As the cost of groceries continues to rise, households are looking for ways to save money on food. The right grocery credit card can help you earn rewards so you keep more money in your bank account. Some of the best grocery cards -- those offering cash-back rewards or points -- can stretch your grocery budget by as much as 6%. These cards typically also offer rewards in other spending categories, and many come with a sizable welcome bonus.
Whether you’re shopping for groceries for yourself or your family, the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express* is a solid option for most people. It provides the highest cash-back rate of any card we researched, earning 6% cash back on up to $6,000 spent at U.S. supermarkets each year -- for as much as $360 back per year at this rate. Plus, you’ll still earn 1% cash back if you exceed $6,000.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the $6,000 spending cap won’t be reached by the average American household, which typically spends more in the vicinity of $5,000 per year on groceries. Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit.
For more details about this card, check out our full review of the Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express.
Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.
- Intro Balance Transfer APR
- 0% on balance transfers for 12 months
- Intro Purchase APR
- 0% on purchases for 12 months
- Regular APR
- 19.24% – 29.99% Variable
- Balance Transfer Fee
- Either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.
Whether you’re shopping for groceries for yourself or your family, the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express* is a solid option for most people. It provides the highest cash-back rate of any card we researched, earning 6% cash back on up to $6,000 spent at U.S. supermarkets each year -- for as much as $360 back per year at this rate. Plus, you’ll still earn 1% cash back if you exceed $6,000.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the $6,000 spending cap won’t be reached by the average American household, which typically spends more in the vicinity of $5,000 per year on groceries. Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit.
For more details about this card, check out our full review of the Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express.
Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.
- Intro Balance Transfer APR
- 0% on balance transfers for 12 months
- Intro Purchase APR
- 0% on purchases for 12 months
- Regular APR
- 19.24% – 29.99% Variable
- Balance Transfer Fee
- Either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.
If you’re a regular shopper at Amazon and Whole Foods, the Prime Visa is a great way to earn cash back on your purchases. It offers 5% cash back at Whole Foods Market and on Amazon Fresh and other Amazon.com purchases, which can be redeemed at checkout or as a statement credit from Chase. You can also score a $100 Amazon gift card upon account approval.
This card also features 2% cash back at restaurants, gas stations, local transit and rideshares and 1% on everything else. You must have an Amazon Prime membership -- $139 per year -- to apply for this card, but we’re guessing if you’re a heavy Amazon shopper, you’re already a member.
Check out our full review of the Prime Visa.
- Intro Balance Transfer APR
- N/A
- Intro Purchase APR
- N/A
- Regular APR
- 19.49% – 27.49% Variable
- Balance Transfer Fee
- Either $5 or 4% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.
If you’re a regular shopper at Amazon and Whole Foods, the Prime Visa is a great way to earn cash back on your purchases. It offers 5% cash back at Whole Foods Market and on Amazon Fresh and other Amazon.com purchases, which can be redeemed at checkout or as a statement credit from Chase. You can also score a $100 Amazon gift card upon account approval.
This card also features 2% cash back at restaurants, gas stations, local transit and rideshares and 1% on everything else. You must have an Amazon Prime membership -- $139 per year -- to apply for this card, but we’re guessing if you’re a heavy Amazon shopper, you’re already a member.
Check out our full review of the Prime Visa.
- Intro Balance Transfer APR
- N/A
- Intro Purchase APR
- N/A
- Regular APR
- 19.49% – 27.49% Variable
- Balance Transfer Fee
- Either $5 or 4% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.
The Citi Custom Cash® Card* is unique in that it automatically selects your highest eligible spend category and applies 5% cash back rewards (on up to $500 of expenditure per billing cycle, then 1%). Grocery stores are one of these categories, as are restaurants, gas stations, select travel, select transit, select streaming services, drugstores, home improvement stores, fitness clubs and live entertainment.
As long as you’re not spending more on the other categories than at grocery stores with this card, you’ll earn 5% cash back on all your grocery store purchases (on up to $500 spent each billing cycle, then 1%), without limitations on location like some other cards impose. This card has no annual fee, so you can easily keep it as just a grocery credit card to avoid confusion.
Check out our full review of the Citi Custom Cash® Card.
- Intro Balance Transfer APR
- 0% for 15 months on balance transfers
- Intro Purchase APR
- 0% for 15 months on purchases
- Regular APR
- 19.24% – 29.24% (Variable)
- Balance Transfer Fee
- Balance transfer fee applies with this offer 5% of each balance transfer; $5 minimum.
