Ready to unlock some serious savings at Kroger? If you're a regular shopper at Kroger or any of its family of stores (like Fred Meyer, Ralphs, King Soopers, Fry's, Smith's, etc.), then you've likely heard about the Kroger Plus Card or the Kroger Rewards World Elite Mastercard®. But do you really know just how much these loyalty programs can save you? Prepare to be amazed, because by the end of this comprehensive guide, you'll be a Kroger savings pro, maximizing every single discount and reward available!
The Power of the Kroger Card: More Than Just a Discount
The Kroger card isn't just a piece of plastic; it's your key to a world of exclusive deals, personalized offers, and significant savings on groceries and fuel. While the exact amount you save will vary based on your shopping habits and how actively you engage with the program, many users report saving hundreds of dollars annually, and some even over $1,000, especially with the Kroger Boost membership. Let's dive into the step-by-step process of how to leverage your Kroger card for maximum financial benefit.
Step 1: Get Your Kroger Card (It's Easier Than You Think!)
First things first: do you have a Kroger Plus Card or a Kroger Rewards World Elite Mastercard®? If not, let's get you set up!
Sub-heading: Option A: The Free Kroger Plus Card
This is the most common and absolutely essential starting point for anyone who shops at Kroger. It costs nothing to sign up and immediately grants you access to member-only prices.
How to Get It:
In-Store: Simply ask a cashier or customer service representative to sign you up. They'll typically ask for your phone number, which then acts as your "Alt-ID" for future purchases. You might receive a physical card on the spot or one will be mailed to you.
Online: Visit the Kroger website (kroger.com) and navigate to their "Free Rewards Membership" section. You can create a digital account and link a new or existing Shopper's Card. Your phone number linked to this account will serve as your digital ID.
Pro Tip: Even if you get a physical card, link it to a digital account online or via the Kroger app. This opens up even more savings opportunities.
Sub-heading: Option B: The Kroger Rewards World Elite Mastercard® (for serious savers!)
For those who want to take their Kroger savings to the next level, the Kroger Rewards World Elite Mastercard® offers substantial cash back and additional perks. This is a credit card, so it involves a credit application.
How to Apply:
Online: You can apply directly through the Kroger website (
kroger.com/d/our-payment-cards By Phone: Call the number provided on the Kroger website for credit card applications.
Key Benefit: This card offers cash back on Kroger purchases (up to 5% on mobile wallet/Kroger Pay, 2% in-store, 1% elsewhere) and a free Boost Essential Membership for one year upon approval, which we'll discuss next!
Step 2: Understand the Different Ways Your Kroger Card Saves You Money
Your Kroger card isn't a one-trick pony. It provides savings through various avenues.
Sub-heading: Member-Exclusive Pricing (The Foundation of Savings)
This is the most immediate and visible benefit. Many items throughout the store are marked with a "Kroger Plus Card Price" or similar designation. Without your card (or linked phone number), you'll pay the higher regular price. This alone can add up to significant savings on your weekly grocery bill.
Sub-heading: Digital Coupons (Your Clipping Hand Just Got a Digital Upgrade)
Gone are the days of cutting out paper coupons! Kroger has fully embraced digital coupons, and they are incredibly powerful.
How They Work:
Access: Log into your Kroger digital account on the Kroger app or website.
Browse & Clip: Browse through hundreds of digital coupons. When you find one for an item you plan to buy, simply tap "Clip."
Automatic Application: When you scan your Kroger Plus Card (or enter your Alt-ID/phone number) at checkout, or if you're using Kroger Pay, the clipped digital coupons will automatically be applied to qualifying items in your cart. You'll see the savings reflected on your receipt.
Strategy: Before every shopping trip, take 5-10 minutes to review and clip relevant digital coupons. This simple habit can easily save you $10-$30 or more per trip.
Sub-heading: Weekly Ads & Promotions (Plan Your Shopping Around Deals)
Kroger's weekly ad is a goldmine of sales and promotions. Your Kroger card unlocks these advertised specials.
How to Use Them:
View Online/App: Access the weekly ad digitally through the Kroger app or website. You can often preview it a day or two before the new sales cycle begins.
Identify Sales: Look for "Buy One, Get One Free" offers, "Mix & Match" deals (e.g., "Buy 5, Save $1 Each"), and deeply discounted items.
