Best grocery credit cards of September 2024
Groceries are among the most common household expenses, which is why having one of the best grocery credit cards in your wallet just makes sense. Stocking up on groceries presents a great opportunity to earn credit card rewards, whether you’re looking for cash back to go right back into your household’s bottom line or travel rewards for your next getaway.
To help you find the best card that suits your needs, our team of experts has compiled this list of contenders that will help you maximize earnings at the grocery store — and may offer other bonuses and perks as well.
Check out our curated selection and comprehensive guide on some of the best grocery cards from our partners below.
- Blue Cash Everyday? Card from American Express: Best for simple cash back
- Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card: Best for a no-annual-fee grocery card
- American Express? Gold Card: Best for big U.S. supermarket spenders
- Blue Cash Preferred? Card from American Express: Best for cash back
- Chase Freedom Flex?: Best for rotating bonus categories
- Chase Sapphire Preferred? Card: Best for earning Chase points
Browse by card categories
| 3% | 3% Cash Back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%. |
| 3% | 3% Cash Back on U.S. online retail purchases, on up to $6,000 per year, then 1%. |
| 3% | 3% Cash Back at U.S. gas stations, on up to $6,000 per year, then 1%. |
| 1% | 1% Cash Back on other purchases. |
The Blue Cash Everyday card is a good option for people who want a simple cash back structure with no annual fee. You’ll earn bonus cash back rewards on popular bonus categories, including U.S. supermarkets and U.S. gas stations. Read our full review of the Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express.
Pros
- 3% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $6,000 per year on purchases)
- No annual fee.
- 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations and U.S. online retail purchases (on up to $6,000 per year on purchases)
- Amex Offers, which earn you statement credits or extra points on purchases with a wide variety of merchants. (Enrollment required)
Cons
- There is a $6,000 spending cap on the U.S supermarkets bonus category, which may not work for those with larger annual grocery spend.
- You’ll have to pay a foreign transaction fee on purchases abroad, so it’s not a great choice to take with you when traveling outside of the U.S.
- Earn a $200 statement credit after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months.
- No Annual Fee.
- Enjoy 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months from the date of account opening. After that, 19.24% to 29.99% variable APR.
- 3% Cash Back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%.
- 3% Cash Back on U.S. online retail purchases, on up to $6,000 per year, then 1%.
- 3% Cash Back at U.S. gas stations, on up to $6,000 per year, then 1%.
- Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout.
- Thinking about getting the Disney Bundle which can include Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+? Your decision made easy with $7/month back in the form of a statement credit after you spend $9.99 or more each month on an eligible subscription (subject to auto renewal) with your Blue Cash Everyday? Card. Enrollment required.
- Enjoy up to $15 back per month when you purchase a Home Chef meal kit subscription (subject to auto renewal) with your enrolled Blue Cash Everyday? Card.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees
| 8% | 8% Cash Back on Capital One Entertainment purchases |
| 5% | 5% Cash Back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel (terms apply) |
| 3% | 3% Cash Back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services and at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart? and Target?) |
| 1% | 1% Cash Back on all other purchases |
The Capital One SavorOne is a great cash back credit card for beginners looking for a solid rewards structure and no annual fee. Dining, entertainment and groceries are high-value bonus categories, and it’s rare for a card to hit all three. Read our full review of the Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card.
Pros
- Earn unlimited 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services and at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart? and Target?), plus 1% on all other purchases.
- This card is great for beginners.
Cons
- If you spend a lot on dining and entertainment each year, there are cards that provide better value with higher rewards potential.
- The sign-up bonus isn't anything to write home about (though it is easy to earn).
- Earn a one-time $200 cash bonus after you spend $500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening
- Earn unlimited 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services and at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart? and Target?), plus 1% on all other purchases
- Earn 8% cash back on Capital One Entertainment purchases
- Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options. Terms apply
- No rotating categories or sign-ups needed to earn cash rewards; plus cash back won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how much you can earn
- 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months; 19.99% - 29.99% variable APR after that; balance transfer fee applies
- No foreign transaction fee
- No annual fee
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards? points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards? points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards? points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards? points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards? point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
This isn’t just a card that’s nice to look at. It packs a real punch, offering 4 points per dollar on dining at restaurants (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar) and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar). There’s also an up to $120 annual dining credit at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com and Five Guys, plus it offers up to $120 annually ($10 per month) in Uber Cash, which can be used on Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S. Card must be added to Uber app to receive this benefit. All this make it a very strong contender for all food purchases, which has become a popular spending category. Enrollment required on select benefits. Read our full review of the American Express Gold Card.
