topic Re: How strict are Kroger cards underwriting? in Credit Card Applications

How strict are Kroger cards underwriting?

Tcal — Tue, 18 Jul 2023 02:45:21 GMT

I know it's US Bank, and that they are infamous for being very conservative in their UW, but does that also extend to their cobranded Kroger family line up? Has anyone got in at/above 3/12? 4/12? 5/12?

Re: How strict are Kroger cards underwriting?

CreditCuriosity — Tue, 18 Jul 2023 02:50:52 GMT

Same as any of there other cards w/regards to UW even if co-branded. w/regards to x/12 i have no idea what US Bank is currently doing

Re: How strict are Kroger cards underwriting?

Runic_Staeysekin — Tue, 18 Jul 2023 03:11:58 GMT

I got in with them when I was ~650 and 6/12 if this helps. But the SL is low as I don't have any deposit relationship with them. YMMV better if you already bank with USB. Do love the card and use it every month but I'm waiting and hoping for a SP CLI or Auto CLI since they seem to want to pull a CBR even after 6+ months.

Re: How strict are Kroger cards underwriting?

AndySoCal — Wed, 19 Jul 2023 00:14:37 GMT

@TcalI looked at the card a couple of years ago. My question was if I used a mobile wallet in the store which rate do you recieve 5% or 2%. My local Ralphs(Kroger) would not accept apple pay which is what I have. Is it worth the hard pull to receive an additional 2 to 3% more. For me being a family of one the answer was no. For you it may be different.

edited to add the word one

Re: How strict are Kroger cards underwriting?

Tcal — Tue, 18 Jul 2023 22:32:53 GMT

It'd definitely be worth it for me. There are a lot of small shops/venues I go to that are categorized as 'misc' otherwise. Getting over double cash back over my current 2% card, for doing things I have to do anyway, is very appealing.

Re: How strict are Kroger cards underwriting?

AndySoCal — Wed, 19 Jul 2023 00:21:42 GMT

@Tcal Sounds like you are planning to load the card in your mobile wallet. I hope you get the card if and when you apply for it. One more thing I see you have Discover Card you can get 5% cash back on mobile wallet purchases this quarter

Re: How strict are Kroger cards underwriting?

Tcal — Wed, 19 Jul 2023 00:46:36 GMT

Definitely. The closest Kroger is ~8 hours away. I can do it for online delivery but I'd rather get that sweet 5%

Re: How strict are Kroger cards underwriting?

CreditCobra — Wed, 19 Jul 2023 01:44:09 GMT

I recently picked up this card during a mini-spree. It was actiually a bit of an afterthought, and I haven't used it yet. I spend around $2,600 on insurance (State Farm, which takes Apple Pay) each year so this seemed like a great fit as I'd still have a little room before I got to the $3,000 cap. Also, I got the Ralphs version as it had a sign up bonus. The closest Ralphs is two states away from me. Only got a $2,000 SL but that'll be fine.

Re: How strict are Kroger cards underwriting?

Drifter73 — Wed, 19 Jul 2023 02:47:24 GMT

Kroger is actually my favorite grocery store and I shop their 3 to 5 times per week, spending an easy $650+ each week.

However, no matter how many times I crunch the numbers, I just can't seem to justify their 2% instore cb, 5% app purchases Capped at like $3k + 25c to 55c fuel discounts.

I seem to be getting better by leveraging the standard Kroger membership card that gives me 10c off per gal per $100 spend coupled with my 5%cb groceries + 5%cb gas CreditOne Amex with $95 af.

Am I missing something? Maybe my math is wrong. I see lots of people grabbing this card over the 5%cb grocery + 5%cb Gas cards out there and just can't figure out why.

Re: How strict are Kroger cards underwriting?

CreditCobra — Wed, 19 Jul 2023 04:02:43 GMT

There's a bunch of these, pretty sure I have them all listed below.

All offer 5% on digital wallet (Apple Pay, Samsung Pay, Google Pay, Garmin Pay and LG Pay) purchases, capped at $3,000 spend per calendar year, then 1% cash back. 2% cash back in Kroger stores, and 1% on everything else.

After that they have some minor changes in benefits regarding fuel, but a better option for gas might be the Abound Visa Platinum Credit Card. For groceries only, you might be better off with the AAA Daily Advantage Visa Signature Credit Card if you're not geo-restricted.

Harris Teeter, Mariano's, Pick 'n Save/Metro Market, and Ralphs are currently offering SUBs. Earn $100 in Statement Credits when you apply, get approved and spend $500 on eligible purchases the first 90 days.

