restaurants, etc.), not just Kroger's own gift cards. Imagine buying a gift card you'd use anyway for a birthday or upcoming purchase, and getting double the fuel points!
Note: Some gift cards are excluded, such as Kroger Family of Stores Gift Cards, Green Dot prepaid reloadable products, MoneyPaks, American Express Variable Load Gift Cards, Visa Variable Load Gift Cards, and MasterCard Variable Load Gift Cards. Always check the fine print!
Step 3: Unlocking Maximum Savings: Special Promotions & Boost Membership
Kroger often offers ways to supercharge your point accumulation. Keep an eye out for these opportunities!
Sub-heading: Spotting Bonus Fuel Point Promotions
Weekly Ads & Digital Coupons: Always check your weekly ad and clip digital coupons! Kroger frequently has special promotions where you can earn bonus fuel points on specific items or categories. This could be 2x, 3x, or even 4x the points on certain purchases. Planning your shopping around these promotions can significantly increase your point balance.
Personalized Offers: The more you shop with your Shopper's Card, the more personalized offers Kroger can send you. These might include bonus fuel points on items you frequently purchase.
Sub-heading: Consider a Kroger Boost Membership
What is Boost? Kroger Boost is a paid subscription service that offers several benefits, including free grocery delivery and, importantly, accelerated fuel point earnings.
Boost Fuel Point Benefit: With a Boost membership, you typically earn 2X Fuel Points on grocery and general merchandise purchases in-store and online. This effectively doubles your base earning rate on eligible items, making it a strong option for frequent Kroger shoppers.
Is it for you? If you spend a significant amount at Kroger and frequently use their delivery or pickup services, the Boost membership can quickly pay for itself through the combined savings from free delivery and increased fuel points.
Step 4: Tracking Your Fuel Points
Knowing how many points you have is key to planning your fuel ups.
Sub-heading: Easy Ways to Check Your Balance
Receipts: Your current fuel point balance is usually printed at the bottom of your Kroger receipt after each transaction.
Kroger Website: Log in to your digital account on Kroger.com (or your specific banner store's website). Your fuel point balance will typically be prominently displayed on your account dashboard.
Mobile App: The Kroger mobile app is perhaps the easiest and most convenient way to track your points. Your balance is usually visible right on the home screen or in a dedicated "Rewards" or "Fuel Points" section.
Sub-heading: Understanding Point Expiration
Monthly Expiration: This is crucial to remember! Kroger Fuel Points expire on the last day of the month after they are earned. For example, points earned in July expire on August 31st.
No Rollover: Monthly balances do not combine across months. Each month is a separate earning period. This means it's best to use your points within the earning cycle to avoid losing them.
Step 5: Redeeming Your Hard-Earned Fuel Points
Now for the best part – saving money on gas!
Sub-heading: Where to Redeem
Kroger Family of Stores Fuel Centers: You can redeem your points at any Kroger-branded fuel center.
Participating Shell Locations: Many Kroger divisions also partner with Shell, allowing you to redeem your fuel points at participating Shell gas stations. Check the Kroger website or app for a list of participating Shell locations in your area.
Sub-heading: The Redemption Process
At the Pump:
Swipe Your Shopper's Card or Enter Alt-ID: At the fuel pump, you'll be prompted to swipe your physical Shopper's Card or enter your alternate ID (typically your phone number associated with your account).
Follow On-Screen Prompts: The pump will then display your available fuel point balance and give you options for redemption. You can choose to use all your available points or a portion of them in 10-cent increments.
Select Your Discount: Every 100 Fuel Points earned is valid for 10¢ off per gallon. You can typically redeem up to 1,000 Fuel Points for $1 off per gallon.
Pump Your Gas: Once you've selected your desired discount, proceed to pump your fuel. The discount will be applied to up to 35 gallons of fuel (unleaded, mid-grade, premium, diesel, or E85).
Using Kroger Pay (Mobile App): If you use Kroger Pay in the app, you can select your fuel discount and payment method directly within the app before pumping. This streamlines the process by combining loyalty and payment into one scan.