Pros
- 4 points per dollar on dining at restaurants (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar) and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar).
- 3 points per dollar on flights booked directly with the airline or with Amex Travel.
- Welcome bonus of 60,000 points after spending $6,000 in the first six months of card membership. Plus, receive 20% back in statement credits on eligible restaurant purchases (up to $100) within the first six months of card membership.
Cons
- Weak on travel and everyday spending bonus categories.
- Not as effective for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber/food credits; few travel perks and protections.
- Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards? Points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Plus, receive 20% back in statement credits on eligible purchases made at restaurants worldwide within the first 6 months of Card Membership, up to $100 back. Limited time offer. Offer ends 11/6/24.
- Get the American Express? Gold Card in either the Gold, Rose Gold or Limited-Edition White Gold metal design. White Gold design is only available while supplies last.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards? points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards? points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards? points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards? points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards? point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and each month automatically get $10 in Uber Cash for Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S., totaling up to $120 per year.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express? Gold Card at Dunkin' locations.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express? Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express? Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
| 6% | 6% Cash Back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1%) |
| 6% | 6% Cash Back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions |
| 3% | 3% Cash Back on transit including taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses and more |
| 3% | 3% Cash Back at U.S. gas stations |
| 1% | 1% Cash Back on other purchases |
The Blue Cash Preferred Card is one of the best cash-back credit cards on the market. You’ll get a great return across a wide range of bonus categories, a solid welcome bonus and a low annual fee. Read our full review of the Blue Cash Preferred Card.
Pros
- This card has one of the best earning structures out for among cash-back credit cards.
- The card comes with access to Amex Offers (enrollment required), which can save you even more money on specific purchases.
Cons
- There is a $6,000 spending cap per year on the U.S. supermarket bonus category, which may not work for those with large grocery budgets.
- You’ll have to pay a foreign transaction fee on international purchases, so it’s not a great choice when you’re traveling abroad.
- Earn a $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months.
- $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95.
- Buy Now, Pay Later: Enjoy $0 intro plan fees when you use Plan It? to split up large purchases into monthly installments. Pay $0 intro plan fees on plans created during the first 12 months from the date of account opening. Plans created after that will have a monthly plan fee up to 1.33% of each eligible purchase amount moved into a plan based on the plan duration, the APR that would otherwise apply to the purchase, and other factors.
- Low Intro APR: 0% on purchases and balance transfers for 12 months from the date of account opening. After that, your APR will be a variable APR of 19.24% - 29.99%.
- 6% Cash Back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1%).
- 6% Cash Back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions.
- 3% Cash Back at U.S. gas stations.
- 3% Cash Back on transit (including taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses and more).
- 1% Cash Back on other purchases.
- Cash Back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout.
- $84 Disney Bundle Credit: With your enrolled Blue Cash Preferred Card, spend $9.99 or more each month on an auto-renewing Disney Bundle subscription, to receive a monthly statement credit of $7. Valid only at Disney Plus.com, Hulu.com or Plus.espn.com in the U.S.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees
| 5% | 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate. Enjoy new 5% categories each quarter! |
| 5% | 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel?. |
| 3% | 3% cash back on dining and drugstores. |
| 1% | 1% cash back on all other purchases. |
The Chase Freedom Flex delivers a formidable 5% cash back on select bonus categories and travel purchased through Chase Travel?. This card is an excellent addition to your wallet as it provides ongoing rewards, a welcoming sign-up bonus and no annual fee to worry about. Read our full review of the Chase Freedom Flex.
Pros
- The generous sign-up bonus is impressive for a no annual fee card.
- The card features several categories that earn 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel? and rotating quarterly bonus categories and 3% back on dining and drugstores.
- Your phone is protected against theft or damage for up to $800 per claim (up to $1,000 per year) when you pay that bill with the card.
Cons
- You must remember to activate your bonus categories quarterly or risk not earning 5% on select purchases.
- This card charges foreign transaction fees so it's best to use it within the U.S.
- Earn a $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening
- 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate. Enjoy new 5% categories each quarter!
- 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more
- 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
- No minimum to redeem for cash back. You can choose to receive a statement credit or direct deposit into most U.S. checking and savings accounts. Cash Back rewards do not expire as long as your account is open!
- 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 20.49%-29.24%.
