Getting your groceries with the convenience of Kroger Pickup can be a real time-saver, and the great news is that free pickup is easily achievable! You just need to know the magic number and a few tips and tricks. Let's dive into exactly how much you need to spend and how to make the most of this fantastic service.
How Much Do You Have to Spend to Get Free Pickup at Kroger? Your Ultimate Guide!
Are you tired of navigating crowded aisles, searching for that one elusive ingredient, or waiting in long checkout lines? Kroger Pickup is your solution! And the best part? It's often free! Let's get you set up for a seamless and cost-effective grocery experience.
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| How Much Do You Have To Spend To Get Free Pick Up At Kroger |
Step 1: Discover the Magic Number (and Engage!)
Hey there, savvy shopper! Before we even talk about minimums, tell me: what's one thing you absolutely love about the idea of grocery pickup, and one thing you're nervous about? Share your thoughts in the comments below! Knowing this helps tailor our advice even more.
Now, for the big reveal:
The standard minimum spend to get free pickup at Kroger is $35.
That's right! If your online grocery order totals $35 or more after any discounts and before taxes, your pickup fee is waived. It's a remarkably accessible threshold for most weekly grocery hauls.
Understanding the "$35 Minimum"
This $35 threshold applies to most standard Kroger Pickup orders. It's designed to encourage a reasonable basket size, making it efficient for Kroger to pick and prepare your order without incurring additional charges for smaller purchases.
QuickTip: Reading carefully once is better than rushing twice.
Step 2: Setting Up Your Kroger Digital Account
To even begin enjoying Kroger Pickup, you need to have a digital account. This is your gateway to online shopping, digital coupons, and tracking your orders.
Sub-heading: Creating Your Account (If You Haven't Already)
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Visit the Kroger Website or Download the App: Head to Kroger.com or download the Kroger mobile app from your app store (available for iOS and Android).
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Click "Create Account" or "Sign In": If you're new, select "Create Account." If you already have a Kroger Plus Card but haven't linked it online, you'll want to register it with your digital account. This is crucial for accessing digital coupons and fuel points.
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Provide Your Information: Fill in the required details like your name, email address, and create a password. You'll also be prompted to link your Kroger Plus Card number or create a new one.
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Select Your Preferred Store: This is important for pickup! You'll need to choose the Kroger store where you intend to pick up your groceries. You can always change this later if needed.
Sub-heading: Linking Your Kroger Plus Card
If you already have a physical Kroger Plus Card, make sure it's linked to your digital account. This ensures that all your personalized deals, digital coupons, and fuel points are applied to your online pickup orders. Without it, you're missing out on savings!
Step 3: Shopping Smart for Free Pickup
Now that your account is set up, it's time for the fun part: filling your cart!
Sub-heading: Browse and Adding Items
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Choose "Pickup" as Your Shopping Method: On the Kroger website or app, select "Pickup" as your preferred way to shop. This will display products and prices relevant to your chosen pickup store.
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Browse Aisles or Search: You can browse by department (produce, dairy, pantry, etc.) or use the search bar to find specific items.
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Add to Cart: Click "Add to Cart" for each item you want. As you add items, keep an eye on your running total. You'll see an estimated total in your cart.
QuickTip: Read section by section for better flow.
Sub-heading: Hitting the $35 Mark
The key to free pickup is ensuring your cart total reaches $35.
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Plan Your Meals: Think about your weekly meal plan to ensure you're buying enough staples and ingredients to meet the minimum.
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Stock Up on Essentials: Items you use regularly like milk, bread, eggs, toilet paper, or cleaning supplies are great for bumping up your total.
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Check the Weekly Ad: Kroger's weekly ad (available online) often features great deals. Incorporate these into your shopping list to maximize your value and reach the minimum.
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Don't Forget Digital Coupons: Clip digital coupons directly to your Kroger Plus Card. These savings will be applied at checkout and can help you reach the $35 threshold with a lower out-of-pocket cost, though the pre-coupon total is usually what counts for the minimum. Always verify this in your checkout summary.
Step 4: Reviewing Your Order and Checkout
Once you're done shopping, head to your cart to review everything.
Sub-heading: Checking Your Total and Making Adjustments
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Verify the $35 Minimum: Before proceeding, double-check that your order total before taxes and after discounts meets or exceeds $35. If it's short, consider adding a few more pantry staples or a favorite snack.
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Review Substitutions: Kroger offers the option to allow substitutions if an item is out of stock. You can specify whether you want to allow substitutions for individual items or for your entire order. This can be helpful to ensure you get your groceries even if a specific brand is unavailable. If you choose "no substitutions," and an item is out, your total might drop below $35, potentially incurring a fee.
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Apply Digital Coupons: Ensure all the digital coupons you clipped are showing as applied to your order.
Sub-heading: Choosing a Pickup Time Slot
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Select Your Date and Time: You'll be prompted to choose a convenient pickup date and time slot. These slots can fill up quickly, especially during peak hours, so it's advisable to place your order in advance.
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Confirm Payment Method: You'll enter your credit or debit card information. Your card won't be charged until you pick up your order, but a hold may be placed on your account for the estimated total.
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Place Your Order: Once everything looks good, confirm your order! You'll receive an email confirmation.
