Kroger 1-2-3 Rewards Visa Review

Kroger Rewards VisaThe Kroger 1-2-3 Rewards Visa card is the official credit card offered by Kroger.  It is a good choice for people who regularly shop at any of the Kroger Family of Stores.  This card allows cardholders to earn points on all eligible purchases which then can be used as rewards towards free groceries.  The card benefits consumers who shop at Kroger stores (or subsidiary stores) and especially those who buy Kroger Family brand products.  The Kroger 1-2-3 Rewards Visa is issued by USBank.

New card members receive a 0% introductory annual percentage rate on all purchases and balance transfers for the first nine months of account activation.  After that time, the APR varies between 13.99% and 23.99% based on your creditworthiness.  New account holders who redeem points for gasoline within the first three months are eligible to receive a $0.25 per gallon discount for every 100 points redeemed (valid only at Kroger Family Fuel Centers).

Cardholders earn points every time they make an eligible purchase at any of the following stores:

  • Kroger (Midwestern and Southern U.S)
  • King Soopers (Colorado, Wyoming)
  • City Market (Colorado, Wyoming, Utah, New Mexico)
  • Dillons (Kansas)
  • Baker’s (Nebraska)
  • Smith’s (Utah, Nevada, New Mexico, Arizona, Montana, Idaho, Wyoming)
  • Fry’s (Arizona)
  • QFC (Washington state, Oregon)

For every one dollar net purchase made, card members earn:

  • One point anywhere that Visa cards are accepted
  • Two points at any Kroger Family of Stores
  • Three points on any Kroger Family brands

Cardholders earn $5 in free groceries for every 1,000 points accumulated.

A very good to excellent credit score (740+) is generally needed to be approved for the Kroger 1-2-3 Rewards Visa card.

There is no annual fee associated with this card.

The Facts

Below we have broken down the specifics of the Kroger 1-2-3 Rewards Visa card to help you in determining if it’s worth signing up.

The Good:

Introductory APR:

New card members receive a 0% introductory APR for the first nine months your account is active.  This rate applies to both purchases and balance transfers.  After this promotional period ends, your actual APR will vary between 13.99% and 23.99% depending on your credit score and payment history.  This is determined at the time of approval.  Balance transfers must be completed within 30 days of opening an account.

Introductory fuel discount:

New cardholders are eligible to receive fuel discounts for the first three months you have the card.  For every 100 points redeemed during this time, you will get a $0.25 per gallon discount on fuel.  This offer is only valid for purchases made at any Kroger Family Fuel Center.  All fuel purchases must be paid for with the Kroger 1-2-3 Rewards Visa card to be eligible.

Easy to earn points:

The point levels are tiered as follows:

  • One point for every eligible dollar spent on net purchases made anywhere Visa cards are accepted.
  • Two points for every eligible dollar spent on net purchases made at any Kroger Family of Stores.
  • Three points for every eligible dollar spent on net purchases of any Kroger Family brand products.

Net purchases do not include returns and credits.  Accumulation of points excludes taxes, fuel, prescriptions, alcohol, and tobacco.  For every 1000 points earned, card members earn $5 in free groceries.  Rewards are sent automatically every quarter.  You do not have to sign up for this benefit.

No annual fee:

Card members are not charged an annual membership fee for this card.

The Bad:

No signup bonus:

The Kroger 1-2-3 Rewards Visa card does not offer new account holders any additional points or cash back when signing up.

Not everyone will qualify:

This card generally requires a very good to excellent credit score (740+) so not everyone who applies will be approved.

The Ugly:

Rewards weighted towards Kroger shoppers:

This card is designed for people who regularly shop at any of the Kroger Family of Stores.  Consumers who buy Kroger Family brands will realize the most rewards because of the triple point bonus.  If you don’t shop at any of these stores, it will be difficult to maximize the rewards earning potential this card offers.  All non-Kroger purchases only earn 1%.  Among rewards cards, this is fairly weak.

Rewards can only be used at Kroger (or its subsidiary stores):

The points you earn with the Kroger 1-2-3 Rewards Visa card can only be redeemed for free grocery rewards- 1000 points equals a $5 reward.  Additionally, these rewards are sent out quarterly (not as soon as you earn them).