Have you ever found yourself with a Kroger gift card, eager to use it for your next grocery haul, but prefer the convenience of Instacart delivery? You're not alone! Many users wonder if they can combine the savings from their Kroger gift card with the ease of Instacart's service. The good news is, while you cannot directly add a Kroger gift card as a payment method on Instacart, there's a workaround to make your Kroger gift card work for your Instacart orders. This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know, step-by-step!
The Key Distinction: Kroger Gift Cards vs. Instacart Gift Cards
Before we dive into the "how-to," it's crucial to understand a fundamental difference:
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Kroger Gift Cards are specifically for purchases directly at Kroger Family of Stores (which includes Kroger, Fred Meyer, Ralphs, QFC, King Soopers, etc.), whether in-store, through their pickup service, or their own delivery service (if available in your area).
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Instacart Gift Cards are for purchases made through the Instacart platform, regardless of the retailer. These can be added directly to your Instacart account as a form of credit.
Since Instacart acts as a third-party delivery service for Kroger, they handle the payment processing on their end. Therefore, a Kroger-branded gift card isn't directly compatible with Instacart's payment system.
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| How Do I Add A Kroger Gift Card To Instacart |
The Workaround: Using Your Kroger Gift Card to Pay for Instacart Orders
The strategy involves purchasing an Instacart Gift Card using your Kroger Gift Card. This effectively converts your Kroger gift card balance into Instacart credit.
Let's break down the process:
Step 1: Verify Your Kroger Gift Card Balance
First things first, you need to know how much you have on your Kroger gift card. Don't you just hate it when you think you have enough for that huge grocery list, only to find out you're a few dollars short at checkout? Let's avoid that surprise!
Sub-heading: How to Check Your Kroger Gift Card Balance
There are a few easy ways to do this:
QuickTip: Check if a section answers your question.
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Online: Visit the Kroger website's gift card section. Look for a link to "Check Kroger Gift Card Balance." You'll usually need to enter the card number and sometimes a PIN.
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In-Store: The simplest method is to visit any Kroger Family of Stores location. A cashier can quickly scan your gift card and tell you the remaining balance.
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By Phone: The back of your Kroger gift card typically has a customer service number. You can call this number and follow the prompts to check your balance.
Make a note of your exact balance. This will help you determine what denomination of Instacart gift card you can purchase.
Step 2: Purchase an Instacart Gift Card Using Your Kroger Gift Card
This is the crucial step where you bridge the gap between your Kroger gift card and Instacart.
Sub-heading: Where to Buy Instacart Gift Cards with a Kroger Gift Card
The most straightforward way to do this is in-store at a Kroger Family of Stores location.
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Head to your local Kroger store.
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Locate the gift card display. These are usually near the customer service desk or by the checkout lanes. You'll find a wide variety of gift cards for different retailers.
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Find Instacart gift cards. They come in various denominations (e.g., $25, $50, $100, or variable amounts). Choose an Instacart gift card that is equal to or less than the balance on your Kroger gift card.
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Proceed to the checkout.
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Inform the cashier you wish to pay with a gift card. When prompted for payment, present your Kroger gift card.
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Complete the transaction. The cashier will process the Kroger gift card. If your Instacart gift card purchase is less than your Kroger gift card balance, the remaining balance will stay on your Kroger gift card. If it's more, you'll need to pay the difference with another payment method (cash, debit/credit card).
Why can't I buy an Instacart gift card online with a Kroger gift card? Most online gift card retailers require standard credit/debit card payments and typically don't accept other retail gift cards as a form of payment. Purchasing directly in a Kroger store is the most reliable method for this specific transaction.
Step 3: Add Your Newly Acquired Instacart Gift Card to Your Instacart Account
Now that you have an Instacart gift card in hand (or in your email, if it was an e-gift card), it's time to add it to your Instacart account. This is where your Kroger gift card's value truly becomes usable for Instacart orders!
Sub-heading: Adding the Gift Card via the Instacart App (Recommended)
This is the most common and user-friendly method for mobile users.
Tip: Note one practical point from this post.
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Open the Instacart App: Make sure you're logged into your Instacart account.
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Tap the Menu Icon: Look for three horizontal lines (often called a "hamburger menu") in the top left-hand corner of the screen. Tap on it.
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Navigate to "Credits, promos & gift cards": In the menu that slides open, you'll see various options. Select "Credits, promos & gift cards."
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Tap "Add promo or gift card": This button will take you to the input screen.
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Enter the Gift Card Code: Carefully type in the Instacart gift card code you purchased. This code is usually a long string of letters and numbers. For physical cards, it's often revealed by scratching off a silver strip.