- No annual fee – You won’t have to pay an annual fee for all the great features that come with your Freedom Flex? card
- Keep tabs on your credit health - Chase Credit Journey helps you monitor your credit with free access to your latest score, real-time alerts, and more.
- Member FDIC
| 5x | 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel?. |
| 3x | 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries. |
| 2x | 2x on all other travel purchases. |
| 1x | 1x on all other purchases. |
The Chase Sapphire Preferred? Card is one of the most popular travel rewards credit card on the market. Offering an excellent return on travel and dining purchases, the card packs a ton of value that easily offsets its $95 annual fee. Cardholders can redeem points at 1.25 cents each for travel booked through Chase or transfer points to one of Chase’s 14 valuable airline and hotel partners. Read our full review of the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card.
Pros
- You'll earn 3 points per dollar on dining and online grocery store purchases, 5 points per dollar on travel purchased through Chase Travel, 2 points per dollar on all other travel and 1 point per dollar on everything else.
- The current sign-up bonus on this card is quite generous. TPG values it at $1,230.
- New annual $50 hotel statement credit when booked through Chase Travel.
- Premium travel protection benefits including trip cancellation insurance, primary car rental insurance and lost luggage insurance.
Cons
- The card comes with a $95 annual fee.
- Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.
- Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases, $50 Annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit, plus more.
- Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Travel℠. For example, 60,000 points are worth $750 toward travel.
- Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
- Get complimentary access to DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees and lower service fees for a minimum of one year when you activate by December 31, 2027.
- Member FDIC
Comparing the best grocery cards
Credit card | Best for | Intro offer | Earning rate | Annual fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Open Editors rating Card Rating is based on the opinion of TPG‘s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer. at American Express's secure site | simple cash back | Earn $200 Open Intro bonus Earn a $200 statement credit after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months. | 1 - 3% cash-back | $0 |
Open Editors rating Card Rating is based on the opinion of TPG‘s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer. at Capital One's secure site | a no-annual-fee grocery card | $200 Open Intro bonus Earn a one-time $200 cash bonus after you spend $500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening | 1 - 8% cash-back | $0 |
Open Editors rating Card Rating is based on the opinion of TPG‘s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer. at American Express's secure site | big U.S. supermarket spenders | 60,000 points + earn up to $100 back Open Intro bonus Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards? Points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Plus, receive 20% back in statement credits on eligible purchases made at restaurants worldwide within the first 6 months of Card Membership, up to $100 back. Limited time offer. Offer ends 11/6/24. | 1 - 4X points | $325 |
Open Editors rating Card Rating is based on the opinion of TPG‘s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer. at American Express's secure site | cash back | Earn $250 Open Intro bonus Earn a $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months. | 1 - 6% cash-back | $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95. |
Open Editors rating Card Rating is based on the opinion of TPG‘s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer. at Chase's secure site | rotating bonus categories | $200 Open Intro bonus Earn a $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening | 1 - 5% cash-back | $0 |
Open Editors rating Card Rating is based on the opinion of TPG‘s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer. at Chase's secure site | earning Chase points | 60,000 bonus points Open Intro bonus Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel?. | 1 - 5X points | $95 |
More details on the best grocery credit cards
After undergoing a refresh a couple of years back, this card now has solid earning rates and some statement credits (rare to find on a no-annual-fee credit card). Additionally, the Blue Cash Everyday has an easy-to-hit welcome bonus that equates to a 10% return on spending in your first six months.
Anyone looking to earn additional cash back at U.S. supermarkets, U.S. gas stations and U.S. online retailers will benefit from having this card in their wallet. And if you like to get meal kits delivered to your house, the additional benefits offered on this card could make it the perfect choice.
“I added this card to my wallet shortly after my first travel card as a way to earn better rewards on gas and groceries. Three percent back on both categories was a great way for me to earn higher cash back on many of my everyday purchases without any added annual fee.” — Jack Markham, senior director
If you do your grocery shopping at Costco (which is often excluded from grocery categories on credit cards), you could also look into the Costco Anywhere Visa? Card by Citi (see rates and fees). It also comes with no annual fee (aside from your Costco membership), but you’ll earn even more on gas station purchases. Plus, the Costco card also earns rewards at restaurants and on travel.
For a no-annual-fee card, the Capital One SavorOne card comes with a generous rewards structure that will help you rack up cash back quickly. It’s a no-hassle way to earn rewards on groceries, dining, entertainment purchases, streaming service subscriptions and more.
