The Ralphs Rewards Visa is best for people who regularly shop at Ralphs and want to earn rewards for everyday shopping. Ralphs is a popular grocery chain in Southern California which became part of the Kroger Family of Stores in 1997. Card members earn points on all eligible purchases which can then be used as rewards for free groceries. The card especially benefits customers who buy Ralphs store brand products. The Ralphs Rewards Visa is issued by US Bank.
New account holders receive a 0% introductory APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first nine billing cycles once they are approved for the card. After this time, your specific APR will be between 13.99% and 23.99% based on your creditworthiness. Cash advances are charged at an APR of 25.24% and are not included in this promotional rate. Balance transfers must be made within 30 days of opening your account. There is a Balance Transfer fee of 4% of the total amount of the transfer ($10 minimum fee).
Cardholders earn points at the following levels:
- 1 point for every net $1 spent anywhere Visa cards are accepted
- 2 points for every net $1 spent at Ralphs grocery stores (or any Kroger Family of Stores)
- 3 points for every net $1 spent on Ralphs store brand products (or Kroger Family brands)
Card members can also earn fuel points towards discounted gas when shopping at Ralphs. There is no limit to how many fuel points you can earn but they can only be used at Ralphs and participating Shell Stations.
In addition to Ralphs, the Kroger Family of Stores may include these retailers:
| Kroger | Owen’s |
| Kroger Marketplace | JayC Food Stores |
| Fred Meyer | Hilander |
| King Soopers | Gerbes |
| Dillons | Pay Less Super Markets |
| Smith’s Food and Drug Stores | Food 4 Less |
| Smith’s Marketplace | Foods Co |
| Fry’s Food and Drug Stores | Fred Meyer Jewelers |
| QFC- Quality Food Centers | Littman Jewelers |
| City Market | Barclay Jewelers |
| Baker’s |
Rewards points cannot be earned on purchases made at any Kroger Family of Stores Fuel Center. Also, reward certificates cannot be redeemed at Kroger Family Fuel Centers.
For every 1,000 points accumulated, card members earn a reward certificate of $5 which can be used for free groceries at any Ralphs location. Rewards are sent automatically every quarter to accounts that have at least 1,000 points accumulated. Cardholders do not have to sign up for this rewards program in order to be eligible.
A good to excellent FICO score (720+) is generally needed to be approved for this card.
There is no annual membership fee for the Ralphs Rewards Visa.
The Facts
Below we have broken down the specifics of the Ralphs Rewards Visa to help you determine if it’s a good choice for you.
The Good:
0% Introductory APR:
New cardholders are currently being offered a 0% introductory APR for the first nine billing cycles that your account is open. This applies to purchases and balance transfers. Balance transfers must be completed within 30 days of when your card is activated. After this time, your actual APR will vary between 13.99% and 23.99% depending on your credit score. All balance transfers incur a fee of 4% of the total amount of the transfer ($10 minimum). This fee is not waived. Cash advances are not subject to the 0% introductory APR promotion.
Easy to earn points:
Card members earn points when shopping at Ralphs at the following levels:
- One point for every $1 spent on net purchases anywhere Visa cards are accepted.
- Two points for every $1 spent on net purchases made at Ralphs.
- Three points for every $1 spent on net purchases of any Ralphs store brand products.
Returns and credits will be deducted from any purchases and do not earn points. Taxes, fuel, alcohol and tobacco are also excluded. For every 1,000 points accumulated, cardholders earn $5 in free groceries. Rewards are sent out quarterly to card members who have earned at least 1,000 points.
The two and three point levels listed above also include purchases made on the card at any Kroger Family of Stores and their specific store brand products.
Ralphs fuel program:
Card members can also earn fuel points when shopping at Ralphs in the following ways:
- Grocery purchases ($1= fuel point)
- Double points for Gift Card purchases (for example: $25 Gift Card= 50 fuel points)
- Every prescription earns fuel points
- 5 fuel points for every reusable bag used at checkout (10 bag maximum per visit)
100 fuel points equals 10 cents off per gallon of fuel (for one fill-up) at Ralphs or participating Shell Stations. 200 fuel points will earn a 20 cents per gallon discount. Each purchase is capped at 35 gallons. There is no limit to the amount of fuel points card members may earn.
No annual fee:
Cardholders are not charged an annual membership fee for this card.
The Bad:
No signup bonus:
The Ralphs Rewards Visa does not offer new account holders a signup bonus in the way of rewards points.
Limited rewards:
Rewards points can only be used towards groceries (and fuel discounts) at Ralphs. There is no cash back feature with this card.
The Ugly:
Not everyone will be approved:
A good to excellent credit score (FICO 720+) is usually needed to be approved for the Ralphs Rewards Visa.
Rewards heavily weighted towards Ralphs shoppers:
This card is aimed at people who regularly shop at Ralphs. The most benefits will be realized by customers who buy Ralphs store brand products since these earn triple rewards points. People who are not loyal Ralphs patrons will find it hard to maximize the rewards since all other purchases (outside of Ralphs and Kroger Family of Stores) only earn one point on the dollar. Many other rewards cards offer much more lucrative rewards programs on everyday purchases.
No access to rewards points:
Card members have no access to rewards points other than the quarterly certificates (1,000 points equals $5 in rewards). Points cannot be redeemed as soon as they are earned.