Grocery stores are packed with eye-level promotions, loyalty ads, and weekly sale flyers—but one of the most powerful savings tools remains largely unspoken: digital gift cards with cashback. While stores are happy to promote their own rewards programs, they’re less likely to tell you that using a gift card purchased through a third-party app could instantly put money back in your pocket.

Here’s what most grocery retailers won’t advertise—and how you can use that to your advantage.

Why Gift Cards Unlock More Than Store Loyalty Discounts

Traditional loyalty programs like Stop & Shop GO Rewards or Safeway for U offer discounts, personalized deals, and points. They’re useful—but limited. You still pay full price upfront before savings kick in, and the rewards often take time to accumulate.

By contrast, when you buy a grocery gift card with cashback, you’re receiving an immediate return. These rewards aren’t points—they’re real money that goes back into your Fluz balance or bank account.

How Stores Benefit When You Don’t Use Gift Cards

From a retailer’s perspective, shoppers using credit or debit cards means fewer external cashback costs to track. It’s also easier to nudge customers toward in-house loyalty features that offer less direct value than a cashback-generating gift card.

Some chains even sell gift cards in-store at face value—without any added incentives—because they’d rather you not know that using gift card platforms like Fluz can earn you a better deal elsewhere.

The Smart Way to Outsmart the Checkout

The trick is to pay the exact amount you owe at checkout using a gift card purchased moments before. Platforms like Fluz allow users to generate real-time gift cards with instant cashback.

You can:

• Earn cashback with a Kroger gift card
• Get rewards with a Safeway gift card
• Save money at H-E-B with gift cards
• Get cashback from BJ’s Wholesale gift cards

Because you’re using a prepaid card instead of your usual credit or debit, the savings are unlocked immediately—and with no waiting period.

Conclusion: Use Their Tools—But Add Yours Too

Retailers want you to use their loyalty programs, and you should. But combining that with gift card cashback platforms like Fluz gives you full control of your savings strategy. Next time you’re grocery shopping, check the app first—you might be one gift card away from smarter, more rewarding spending.