People who want a no-annual-fee card for everyday expenses alongside entertainment experiences such as concerts (The Eras Tour, anyone?), movie tickets and more.
Very few no-annual-fee cards have a rewards rate that matches the SavorOne. Turn your monthly grocery expenses into a cash-back fund for your next concert adventure, or save money while staying in and watching your favorite streaming platform. Either way, the SavorOne is a great addition to your wallet.
The SavorOne actually has a sister card called the Capital One Savor Rewards Credit Card, which, for a low annual fee, earns even more rewards across dining, entertainment and streaming services expenses. And you’ll earn the same great rewards on groceries as with the SavorOne, too. If you have a higher budget every month that goes toward groceries, dining and entertainment, it might make more sense to opt for the Savor instead of the SavorOne.
The information for the Capital One Savor Rewards Credit Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
If you’re looking to turn everyday grocery expenses into travel rewards, it doesn’t get much better than the Amex Gold. You’ll earn bonus Membership Rewards points on U.S. supermarkets, dining and eligible travel purchases — plus, the card comes with a solid welcome bonus for new cardholders.
Foodies who want to earn flexible travel rewards. In addition to earning on grocery expenses and more, you’ll get some great benefits like hundreds of dollars annually in statement credits that help you get the most value out of your card.
“There's no better card for groceries and dining than the Amex Gold. I earn 4 points per dollar in both of these categories, and with additional perks like a monthly Uber credit and the ability to transfer my Membership Rewards points to valuable airline partners, the card is a mainstay in my wallet.” — Nick Ewen, director of content
If you're looking to really maximize every trip you make to the grocery store, consider the Blue Cash Preferred? Card from American Express. It offers a killer cash back rate on all supermarket purchases that add up quickly and can be redeemed in several ways, including as a statement credit.
This low-annual-fee cash-back card has multiple high-value bonus categories that are easy for cardholders to maximize. Plus, the card has a few additional perks, including statement credits and shopping protections, that make it one of the best grocery credit cards on the market.
Infrequent travelers who want to earn cash back at U.S. supermarkets, as well as on everyday expenses such as gas, transit and streaming services.
“The Blue Cash Preferred Card is the card I recommended to my parents when they were looking for a new cash-back rewards card for their groceries. My parents prefer the simplicity of cash-back rewards, and I knew they'd benefit from earning 6% cash back on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1%) at U.S. supermarkets. Compared to the 1.5% cash back they were earning on these purchases, the elevated earnings easily justified adding the Blue Cash Preferred to their wallet.” — Katie Genter, senior writer
Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout.
If you’re looking for a no-annual-fee option (see rates and fees), the Blue Cash Everyday? Card from American Express is a great alternative. This card earns cash back at U.S. supermarkets and U.S. gas stations, and on U.S. online retail purchases. Plus, you’ll get some high-value statement credits.
The rotating categories on the Chase Freedom Flex give you a lot of flexibility in how you earn rewards throughout the year, and grocery stores are a commonly repeated rotating category. In addition to those rotating categories, you’ll earn bonus rewards on travel booked through Chase, on dining and at drugstores.
The Chase Freedom Flex is especially lucrative for travelers who have a Chase Sapphire Preferred? Card, Chase Sapphire Reserve? or the Ink Business Preferred? Credit Card because you can combine the cash-back points earned with the Freedom Flex to turn your rewards into highly valuable Chase Ultimate Rewards points, maximizing your earning potential and redemption options.
“As a points and miles enthusiast, I’m happy to keep up with the rotating quarterly categories that earn 5% cash back. I get the most value from this card when I can max out the $1,500 quarterly limit on online purchases. My top tip for this card is to make sure that you activate the categories every quarter so that you can maximize your points-earning.” — Matt Moffitt, senior credit cards editor
Looking to earn rewards you can combine with your Chase Ultimate Rewards cards without juggling rotating categories? The no-annual-fee Chase Freedom Unlimited? is another great option. You’ll earn bonus rewards on every single purchase, so you never have to worry about activating categories or checking to see where you’ll earn the most rewards each quarter.
This card has one of the best reward structures of any travel credit card, all for a low annual fee. You’ll earn valuable Chase Ultimate Rewards points on travel, dining, streaming services and — of course — online grocery purchases.
The Chase Sapphire Preferred is one of the best cards for travel credit card beginners because it balances a low annual fee with great earning categories, valuable redemption options for rewards and fantastic travel protections when you book trips with the card. (But even travel card pros keep it in their wallets long-term!)
