Hey there, savvy shopper! Are you tired of watching those gas prices creep higher and higher? What if I told you that your everyday grocery shopping could actually help you save a significant amount at the pump? Intrigued? Good! Because Kroger's Fuel Points program is designed to do just that. Let's dive into how you can make your grocery trips work harder for your wallet!
Understanding the Power of Kroger Fuel Points
Kroger's Fuel Points program is a fantastic loyalty initiative that rewards you for your purchases at Kroger Family of Stores. Essentially, the more you shop, the more points you earn, and these points translate directly into discounts on fuel at participating Kroger Fuel Centers and even some Shell locations. It's a win-win: you get your groceries, and you save on gas!
Step 1: Getting Started - Do You Have a Kroger Plus Card?
This is the absolute first and most crucial step. Without a Kroger Plus Card (also known as a Shopper's Card) or a linked digital account, you won't be able to earn any Fuel Points.
What is a Kroger Plus Card?
The Kroger Plus Card is your free key to unlocking savings and rewards at Kroger. It's a loyalty card that tracks your purchases, allows you to clip digital coupons, and, most importantly for this guide, accumulates Fuel Points.
How to Get One:
In-Store: Simply ask a cashier or visit the customer service desk at any Kroger Family of Stores location. They'll be happy to help you sign up on the spot.
Online: You can also sign up for a free digital account on the Kroger website or through their mobile app. If you already have a physical card, you can link it to your digital account for easier tracking and coupon clipping. Trust me, having a digital account makes managing your points a breeze!
Step 2: Earning Your Fuel Points - Shop Smart, Save Big
Once you have your Kroger Plus Card or a linked digital account, earning Fuel Points becomes second nature. Every dollar you spend on eligible items at Kroger Family of Stores contributes to your point balance.
How Points Accumulate:
1 Fuel Point for Every $1 Spent: For most groceries and general merchandise purchases, you'll earn 1 Fuel Point for every $1 you spend. This applies whether you're shopping in-store, or using pickup or delivery services.
Bonus Points on Gift Cards: This is where things get really interesting! You can earn 2 Fuel Points for every $1 spent on most third-party gift cards purchased at Kroger. Think about it: if you're already planning to buy a gift card for a birthday, holiday, or even for your favorite coffee shop, buying it at Kroger doubles your Fuel Point earnings!
Pro-Tip: Keep an eye out for special promotions where Kroger offers 4X or even more bonus points on gift cards! These are goldmines for racking up points quickly.
Prescriptions: Filling qualifying prescriptions at a Kroger Pharmacy also earns you Fuel Points. You can earn 25 Fuel Points for non-federally funded prescriptions and 1 Fuel Point for every dollar of out-of-pocket costs for federally funded prescriptions. Even better, you earn 75 Fuel Points for every qualifying 90-day refill!
Special Promotions: Kroger frequently runs promotions that offer extra Fuel Points on specific products or categories. Always check the weekly ad, the Kroger app, or your digital coupons for these opportunities. Clipping these digital coupons can significantly boost your earnings!
What Doesn't Earn Points:
While most purchases count, some exclusions typically apply, such as:
Fuel purchases themselves
Kroger Family of Stores gift cards (though third-party gift cards usually do!)
Lottery tickets
Money orders
Postage stamps
Tobacco products
Alcohol (in some states)
Fluid milk and milk products (in some areas)
Service fees (like pickup and delivery fees)
Step 3: Tracking Your Progress - Stay Informed
Knowing how many Fuel Points you've accumulated is key to maximizing your savings. Kroger offers several convenient ways to track your balance.
Where to Check Your Points:
On Your Receipt: After every transaction where you use your Kroger Plus Card, your current Fuel Point balance will be printed at the bottom of your receipt. It also usually shows when they expire.
Kroger Website: Log in to your digital account on Kroger.com. Your Fuel Point balance is typically displayed prominently on your account dashboard.
Kroger Mobile App: This is arguably the easiest way to track your points on the go. Download the Kroger app, log in, and you'll find your Fuel Point balance readily available. The app also allows you to see past transactions and plan future savings.
Important Expiration Note:
Your Fuel Points typically expire on the last day of the month after they are earned. For example, points earned in May will expire on June 30th. Monthly balances do not combine across months; each month is a separate earning period. So, don't let those hard-earned points go to waste!
Step 4: Redeeming Your Fuel Points - The Sweet Reward
This is the moment you've been waiting for – turning those points into real savings at the gas pump!
Where to Redeem:
Kroger Family of Stores Fuel Centers: These are your primary redemption locations.
Participating Shell Locations: In many areas, you can also redeem your Kroger Fuel Points at Shell gas stations. Be sure to check the Kroger website or app for a map of participating locations near you.
How Much You Save:
100 Fuel Points = 10¢ off per gallon
You can redeem points in increments of 100.
At Kroger Fuel Centers, you can redeem up to 1,000 Fuel Points for $1 off per gallon! This can lead to significant savings on a single fill-up.
