Kroger Rewards World Mastercard® review: a gas-focused grocery store card with limited rewards
While the Mastercard and gas benefits make this card worth looking into, the overall rewards may be too minimal for most.
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Snapshot
3.6
Bottom line
The Kroger Rewards World Mastercard® might be a good fit for loyal Kroger customers. You'll earn a high rate with mobile wallet and Kroger Pay purchases up to the annual cap. However, most people can earn much better rewards with other cards, even when shopping at Kroger stores.
Intro offer
$100
Rewards rate
1X - 3X
Annual fee
$0
Regular APR
11.99% - 23.99% Variable
Bankrate Score
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Kroger Rewards World Mastercard® overview
The Kroger Rewards World Mastercard® is targeted towards frequent Kroger customers, providing significant savings at Kroger stores and fuel centers. While this card earns a competitive rate on Kroger Pay and mobile wallet purchases, the spending is capped annually, limiting its usefulness outside those categories.
Kroger shoppers can earn a good return on spending up to the annual cap in the bonus categories but can earn better and more consistent rates overall with other cards, particularly on grocery spending. Also, if you don’t have a Kroger store nearby or use Kroger fuel centers, this card won’t offer much value.
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Rewards
- 5 percent back on mobile wallet transactions for the first $3,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1 percent back
- 5 percent back on Kroger Pay transactions for the first $3,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 2 percent back, excluding Kroger fuel centers
- 2 percent back on purchases inside Kroger stores, excluding Kroger fuel centers
- 1 percent back on all other purchases
Expert Appraisal: Good
See our expert analysis -
Welcome offer
- Save an additional 25¢ per gallon of fuel each time you redeem at least 100 fuel points at Kroger fuel centers for the first year.
Expert Appraisal: Good
See our expert analysis -
Rates and fees
- Annual fee: $0
- Foreign transaction fees: $0
- Regular APR: 19.24 percent to 29.99 percent variable APR
Expert Appraisal: Typical
See our expert analysis -
Other cardholder perks
- If you spend $6,000 annually, the 25¢ fuel discount extends until the end of the following calendar year through January 31.
- Complimentary next-day delivery Boost membership for a year
- Mastercard Travel & Lifestyle services
- Mastercard Global Services, zero fraud liability and Mastercard ID theft protection
Expert Appraisal: Typical
See our expert analysis
Kroger Rewards World Mastercard® pros and cons
Pros
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The card has solid earning rates for a no-annual-fee card.
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You earn the same boosted rate on both Kroger Pay and mobile wallet purchases with separate spending caps, increasing your earning potential.
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The first-year fuel discounts can offer significant savings.
Cons
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The cap on the highest earning categories is relatively low compared to other cards.
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Maintaining the fuel discount after the first year requires a high spending requirement.
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Kroger fuel centers don’t earn rewards, which may confuse some spenders.
How the Kroger Rewards World Mastercard® works
This card focuses on spending and redeeming within Kroger stores. You need a minimum of 1,000 points to redeem, which equates to $10 to spend on eligible purchases at Kroger stores. Kroger points are worth one cent each.
Rewards can be redeemed via Real-Time Rewards or statement credit. However, rewards redeemed as a Kroger gift card have a higher minimum — 2,500 Rewards Points which are worth $25. Rewards expire after 36 months.
The initial yearlong 25¢ fuel discount expires on the following January 31st. Afterward, you will get 5¢ off per gallon of fuel unless you spent at least $6,000 that year, continuing the fuel discount for an additional year.
Fuel Rewards program
When you open this card, you will automatically be enrolled in the Kroger loyalty program, which earns points on your Kroger spending independently from the credit card. These points can be redeemed for fuel at Kroger and Shell locations in 100-point increments at 10 cents off per gallon (35-gallon maximum), but at Kroger fuel centers you can redeem up to 1,000 fuel points for $1 off per gallon. This is in addition to the Kroger Rewards World Mastercard earnings. However, fuel points don't carry over so you'll need to redeem them before they expire.
Why you might want the Kroger Rewards World Mastercard®
The Kroger Rewards World Mastercard is a great option if you buy groceries at a store within the Kroger family. The rewards rate, welcome offer and low rates and fees make a great return on everyday household expenses. Just remember to pay using Kroger Pay or your mobile wallet to get the most out of this card.
Rewards: Great for mobile wallets and groceries
This card is a great choice for grocery spending with Kroger Pay at Kroger stores and anywhere you can make purchases with a mobile wallet. Now that mobile wallet and Kroger Pay transactions are tracked separately, your cap to max out the 5 percent categories is effectively $6,000 ($3,000 for mobile wallets and $3,000 for Kroger Pay), giving a much greater return on more spending. You can enjoy added flexibility by using your mobile wallet at non-Kroger stores to earn a boosted rate anywhere, including other grocery stores. Plus, maxing out these two categories will maintain the fuel discount for another year.
Welcome offer: Fuel discount gives substantial savings
While the welcome offer differs from most other cards, it offers savings on expenses that most people have — fuel. With fuel prices constantly climbing, the ability to save at least 25¢ per gallon for an entire year adds up, especially if you have multiple drivers. This discount can be continued by spending $6,000 on the card during the year, which shouldn’t be too difficult if you purchase groceries regularly.
Rates and fees: Typical for a no-annual-fee card
This no-annual-fee card doesn’t have an introductory APR on purchases or balance transfers, but it does come with a competitive regular APR and no overdraft protection or foreign transaction fees, so you don't have to worry about added costs if you use this card abroad. Other fees are standard. Balance transfers cost $10 or 4 percent of the total amount, whichever is greater. Cash advances cost $10 or 5 percent of the total amount, whichever is greater. Late fees and returned payments can be up to $41.