I see the main benefit to these cards for digital wallet spends that don't fall into any other category that you might already have covered, so long as that doesn't exceed $3,000 in a calendar year. As I posted previously, I have about $2,600 in insurance I can pay through Apple Pay, so this is a good fit for me. YMMV.

When I applied for my Ralphs card, I was 0/6, 2/12, and LOL/24 for new accounts. They pulled TransUnion and I was at 796 with 1/6, 2/12, and 8/24 on inquiries. Hope this helps.

It's likely a bit of a niche card, for many of us, but might be useful for some. I have no clue if you can acquire more than one of these cards, and would love to know the answer to that.

Re: How strict are Kroger cards underwriting?

Tcal — Wed, 19 Jul 2023 06:04:05 GMT

@CreditCobra wrote:
There's a bunch of these, pretty sure I have them all listed below.

Dillons Rewards World Elite Mastercard
Fred Meyer Rewards World Elite Mastercard
Fry's Rewards World Elite Mastercard
Harris Teeter Rewards World Elite Mastercard
King Soopers Rewards World Elite Mastercard
Kroger Rewards World Elite Mastercard
Mariano's Rewards World Elite Mastercard
Pick 'n Save/Metro Market Rewards World Elite Mastercard
QFC Rewards World Elite Mastercard
Ralphs Rewards World Elite Mastercard
Smith's Rewards World Elite Mastercard
All offer 5% on digital wallet (Apple Pay, Samsung Pay, Google Pay, Garmin Pay and LG Pay) purchases, capped at $3,000 spend per calendar year, then 1% cash back. 2% cash back in Kroger stores, and 1% on everything else.

After that they have some minor changes in benefits regarding fuel, but a better option for gas might be the Abound Visa Platinum Credit Card. For groceries only, you might be better off with the AAA Daily Advantage Visa Signature Credit Card if you're not geo-restricted.

Harris Teeter, Mariano's, Pick 'n Save/Metro Market, and Ralphs are currently offering SUBs. Earn $100 in Statement Credits when you apply, get approved and spend $500 on eligible purchases the first 90 days.

I see the main benefit to these cards for digital wallet spends that don't fall into any other category that you might already have covered, so long as that doesn't exceed $3,000 in a calendar year. As I posted previously, I have about $2,600 in insurance I can pay through Apple Pay, so this is a good fit for me. YMMV.

When I applied for my Ralphs card, I was 0/6, 2/12, and LOL/24 for new accounts. They pulled TransUnion and I was at 796 with 1/6, 2/12, and 8/24 on inquiries. Hope this helps.

It's likely a bit of a niche card, for many of us, but might be useful for some. I have no clue if you can acquire more than one of these cards, and would love to know the answer to that.

This is great data thank you very much. Right now I'm at 6/6, 10/12, 10/24. I doubt very very much I would get approved but I almost want to do it for *science!* I have 3 inquiries on EQ & they're all from US Bank/Elan.

Re: How strict are Kroger cards underwriting?

Tcal — Mon, 24 Jul 2023 00:32:00 GMT

So that was a no go. I'll report when the letter comes in. Only inquiry #4 in two years with one falling off next year so I'm not worried about that.

Re: How strict are Kroger cards underwriting?

DatBoiQuick — Mon, 28 Aug 2023 02:23:01 GMT

Just as strict as with there other cards.

Re: How strict are Kroger cards underwriting?

Jeffster1 — Tue, 29 Aug 2023 01:24:59 GMT

@CreditCobra wrote:
There's a bunch of these, pretty sure I have them all listed below.

Dillons Rewards World Elite Mastercard
Fred Meyer Rewards World Elite Mastercard
Fry's Rewards World Elite Mastercard
Harris Teeter Rewards World Elite Mastercard
King Soopers Rewards World Elite Mastercard
Kroger Rewards World Elite Mastercard
Mariano's Rewards World Elite Mastercard
Pick 'n Save/Metro Market Rewards World Elite Mastercard
QFC Rewards World Elite Mastercard
Ralphs Rewards World Elite Mastercard
Smith's Rewards World Elite Mastercard
All offer 5% on digital wallet (Apple Pay, Samsung Pay, Google Pay, Garmin Pay and LG Pay) purchases, capped at $3,000 spend per calendar year, then 1% cash back. 2% cash back in Kroger stores, and 1% on everything else.

After that they have some minor changes in benefits regarding fuel, but a better option for gas might be the Abound Visa Platinum Credit Card. For groceries only, you might be better off with the AAA Daily Advantage Visa Signature Credit Card if you're not geo-restricted.

