Do you shop at Kroger or any of its family of stores like Fred Meyer, Ralphs, King Soopers, or QFC? If so, you're likely missing out on some incredible savings if you're not using a Kroger Plus Card! This little card (or its digital equivalent) is your key to unlocking a world of discounts, personalized offers, and even cheaper gas.
It's not just about clipping coupons anymore; the Kroger Plus Card is a sophisticated loyalty program designed to reward you for your everyday grocery shopping. Let's dive into exactly how this powerful card works and how you can maximize its benefits.
Understanding the Kroger Plus Card: Your Gateway to Savings
The Kroger Plus Card is essentially a loyalty program that tracks your purchases to offer you personalized discounts, digital coupons, and fuel points. It's free to sign up and offers a range of benefits that can significantly reduce your grocery bill and even save you money at the pump.
Step 1: Getting Your Kroger Plus Card - Let's Get You Started!
Ready to start saving? The first step is to get your hands on a Kroger Plus Card. It's incredibly easy, and you have a couple of convenient options:
Option A: In-Store Signup (The Quickest Way)
Visit Any Kroger Family Store: Head to the customer service desk at your local Kroger, Fred Meyer, Ralphs, or any other store within the Kroger family.
Ask for a Plus Card: Simply tell the associate you'd like to sign up for a Kroger Plus Card.
Provide Basic Information: They'll typically ask for your name, phone number, and sometimes your email address. This information helps link the card to your identity for personalized offers.
Receive Your Card Instantly: Voila! You'll usually receive a physical card on the spot. You can start using it immediately.
Option B: Online Registration (The Digital Route)
Go to Kroger.com: Open your web browser and navigate to the official Kroger website (
www.kroger.com Look for "Register" or "Create an Account": You'll typically find this option in the top right corner of the homepage.
Follow the Prompts:
If you're a new online customer, you'll need to enter your email address, create a password, provide your zip code, select your favorite store, and agree to the terms and conditions.
Crucially, during this process, you'll have the option to obtain a digital Kroger Plus Card if you don't have a physical one, or link an existing physical card to your new digital account.
Check Your Email: After registration, Kroger will send a verification email. Click the link in the email to activate your account.
Link Your Card (If Applicable): If you already have a physical card but are just setting up your online account, make sure to link your physical card number to your new digital profile. This ensures all your benefits are consolidated.
Pro Tip: Even if you get a physical card, it's highly recommended to also create an online account. This allows you to manage your digital coupons, track fuel points, and view personalized offers!
Step 2: Using Your Kroger Plus Card - Unleashing the Savings!
Now that you have your Kroger Plus Card (or a digital account linked to one), it's time to put it to work.
Option A: In-Store Shopping
Swipe or Scan: At the checkout, simply swipe your physical Kroger Plus Card through the card reader, or have the cashier scan the barcode on your physical card or the Kroger app on your phone.
Enter Your Alt-ID (Alternative ID): If you prefer not to carry your physical card, you can often enter the phone number associated with your Kroger Plus Card account directly on the PIN pad at checkout. This is your "Alt-ID."
Watch the Savings Roll In: As you scan your items, you'll see the special Kroger Plus Card prices and digital coupon discounts automatically applied to your total. These discounts are often significantly lower than the shelf price, so don't forget your card!
Option B: Online Shopping (Pickup or Delivery)
Sign In to Your Digital Account: When placing an order for Kroger Pickup or Delivery, make sure you're signed into your Kroger digital account before you start adding items to your cart.
Digital Coupons Automatically Apply: Any digital coupons you've loaded to your card (see Step 3) will automatically be applied to qualifying items in your online order.
Earn Fuel Points: Your purchases will also contribute to your fuel points balance, just as they would in-store.
Step 3: Maximizing Your Savings with Digital Coupons - The Smart Shopper's Secret
The Kroger Plus Card truly shines when combined with digital coupons. These are paperless coupons that you "load" directly to your card, eliminating the need for scissors and coupon binders.
Sub-heading 3.1: Finding Digital Coupons
Kroger Website: Log in to your Kroger digital account on their website. Navigate to the "Digital Coupons" or "Savings" section.
Kroger Mobile App: Download and open the Kroger mobile app (available for iOS and Android). Log in and find the "Digital Coupons" section. This is often the most convenient way to browse and load coupons on the go!
Personalized Offers: Kroger uses your purchase history to offer you personalized digital coupons that are relevant to the products you frequently buy. Keep an eye out for these – they often offer significant savings on your favorite brands!
Sub-heading 3.2: Loading Digital Coupons to Your Card
Click "Load to Card": Once you find a coupon you want, simply click the "Load to Card" button next to it. It's that simple!
Instant Activation: Coupons are typically active on your card almost instantly after you load them.
No Limit (Within Reason): While there's no overall limit to how many digital coupons you can load, each coupon usually has a redemption limit (e.g., "limit one per transaction").
Sub-heading 3.3: Redeeming Digital Coupons
Purchase Qualifying Items: When you shop, make sure to purchase the exact item(s) specified on the digital coupon.
Scan Your Card/Enter Alt-ID: At checkout, swipe your Kroger Plus Card or enter your Alt-ID. The discount will automatically be applied to your purchase.
Check Your Receipt: Digital coupon deductions will appear on your receipt, often marked with "ecpn" to indicate an e-coupon. Always double-check your receipt to ensure all your discounts were applied!
Step 4: Earning and Redeeming Fuel Points - Fueling Your Savings!
Beyond grocery discounts, the Kroger Plus Card is a powerhouse for saving on gas.
