Kroger Fuel Points Reminder

If you haven't read my previous posts about the Kroger fuel points program, I have a love / hate relationship with it. I love the idea of saving money on gas when I'm buying groceries I need, but I hate that my card never works at Shell stations. And yes, I've tried all the hoops.

It has been working out that I'll gas up once a month at a Kroger fuel station, which has no problem reading my card and gets the correct amount each time. Love that; just wish there were more of the stations around town. But so far, I've redeemed every point earned.

However, today I learned a valuable lesson about the fuel points that I figured I'd pass along if you hadn't thought of it. Your available fuel points are always printed at the bottom of your receipts. If you don't use the points earned in a given month, they will roll over for one more month and then expire. A month's points are stored in "a block" of sorts and when you earn points the next month, the two can not be combined. The computer takes whichever is higher. Also fuel points under 100 do not carry over.

Yesterday I was in a hurry and didn't look at my receipt until I was home. I noticed my fuel points were 499. Since it was 8/31, only 400 points will be rolled over through 9/30 and I just lost 99 points. A few more cents--one more item, and I could have saved an additional $2 in gas. Grrr.

So if it's near the end of the month, check your balance to see if you're close to another reward and if you have points expiring, try to use those, even if it's for half a tank. Every little bit helps!

Kroger/Shell Gas Discounts--Ugh!!

I think I'm a pretty bright person and in some cases a rather patient one. But my patience with the Kroger / Shell deal to save on gas has run out. I visited my fourth Shell station today since the promotion began promising up to $1 off per gallon. The problem is that the machines at any Shell station can't read my Kroger card.

I've tried removing it quickly, slowly, both directions. I've tried typing in my alternate ID. Usually the clerk can work some magic inside, but even that didn't work today. Having gone out of my way (somewhat) to fill up at a station selling more expensive gas than down the street, I got no discounts whatsoever! I was steaming! It's not so much the fact that I had to pay more; it's the lure of a deal and then no follow through on the promise. I hate broken promises. If you can't deliver, then don't advertise you can.

The only time it has worked without problems is when I filled up at a Kroger gas station. Yes, it will take off more than $.10 per gallon--whatever you have earned since your last fill-up. So until Shell works out the kinks--if they ever do--I'm boycotting them and going to other gas stations.

Have you had problems getting your Kroger / Shell discounts? Have you found a solution?

Saving $ at the Pump-BUYER BEWARE UPDATE

I've written a couple of posts now about Kroger and Shell's promotion for saving gas. Although I still think it's a good deal, they have yet to work out the kinks. I went again today for my bi-weekly fill-up--I even tried a different Shell station--and the machines would not read my Kroger card (which I had just used at a store an hour before). Even when I typed in my number, it didn't register. So I began pumping without swiping my credit card, and the clerk inside managed to make it work. It was a hassle but it was nice to save $.40 a gallon ($7.60 for the van).

Since I'm watching ever nickel these days, it also occurred to me to check prices at the closest Shell stations. I was a little surprised to learn there was a seven cent difference per gallon in the three closest to our house, and unfortunately I stopped at the priciest station today. I could have saved another $1.33 just by going the other direction. Good info for next time. The most important tip is not to drive out of your way to save a few cents (thus burning gas, money, and time). I just try to make sure a gas fill-up is paired with another nearby errand.

I've emailed a Kroger customer service rep about the card reading errors, but they have not responded yet (two weeks now). I applaud them for a creative way to save customers money and to entice new customers to Shell, but they should have really figured out the kinks before they rolled out the promotion. Hopefully they'll fix it before implementing in other markets.

Have you had problems using your Kroger card at Shell stations?