What the Fred Meyer Rewards Card offers
The Fred Meyer Rewards Card is a store credit card issued by Synchrony Bank that you can use at Fred Meyer, QFC, and Albertsons locations. The card earns points on purchases — typically 1 point per dollar spent — which you can redeem for discounts on groceries and other items. You do not need to carry a balance to earn rewards; points accumulate whether you pay in full each month or carry a balance.
The card comes with no annual fee. Rewards points do not expire as long as your account remains open and active. The redemption process happens at checkout: you tell the cashier how many points you want to use, and the discount applies to that transaction.
Synchrony Bank sets the interest rate and credit limit based on your credit history. The card is designed for regular shoppers at these stores rather than for travel, dining, or cash-back rewards.
Key Takeaways
- The Fred Meyer Rewards Card earns 1 point per dollar at Fred Meyer, QFC, and Albertsons, with no annual fee and no expiration on points.
- You redeem points at the register by telling the cashier how many points to use, and the discount comes off your total that day.
- Synchrony Bank issues the card and sets your interest rate and credit limit based on your credit score and payment history.
- The card works like any other store credit card: you can use it elsewhere, but you only earn rewards at the three participating store chains.
- Interest rates and terms vary by applicant, so the rate you receive depends on your creditworthiness at the time you open the account.
How to earn and redeem points
Every dollar you spend on the card at Fred Meyer, QFC, or Albertsons earns 1 point. Some promotions offer bonus points on specific categories or during certain weeks — for example, 4 points per dollar on gift cards during the holiday season — but the base rate is always 1 point per dollar. Purchases made outside these three store chains do not earn points, even if you use the Fred Meyer card.
Points show up in your account within a few days of purchase. You can check your balance online through your Synchrony account or ask a cashier at the register. When you are ready to redeem, you straightforward tell the cashier at checkout how many points you want to use. Each point is worth 1 cent, so 100 points gives you $1 off your purchase. The discount applies when ready to that transaction.
There is no minimum number of points you must accumulate before redeeming, and you can use points on any purchase — groceries, household items, pharmacy products, or anything else the store sells.
Interest rates and fees
The Fred Meyer Rewards Card has no annual fee. However, Synchrony Bank charges interest on any balance you carry from month to month. The interest rate varies based on your credit score, income, and payment history at the time you open the account. Rates typically range from around 18% to 28% APR, but your actual rate depends on your individual creditworthiness.
If you pay your full statement balance by the due date each month, you will not pay any interest. The card offers no introductory 0% APR period, so interest begins accruing when ready on any unpaid balance.
Late payments carry a late fee, and missed payments will be reported to the credit bureaus. Synchrony may also increase your interest rate if you miss a payment or go over your credit limit.
Credit requirements and how to open an account
Synchrony Bank does not publish a minimum credit score for the Fred Meyer Rewards Card, but the card generally goes to people with fair to good credit. If your credit score is below 650, approval is less likely. You can open an account in person at any Fred Meyer, QFC, or Albertsons location, or you can open one online through the Synchrony website.
To open an account, you will need your Social Security number, date of birth, current address, and income information. The process takes about 10 minutes. Synchrony will pull your credit report and give you a decision within minutes in most cases. If you are approved, you can use the card when ready in-store, though the physical card arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days.
If you are denied, you can ask Synchrony why and wait 6 months before reapplying. Building your credit score during that time — by paying down other balances and making on-time payments — will improve your chances on a second process.
How the card compares to other store cards
The Fred Meyer Rewards Card is simpler than many store cards: it earns a flat 1 point per dollar with no bonus categories, and it has no annual fee. Other grocery store cards, like the Safeway card or Kroger card, work similarly — they earn points at one chain and offer no rewards outside that chain.
If you shop at multiple grocery stores, a general cash-back credit card from Visa or Mastercard might earn more overall, since those cards typically offer 1% to 2% cash back everywhere. However, if you shop primarily at Fred Meyer, QFC, or Albertsons, the rewards card makes sense because you earn points on every purchase without having to choose categories or track spending.
The trade-off is that store cards usually carry higher interest rates than general-purpose cards. If you carry a balance, the higher APR will cost you more in interest than you save in rewards.
What happens to your account if you stop using it
Synchrony may close your account if you do not use the card for an extended period — typically 12 months or longer with no activity. A closed account will not earn new points, but any points you have already earned will remain in your account as long as you keep the account open. Once the account is closed, you lose access to those points.
If your account is closed for inactivity, you can contact Synchrony to ask them to reopen it. Reactivating usually requires making a purchase with the card within a set timeframe. Closing the account yourself does not affect your credit score, but having the account closed by the issuer for inactivity may have a small negative impact.
Using the card outside Fred Meyer, QFC, and Albertsons
You can use the Fred Meyer Rewards Card anywhere that accepts Mastercard, since the card is a Mastercard product. However, you only earn rewards points when you use it at Fred Meyer, QFC, or Albertsons. Purchases at other retailers, restaurants, gas stations, or online stores earn no points.
The card carries the same interest rate and terms everywhere you use it. If you carry a balance, interest accrues on the entire balance regardless of where you made the purchase. Some people keep the card for grocery shopping and use a different card for other purchases to maximize rewards, while others use it as their main card for convenience.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to pay interest if I use the card?
No. You only pay interest if you carry a balance past your due date. If you pay your full statement balance by the due date each month, there is no interest charge. The card has no introductory 0% APR period, so any unpaid balance starts accruing interest when ready.
Can I use my points on anything other than groceries?
Yes. Points work on any purchase at Fred Meyer, QFC, or Albertsons — groceries, pharmacy items, household goods, clothing, electronics, or anything else the store sells. You redeem them at the register by telling the cashier how many points to use.
What is my credit limit?
Synchrony sets your credit limit based on your credit score, income, and payment history. The limit is not published in advance; you will see it when you open your account or log into your account online. You can request a credit limit increase after you have had the card for several months and made on-time payments.
Can I transfer my points to another card or cash them out?
No. Points can only be redeemed as a discount at the register at Fred Meyer, QFC, or Albertsons. You cannot transfer points to another rewards program, convert them to cash, or use them anywhere else.
What happens to my points if I close the account?
If you close the account yourself, your points remain in the account and you can still redeem them as long as the account stays open. If Synchrony closes the account for inactivity, you lose access to any unredeemed points. To keep points active, use the card at least once every 12 months.