Why you might want a different rewards card
While the returns on the Kroger Rewards World Mastercard can be excellent, other cards can match or exceed this card on grocery earnings and offer more benefits. Also if you don’t meet the $6,000 annual spending threshold, your fuel savings dwindle.
Perks: No unique benefits
The perks on this card are decent, but none that stands out from a different card. The travel and emergency benefits are better on most cards that earn better rates on grocery spending. You do receive complimentary Boost membership for one year so you can take advantage of free next-day delivery. Otherwise, the extra benefits aren’t a reason to get this card.
Spending caps: Low ceilings for top categories limit value
The cap on the bonus categories with this card is lower than similar cards. Earning 5 percent on mobile wallet purchases and Kroger Pay is a strong feature, but a cap of $3,000 per year can be met quickly. After that, the card isn’t very valuable, even when spending at Kroger stores. Two percent back on groceries is weak compared to rival cards. And you'll have to remember to use Kroger Pay or a mobile wallet when shopping at Kroger or else you'll earn the lower rate. Your best bet is to spend to the $3,000 cap in both 5 percent categories, which will also get you to the $6,000 yearly threshold for the fuel discount.
Complexity: Many hoops to jump through
You won't earn the best rates if you don’t use Kroger Pay or a mobile wallet. If you forget or exceed the cap, you’ll only earn 2 percent for Kroger Pay and 1 percent for a mobile wallet.
On top of that, you'll need to meet the $6,000 yearly spending threshold or you’ll lose the 25¢ fuel discount and only get 5¢ per gallon. If you prefer simplicity, this card might not be the right fit for you.
How the Kroger Rewards World Mastercard® compares to other rewards cards
As a grocery store-branded credit card, this card’s primary value comes from purchases within their stores. But other cards may offer more versatility.
Kroger Rewards World Mastercard®
Annual fee
Intro offer
Earn $100 cash back when you apply, get approved and spend $200 in net purchases within 40 days of account opening with your Kroger REWARDS World Mastercard®
Rewards rate
3 points per eligible net $1 on the Kroger Family of Companies Own Brand Products. 2 points per eligible net $1 spend in the Kroger Family of Companies (excluding fuel centers). 1 point per eligible net $1 spent anywhere Mastercard is accepted.
Recommended Credit Score
A FICO score/credit score is used to represent the creditworthiness of a person and may be one indicator to the credit type you are eligible for. However, credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any financial product.
Capital One Walmart Rewards® Mastercard®
Annual fee
Intro offer
Introductory offer: Earn 5% cash back on purchases in Walmart® stores for the first 12 months when you use your card with Walmart Pay
Rewards rate
Earn 5% cash back on Walmart.com purchases, including pickup and delivery . Earn 2% cash back on purchases in Walmart® stores, Murphy USA and Walmart® fuel stations. 2% cash back on restaurants and travel purchases. 1% cash back on all other purchases everywhere else Mastercard® is accepted.
Recommended Credit Score
A FICO score/credit score is used to represent the creditworthiness of a person and may be one indicator to the credit type you are eligible for. However, credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any financial product.
Chase Freedom Flex®
Annual fee
Intro offer
Earn a $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening
Rewards rate
5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate. Enjoy new 5% categories each quarter!. 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠. 3% cash back on dining and drugstores. 1% cash back on all other purchases.
Recommended Credit Score
A FICO score/credit score is used to represent the creditworthiness of a person and may be one indicator to the credit type you are eligible for. However, credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any financial product.
Who is the Kroger Rewards World Mastercard® right for?
This card works best for those who will use the card in-store and can pay with Kroger Pay or their mobile wallet. It will also work well for those who can meet the annual limits and keep track of spending caps
Bankrate’s Take — Is the Kroger Rewards World Mastercard® worth it?
The Kroger Rewards World Mastercard doesn’t make our list of the best grocery credit cards or best no-annual fee offerings. While the card offers solid returns up to a point for Kroger shoppers, it doesn’t measure up with other rewards credit cards that provide superior rewards on any grocery purchases rather than being limited to Kroger stores. While the fuel benefit can be useful, other cards offer much better welcome offers and consistently exceed the value of this card.
This card can be used as a niche product to help add some extra returns to Kroger spending but has minimal usefulness outside its stores.
*All information about the Capital One Walmart Rewards® Mastercard® has been collected independently by Bankrate.com and has not been reviewed or approved by the issuer.
How we rated this card
We rate credit cards using a proprietary card scoring system that ranks each card’s estimated average rewards rate, estimated annual earnings, welcome bonus value, APR, fees, perks and more against those of other cards in its primary category.
Each card feature is assigned a weighting based on how important it is to people looking for a card in a given category. These features are then scored based on how they rank relative to the features on other cards in the category. Based on these calculations, each card receives an overall rating of 1-5 stars (with 5 being the highest possible score and 1 being the lowest).
We analyzed over 150 of the most popular rewards and cash back cards to determine where each stacked up based on their value, cost, benefits and more. Here are some of the key factors
Frequently asked questions
* See the online application for details about terms and conditions for these offers. Every reasonable effort has been made to maintain accurate information. However all credit card information is presented without warranty. After you click on the offer you desire you will be directed to the credit card issuer's web site where you can review the terms and conditions for your selected offer.
Editorial Disclosure: Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, and have not been reviewed or approved by any advertiser. The information, including card rates and fees, is accurate as of the publish date. All products or services are presented without warranty. Check the bank’s website for the most current information.