Combine with Coupons: Often, you can stack a weekly ad sale price with a digital coupon for even greater savings! For example, if a cereal is on sale for $2.50 and you have a $0.50 digital coupon, you'll pay just $2.00.
Maximization Tip: Build your shopping list around the weekly ad. This is a fundamental principle of couponing and smart grocery shopping.
Sub-heading: Fuel Points (Save Big at the Pump!)
This is one of Kroger's most celebrated benefits. For every dollar you spend on groceries and general merchandise, you earn Fuel Points.
How They Accumulate & Redeem:
Earning: You earn 1 Fuel Point for every $1 spent at Kroger stores (some exclusions apply, like gift cards for other retailers, alcohol, tobacco, and pharmacy prescriptions in some areas). There are often bonus fuel point promotions (e.g., 2x or 4x points on specific purchases or gift card purchases).
Redemption: Every 100 Fuel Points typically equals a $0.10 per gallon discount. So, 100 points = $0.10 off/gallon, 200 points = $0.20 off/gallon, up to 1,000 points = $1.00 off/gallon! You can redeem these points at Kroger Fuel Centers or participating Shell locations.
Example: If you spend $500 on groceries in a month, you'll earn 500 Fuel Points, which translates to $0.50 off per gallon (up to 35 gallons in most areas). That's a potential saving of $17.50 on one fill-up! Over a year, this can amount to hundreds of dollars.
Important: Fuel points expire at the end of the month after they are earned. So, points earned in July expire on August 31st.
Sub-heading: Personalized Offers (Tailored Savings Just for You)
Kroger tracks your purchase history (thanks to your Plus Card!). They then use this data to send you personalized coupons and offers for items you frequently buy or might be interested in. These often come via email, direct mail, or appear as "Exclusive Offers" in your digital account.
Benefit: This means you're getting discounts on products you actually use, rather than generic coupons for items you'd never buy.
Step 3: Elevate Your Savings with Kroger Boost (Optional, but Powerful!)
For frequent Kroger shoppers, especially those who use delivery or fill up their gas tanks regularly, a Kroger Boost membership can be a game-changer. It's a paid subscription program that enhances your Kroger card benefits.
Sub-heading: What is Kroger Boost?
Kroger Boost offers two tiers:
Boost Essential: Typically $59/year.
Boost Plus: Typically $99/year.
Sub-heading: Key Benefits of Kroger Boost
Free Delivery: This is the flagship benefit. Boost Essential offers free next-day delivery, while Boost Plus offers free same-day delivery (on orders over a certain minimum, usually $35). If you regularly pay delivery fees, this can quickly offset the membership cost.
2x Fuel Points: Boost members earn double the fuel points on qualifying purchases. This means you earn 2 Fuel Points for every $1 spent, accelerating your fuel savings significantly.
Exclusive Member Offers: Boost members often get access to additional exclusive discounts and even free monthly items.
Is it Worth It? Calculate how much you spend on delivery fees annually and how much you save on gas. If those savings outweigh the Boost membership cost, it's a smart investment. Many users report saving over $1,000 per year with a Boost membership combined with the Kroger Rewards credit card.
Step 4: Master the Kroger App (Your Mobile Savings Hub)
The Kroger app is your best friend for maximizing savings. If you haven't downloaded it yet, do it now!
Sub-heading: Essential App Features for Saving
Digital Coupon Clipping: Easily browse and clip coupons on the go.
Weekly Ad Access: View the current and upcoming weekly ads.
Shopping List Creation: Build your grocery list and see which items have digital coupons or are on sale.
Fuel Points Tracker: Keep an eye on your accumulated fuel points and their expiration dates.
Kroger Pay: A secure mobile payment option that often earns extra cash back with the Kroger Rewards World Elite Mastercard®.
Prescription Management: Refill prescriptions and earn fuel points.
Purchase History: Review past purchases, which can help with budgeting and reordering.
Step 5: Adopt Smart Shopping Habits
Beyond the card itself, some strategic habits will amplify your savings.
Sub-heading: Always Scan Your Card/Alt-ID
Don't forget! Whether it's a quick trip for milk or a full weekly haul, always remember to swipe your physical card, enter your phone number (Alt-ID), or use Kroger Pay at checkout. If you don't, you miss out on all the benefits.
