Kroger changes – Kroger says its long-running “fuel points” program is becoming “points,” letting customers use rewards dollars off groceries at checkout instead of being limited to gas. The change takes effect as shoppers earn points for in-store or online purchases using a r
On a summer shopping day, it’s the small surprises that change what a household can afford—like whether rewards mean a cheaper fill-up or a lighter grocery bill. Starting now, Kroger is leaning hard into the second option.
On Thursday, June 25, the Cincinnati-based grocer unveiled changes to its long-time rewards program. Kroger said its “fuel points” will now be known simply as “points,” and customers can use those points to take dollars off grocery savings at checkout.
“We’re excited to help customers stretch their budgets and give more choices in how they use the rewards they earn shopping with us. ” said Megan Shaffer. Kroger group vice president of customer growth and strategy. in a news release. “Whether they’re saving up to $35 on their next fill-up or taking dollars off their grocery bill. customers can now choose the savings that matter most to them.”.
The shift arrives at the same time Kroger is running promotions that can drive up points and get shoppers thinking about how they’ll use them.
Kroger’s rewards card has long let shoppers earn one point for every $1 spent in-store or online. with earnings starting at 100 points. Customers could previously turn those points into gas discounts. with fuel points earned in a given month valid the following month and expiring at the end of that month.
Now, the company is giving shoppers a wider set of choices. Instead of forcing rewards toward a single category—or leaving points to expire—Kroger says points can be redeemed as grocery savings at checkout.
The math is straightforward. For every 100 points, customers can get 10 cents off per gallon of gas, up to $1 off per gallon, with a limit of 35 gallons. Kroger also lays out an example: if a customer has 1,000 points, it’s $1 off per gallon of gas.
Gas discounts still come with limits. Points expire on the last day of each month, and customers receive a daily cap when using points for groceries.
When the points go to groceries, the program works differently: for every 100 points, customers can get $1 off groceries, up to $10 off per day. There’s also a daily limit of 1,000 points for grocery redemptions.
Certain purchases can also boost points. Kroger Boost members—who pay a fee to join—earn two times the points on purchases. Kroger also runs extra point specials at times, including when customers buy select gift cards and other promotions.
Prescription purchases are included too. Qualifying prescriptions earn 25 points.
Kroger’s summer promotional offers add another layer to planning. Earn four times the points on Fridays now through July 24. For four days—July 1-4—customers can earn four times the points. Now through July 18, shoppers can also get four times the points when they buy Kroger’s Private Selection products.
To redeem points, Kroger says customers need to activate them through Kroger.com or the Kroger app before checkout. For online orders for pickup or delivery, customers can redeem points for dollars off groceries within their cart.
Kroger’s rewards program remains free to join.
The sequence of changes is simple on paper and potentially meaningful at the checkout counter: points can still support fuel savings, but Kroger is now explicitly directing rewards toward grocery baskets instead of leaving shoppers to decide whether they’ll use gas discounts or lose the value.
And as shoppers scan the next promotion, the timing matters. Kroger is running the “points” program change announced June 25 alongside a broader summer mix of incentives—including a separate offer giving away free ice cream pints and a coupon for $1 off any two pints and new flavors that runs from 6/19–7/3.
Kroger points fuel points rewards program grocery savings gas discounts customer growth and strategy Megan Shaffer