July 2008
Sample supermarket cards
Below are three large supermarket programs so you can judge your local chains. Our data come from CardRatings.com, as of early
May 2008, and our own research.
In addition to traditional frequent-shopper cards, which provide points or other rewards, many supermarket chains now sponsor credit cards that pay cash back on purchases. Here are the deals offered by the three largest chains in the country, which you can compare with stores in your area.
In addition to traditional frequent-shopper cards, which provide points or other rewards, many supermarket chains now sponsor credit cards that pay cash back on purchases. Here are the deals offered by the three largest chains in the country, which you can compare with stores in your area.
| Grocery card | Reward basics | Drawbacks | Recent APR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kroger 1-2-3 Rewards MasterCard | 3 points per dollar spent on Kroger brand merchandise, 2 points per dollar spent on other items at Kroger, 1 point per dollar spent elsewhere; certificates sent out quarterly. | 1,000 points (representing about $333 to $1,000 in spending) earns only a $5 certificate; certificate must be spent at Kroger or its affiliates. | 9.74% to 18.74% |
| True Earnings from Costco AmEx | 3% cash back per dollar spent on gas and at restaurants; 2% for travel; 1% elsewhere, including Costco; no limits on cash back. | $50 annual fee to join the club; rewards are doled out only once a year. | 14.99% |
| Wal-Mart Discover Card | Cash rebate of 0.25% on spending up to $1,500, 0.5% for next $1,500, and 1% on amount over $3,000; earnings can come from all items in the store, not just groceries. | Card offers savings of 3 cents per gallon, but only at some Wal-Mart gas stations. | 9.87% to 18.87% |