The Citi Custom Cash® Card* is unique in that it automatically selects your highest eligible spend category and applies 5% cash back rewards (on up to $500 of expenditure per billing cycle, then 1%). Grocery stores are one of these categories, as are restaurants, gas stations, select travel, select transit, select streaming services, drugstores, home improvement stores, fitness clubs and live entertainment.
As long as you’re not spending more on the other categories than at grocery stores with this card, you’ll earn 5% cash back on all your grocery store purchases (on up to $500 spent each billing cycle, then 1%), without limitations on location like some other cards impose. This card has no annual fee, so you can easily keep it as just a grocery credit card to avoid confusion.
Check out our full review of the Citi Custom Cash® Card.
- Intro Balance Transfer APR
- 0% for 15 months on balance transfers
- Intro Purchase APR
- 0% for 15 months on purchases
- Regular APR
- 19.24% – 29.24% (Variable)
- Balance Transfer Fee
- Balance transfer fee applies with this offer 5% of each balance transfer; $5 minimum.
If you would like to redeem rewards for travel, the American Express® Gold Card* is a great choice. On up to $25,000 of purchases per calendar year at U.S. supermarkets, you can earn 4x Membership Rewards® Points (then 1x points) -- valued at 1 cent each when used to purchase flights through American Express Travel. That’s essentially a 4% return on your U.S. supermarket purchases toward flights.
Keep in mind this card has a higher-than-average annual fee of $250, and for the most bang for your buck (or points), you must book travel through the American Express Travel Portal. These points are only worth 0.6 cent each when redeemed for a statement credit.
For more details, see our full review of the American Express Gold Card.
Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.
- Intro Balance Transfer APR
- N/A
- Intro Purchase APR
- N/A
- Regular APR
- See Pay Over Time APR
- Balance Transfer Fee
- N/A
If you would like to redeem rewards for travel, the American Express® Gold Card* is a great choice. On up to $25,000 of purchases per calendar year at U.S. supermarkets, you can earn 4x Membership Rewards® Points (then 1x points) -- valued at 1 cent each when used to purchase flights through American Express Travel. That’s essentially a 4% return on your U.S. supermarket purchases toward flights.
Keep in mind this card has a higher-than-average annual fee of $250, and for the most bang for your buck (or points), you must book travel through the American Express Travel Portal. These points are only worth 0.6 cent each when redeemed for a statement credit.
For more details, see our full review of the American Express Gold Card.
Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.
- Intro Balance Transfer APR
- N/A
- Intro Purchase APR
- N/A
- Regular APR
- See Pay Over Time APR
- Balance Transfer Fee
- N/A
The Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express* offers a top rewards rate on U.S. supermarkets at 3% cash back. You can use that reward rate on up to $6,000 in spending per year (then 1%), which covers the average American household’s annual spending on groceries, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit.
As an alternative to traditional groceries, the Blue Cash Everyday also offers up to $180 per year in statement credits for Home Chef, a meal kit delivery service (subject to auto renewal). You can receive up to $15 in monthly statement credits when you use your Blue Cash Everyday Card to pay for online Home Chef purchases (up to $180 per year).
For more information on this card, see our full review of the Blue Cash Everyday from American Express.
Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.
- Intro Balance Transfer APR
- 0% on balance transfers for 15 months
- Intro Purchase APR
- 0% on Purchases for 15 months
- Regular APR
- 19.24% – 29.99% Variable
- Balance Transfer Fee
- Either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.
The Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express* offers a top rewards rate on U.S. supermarkets at 3% cash back. You can use that reward rate on up to $6,000 in spending per year (then 1%), which covers the average American household’s annual spending on groceries, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit.
As an alternative to traditional groceries, the Blue Cash Everyday also offers up to $180 per year in statement credits for Home Chef, a meal kit delivery service (subject to auto renewal). You can receive up to $15 in monthly statement credits when you use your Blue Cash Everyday Card to pay for online Home Chef purchases (up to $180 per year).
For more information on this card, see our full review of the Blue Cash Everyday from American Express.
Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.
- Intro Balance Transfer APR
- 0% on balance transfers for 15 months
- Intro Purchase APR
- 0% on Purchases for 15 months
- Regular APR
- 19.24% – 29.99% Variable
- Balance Transfer Fee
- Either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.
How do grocery cards work?