Harris Teeter, Mariano's, Pick 'n Save/Metro Market, and Ralphs are currently offering SUBs. Earn $100 in Statement Credits when you apply, get approved and spend $500 on eligible purchases the first 90 days.

I see the main benefit to these cards for digital wallet spends that don't fall into any other category that you might already have covered, so long as that doesn't exceed $3,000 in a calendar year. As I posted previously, I have about $2,600 in insurance I can pay through Apple Pay, so this is a good fit for me. YMMV.

When I applied for my Ralphs card, I was 0/6, 2/12, and LOL/24 for new accounts. They pulled TransUnion and I was at 796 with 1/6, 2/12, and 8/24 on inquiries. Hope this helps.

It's likely a bit of a niche card, for many of us, but might be useful for some. I have no clue if you can acquire more than one of these cards, and would love to know the answer to that.

Great list. Thanks.

Re: How strict are Kroger cards underwriting?

DatBoiQuick — Tue, 29 Aug 2023 01:36:19 GMT

@CreditCobra
Please see my post linked below.

https://ficoforums.myfico.com/t5/Credit-Cards/Kroger-Elite-Master-Card-Not-Coding-Properly/m-p/6705609

Re: How strict are Kroger cards underwriting?

markbeiser — Tue, 29 Aug 2023 02:01:39 GMT

@CreditCobra wrote:
There's a bunch of these, pretty sure I have them all listed below.

All offer 5% on digital wallet (Apple Pay, Samsung Pay, Google Pay, Garmin Pay and LG Pay) purchases, capped at $3,000 spend per calendar year, then 1% cash back. 2% cash back in Kroger stores, and 1% on everything else.

After that they have some minor changes in benefits regarding fuel, but a better option for gas might be the Abound Visa Platinum Credit Card. For groceries only, you might be better off with the AAA Daily Advantage Visa Signature Credit Card if you're not geo-restricted.

Harris Teeter, Mariano's, Pick 'n Save/Metro Market, and Ralphs are currently offering SUBs. Earn $100 in Statement Credits when you apply, get approved and spend $500 on eligible purchases the first 90 days.

I see the main benefit to these cards for digital wallet spends that don't fall into any other category that you might already have covered, so long as that doesn't exceed $3,000 in a calendar year. As I posted previously, I have about $2,600 in insurance I can pay through Apple Pay, so this is a good fit for me. YMMV.

Thanks for pointing those out, I may need to look into some of those.
I can use Samsung Pay everywhere with a CC strip reader, even if they don't have tap to pay, and can't normally take digital wallet payments.

Re: How strict are Kroger cards underwriting?

Beefy1212 — Wed, 30 Aug 2023 02:00:38 GMT

@markbeiser wrote:
@CreditCobra wrote:
There's a bunch of these, pretty sure I have them all listed below.

All offer 5% on digital wallet (Apple Pay, Samsung Pay, Google Pay, Garmin Pay and LG Pay) purchases, capped at $3,000 spend per calendar year, then 1% cash back. 2% cash back in Kroger stores, and 1% on everything else.

After that they have some minor changes in benefits regarding fuel, but a better option for gas might be the Abound Visa Platinum Credit Card. For groceries only, you might be better off with the AAA Daily Advantage Visa Signature Credit Card if you're not geo-restricted.

Harris Teeter, Mariano's, Pick 'n Save/Metro Market, and Ralphs are currently offering SUBs. Earn $100 in Statement Credits when you apply, get approved and spend $500 on eligible purchases the first 90 days.

I see the main benefit to these cards for digital wallet spends that don't fall into any other category that you might already have covered, so long as that doesn't exceed $3,000 in a calendar year. As I posted previously, I have about $2,600 in insurance I can pay through Apple Pay, so this is a good fit for me. YMMV.
Thanks for pointing those out, I may need to look into some of those.
I can use Samsung Pay everywhere with a CC strip reader, even if they don't have tap to pay, and can't normally take digital wallet payments.

@CreditCobra I would avoid the abound card unless you really want to bank with them.

They don't allow you to pay from an external account, you can't transfer money into their checking/savings directly you have to push it from the originating bank, offer no cli ever, to get a new limit you have to re-apply for the card, you have to fund the original account via check or get a Ploc in addition to the credit card.

All of these things are are minor annoyances, and have a solution and they have some nice features like free lifelock, and no fee BT (but not 0apr) but the question becomes why?