Sub-heading: Plan Meals Around Sales
Instead of deciding what to eat and then checking for sales, start by looking at the weekly ad. If chicken breasts are on a deep discount, plan a few chicken-based meals for the week.
Sub-heading: Embrace Store Brands
Kroger's store brands (like Kroger Brand, Simple Truth, Private Selection, etc.) often offer significant savings compared to national brands, even without coupons. They frequently have digital coupons available too!
Sub-heading: Utilize Price Matching (Where Applicable)
While Kroger's official price matching policy can vary by store or region, it's always worth checking if your local store matches competitor's ads.
So, How Much Does a Kroger Card Really Save You?
While it's impossible to give an exact dollar amount for everyone, consider this:
Immediate Discounts: Just by accessing member-exclusive pricing, you could save 5-15% on your total grocery bill on sale items.
Digital Coupons: Actively clipping digital coupons can easily save you an additional $10-$50+ per shopping trip, depending on your purchases.
Fuel Savings: If you spend $500 a month on groceries, you could save $17.50 on gas per month (with 500 fuel points and a 35-gallon fill-up), totaling over $200 annually. With Boost's 2x points, that doubles to over $400 annually.
Cash Back (with Kroger Rewards Mastercard): If you spend $500 a month at Kroger with the credit card using Kroger Pay, you could earn $25 back (5% cash back), totaling $300 annually just from cash back rewards.
Boost Membership: If you get free delivery, you might save $7-$10+ per delivery in fees, which quickly adds up if you order frequently.
Cumulatively, a diligent Kroger shopper who utilizes the Plus Card, digital coupons, weekly ads, and fuel points can easily save hundreds to over a thousand dollars per year. If you incorporate the Kroger Rewards World Elite Mastercard® and a Boost membership, those savings can be even more substantial. It truly pays to be a Kroger cardholder!
10 Related FAQ Questions
How to apply for a Kroger Plus Card?
You can apply for a free Kroger Plus Card in-store at the customer service desk or checkout, or online by creating a digital account on the Kroger website (kroger.com) and linking a new Shopper's Card to your profile.
How to link my Kroger Plus Card to my online account?
Visit kroger.com or open the Kroger app, sign in to your digital account (or create one), and then go to "My Account." Under the "Plus Card" or "Shopper's Card" section, you can enter your card number or phone number to link it.
How to clip digital coupons for my Kroger Card?
Log into your Kroger digital account on the Kroger app or website. Browse the "Digital Coupons" section and click or tap the "Clip" button next to each coupon you want to use. They will automatically apply at checkout when you scan your card.
How to check my Kroger Fuel Points balance?
You can check your Fuel Points balance on your most recent Kroger receipt, by logging into your Kroger digital account on the app or website, or by asking a cashier in-store.
How to redeem Kroger Fuel Points at the pump?
At a Kroger Fuel Center or participating Shell station, select the option to use your loyalty card. Swipe your Kroger Plus Card or enter your Alt-ID (phone number) on the keypad. The pump will then prompt you to choose the amount of fuel discount you wish to apply.
How to get personalized offers with my Kroger Card?
Kroger sends personalized offers based on your shopping history. Ensure your Kroger Plus Card is linked to your digital account and that you've opted into email communications from Kroger to receive these targeted savings.
How to tell if an item is on sale with my Kroger Card?
Look for yellow or red sale tags on shelves in-store that specifically mention "Kroger Plus Card Price," "Member Price," or similar phrasing. You can also view all weekly ad sales on the Kroger app or website before you shop.
How to use Kroger Pay for extra savings?
Activate Kroger Pay within the Kroger app. When checking out in-store, select Kroger Pay as your payment method. If you're using the Kroger Rewards World Elite Mastercard® with Kroger Pay, you can earn up to 5% cash back on qualifying purchases.
How to sign up for a Kroger Boost Membership?
You can sign up for a Kroger Boost membership (Essential or Plus) on the Kroger website (
How to contact Kroger customer service for card issues?
For issues with your Kroger Plus Card or digital account, you can typically find customer service contact information (phone numbers, email support) on the Kroger website under their "Help" or "Contact Us" sections. For the Kroger Rewards World Elite Mastercard®, there's a dedicated customer service number on the back of the card.
