Safeway or Albertsons? Visiting Washington, Idaho, Montana.

[SDSorority]

Hi all! We'll be visiting Washington next summer and I'm already planning ahead (HAHA). We tend to get groceries while we're on vacation to save a bit of money. Which grocery chain do you prefer? We won't have a store savings card (like CVS) since we're from out of town. Is either chain better than the other? We'll be stopping in Liberty Lake, on the way out of Spokane toward Glacier National Park, MT.

THANK YOU!! We want to save money by not eating out (and we're vegetarian, so it makes me feel a little better knowing I can kind of control our food on the road.)

Any advice for this part of the country would be great!!!!!!

 

[mtblujeans]

I think Albertson's is a bit cheaper than Safeway on most things. Get a 'savings card' in either store before you begin shopping. I think the sale prices you see in both stores are tied to the card. You won't get the price posted unless you use their card.

The Safeway card will get you 3 cents off per gallon at the gas station on the store property. Although their web site looks like that might be changing and your discount might be tied to how much you spend by the time you travel next year.

With Albertson's, you have to spend $50+, use their savings card, then you can get 5 cents off per gallon at the gas station on the store property. Not all stores have gas stations.

I think both stores put their weekly ad online and each has a store locator at their site.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

We won't have a store savings card (like CVS) since we're from out of town.

You know that you can get a savings card for either store when you visit, even if you don't live in the area, right?

I agree that Safeway is usually the more expensive store.

 

[SDSorority]

You know that you can get a savings card for either store when you visit, even if you don't live in the area, right?

I agree that Safeway is usually the more expensive store.

Nope!!!! Thanks for the tip!!

 

[bumbershoot]

For veggie items I find their prices to be similar. I do not like the Albertsons in my area, because they are old run-down ugly stores. I've visited the GORGEOUS one near my brother's place in San Diego, and it's spoiled me for other Albertsons, plus my local Albertsons just doesn't have all the nummy veggie items that theirs does.

So here, we use Safeway, and also Fred Meyer (it's now a Kroger brand).

 

[mtblujeans]

You probably already know but there is a theme park between Spokane and Glacier Park. Lake Coeur d' Alene is a pretty stop in that area, too.

 

[mtblujeans]

For veggie items I find their prices to be similar. I do not like the Albertsons in my area, because they are old run-down ugly stores. I've visited the GORGEOUS one near my brother's place in San Diego, and it's spoiled me for other Albertsons, plus my local Albertsons just doesn't have all the nummy veggie items that theirs does.

So here, we use Safeway, and also Fred Meyer (it's now a Kroger brand).

I agree. Of the three stores, I would prefer Fred Meyer. They also have their own 'savings card' that you should pick up instore before shopping. I can't get their store locator to work right now....I don't know if they go into Idaho but they don't have them in Montana any more.

 

[hopemax]

I agree. Of the three stores, I would prefer Fred Meyer. They also have their own 'savings card' that you should pick up instore before shopping. I can't get their store locator to work right now....I don't know if they go into Idaho but they don't have them in Montana any more.

Although it has been several years since I lived in WA, we always shopped at Fred Meyer. And if it works like it does here in CO, any Kroger shopping card will do. I have a card from the AZ Kroger chain (Fry's) and it works at the CO chain (King Soopers). In Western Washington, we also preferred to shop at a local chain Haggens/Top Foods. My in-laws lived on the east side and their preferred grocery store is WinCo. They have stores in Washington, Idaho and Oregon. WinCo has the best bulk food section I've ever seen, and a lot of good deals on other stuff too.

 

[DizneyDogs]

I recommend Albertson's and Fred Meyers both found in Idaho

 

[mtblujeans]

Fred Meyer was replaced by Smith's in Montana. Oddly enough, even the Smith's store cards vary by state region. My kids are in college in Bozeman and there is a gas station that is affiliated with Smith's, there, that you can get a discount on gas with your Smith's card. BUT, my hometown Smith's card wouldn't work. I had to get another Smith's card from the gas station to get the gas discount. I'm not sure another Kroger affiliated card would work in the Smith's stores but I would be happy to hear from someone else who has had it work for them in Montana.

 

[satorifound]

I like both Safeway and Albertson's. We only have Safeway here, so that is what we use. I double the pp who said sign up for a card. It only takes a minute and you will save money with that.

 

[mtblujeans]

Don't forget Costco as you travel. A lot of their fruit is listed as organic and their veggies are much cheaper than the grocery stores. My family can eat a whole container of grapes in one sitting (can you say 'locusts'?). In Montana, there are Costco stores in Billings, Bozeman, Helena, Kalispell, and Missoula.

 

[Swimalie]

I agree with those who say Fred Meyer. We loved that store when we lived there. But, in some of he cities you are in, you might find a WINCO. They are cheaper than any and no card is needed.

 

[SandrA9810]

You don't even really need to sign up for the card. Just go to the service desk and ask for one. They'll give you a card to fill your info out on, with the card stuck to it. Some of them can do it there at the register, but tell them you'll just drop off the info sheet later. No real need to fill it out if you're not going to use it, plus less of your information floating around for more spam mail. Did that at Krogers recently, just asked the cashier for a card and tossed it when I got home. I only go to that store about once every five years.

Most the time, I've had decent luck telling the cashier I'm not from this area, and there isn't one back home. They'll just scan a card stored at the register.

Just go online to see which stores are affiliated, most the time the cards can be used at other locations. I have no problem using my aunt's phone number tied to her Tom Thumb card in Texas at the Safeway in California. For some reason my phone number isn't tied to my card, so I just use her's when I don't have the card on me.

 

[SDSorority]

You don't even really need to sign up for the card. Just go to the service desk and ask for one. They'll give you a card to fill your info out on, with the card stuck to it. Some of them can do it there at the register, but tell them you'll just drop off the info sheet later. No real need to fill it out if you're not going to use it, plus less of your information floating around for more spam mail. Did that at Krogers recently, just asked the cashier for a card and tossed it when I got home. I only go to that store about once every five years.

Most the time, I've had decent luck telling the cashier I'm not from this area, and there isn't one back home. They'll just scan a card stored at the register.

Just go online to see which stores are affiliated, most the time the cards can be used at other locations. I have no problem using my aunt's phone number tied to her Tom Thumb card in Texas at the Safeway in California. For some reason my phone number isn't tied to my card, so I just use her's when I don't have the card on me.

Cool!! Good information to know!!

 

[harpetj]

As a Diser from Spokane, I would recommend either Albertsons in Liberty Lake or the Costco in Spokane Valley, which would be on your way through town off I-90. I shop mainly both of these for my grocery needs. There is also a Super Walmart a couple of miles before Liberty Lake off the Sullivan Exit. I believe it is also open 24 hours. Coeur d'Alene also has a Costco as well. If you need any other info for the area, feel free to PM me!