Big change to SavingStar offers at Kroger!

If you use the cash back site, SavingStar, at Kroger stores, there is a big change coming October 1. Read on for the details.

Posted 10:06 a.m. Sep 16, 2014 — Updated 11:46 a.m. Sep 16, 2014

If you use SavingStar.com at Kroger stores, there is a big change coming October 1.

According to the e-mail they sent to SavingStar users on September 15, customers will now have to scan their receipt using the SavingStar app or on their website to receive SavingStar redemptions from purchases made at Kroger stores. This means you will have to make a little more effort to redeem the Kroger SavingStar offers. Apparently the change was prompted by Kroger.

The e-mail indicates that "Kroger will transition from an "automatic" (loyalty card) retailer and instead participate as a receipt-scanning retailer. This means that you will redeem SavingStar offers at all Kroger-owned stores by submitting a picture of your receipt instead of linking SavingStar offers to their loyalty card. This change impacts all Kroger-owned stores, including: Kroger, Dillons, Baker's, Gerbes, Fred Meyer, Fry's, JayC, King Soopers, City Market, PayLess, Owen's, QFC, Ralphs, and Smith's. This was a corporate decision made by Kroger. All SavingStar offers redeemed at Kroger-owned stores using your loyalty card must take place by September 30 (rewards will post to your account on or before October 9). Starting October 1, all redemptions will be credited when you submit a picture of your receipt, either through the SavingStar app or SavingStar.com. "

There is no mention of Harris Teeter requiring receipt photos, even though they are also owned by Kroger. Hopefully they will remain an automatic loyalty card retailer.

New to SavingStar? Here is how it works:

SavingStar.com is a free cash back program that allows you to register your store reward cards and then load digital coupons to your store reward card. What is unique about this program is that the coupon discount does not come off at the register. The savings are added to your SavingStar account and when it reaches $5, you can cash the savings in for a gift card. You can choose to receive an Amazon gift card, have the money deposited into your Paypal account or checking account or donate it to AmericanForests.org.

When you sign up for the program, you will enter the reward card numbers for the reward cards you wish to register. Then, they will automatically link the eCoupons you select to all of your cards. With some stores, all you have to do is buy the product and then the store alerts SavingStar abotu the purchase and the money is then credited to your Savingstar account. With other stores, you have to take a photo of the actual receipt after the purchase is made, and submit it to SavinStar via their app or on their website.

Participating stores in our area that offer automatic redemption (no receipt scanning required) include CVS, Rite Aid, Harris Teeter, Lowes Foods and Food Lion. Stores that require the extra step of submitting the receipt photo include Kroger, Walmart, Target and Walgreens.

According to their website, new coupons will become available at the first of every month. Savings will usually show up in your account between 2 days and 2 weeks depending on how long it takes the stores to give SavingStar the information. These coupons will not double. Although it does not say on the site, you should be able to use paper coupons with no issue in addition to these SavingStar.com coupons.

You can sign up for the program and see more information at SavingStar.com.

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