How to Use Coupons at Curbside Grocery Pickup (And Still Save Big)

Curbside grocery pickup has become a popular choice for busy households looking to save time and avoid impulse spending inside stores. What many shoppers don’t realize, however, is that you can still use coupons effectively with curbside pickup—and sometimes even save more than you would in-store. With the right strategy, digital coupons, loyalty rewards, and careful planning, curbside grocery pickup can be both convenient and budget-friendly.

This guide breaks down exactly how to use coupons with curbside pickup, where to find the best deals, and how real shoppers successfully save money without stepping inside the store.

Understanding How Curbside Pickup and Coupons Work Together

Most grocery stores that offer curbside pickup rely heavily on digital coupons rather than paper ones. When you place an online order through the store’s website or app, any clipped digital coupons linked to your account are automatically applied at checkout—as long as the item qualifies.

Unlike in-store shopping, curbside pickup removes the pressure of browsing aisles, which can help prevent unplanned purchases. When used correctly, coupons and curbside pickup actually work hand in hand to keep spending under control.

Grocery Pickup Coupon Cheat Sheet

Store	1st-Time Incentives	Free Curbside	Coupons Accepted	Coupon Stacking	Pricing vs In-Store	Schedule Pickups	Easy Cancellation	Notes
Walmart	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	❌ Digital only	❌ No	Same as in-store	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	Best for everyday low prices
Target	❌ No	✅ Yes	✅ Digital	✅ Yes	Same as in-store	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	Target Circle boosts savings
Kroger	✅ Yes	❌ No	✅ Digital	✅ Yes	Same as in-store	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	Strong digital coupon system
Safeway / Albertsons	❌ No	❌ No	✅ Digital	❌ No	Slight markup	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	Weekly digital deals
Publix	✅ Yes	❌ No	✅ Digital	❌ No	Same as in-store	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	BOGO deals apply
Meijer	❌ No	❌ No	✅ Digital	❌ No	Same as in-store	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	mPerks digital coupons
Fred Meyer	✅ Yes	❌ No	✅ Digital	✅ Yes	Same as in-store	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	Part of Kroger family
Harris Teeter	✅ Yes	❌ No	✅ Digital	✅ Yes	Same as in-store	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	e-VIC coupons supported
Smith’s	✅ Yes	❌ No	✅ Digital	❌ No	Same as in-store	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	Kroger-owned store
Food Lion	❌ No	❌ No	✅ Digital	❌ No	Same as in-store	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	MVP digital coupons
Ralphs	✅ Yes	❌ No	✅ Digital	✅ Yes	Same as in-store	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	Excellent digital savings

Step 1: Create and Use a Store Loyalty Account

Before you can apply coupons to a curbside order, you usually need a store loyalty account. This account is where digital coupons, personalized offers, and rewards are stored.

For example, a shopper using Kroger curbside pickup signs into their loyalty account and clips digital coupons before building their cart. When checkout happens, those discounts apply automatically—no scanning or cashier interaction required.

My personal experience:
A weekly grocery order of $120 dropped to $108 simply by clipping digital coupons already available in the account. That $12 saved required no extra effort beyond a few minutes of prep.

Step 2: Clip Digital Coupons Before Adding Items to Your Cart

One of the most common mistakes shoppers make is adding items to the cart first and forgetting to clip coupons. While some systems apply coupons retroactively, others require coupons to be clipped beforehand.

Smart shoppers start by:

Browsing the “digital coupons” section
Clipping offers for items they regularly buy
Then building the cart around those discounts

My personal experience:
When I plan a curbside order, I clip coupons for cereal, yogurt, and cleaning products before I start shopping. When those items are added to the cart, the price already reflects the discount, making it easier to stay within budget.

Step 3: Watch for Pickup-Only Deals and Online-Exclusive Coupons

Many grocery stores offer pickup-only promotions to encourage online ordering. These deals are often better than in-store discounts and may not be advertised inside the physical location.

For instance, a store might offer:

$10 off a $75 curbside pickup order
Bonus reward points for online purchases
Exclusive digital coupons available only through the app

My personal experience:
My husband placed a $90 curbside grocery order received a $10 pickup-only discount plus $5 in digital coupons. Their total dropped to $75, saving nearly 17% on groceries they planned to buy anyway.

Step 4: Use Cashback Apps After Pickup

Even though curbside orders are placed online, many cashback apps still work with grocery pickup. After completing the order, shoppers can upload a digital receipt and earn money back.

My personal experience:
I used Ibotta cashback app after a $110 curbside grocery order and receives:

$1 back on milk
$1.50 back on snacks
$2 back on household items

Total cashback: $4.50
Combined with digital coupons, this pushes savings even higher.

Step 5: Track Your Savings Over Time

One overlooked benefit of curbside grocery pickup is the ability to clearly see savings summaries in order confirmations. These summaries show how much was saved from coupons, promotions, and sales.

My personal experience:
After three months of curbside shopping, i reviewed my order historys and discovered that i was able to save over $180 by consistently using digital coupons and pickup promotions—without increasing grocery spending.

This visibility helps reinforce good habits and motivates shoppers to continue couponing.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Couponing With Curbside Pickup

Forgetting to clip coupons before checkout
Assuming paper coupons work online
Ignoring pickup-only promotions
Allowing substitutions on couponed items
Not reviewing the final receipt for missing discounts

Avoiding these mistakes ensures that coupons actually reduce your total instead of creating surprises.

Why Curbside Pickup Can Save More Than In-Store Shopping:

Beyond coupons, curbside pickup naturally limits impulse buying. There’s no last-minute snack grab, no wandering aisles, and no checkout temptations. When paired with coupons, this structured shopping style leads to more intentional spending.

Many shoppers report spending 10–20% less per grocery trip simply because curbside pickup keeps them focused on their list.