Redstone has a great 5% gas/dinning card with a ton of 3% categories and 1.5% base

AAA has a great 5% gas 3 groceries

custom cash could be 5% gas

penfed and sam's have 4ish percent gas and there are others.

I know every card and issuer has a customer that loves them and it works out great for them, but my experience with abound is firmly in the I regret ever applying for Fort Knox (abound) FCU.

I wasn't aware all the Kroger cards get 5% on mobile wallet now I have to decide if I want to go ham on a bunch of 3k/yr cards lol

Thanks for the list, as USB cards can they be managed from within the USB app or do you have to install an app/visit a different webpage for each? I tend to do all my banking on my iPhone.

Re: How strict are Kroger cards underwriting?

CreditCobra — Sun, 10 Sep 2023 03:35:11 GMT

@Beefy1212 wrote:
@markbeiser wrote:
@CreditCobra wrote:
There's a bunch of these, pretty sure I have them all listed below.

All offer 5% on digital wallet (Apple Pay, Samsung Pay, Google Pay, Garmin Pay and LG Pay) purchases, capped at $3,000 spend per calendar year, then 1% cash back. 2% cash back in Kroger stores, and 1% on everything else.

After that they have some minor changes in benefits regarding fuel, but a better option for gas might be the Abound Visa Platinum Credit Card. For groceries only, you might be better off with the AAA Daily Advantage Visa Signature Credit Card if you're not geo-restricted.

Harris Teeter, Mariano's, Pick 'n Save/Metro Market, and Ralphs are currently offering SUBs. Earn $100 in Statement Credits when you apply, get approved and spend $500 on eligible purchases the first 90 days.

I see the main benefit to these cards for digital wallet spends that don't fall into any other category that you might already have covered, so long as that doesn't exceed $3,000 in a calendar year. As I posted previously, I have about $2,600 in insurance I can pay through Apple Pay, so this is a good fit for me. YMMV.
Thanks for pointing those out, I may need to look into some of those.
I can use Samsung Pay everywhere with a CC strip reader, even if they don't have tap to pay, and can't normally take digital wallet payments.
@CreditCobra I would avoid the abound card unless you really want to bank with them.

They don't allow you to pay from an external account, you can't transfer money into their checking/savings directly you have to push it from the originating bank, offer no cli ever, to get a new limit you have to re-apply for the card, you have to fund the original account via check or get a Ploc in addition to the credit card.

All of these things are are minor annoyances, and have a solution and they have some nice features like free lifelock, and no fee BT (but not 0apr) but the question becomes why?

Redstone has a great 5% gas/dinning card with a ton of 3% categories and 1.5% base

AAA has a great 5% gas 3 groceries

custom cash could be 5% gas

penfed and sam's have 4ish percent gas and there are others.

I know every card and issuer has a customer that loves them and it works out great for them, but my experience with abound is firmly in the I regret ever applying for Fort Knox (abound) FCU.

I wasn't aware all the Kroger cards get 5% on mobile wallet now I have to decide if I want to go ham on a bunch of 3k/yr cards lol

Thanks for the list, as USB cards can they be managed from within the USB app or do you have to install an app/visit a different webpage for each? I tend to do all my banking on my iPhone.

I havce the Abound card, and it's my main gas card. I typically buy all my gas at Costco, and it works perfectly there, I can pay this card using an external account, so I'm not sure what roadblock you're running into. The limit is a little low, but I typically pay it off every week orr two so it's never been a problem.

The Redstone card does look good, but alas I couldn't get accepted to their credit union, despite several video calls. AAA Daily Cash will become my main groceries card if/when US Alliance ends their 6% cash back on groceries, likely at the end of the year.

I use my Custom Cash exclusively for eating out.

The Kroger card for 5% cash back on digital wallet spend has been perfect for me so far. I'm mostly using it to pay for insurance (via the State Farm mobile app and using Apple Pay).

Re: How strict are Kroger cards underwriting?

Beefy1212 — Sun, 10 Sep 2023 18:36:55 GMT

@CreditCobra
This is the error I get when attempting to pay a credit card bill, it specifically says you can't pay a credit card from an external account. You also can't pull money into your abound accounts but have to push it to the savings/checking account from an external source.

It isn't the end of the world, they just pissed me off with all the non-sense they gave me setting up the account. I have never dealt with a bank or credit union more determined to not get my money.

Re: How strict are Kroger cards underwriting?

CreditCobra — Sun, 10 Sep 2023 21:41:57 GMT

I think you might be trying to make a transfer from the wrong place. Under Credit Card Tools, Payments & Statements.