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Tap "Add to Account": Once entered, tap this button. You should see a confirmation that the balance has been added to your Instacart account.
Sub-heading: Adding the Gift Card via the Instacart Website
If you prefer using a desktop or laptop, this method is for you.
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Go to the Instacart Website: Open your web browser and navigate to
www.instacart.com. -
Log In to Your Account: Enter your email and password to log in.
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Click Your Name/Profile Icon: In the top right-hand corner of the screen, click on your name or a profile icon.
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Select "Your Account": From the dropdown menu, choose "Your Account."
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Find "Add promo or gift card": On your account page, look for an option like "Add promo or gift card" or "Credits & Promos."
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Enter the Gift Card Code: Type in the Instacart gift card code.
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Click "Continue" or "Add to Account": Confirm the addition. The gift card balance will now be reflected as Instacart credit.
Congratulations! Your Kroger gift card's value has now been successfully converted into Instacart credit, ready for your next grocery delivery!
Step 4: Using Your Instacart Credit for Your Order
Once the Instacart gift card balance is added, it will automatically be applied to your future orders.
Sub-heading: Placing Your Order with Instacart Credit
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Shop as Usual: Browse your favorite stores on Instacart and add items to your cart.
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Proceed to Checkout: Once your cart is full, go to the checkout page.
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Review Payment Options: On the payment screen, you'll see your available Instacart credit. This credit will be applied automatically to your order total first.
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Add a Secondary Payment Method (If Needed): If your order total exceeds the Instacart credit you have, you'll be prompted to add a secondary payment method (like a credit card, debit card, or PayPal) to cover the remaining balance.
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Place Your Order: Confirm your order details and place your order.
It's that simple! Your Instacart credit, originally funded by your Kroger gift card, will reduce the amount you owe.
Important Considerations and Tips
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No Direct Kroger Gift Card Use on Instacart: Always remember, you cannot directly enter a Kroger gift card number into Instacart's payment section. The method above is the only way to leverage your Kroger gift card for Instacart.
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Check Instacart Gift Card Denominations: When purchasing an Instacart gift card, be aware of the available denominations. Try to get one that matches your Kroger gift card balance as closely as possible to avoid having small, unused balances.
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Instacart Gift Cards Don't Expire: Instacart gift cards typically do not expire, which is great news! You can add them to your account and use them whenever you need.
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Combine Payment Methods: Instacart allows you to combine gift card credit with other payment methods, so don't worry if your gift card doesn't cover the whole order.
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Gift Card Security: Treat your gift card like cash. Keep the physical card (if applicable) and its code secure until you've successfully added it to your Instacart account.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Tip: Read at your natural pace.
How to check my Kroger gift card balance before buying an Instacart gift card?
You can check your Kroger gift card balance online on the Kroger website, by asking a cashier in-store, or by calling the customer service number on the back of the card.
How to buy an Instacart gift card with my Kroger gift card?
The most reliable way is to go to a Kroger Family of Stores location and purchase an Instacart physical gift card at the checkout using your Kroger gift card as payment.
How to add an Instacart gift card to my Instacart account via the app?
Open the Instacart app, tap the three horizontal lines (menu icon), select "Credits, promos & gift cards," tap "Add promo or gift card," enter the code, and tap "Add to Account."
How to add an Instacart gift card to my Instacart account on the website?
Go to instacart.com, log in, click your name/profile icon, select "Your Account," find "Add promo or gift card," enter the code, and click "Continue."
How to use Instacart credit once it's added to my account?
QuickTip: Stop and think when you learn something new.
Once added, the Instacart credit will automatically be applied as the primary payment method to your next Instacart order at checkout.
How to combine my Instacart gift card balance with another payment method?
If your order total exceeds your Instacart credit, Instacart will prompt you to add a secondary payment method (like a credit/debit card or PayPal) to cover the remaining balance.
How to check the balance of my Instacart gift card after adding it to my account?
Your Instacart credit balance will be visible in your account under "Credits, promos & gift cards" in the app or "Your Account" on the website.
How to know if a Kroger gift card can be used directly on Instacart?
No, Kroger gift cards cannot be used directly on Instacart. Instacart only accepts its own gift cards or standard payment methods like credit/debit cards and PayPal.
How to resolve issues if my Instacart gift card code isn't working?
Double-check you've entered the code correctly. If it still doesn't work, contact Instacart customer support directly for assistance.
How to get a refund for a Kroger gift card if I can't use it for Instacart?
Kroger gift cards are generally non-refundable and cannot be exchanged for cash unless required by law. The method described in this guide is the best way to utilize its value for Instacart.
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