Kroger News- Fuel Discount Program Changing in place of Double Triple Coupons

Well, if you have been waiting on the edge of your seat to know what Kroger is giving us back in place of taking away double and triple coupons, wait no longer. Below is word for word the email I just received that I am now allowed to share with my readers. (I will provide my commentary at the end in a different color)

Starting Wednesday, April 13, customers will be able to save up to $1 per gallon at Kroger Fuel Centers in the greater Houston area (only) through our new fuel accumulation program. We operate 68 Kroger Fuel Centers in the greater Houston market.

Our enhanced fuel rewards program will allow shoppers to accumulate their earned fuel points. For each increment of 100 points they have earned, they’ll be awarded a discount up to $1 per gallon at Kroger Fuel Centers. Fuel points are based on shopping total before coupons and discounts are applied. For instance, if a customer’s total is $200 but the balance after coupons and discounts is $125, the shopper would be awarded 200 fuel points.

Through our partnership with Shell, shoppers will still be able to save 10 cents per gallon at over 500 participating Shell locations in the Houston area when redeeming 100 earned fuel rewards points.

Here’s the breakdown of fuel point redemption:

·100 points = 10¢ off per gallon of fuel for 1 fill-up at Kroger or Shell (35 gallon cap).

·200 points = 20¢ off per gallon of fuel for 1 fill-up at Kroger (35 gallon cap).

·300 points = 30¢ off per gallon of fuel for 1 fill-up at Kroger (35 gallon cap).

·400 points = 40¢ off per gallon of fuel for 1 fill-up at Kroger (35 gallon cap).

·500 points = 50¢ off per gallon of fuel for 1 fill-up at Kroger (35 gallon cap).

·600 points = 60¢ off per gallon of fuel for 1 fill-up at Kroger (35 gallon cap).

·700 points = 70¢ off per gallon of fuel for 1 fill-up at Kroger (35 gallon cap).

·800 points = 80¢ off per gallon of fuel for 1 fill-up at Kroger (35 gallon cap).

·900 points = 90¢ off per gallon of fuel for 1 fill-up at Kroger (35 gallon cap).

·1,000 points = $1 off per gallon of fuel for 1 fill-up at Kroger (35 gallon cap).

Fuel reward points can be earned in the following ways:

Spend $100 on groceries (excluding alcohol and tobacco) earn 100 points. ($100 = 100 points)
Spend $50 on select gift cards and the points are doubled. (1 $50 gift card = 100 points)
Fill or refill 2 non-federally funded prescriptions at a Kroger Pharmacy. (2 prescriptions = 100 points)

The attached FAQs address additional topics relevant to the new fuel accumulation program.

What has changed with your fuel program?
The fuel program now allows you to receive savings of up to $1 per gallon on fuel purchases at Kroger and 10¢ per gallon at participating Shell locations. You may redeem 100 points at Shell for a 10¢ per gallon
savings. And you may redeem up to 1,000 points in a single fill-up at Kroger for up to $1 off per gallon. For each increment of 100 points redeemed at Kroger, 10¢ off per gallon will be awarded. For example:
100 points = 10¢ off per gallon o • f fuel for 1 fill-up at Shell.
• 100 points = 10¢ off per gallon of fuel for 1 fill-up at Kroger.
• 200 points = 20¢ off per gallon of fuel for 1 fill-up at Kroger.
• 1,000 points = $1 off per gallon of fuel for 1 fill-up at Kroger.

How do I earn Points?
There are three ways to earn Points in Kroger stores:
1. Spending on Groceries (normal exclusions apply): $1 in Groceries = 1 Point
2. Non-federally funded Prescriptions: 1 Prescription = 50 Points
3. Double Gift Card Points (normal exclusions apply) for example, $50 in Gift Cards = 100 Points

Do Gift Card purchases count toward Points?
Yes. Gift Card purchases count toward your Points with the exception of Kroger Gift Cards, Green Dot
cards, MoneyPaks and 1-2-3 REWARDS® Visa prepaid Debit Card and ReCharge Card™.

How does the process at the Shell pump work?
1. If paying inside, see cashier BEFORE inserting your Kroger Plus Card.
2. BEFORE you insert your payment card, follow the screen prompts to initiate the Kroger
discount process.
3. Insert your Kroger Plus Card, or manually enter your alternate ID or your loyalty card number
found on the back of your loyalty card or key fob.
4. Select your form of payment and fuel grade.
5. Save up to 10¢ off per gallon up to a maximum of 35 gallons of
fuel, per vehicle, per purchase.

Is there a limit of how many Points I can earn?
No, there is not a limit on the number of Points you can earn

Is there a limit of how many Points a Customer can redeem at once?
There is a limit of 100 points that can be redeemed in a single fuel fill-up at Shell. However, up to 1,000 points can be redeemed for up to $1 off per gallon at Kroger Fuel Centers. Fuel savings are limited to 35 gallons.

