How strict are Kroger cards underwriting?

[Tcal]

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?

[CreditCuriosity]

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

[Runic_Staeysekin]

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.

[AndySoCal]

@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

[Tcal]

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. 

[AndySoCal]

@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

[Tcal]

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

[CreditCobra]

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.

[Drifter73]

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.

[CreditCobra]

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.