Grocery credit cards work like any other credit card. Just use the card for your grocery spending and then redeem your rewards in the most lucrative way possible. With rewards credit cards, that generally means redeeming as either statement credits or by depositing your rewards directly into your bank account. Be aware of your card’s terms before you shop. Some grocery cards don’t cover major retailers like Costco, Walmart or Target.
The best credit cards for buying groceries will help you earn rewards without increasing your monthly spending. We don’t recommend spending outside of your budget just to earn rewards. If you can’t repay your bill in full each month, the interest you accrue can overshadow any rewards you’ve earned.
Who should get a grocery credit card?
Anyone who regularly buys items from a grocery store should consider a grocery credit card. Earning a return on spending you make frequently is one of the best uses for a credit card, and a grocery credit card can go a long way toward lowering your monthly expenses.
Pros
Earn rewards for a purchase you frequently make
Redeem rewards to lower your overall card balance or deposit them directly into your bank account
Added security for your purchases
Cons
Some may charge an annual fee
Rewards could lead to overspending
How to choose the best credit card for grocery shopping
Deciding which grocery credit card is right for you will depend largely on your shopping habits. Before applying for a grocery credit card, you’ll want to read the fine print to make sure that your needs will be met depending on where you shop. That also means choosing between co-branded credit cards like those offered by Costco or Walmart and general rewards credit cards that work at any supermarket.
Rewards
You’ll want the reward rate to be high enough that you can generate a decent return based on your budget.
Cash-back rewards are usually worth 1 cent per dollar spent (1% cash back equals 1 cent) and can be redeemed for statement credits or deposited directly into your bank account. The value of points could change depending on how they’re redeemed, and you typically have more options including using them for gift cards, merchandise or travel.
Annual fee
If a card carries an annual fee, you’ll need to be sure you can generate enough rewards through your normal spending to both cover it and turn a profit. With some credit cards, like the Blue Cash Preferred, which earns 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (on the first $6,000 per year, then 1%) and has a $95 annual fee ($0 intro annual fee for the first year) that’s easy to do -- but it may not always be the case.
Welcome bonus
Try not to get enamored with a credit card’s welcome bonus. While it can be appealing, it is typically a one-time reward. Because you need to purchase groceries frequently, you’re better off focusing on maximizing these rewards over time rather than going for the up-front bonus. But if you can reach the bonus without overspending, it’s a fruitful extra feature.
Eligibility
A card that requires “good” or “excellent” credit will offer better rewards and perks. If your credit isn’t high enough to qualify for the card you’re most interested in, consider working to build your credit score via an unsecured credit card or a credit card for people with limited credit.
Other benefits
Reward credit cards typically come with card perks like purchase protection, discounts with specific merchants, virtual credit cards for secure online shopping and more. While these may not always translate directly to improving your grocery shopping, they could help otherwise.
How to maximize your credit card rewards while grocery shopping
Getting the most from your grocery shopping comes down to using your card with a grocery store that’s eligible to earn rewards and then redeeming them in the most lucrative way. The best way to redeem grocery rewards is generally as statement credits or depositing them into your bank account.
FAQs
The Blue Cash Preferred earns 6% cash back (on the first $6,000 spent annually, then 1%) for U.S. supermarkets. It’s the highest cash-back rate for groceries.
The Citi Custom Cash card offers 5% cash back on up to $500 spent per billing cycle on your top eligible spend category (then 1%). So long as you’re using it as a dedicated grocery store card and not spending more on other eligible categories, it’ll be the most rewarding grocery credit card without an annual fee to choose.
Yes, you can purchase groceries online via a grocery delivery app like Instacart or sometimes through the grocery store’s website, like with Walmart Plus. Some credit cards, like the Chase Sapphire Preferred, offer complimentary InstaCart+ membership for six months.
Most grocery store cards don’t feature rotating bonus categories, but some -- like the Chase Freedom Flex℠* -- feature flexible rewards where you’ll earn the most rewards for the eligible purchase type you spend the most on each month. If your card does have rotating rewards, you can check with the issuer to see which purchase types will earn rewards during that quarter.
*All information about the Citi Custom Cash Card, Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express, Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express, and the American Express Gold Card has been collected independently by CNET and has not been reviewed by the issuer.
The editorial content on this page is based solely on objective, independent assessments by our writers and is not influenced by advertising or partnerships. It has not been provided or commissioned by any third party. However, we may receive compensation when you click on links to products or services offered by our partners.