At participating Shell locations, you can typically redeem 100 Fuel Points for 10¢ off per gallon.
Step-by-Step Redemption at the Pump:
Swipe Your Kroger Plus Card or Enter Your Alt-ID: When you arrive at the pump, before you start fueling, you'll be prompted to swipe your Kroger Plus Card or enter your alternate ID (usually your phone number associated with your account).
Follow the Prompts: The pump screen will then display your available Fuel Point balance and give you options for redemption.
You might be able to choose to redeem the full amount of points available for a specific month.
Some pumps allow you to select a specific amount in 10¢ increments.
If you don't have enough points for a discount, or simply don't want to use them, your loyalty ID still grants you a base discount (often 3¢ off per gallon) at Kroger Fuel Centers.
Confirm and Fuel Up: Once you've selected your desired discount, the price per gallon will adjust, and you can proceed to pump your fuel.
Important Note: Fuel discounts are typically limited to up to 35 gallons per purchase.
Step 5: Maximizing Your Savings - Become a Fuel Point Pro!
Now that you know the basics, let's explore some advanced strategies to squeeze every possible saving out of the Kroger Fuel Points program.
Leverage Gift Card Deals:
As mentioned, the 2X Fuel Points on most gift cards is a huge advantage. If you have any planned purchases from other retailers, restaurants, or online services, check if Kroger sells their gift cards first. You'll earn points on money you were going to spend anyway!
Be on the lookout for those special bonus gift card promotions (e.g., 4X points). These pop up periodically and are the absolute best way to accelerate your point accumulation.
Combine with the Kroger Rewards World Elite Mastercard (Optional):
If you're a frequent Kroger shopper, considering the Kroger Rewards World Elite Mastercard can further boost your savings.
This card offers cash back on purchases and, for new cardmembers, often includes a first-year bonus like an extra 25 cents off per gallon when redeeming Fuel Points. This means you could potentially save $1.25 per gallon or more! (Terms and conditions apply, always check the latest offers).
Fill Up as Much as Possible:
Since the discount applies per gallon (up to 35 gallons), try to fuel up when your tank is as empty as possible to maximize the value of your discount. If you have multiple vehicles, consider filling them up during the same transaction if permissible and convenient.
Plan Your Shopping Trips:
If you know you'll need a fill-up soon, try to consolidate your grocery shopping for the month. Larger grocery hauls mean more points, and more points mean bigger fuel savings.
10 Related FAQ Questions about Kroger Fuel Points:
How to check my Kroger Fuel Points balance?
You can easily check your Kroger Fuel Points balance on your last Kroger receipt, by logging into your digital account on Kroger.com, or through the Kroger mobile app.
How to earn Kroger Fuel Points faster?
Earn Kroger Fuel Points faster by purchasing third-party gift cards (which often yield 2X points or more during promotions), filling qualifying prescriptions at the Kroger Pharmacy, and looking out for special bonus point promotions on specific products or categories.
How to redeem Kroger Fuel Points at a Shell station?
At participating Shell stations, swipe your Kroger Plus Card or enter your Alt-ID at the pump, and follow the prompts to redeem your available Fuel Points for a discount (typically 10¢ off per gallon for every 100 points).
How to link my Kroger Plus Card to my digital account?
To link your Kroger Plus Card, sign in to your Kroger digital account on the website or app, go to your "Profile Information" or "Shopper's Card Number" section, and enter your card number.
How to know when my Kroger Fuel Points expire?
Kroger Fuel Points expire on the last day of the month after they are earned. Your receipt and digital account will typically show your current balance and expiration date.
How to maximize my fuel savings with Kroger Fuel Points?
Maximize savings by aiming to redeem 1,000 Fuel Points for the maximum $1 off per gallon at Kroger Fuel Centers, purchasing third-party gift cards, and filling your tank as much as possible up to the 35-gallon limit.
How to get a Kroger Plus Card if I don't have one?
You can get a free Kroger Plus Card by asking a cashier or visiting the customer service desk at any Kroger Family of Stores, or by signing up for a free digital account online or through the Kroger app.
How to use Kroger Fuel Points for more than 35 gallons?
Kroger Fuel Points discounts are typically limited to a single fuel purchase of up to 35 gallons. You cannot combine discounts for more than 35 gallons in one transaction. If you need more fuel, you'd need to start a new transaction.
How to get discounts at Kroger Fuel Centers without Fuel Points?
Even without redeeming Fuel Points, loyalty program members typically receive a base discount (often 3¢ off per gallon) at Kroger Family of Stores Fuel Centers by simply scanning their Shopper's Card or entering their Alt-ID.
How to find participating Kroger Fuel Centers or Shell locations?
You can find participating Kroger Fuel Centers and Shell locations by using the store locator tool on the Kroger website or within the Kroger mobile app, usually under the "Fuel" or "Locations" section.
