This is a repost for reference purposes from April 6, 2011
As you already know: All Kroger Stores in the Houston area have stopped participating in the double/triple coupon program since April 13th. 
When I fist heard the news, I thought it was the end of the world. What?!?! Kroger won’t be doubling and tripling coupons anymore is all I could think of at the time, but since the changes took place it doesn’t bother me so much. At first, I thought there goes my savings and felt I was going to have to welcome my high grocery bill back into my family budget, but I was wrong. Kroger is a bit harder to shop at these days, but there are still ways that we can shop Kroger while still saving money (sometimes).
So now let’s discuss the changes Kroger made back on that fateful day of April 13th, 2011 (after the airing of Extreme Couponing on TLC took place). There has been talk about these changes going nationwide, but I have not heard a definitive yes or no on that. As soon as I know something you will definitely be the first to hear about it.
The following information is directly from Kroger:
Kroger Stores data shows that only 7% of Houston households take advantage of doubling and tripling and 19% take advantage of the fuel rewards program.
- With the growing popularity of digital coupons, mobile apps and manufacturers producing coupons valued at more than 50 cents, we feel it’s an ideal time to test out a new money-saving program and discontinue double/triple. There’s a possibility we may re-introduce double/triple by hosting special shopping events intermittently.
- We will still continue to accept coupons at face value. Part of the new policy states there is a limit of one electronic or paper manufacturer coupon per item. The opportunity to stack is no longer available. A digital coupon and manufacturer paper coupon may not be combined on the purchase of a single item. More than 130 digital coupons are available daily at Kroger.
- If you have loaded an electronic coupon to your Kroger Plus card, then the digital coupon will apply before the manufacturer paper coupon. A digital coupon cannot be removed from a transaction once redeemed.
- In addition to accepting coupons at face value, Kroger still offers a number of ways to save. We saved Texas shoppers more than $25 million in 2010 through different programs including the Pick 6 wine discount, generic drug pricing ($4/30-day supply and $10/90-day supply), everyday 10% senior discount for shoppers who are 59 and older, and fuel rewards.
- Through the fuel rewards program, shoppers save 3 cents per gallon everyday at Kroger Fuel Centers. There are 67 Kroger Fuel Centers in Greater Houston. Customers can save 10 cents per gallon at Kroger Fuel Centers and more than 500 participating Shell locations in the area when they earn 100 fuel rewards points.
- Rewards points can be earned in the following ways:
Spend $100 on groceries, earn 100 points. ($1 = 1 point)
Spend $50 on gift cards and we double the points. (1 $50 gift card = 100 points)
Fill or refill 2 prescriptions at a Kroger Pharmacy. (1 prescription = 50 pts)
Why did Kroger remove this program from the Houston area?
Kroger is rolling out a new reward program on April 13th that is geared to save money in other ways. I do have further details on this program, but I have been asked not to release that information until next week. Keep your eyes open for this information to come soon.
What cities in the Houston area were effected by these changes?
Alvin, Angleton, Baytown, Beaumont, Clute, Conroe, Crosby, Cypress, Dickinson, Friendswood, Galveston, Hedwig Village, Houston, Humble/Kingwood ,Huntsville ,Katy, La Porte, League City, Magnolia, Missouri City, Orange, Pasadena, Pearland, Porter, Richmond, Rosenberg, Seabrook, Spring, Sugar Land, Texas City, The Woodlands, Tomball, Willis
What is the new coupon policy for Kroger (after double/triples disappear off the face of earth)?
Below is the actual updated coupon policy directly from Kroger Corporate with my own thoughts about the changes, but you can also print your own copy of the Kroger Coupon Policy and Kroger Coupon FAQ’s. (these policies are saved as google docs, but were received directly from Kroger Corporate. If you have trouble viewing them, please let me know)
1. Coupons are redeemed for face value unless otherwise advertised at your local Kroger store. (**
so sad…adios double/triples**)
2. Coupons must be presented at the time of transaction.
3. Coupons may only be redeemed for items, brands and sizes as specified by the verbiage requirements of the coupon.
4. We accept all valid, current manufacturer coupons. We do not accept expired coupons.
5. We accept valid, current online, internet and print-at-home coupons.
- 5.1 Online and other Printable coupons should be valid, legible and have a bar code that scans.
- 5.2 Printable Coupons having value more than 75% of the item price are not accepted. (**huh, not sure how this is really going to work out for couponers, when some coupons = over 75% savings off an item, guess we just take it to another store**)
- 5.3 Free product printable coupons are not accepted. (**this has been in effect for months**)
- 5.4 Buy-one-get-one-free coupons are accepted.
- 5.5 Printable coupons will not be accepted if they appear copied or altered in any way.
- 5.6 The printable coupons should be printed directly from the website or email in which they were offered.
- 5.7 Printable coupons have unique serial numbers and follow an industry standard format; they are non-transferable and should not be copied, scanned, sold, traded or otherwise distributed.
6. We accept all valid, current Catalina Manufacturer coupons and Kroger Catalina Coupons.
- 6.1 Kroger Catalina coupons printed at the check lane may be used on your next shopping trip.
- 6.2 Catalina messages are not redeemable coupons.
- 6.3 Kroger and Competitor Catalina Manufacturer coupons may be accepted.
- 6.4 Competitor Catalina Store Coupons may not be accepted.
7. Competitor Manufacturer and Store Coupons (**don’t forget that Kroger offers $4 and $10 prescriptions**)
- 7.1 Pharmacy competitor coupons and Competitor Catalina Manufacturer Coupons are accepted.
- 7.2 All other competitor’s coupons are not accepted. Competitor Catalina Store Coupons are not accepted.
8. Coupon Stacking: A manufacturer coupon and a Kroger Store Coupon may be used on the same item. Two or more of any other type of coupons may not be used on the same item. (**I was reading online that some were saying the Kroger wouldn’t be stacking coupons anymore, but according to this policy you can still stack. YAY!!**)
9. If a Manufacturer coupon exceeds the price of the item, the excess will be applied to the basket purchase. If the excess is greater than amount due on the total order after the coupons are redeemed, the excess will be given in cash. WIC or SNAP items in a WIC or SNAP transaction are ineligible for cash back or application to the basket purchase. (**WHAT!?!?! AWESOME Great move Kroger!**)
10. Coupons may not be combined with certain special pricing programs, including $4 and $10 generic prescription pricing.
11. The Coupon may not be applied to any free item received in any offer.
12. The Coupon must have a scan bar that scans and applicable “bill to” information.
13. Items returned will be refunded at the after coupon price. The coupon will not be returned to the customer. (**A lot of stores are doing this now. If you return a product, you will only receive the amount after coupons, instead of the full price back before coupons. I know Target, Home Depot & Lowe’s do this.**)
14. Sales taxes will be applied in accordance with the law of the applicable state, regardless of any coupon or other discount that may apply to the purchase transaction.
15. Coupons may not be applied to items restricted by law. Coupons may not be applied to services such as but not limited to Gift Cards, Money Orders, Utility Payments, Postage Stamps, Event Tickets, Lottery or Phone Cards. (**don’t forget when you buy your gift cards at Kroger you get double fuel points. Example: $25 gift card = 50 fuel points**)
16. Kroger Store Management reserves the right to accept, decline or limit any coupon.
17. A Kroger coupon policy retrieved from any other source does not reflect the coupon policy at Kroger Southwest stores.
18. Our Coupon policy is subject to change without notice at any time.
*This is a repost from April 6, 2011
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