I made a few purchases at Kroger (Detroit area) lately and had no issues whatsoever. One for 2.5k, others for 1k-1.5k.

I was at Kroger yesterday just north of Detroit and an employee who has known me for a couple of years approached me with a new gift card policy. I was told effective 2/1/15, all green dot, fixed, and variable MC and Visa gift cards would be cash only. Any purchases of $2000 or more would have to be completed at the customer service desk. She pulled the documentation and read the policy to me. I asked if any form or debit was accepted and she said no. She couldn't confirm whether the change was local, regional, or nationwide. I wasn't comfortable asking her to allow me to take a pic of the new policy. I have seen previous rumors on the board about changes that are coming from a pilot program that began in the midwest. Could this be the result? I'm not sure. Anyone else got confirmation from their local Kroger?

It doesn't look good.

Just a few days after I posted I had no trouble buying 2.5k, 1.5k and 1k, I went back to buy 1.5k. The cashier said he was new wasn't sure how to load these. Before I could offer to help, he took the cards, waltked a few steps to the CS counter and asked the two store staff there how to do it. I presume both were managers of some sort - just on the basis of demeanor and apparent seniority but have no hard facts to back that up. One asked how much I was loading, he said three cards, one mgr said no problem. The other said, with something of an attitude, 'he can't use a credit card for those'. The cashier came back, said sorry, no can do with your cc, only cash. Said they'd had lots of fraud. So, I wasn't going to push it, said I don't carry that kind of cash. and just paid for the couple of grocery items. Left and went to another nearby Kroger, bought 1,5k, paid for wtih CC and had no problem.

So, I think the rumors have a good chance of becoming fact sooner rather than later. Will it be Feb 1? No reason not to believe what the other poster said, but I'll be sure to try again Feb 2, next time I'm there. Fingers crossed that there may be a very limited window in early Feb before all stores and cashiers are up to speed, but I'm not holding my breath.

Will be very sad to see this avenue go if it does. It's been very good for a few years.

I think there may have been some kind of memo. I had a cashier that I have bought from in the past tell me she thought they were now cash only and to ask at CS desk. CS desk knows me and she said the only current rule is a 2k limit for CC purchase. But still...things appear to be ratcheting down.

Maybe I should go to Kroger and stock up on VGCs in case they do change to cash only on 2/1. I have 2 blue cash preferred, and I need to get 12k out of the way.

If Kroger is out, we are all pretty much screwed.

That is probably not a bad idea...

bought just under $2k at stadard register this morning at a DFW area store this morning.

nothing was said and transaction went through just like normal.

my friend also told me he got this message from the clerk. in fact, the clerk even mentioned that AMEX was requiring the stores to shut it down...

(pacific northwest)

My Kroger let me take a picture of the notice that is being discussed above.

Starting February 1st, it limits the purchase of "open-loop" gift cards using a credit card to $2k per day. For purchases over $2k, it will now be cash only. However some of my Kroger employees are misinterpreting it to mean that it is cash only for all gift card purchases. I'll cross that bridge with the manager when we get there. There is also language in the memo that implies that the registers will be updated to disallow credit cards for purchases over $2k (although I don't have confidence in their implementation of this).

The memo looks to be targeted to a "region", although I'm not sure how big the region is. I'm located in DFW.

Fingers crossed. Thanks for sharing. Guess we'll be limited to 3 at a time. Not a big deal if that's how it turns out.

Checkfreepay Kroger questions. I've not yet tried to do BP at Kroger, but I'm thinking of diversifying my options (currently only using WM). If my mortgage lender is on the WM checkfree system, does it stand to reason that it is also on the Kroger system (same city)? The check free website doesn't list it at all (for finding an agent), but I know it's at WM b/c have BP'ed successfully there.

Second question: I use a bonafide debit card (point earning) at WM for BP. Does Kroger also accept debit cards for BP? Is there a $ limit? I give SSN and phone, but that's it at WM; there's no paperwork under $3k.

I can't answer either of your questions, but check your digital coupons online or on the app... I saw one the other day for 50cents off a BP exp 2/28. YMMV

Yep! Saw it on the Kroger BP page. Thanks for reminding me.