Important Note: Fuel point discounts are generally for one purchase of fuel and cannot be combined with other fuel discounts. There's also a limit of up to 35 gallons per transaction.
Step 6: Advanced Strategies for Maximizing Savings
Want to become a Kroger Fuel Point master? These tips can help you squeeze every last drop of savings!
Sub-heading: Bulk Buying & Gift Card Stacking
Plan Big Purchases: If you know you'll be making a large purchase (like electronics, home goods, or even booking travel), consider buying gift cards for those retailers at Kroger when there are bonus point promotions. This allows you to earn multiple times the points on money you were going to spend anyway.
Group Your Shopping: Try to consolidate your grocery trips. Larger, less frequent trips can help you accumulate points faster, especially when aiming for those 100-point increments for a discount.
Sub-heading: Coordinating with Household Members
Link Accounts: Ensure all members of your household are using the same Shopper's Card or are linked to the same digital account. This ensures all purchases contribute to one shared fuel point balance.
Team Up for Fill-Ups: If you have multiple cars, consider filling them up at the same time to maximize the 35-gallon limit for the discount. You can even use fuel jugs for extra capacity if permitted by local regulations and safe to do so.
Sub-heading: Utilizing the Kroger Rewards World Elite Mastercard®
Extra Savings: If you're a very frequent Kroger shopper, the Kroger Rewards World Elite Mastercard® can offer additional benefits, such as extra cents off per gallon for a limited time after signup, and double fuel points on groceries when used for Kroger purchases. It also offers cash back on other purchases.
Responsible Use: As with any credit card, only use it if you can pay off your balance in full each month to avoid interest charges that would negate your fuel savings.
10 Related FAQ Questions:
How to check my Kroger Fuel Points balance?
You can easily check your Kroger Fuel Points balance on your most recent receipt, by logging into your digital account on Kroger.com, or most conveniently, through the Kroger mobile app.
How to use Kroger Fuel Points at the pump?
At the gas pump, swipe your Kroger Shopper's Card or enter your alternate ID (phone number). Follow the on-screen prompts to select the amount of fuel discount you wish to redeem, then proceed to pump your gas.
How to earn more Kroger Fuel Points quickly?
To earn more points quickly, focus on buying gift cards for other retailers at Kroger (they often give 2x points, sometimes more during promotions), fill prescriptions at Kroger pharmacies, and look out for special bonus fuel point promotions on specific grocery items.
How to prevent Kroger Fuel Points from expiring?
Kroger Fuel Points expire on the last day of the month after they are earned. The best way to prevent them from expiring is to redeem them within that window. There is no rollover of points from one month to the next.
How to know if a Shell station accepts Kroger Fuel Points?
Kroger partners with participating Shell locations. You can typically find a list of participating Shell stations on the Kroger website or through their mobile app's fuel locator.
How to get a Kroger Shopper's Card?
You can get a free Kroger Shopper's Card at the customer service desk of any Kroger Family of Stores, or by signing up for a digital account on the Kroger website or mobile app.
How to link my phone number to my Kroger Shopper's Card?
When you sign up for a Kroger digital account, you'll typically link your phone number during the registration process. If you already have a physical card, you can link it to your online account by entering the card number.
How to get a $1 off per gallon discount with Kroger Fuel Points?
To get $1 off per gallon, you need to accumulate 1,000 Fuel Points. Each 100 points equals $0.10 off, so 1,000 points equals $1.00 off. This discount applies to up to 35 gallons.
How to combine Kroger Fuel Points with other discounts?
Generally, Kroger Fuel Point discounts cannot be combined with other fuel discounts. They are typically applied as the primary discount at the pump.
How to maximize the 35-gallon limit for Kroger Fuel Points?
To maximize the 35-gallon limit, ensure your vehicle's tank is as empty as possible before fueling. If you have multiple vehicles, consider fueling them one after another (within the same transaction at some stations) or even using approved fuel jugs if safe and permitted, to reach the 35-gallon maximum.
