8 Supermarkets With the Best Rewards Programs (That Could Save You a Ton of Money)

There’s a difference between a customer and a loyal customer. A customer will make a few odd purchases here and there, but a loyal customer comes back time and time again. Getting you to return regularly is quite profitable for a grocery store, but how do they earn your loyalty? Rewards programs are one way to offer unique perks that set some grocery chains apart from the fierce competition.

Most grocery chains have some type of rewards program, though some are better than others. Many are free and only require your name and phone number to enroll, while others command an annual fee. Both free and paid loyalty programs usually offer some kind of financial benefit to entice customers to become regulars. Here are the best grocery chain rewards programs to check out.

Albertsons for U

Albertsons’ loyalty program is aptly named Albertsons for U, and it’s a free program that tailors personalized deals to each member. You get a coupon for $5 off your next purchase of $25 or more just for signing up. It’s a points-based program, so you earn 1-2 points for every $1 spent. Once you accumulate 100 points, you can redeem them for rewards, such as freebies or discounts on gas. There are also other perks, such as a birthday freebie, a free monthly gift, and access to rotating members-only benefits. Other brands under the Albertsons Company have similar programs—Vons for U, Safeway for U, etc.

Kroger Plus and Kroger Boost

Kroger, the largest national grocery chain, offers free and paid rewards programs. Each Kroger store—Ralph’s, Fred Meyer, and others—has a membership program that’s free to join called Kroger Plus. According to Kroger, the free membership can save you an average of $576 per year. Signing up gets you access to exclusive discounts and coupons only available to members, and the opportunity to earn Fuel Points that can be redeemed for savings at gas pumps.

To save even more—up to $1,000 per year—you can enroll in the paid program called Kroger Boost for $59 per year. You get everything that’s included in the free version, but you accrue Fuel Points twice as fast, and get your groceries delivered for free either the same or next day. Kroger Boost members also get deeper discounts on Kroger products.

Walmart+

For $12.95 per month, you can become the latest Walmart+ member. And after discovering the perks, you might sprint to the membership page. Walmart+ is the chain’s paid membership that’s rumored to save you over $1,300 per year. It offers a long list of benefits, including unlimited free deliveries on orders (with a $35 minimum), a subscription to Paramount+ streaming service, free shipping on all online purchases (no minimum), and more. You also get discounts on gas, free returns from home, and access to special offers.

Sprouts Farmers Market

Signing up for a free Sprouts account grants you instant access to exclusive deals and perks. You’ll also get free delivery on your first order after signing up. The store even has its own app, which is also free to download. When you sign into your account on the app, you can create grocery lists, schedule curbside pickup or delivery windows, and clip digital coupons from your phone. You’ll also receive weekly deals.

For those hoping for grocery delivery, you can link your Instacart and Sprouts accounts for free or low-cost pickup and delivery services. However, you might need to meet the minimum spend requirement.

Target Circle

Target Circle is the retailer’s loyalty program that’s free to join. From your web browser or mobile app, you can save offers on hundreds of products, earn 1% back on all purchases, and vote for nonprofit organizations to receive donations from Target. Some offers are up to 50% or hundreds of dollars off the full purchase price, and many Target Circle offers are stackable with manufacturer coupons for even more savings.

When you shop in person, simply punch in your phone number or scan your barcode to cash in on those saved offers and earn on your in-store purchases. You can also scan your receipts later in the app.

While you can reap the benefits online or in-person, downloading the app allows you to pick up your mobile order at designated Drive Up spots—for free.

Club Publix

Club Publix is another free loyalty program from the beloved Publix chain. When you sign up, you immediately get a $5 coupon towards your next purchase of $20 or more. You’ll also get to clip digital coupons, receive a birthday treat, and get weekly offers tailored to you—perks only available to members.

The free program also allows you to create shopping lists, pay with the app at checkout, save e-receipts to your account, and access deals in your digital wallet. If you can’t wait for weekly ads to be released, Club Publix members get to view them a day earlier than non-members. So, the program offers some savings and convenience benefits.

Winn-Dixie Rewards Program

Creating a Winn-Dixie Rewards Program account is free, and here’s why you should sign up. Doing so earns you a $5 off discount on a $30 purchase, it unlocks even more deals on top of the weekly ad, and lets you earn points that can be redeemed later for free groceries. Sometimes, you can use a multiplier to earn as many as 40x points on your purchase.

Unique deals are released on the app each week, so be sure to download the app and sign into your account to activate app-exclusive deals. The digital coupons are only accessible with a rewards program account, which is another reason to sign up. As an app user, you can also create shopping lists, view deals hand-picked for you, and scan your barcode at checkout to double down on savings.

Costco

The only thing free at Costco is the array of samples. Joining the club costs money, but it’s one of those times where you gotta spend money to save money. Memberships start at $60 per year, and this grants you access to tons of discounts on food, apparel, gas, appliances, tires, travel, and more. 

One way to save even more through Costco is by signing up for the Executive Membership. It costs $120 per year, but Costco enthusiasts swear it’s worth it for one main perk—you earn 2% in rewards on qualifying purchases. To make it worth your while, you’d need to spend more than $500 per visit (or $6,000 per year) to recoup that cost. Costco Travel purchases qualify for the 2 percent rewards benefit, so if you routinely book your trips through the warehouse, it’s definitely worth it.