“The Chase Sapphire Preferred has been in my wallet for 5-plus years and is the go-to midlevel rewards credit card that I recommend to people. It usually has a pretty solid sign-up bonus, with points that can be transferred to some of my favorite loyalty programs, like British Airways Executive Club and World of Hyatt. The strong earning rate on dining and travel as well as streaming services makes it a good choice for a millennial like me. Finally, I like using this card when renting cars, as it provides primary car insurance and a little more peace of mind.” — Matt Moffitt, senior credit cards editor
Another great credit card for beginners is the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card. You’ll earn a flat rewards rate across almost all purchases, meaning you can earn valuable Capital One miles on groceries as well as all of your other monthly expenses. If you’re looking for an easy-to-maximize card with a low annual fee (see rates and fees), it’s hard to beat the Venture Rewards card.
Credit pointers with Brian Kelly
Maximizing grocery credit cards
Pay attention to the fine print
Unfortunately, not all purchases at grocery stores or supermarkets will earn rewards across every card. Each card has specific restrictions on what will classify as a grocery or supermarket expense.
For example, bulk stores such as Costco and Sam’s Club are frequently excluded from the definition of a grocery store across rewards credit cards. Additionally, stores like Walmart and Target are also often excluded. So if you’re doing most of your shopping at one of these stores, you may not earn rewards on your grocery expenses.
Most credit card issuers will have a list of examples that will count as a grocery store or supermarket on their website (you can see Amex’s here), as well as any major exclusions (such as Walmart or Target). Before applying for a card you hope you use for groceries, make sure the card you want will earn rewards where you shop.
Choosing cash back vs. points
There are many great options when looking for a card that earns rewards on grocery expenses, but make sure you’re choosing a card that earns the best type of rewards for your lifestyle and financial goals.
If your goal is to use your credit card rewards to fund your next vacation, choosing a card that earns valuable transferable rewards (such as the Chase Sapphire Preferred? Card or American Express? Gold Card) will be most helpful toward reaching that goal. However, if you don’t travel often and are more concerned with saving money on everyday expenses, a cash-back card will likely be a better choice.
Stacking online grocery rewards with shopping portals?
Online grocery shopping — from meal delivery kits to grocery delivery services like Instacart to curbside pickup at brick-and-mortar stores — has risen in popularity in recent years. If you shop for your groceries online, make sure you’re checking online shopping portals before you buy.
For example, let’s say you use Instacart to order groceries and have them delivered to your door. If you use a shopping portal like Rakuten, you can earn cash back or American Express Membership Rewards points on your grocery purchase. And if you also use a credit card that earns rewards on Instacart grocery purchases, you’ll earn rewards from your card on top of whatever you earn from the shopping portal — double the rewards without double the spending.
There are shopping portal aggregators and easy-to-use browser extensions that can help make using shopping portals to stack your rewards a seamless process. Check out our guide to shopping portals (which you can also use for other online purchases outside of just groceries) to get the lowdown on earning more rewards when you shop.
How we rate cards
What is a grocery credit card?
A grocery credit card is a credit card that earns rewards — either cash back or travel rewards — on grocery store or supermarket purchases. Oftentimes, grocery cards earn across multiple spending categories so cardholders can be rewarded in more than just a single category.
The top grocery credit cards generally earn anywhere from 2 to 5 points per dollar (or 2%-5% cash back) on every dollar spent at eligible grocery stores.
Types of grocery credit cards
Bonus-category rewards cards
These credit cards have an earning structure that allows cardholders to earn bonus rewards in select categories. For example, a card that earns 1% cash back on all purchases, but then also earns an additional 3% back on grocery purchases would be considered a bonus-category rewards card.
Most of the top credit cards for grocery purchases fall under this umbrella, including the Blue Cash Preferred? Card from American Express, the American Express? Gold Card and the Chase Sapphire Preferred? Card. Generally, these types of cards are not associated with any specific store.
Cobranded rewards cards
Cobranded cards are credit cards that are the result of a partnership between a card issuer (such as Amex or Chase) and a specific brand. Cobranded cards are common in the points and miles arena because they offer a way for travelers loyal to a specific brand to earn rewards exclusive to that brand on assorted expenses.
For example, let’s look at the Delta SkyMiles? Platinum American Express Credit Card. This is a popular cobranded card from Delta Air Lines and Amex. You’ll earn rewards with the card on various purchases, including at U.S. supermarkets, but the rewards you earn are Delta miles specific to the airline’s loyalty program.