Step 5: Picking Up Your Order
The day has come! Time to retrieve your groceries.
QuickTip: Skim the intro, then dive deeper.
Sub-heading: Getting Ready for Pickup
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Receive Notifications: Kroger will send you notifications (email or app alerts) when your order is being prepared and when it's ready for pickup.
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Head to the Store: Drive to your selected Kroger store during your chosen time slot. Look for designated "Online Pickup" or "ClickList" parking spots.
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Check In: Use the Kroger app to "Check In" when you arrive, or follow the instructions on the signage to call the pickup desk. Provide your order number and vehicle details.
Sub-heading: The Hand-Off
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Wait in Your Car: A friendly Kroger associate will bring your groceries directly to your car.
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Review Substitutions (Again): The associate will typically review any substitutions with you. You have the option to decline any substituted items you don't want. If you decline a substitution, your final charged amount will be adjusted.
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Payment & Receipt: Your payment method will be charged the final total (after any substitutions, weight adjustments for produce/meat, and applicable taxes). You'll receive a receipt.
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Load Your Groceries: The associate will often help you load your groceries into your vehicle.
Boost Membership: An Alternative for Free Pickup (and Delivery!)
While the $35 minimum is the standard for free pickup, Kroger also offers a Boost Membership which provides additional benefits.
Sub-heading: What is Boost?
Kroger Boost is a subscription service that offers a range of perks, including:
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Free Delivery: This is the primary benefit, offering free same-day or next-day delivery on orders of $35 or more.
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2X Fuel Points: Earn double fuel points on groceries and general merchandise purchases.
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Exclusive Savings: Access to special member-only digital coupons and offers.
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Streaming Benefits: Depending on the plan, this can include subscriptions to services like Disney+, Hulu, or ESPN+.
Sub-heading: Does Boost Make Pickup Free?
Interestingly, while Boost does offer free delivery with a $35 minimum, it does not explicitly make pickup free in the same way. All Kroger Loyalty Program members (which includes Boost members) already enjoy free pickup on orders of $35 or more. The primary value of Boost for pickup users is the 2X Fuel Points and exclusive savings. If you primarily use pickup and rarely delivery, the Boost membership might not be solely for the "free pickup" aspect, but rather for the overall savings and fuel benefits.
QuickTip: Use the post as a quick reference later.
Pro Tips for a Smooth Kroger Pickup Experience
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Order in Advance: Especially for popular times like evenings or weekends, time slots can fill up fast.
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Allow Substitutions (with caveats): This helps ensure you get your essentials, even if the exact brand isn't available. However, review them carefully upon pickup.
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Check the Weekly Ad and Clip Coupons: Maximize your savings and easily meet the minimum.
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Keep Your Trunk Clear: Make it easy for the associate to load your groceries.
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Be Prepared for Weighted Items: For items like produce or deli meats, the initial price is an estimate. You'll be charged the exact price based on the actual weight.
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Don't Be Afraid to Ask Questions: If you have any concerns about your order or the process, the pickup associates are there to help!
10 Related FAQ Questions
Here are 10 common "How to" questions about Kroger Pickup, with quick answers:
How to check my Kroger Pickup order status? You can check your order status by logging into your Kroger digital account on their website or mobile app. Navigate to "My Orders" to see real-time updates.
How to modify a Kroger Pickup order after placing it? Kroger allows modifications to orders up to a certain point before the scheduled pickup time. Log into your account, find your order, and look for an "Edit" or "Modify" option. Be aware that changes can affect your total and potentially your free pickup eligibility if you go below the $35 minimum.
How to cancel a Kroger Pickup order? To cancel, log into your digital account, locate the order you wish to cancel, and look for a "Cancel Order" option. Ensure you do this before the order begins being picked to avoid any issues.
How to use paper coupons with Kroger Pickup? When you arrive for pickup, present your paper coupons to the Kroger associate. They will scan them and apply the discounts to your order before processing the final payment.
How to pay for Kroger Pickup? Kroger Pickup primarily accepts credit and debit cards online. SNAP EBT is also accepted at pickup locations (excluding Mariano's); you'll typically swipe your EBT card upon arrival. Cash or checks are generally not accepted for online pickup orders.
How to add a tip for Kroger Pickup associates? Kroger pickup associates do not typically accept tips. Their service is included in the convenient pickup process. If you want to show appreciation, a kind word or a positive review for the store is always welcomed.
How to reschedule a Kroger Pickup time slot? Log into your Kroger digital account, find your order, and look for an option to "Change Time Slot" or "Reschedule." This is usually possible if new slots are available and within a reasonable timeframe before your original pickup.
How to get assistance if I have an issue with my Kroger Pickup order? If you have an issue, you can speak with the pickup associate when you collect your groceries, or contact Kroger customer service directly via their website, app, or by calling their customer service number.
How to know if a Kroger store offers pickup? You can check if a specific Kroger store offers pickup by entering your ZIP code on the Kroger website or app and looking for the "Pickup" option when selecting your store. Most Kroger locations now offer this service.
How to opt out of substitutions for Kroger Pickup? When placing your order online, you'll see an option for each item, or a general setting, to allow or disallow substitutions. Simply uncheck the box for "Allow Substitutions" if you prefer not to receive them.
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