Sub-heading 4.1: How Fuel Points Accumulate
$1 Spent = 1 Fuel Point: For almost every dollar you spend on groceries (in-store, pickup, or delivery) at a Kroger Family of Stores, you'll earn 1 Fuel Point.
Gift Card Bonuses: One of the best ways to rack up fuel points is by purchasing gift cards. You often earn 2x or even 4x fuel points on gift card purchases (check current promotions!). Think about buying gift cards for restaurants, clothing stores, or even other grocery stores you frequent – it's like getting free gas!
Pharmacy Prescriptions: You can also earn fuel points for qualifying pharmacy prescriptions.
Sub-heading 4.2: Understanding Fuel Point Redemption
Expiration: Fuel points generally expire on the last day of the month after they are earned. So, points earned in July will expire on August 31st. Don't let them go to waste!
Redemption Increments: Fuel points are redeemed in increments of 100 points.
100 Fuel Points = $0.10 off per gallon
200 Fuel Points = $0.20 off per gallon
...and so on, up to a maximum of 1,000 fuel points for $1.00 off per gallon.
Gallon Limit: You can typically redeem fuel points for up to 35 gallons of fuel in a single transaction.
Sub-heading 4.3: Where to Redeem Fuel Points
Kroger Fuel Centers: The easiest place to redeem your points is at a Kroger Family of Stores Fuel Center.
Participating Shell Stations: Many Shell gas stations also partner with Kroger for fuel point redemption. You can usually find a list of participating Shell stations on the Kroger website or app.
At the Pump: At the fuel pump, simply swipe your Kroger Plus Card (or enter your Alt-ID) before you start pumping gas. The discount will automatically apply.
Inside the Kiosk: If you pay inside, tell the attendant you want to use your Kroger fuel points.
Step 5: Additional Kroger Plus Card Benefits - More Than Just Savings
The Kroger Plus Card offers more than just direct discounts and fuel savings.
Personalized Promotions and Sales: Kroger analyzes your shopping habits to send you tailored promotions, often via email or mail, for products you might be interested in.
Boost Membership (Paid Option): For frequent shoppers, Kroger offers a paid "Boost" membership. This can provide free delivery, 2x fuel points on most purchases, and even additional discounts on Kroger brand items. It's worth exploring if you spend a lot at Kroger.
Community Rewards: You can link your Kroger Plus Card to a non-profit organization through the Kroger Community Rewards program. A portion of your eligible purchases will then be donated to your chosen organization at no extra cost to you! It's a fantastic way to support your local community.
Pharmacy Benefits: Some Kroger Plus Card holders may also be eligible for certain pharmacy benefits or discounts on prescriptions.
Step 6: Managing Your Kroger Plus Card Account - Stay in Control
Online Account Dashboard: Your Kroger digital account is your central hub for managing everything related to your Plus Card. Here you can:
View your current fuel point balance.
See a history of your purchases.
Manage your personalized digital coupons.
Update your personal information.
Link or unlink your card for Community Rewards.
Mobile App Convenience: The Kroger app provides many of these features right on your smartphone, making it incredibly convenient to check your savings, load coupons, and track points while you're on the go or even in the store.
The Kroger Plus Card is an invaluable tool for any savvy shopper. By understanding how to get one, use it effectively, and leverage its many features like digital coupons and fuel points, you can significantly reduce your household expenses and make your grocery budget go further. Happy saving!
10 Related FAQ Questions
How to get a Kroger Plus Card?
You can get a Kroger Plus Card instantly at the customer service desk of any Kroger Family of Stores location, or you can register for a digital card online at Kroger.com.
How to link my phone number to my Kroger Plus Card?
When you register for your Kroger Plus Card, you'll be asked to provide a phone number. This number automatically becomes your "Alt-ID" and is linked to your account for easy lookup at checkout.
How to load digital coupons to my Kroger Plus Card?
Log in to your Kroger digital account on Kroger.com or through the Kroger mobile app, browse the "Digital Coupons" section, and click "Load to Card" for each coupon you wish to add.
How to check my Kroger Fuel Points balance?
You can check your Kroger Fuel Points balance by logging into your digital account on Kroger.com or within the Kroger mobile app. Your current balance will typically be displayed on your account dashboard.
How to redeem Kroger Fuel Points at the pump?
At a Kroger Fuel Center or participating Shell station, simply swipe your Kroger Plus Card or enter your Alt-ID (phone number) at the pump before you start fueling. The discount will automatically apply.
How to find participating Shell stations for Kroger Fuel Points?
You can find participating Shell stations that accept Kroger Fuel Points by visiting the Kroger website's fuel points section or using the store locator within the Kroger mobile app.
How to add my Kroger Plus Card to the Kroger app?
Download the Kroger mobile app, create or sign in to your digital account, and then follow the prompts to link your existing physical Kroger Plus Card number to your digital profile. If you don't have a card, you can get a digital one through the app.
How to report a lost or stolen Kroger Plus Card?
While a lost Plus Card primarily means losing access to your immediate discounts (your points and digital coupons are linked to your account, not just the physical card), you can call Kroger Customer Service at 1-800-KRO-GERS (1-800-576-4377) to inquire about getting a replacement card. Your digital account and associated benefits will remain active.
How to update my information on my Kroger Plus Card account?
Log in to your Kroger digital account on Kroger.com. Navigate to the "My Account" or "Profile Information" section to update your personal details, preferred store, or other account settings.
How to participate in the Kroger Community Rewards program?
Log in to your Kroger digital account on Kroger.com, go to the "Community Rewards" section, search for your desired non-profit organization by name or NPO number, and then select to enroll and link your Plus Card.