How do I keep track of my points?
Your current Points balance is located at the bottom of your Kroger receipt. You can also check your Points balance by registering your Kroger Loyalty card number at Kroger.com.

Can I choose not to use my discount at the fuel pump?
Yes. If you do not want to use your savings at the fuel pump, do not insert your Kroger Plus Card when purchasing fuel at Shell or select “NO” when prompted at Kroger and your fuel points will remain on your Plus Card for future use. If doing this at Kroger the 3¢ everyday discount, that is exclusive to Kroger Fuel Centers will still be awarded.

How long do I have to use my Points?
Points remaining after a fill-up are available to use through the end of the following month in which they were earned, providing you have at least 100 remaining fuel points. When filling up, you’ll always be offered the biggest discount available, based on each month’s fuel point totals available in your account. For example, if you have 200 unredeemed fuel points from January and 300 fuel points in February, the 30¢ per gallon discount from February will be offered on your next fill-up. The 20¢ per
gallon discount from January will be available through the end of February.

Where is this program running?
For a current list of participating Shell locations in your area call 1-888-GO-SHELL (1-888-467-4355) and press “0” to speak with a Shell representative, or visit kroger.com/fuel

Do I need to register for this new program?
Customers can simply use their existing Kroger Plus Card to receive these fuel discounts. If you have a Kroger Plus Card, you have everything you need to start shopping and earning Points. If you want to sign up for a Kroger Plus Card, just visit the Customer Service Desk at your local Kroger.

Does the 1-2-3 REWARDS® credit card still give an additional 5¢ per gallon discount at Shell?
You can pay with your 1-2-3 REWARDS® credit card. However, the extra 5¢ per gallon is only available at Kroger Fuel Centers when redeeming 100 or more fuel points. To redeem points for fuel savings at Shell, card holders can enter the loyalty card number on the back of their 1-2-3 REWARDS®
MasterCard®.

More questions? For more information, feel free to call the Kroger Customer Help Desk at 800-KROGERS (800-576-4377).

Now here is my input.
First, I don't know about you, but there is NO way I would ever get to the 1,000 fuel points to get the actual $1 off a gallon fuel.  That would mean I purchased either 20 prescriptions, $500 in gift cards, $1000 in groceries or a combination of the 3.  That is a LOT of shopping in one month even for me shopping for 4 households.

Second, notice in the frequently asked questions, you cannot combine the fuel discounts from month to month, so those of you that still have some from March and have already earned for April, you can use your March ones or your April ones but not the combination of the two in one fuel up.

Next, how much is this really saving us Kroger?  Most mini vans and small suvs have 18 gallon tanks and most trucks have 25.  Lets use an average of 20 gallons for a fill up(which is really HIGH for most vehicles but I am just trying to simply the math)
So, I spend $100, and I save .10 a gallon x 20 = $2.  A whopping 2%  BUT note, even without shopping at Kroger and merely having the Kroger card, you save .03 a gallon, so really only .07 savings is being added for your $100 spend.  .07 x 20 gals = $1.40 savings or 1.4%.  That is not worth my gas to even go to the station!  Every day I drive past 2 Kroger stores with gas and all week I have been checking their price compared to the stations across the street that are non Shell or Kroger.  Consistently ALL week, Kroger has been .03-.05 higher on gas, so really I am now only saving a measly .05 max and have the added hassle of having to scan 2 cards at pump for that measly 1% savings(Kroger card and payment card)  And that is based on if I actually needed 20 gallons (I personally own a car with a 17 gal and a van with an 18 gal tank)

Additionally, Kroger tells us they ended doubles and triples because it costs them money and they want to appeal to a broader range of customers. Not only that, but they claim coupon usage is on the decline and they cannot afford to fund both programs.  Interesting, considering they currently fund both programs in other regions, including areas of Ohio where they have UNLIMITED dollar doubles AND the stacking of fuel discounts!  (I hope to have a list of the regions that have both soon)

To me, it does not appear to add up?  I fear that this is just the beginning of Kroger changes and I personally have chosen to start taking my business elsewhere.  As I have always mentioned in my coupon teaching, Kroger was the best game in town BECAUSE of doubling and tripling.  I now have NO incentive to go. 

I personally am not a fan of their pharmacy as the last 4 times I have tried to have my prescription filled, they have not had the medicine onhand causing me to have to make a second trip back to get it after being ordered.  I know not all Kroger's can carry all drugs but you think the one across from the prescribing drs office would have those readily on hand!

If you are annoyed by these changes as well, please join our facebook group and join our boycott.