Originally Posted by
devnull
Answering my own question: $500.00 worked, $1,000.00 didn't (I saw the failure message on the CSR's screen). The CSR said the limit was $1,000, but since that didn't work, either the limit is actually $999.99 (i.e. the limit is "$1,000 or more" and not "more than $1,000") or the CSR was mistaken. I will continue to experiment.
I experimented tonight at Fry's and can answer this. Most likely*, the maximum Kroger GC reload in a single transaction at the fuel station is $500.00. (Methodology: A $520.00 reload did not work. A $500.00 reload did. Note that neither of these numbers would have brought the GC value to $1,000.00 or more, or even close to that, as described in the next paragraph. I do not know if these limits also apply to in-store Kroger GC reload transactions.)
* Technically, the limit could be somewhere between $500.01 and $520.00. I did not test with the most precise level of granularity. In practice, anything besides the even $500.00 would be a strange limit, so it can be inferred that the limit is most likely $500.00. (That is, a $500.00 transaction works, but I expect that a $500.01 transaction will not.)
These limits most likely apply at all Kroger (and associated brand) stores, but I can only confirm with regard to Fry's specifically.
Originally Posted by
devnull
Another possibility is, the Kroger GC I was reloading had a few cents on it; is there a maximum value for Kroger GCs? Would it happen to be $1,000?
Most likely*, the maximum value for a Kroger GC is $1,000.00. (Methodology: my GC had a balance of about $855. A $150 reload, which would have brought the balance to over $1,000.00, failed. A $145 reload, which brought the balance to $999 and change, worked.)
* As above, the limit could technically be somewhere between $999.x and $1004.x. Once again, it can be inferred that the limit is most likely exactly $1,000.00.
When you use the GC inside for over $500 (per a frontend manager), an override is required. I prefer to minimize the amount of friction, so if you can find a manager at CS or working a register (they sometimes are), it's best to go there. If you can't find one, it's a good idea to inform the cashier upfront of what you are doing and ask them to call a manager (to avoid holding up the line more than necessary). There is no reason to try to hide the use of a Kroger GC; the managers who have helped me are aware that a Kroger GC can be used to buy a VGC, and if anyone questions that, point to the terms on the back of the Kroger GC which only prohibit Kroger Co. gift cards.