Introduction
There are two pretty quick and easy gift card deals floating around that I thought I would share with you. Neither is mind blowing, but if you are already doing your weekly shopping, then it may not hurt to participate.
Since both Kroger & Safeway have stores nationwide, the chances are pretty good that you will be able to at least find one of these deals. Lets take a look.
Safeway
Safeway and their various sub-brands including Vons have a pretty easy and straightforward deal when purchasing Visa gift cards. If you purchase $100 in Visa gift cards before 7/15/14, they will give you a coupon for $10 off of your next purchase.
The deal does specifically exclude variable load gift cards, which means that you will be stuck buying the lower $100 or $200 fixed value cards. Since the purchase price of $100 card is $5.95 and the $200 card is $6.95, you are coming out ahead either way.
Selling With Credit Cards
Safeway and its subsidiaries have varying policies when it comes to selling gift cards with credit cards. In my area some stores sell them and other require either debit or credit. I visited a Vons store the other day which had previously sold gift cards to me with a credit card that now requires debit/cash. If you can find a store that sells the $200 cards, then that will be your best value.
Math
If you purchase a $200 gift card then you will come out ahead $3.05 ($206.95-$10) or if you purchase a $100 gift card then you will come out $4.05 ahead ($105.95-$10). Of course you are also earning points and if you have a card that gives a category bonus at grocery stores, then you will do even better.
Kroger
When I was shopping at Smith’s the other day (my local Kroger brand), an interesting Catalina coupon printed out. The coupon is for $5 off your next purchase when buying 2 or more Visa or Mastercard gift cards between July 2 – July 15, 2014.
The fine print appears not to exclude any gift cards which means the flood gates are open with this one. Of course it isn’t a straight money maker like the Safeway deal, but you have the potential to generate much higher spending amounts.
The coupon does limit you to “one coupon per transaction per day”, but I am not sure how they will enforce that unless they require you to use a club card. Additionally, in the past some of these deals have had quirks where you get extra coupons or the limits aren’t enforced. We will have to wait until July 2nd to see how this one shakes out.
Fuel Rewards
Before I do a little math for this deal, it is also worth noting that fixed value gift cards earn 2x points fuel reward points while variable gift cards do not earn fuel rewards. If you have a credit card with a 5x category bonus, then this is an amazing deal. Lets take a look.
The Math
Scenario 1:
2 x $500 variable load gift cards = $1011.90
Minus $5 Coupon = $1006.90
Minus 5% Cash Back = $50.60
Actual Cost = $956.30
As you can see this is a great scenario for spending. Even if you don’t have a 5% cash back card and are just looking to meet minimum spend requirements, you are getting $1011.90 in spending for $6.90 out of pocket which is a pretty good value.
Scenario 2:
2 x $100 variable load gift cards = $211.90
Minus $5 Coupon = $206.90
Minus 5% Cash Back = $10.60
Actual Cost = $196.30
Fuel Rewards Earned = $.40 off per gallon up to 35 gallons
Analysis
Each scenario has its pros and cons. If you do have the 5% cash back card or need a higher amount of spending, then the variable load cards are probably the best deal. If you are able to utilize the fuel rewards and don’t have a 5% card, then perhaps scenario 2 is better for you. Either way the gift cards purchased should be loadable to Bluebird, at least as of now.
Conclusion
While I have only presented a couple of scenarios, there is no doubt in my mind that each of these deals is a good one. Some people will have cards with bonuses and others will just be looking to meet minimum spend. Either way, just about everyone should come out ahead by utilizing them.
I love when deals come up at stores that I already frequent. For me, there is a Smith’s nearby which means I should be able to take advantage of that deal. Unfortunately, the Vons closest to my house refuses to sell gift cards with credit cards, so I have to decide either to drive across town or just wait until I am there for some other reason.
Will you be participating in either of these deals? Let me know in the comments below.
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I made a purchase at a Krogers in NC yesterday and did not get a coupon for July gift card purchases.
I think the catalina it was more of an advertisement for the upcoming promotion. If you purchase the gift cards starting July 2, 2014 it should print out a $5 off coupon for your next purchase. Of course, your local area may not be participating, but I have confirmed with others that this offer is showing up around the country.
We have a smiths near us but the cashiers seem to be adamant on not allowing CC to be used for visa gift card purchases. I take it your experience is different? do you use automated checkout?
What 5% grocery gift cards do you recommend?
All of the Smith’s near me accept credit cards to purchase gift cards. It is essentially a YMMV depending on the store, but there is no corporate policy than bans it. As far as I have been told, gift cards can only be purchased at a register not at self checkout.
In regards to a 5% cash back credit card, Wells Fargo has a card with a bonus for a limited time and Amex has the Blue Cash cards.
How do we know these are OK to load to BB?
Has anyone tried? if so, this could be very nice.
The Safeway cards are issued by Metabank and the Kroger cards are issued by US Bank. Both have confirmed to work to load Bluebird as recently as yesterday.
Thanks. Off to Kroger. Hope they take cc’s for payment.
If you look at the coupon for Kroger, the offer doesn’t start until JULY 2nd (and through July 15th). (I just got one yesterday as well!) So, don’t head there just yet!!