Cobranded cards are great options for frequent travelers who are loyal to a specific brand and want benefits associated with that brand. Using the Delta SkyMiles Platinum Card as an example again, that card has perks specific to Delta, such as free checked bags.
While cobranded cards do sometimes offer rewards on grocery store purchases, they are usually most beneficial when used for travel purchases while you use a card with better rewards rates for your grocery expenses.
Store credit cards
Store cards are credit cards offered by a specific store. Most major retailers in the U.S. have a store credit card (if you’ve shopped in person at a retailer, you’ve likely been offered to apply for one of these cards at the checkout counter).
Store cards generally only offer brand-specific rewards and discounts, and a lot of store credit cards don’t offer a lot of value to cardholders compared to other rewards cards. However, that doesn’t mean there aren’t some great store cards out there — especially for grocery store purchases.
The Prime Visa is a great example. This card has a great rewards rate for Amazon and Whole Foods purchases (so if you order your groceries from Whole Foods, it’s a solid option for you), even though the benefits outside of that are lacking.
The Costco Anywhere Visa? Card by Citi (see rates and fees) is another example of a store credit card (though you could also technically call it a cobranded card with Citi), with the potential to earn valuable cash back on multiple spending categories outside of Costco.
How to choose the best grocery credit card
- Depending on your grocery and overall food expenses, a card with an annual fee may be well worth its cost. Is the value of your earned rewards higher than your annual fee? If yes, then it is a considerable contender for your wallet. If not, we have included several great no annual fee cards so that you can get the most out of your spending.1Annual fee
- One of the primary factors in determining a card’s value is its welcome bonus. Select cards on this list offer a significant welcome bonus which should be a consideration in the card making decision. You don’t want to miss the chance to earn a welcome bonus on a card so make sure your spending aligns with you chosen credit card’s requirements.2Welcome bonus
- All of the cards on this list feature an elevated reward rate on groceries, whether it is cash back or points and miles. Many of the cards also feature additional bonus categories like dining and travel. Consider a card that earns rewards on your most common spending categories to maximize the value of those purchases.3Bonus categories
Ask our experts
What’s your favorite grocery credit card — and why?
Pros + cons of grocery credit cards
Pros
- Credit cards that earn rewards on groceries can help you earn valuable rewards that you can use toward travel and more.
- Many grocery credit cards also offer rewards in other categories, such as dining or travel.
- When used responsibly, grocery credit cards can help you build your credit score.
- Many of the top grocery credit cards charge no annual fee.
- Credit cards offer fraud protection, so using a grocery credit card at the store can help protect your financial security.
Cons
- Not paying off your credit card in full each month can lead to interest charges that negate your earned rewards.
- Most grocery credit cards don’t earn bonus rewards in all categories, so you might need other cards to maximize earning across all of your monthly expenses.
- Many grocery credit cards require a good credit score, which means those who have never had a credit card before (or have a low score from past spending) might not be approved.
- Opening new lines of credit can negatively impact your credit score, which could affect things like any upcoming mortgage or loan applications.
Frequently asked questions
The short answer? No.
Each credit card issuer has its own criteria for what it classifies as a grocery store or supermarket purchase. For example, while you may buy a lot of groceries at a big-box store such as Walmart or Target, many credit cards that earn rewards on groceries actually exclude those chains.
Additionally, some issuers include specialty markets like butchers in their definition of grocery stores, but others do not.
Before signing up for a grocery store credit card, make sure to check that you’ll be able to earn rewards with it at your local grocery store and that it suits your specific needs.
The best card for you will depend on various factors, including your spending habits and financial goals. However, there are plenty of great options included in our list of best grocery credit cards if you’re interested in a card that doesn’t carry an annual fee:
- Blue Cash Everyday? Card from American Express
- Capital One SavorOne Rewards Credit Card
- Chase Freedom Flex?
Additionally, you might be interested in specific store cards that carry no annual fee, if you are a loyal shopper at these retailers for groceries:
- Prime Visa (no annual fee for the card itself, but you do need an Amazon Prime membership)
- Costco Anywhere Visa? Card by Citi
- Target RedCard
The information for the Target RedCard has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
If you’re someone who spends a lot of money on groceries each month, making sure you’re earning bonus rewards on those purchases with a grocery store credit card is definitely worth the investment.
Even for those with lower monthly budgets, many no-annual-fee credit cards will help you save money on groceries without costing you anything (so long as you avoid interest fees by paying off your card in full each month).