The Best Credit Cards for Groceries of 2021 | Up to 6% Rewards

In the latest inflation data, the cost of groceries rose 1.1% in just one month. Prices are expected to rise by as much as 3.5% in 2021. As a result, saving money at the supermarket has never been more vital. One way is to use a credit card that offers excellent cash back on groceries.

These cards give you a percentage back on what you spend, thus saving you money. Some credit cards, as you’ll see below, pay enhanced rewards for purchases at grocery stores. With that in mind, here’s our list of the best credit cards for groceries.

Best Credit Cards for Groceries

The best credit cards for grocery shopping pay at least 3% in rewards. The above Chase cards meet that standard, although for a limited time. Here are our top supermarket cards from all issuers.

Chase Freedom Flex–5% Cash Back

The Chase Freedom Flex is one of the best all-around cash back credit cards. In terms of groceries, it currently offers 5% cash back on grocery store purchases the first year on up to $12,000 in spend. In addition, it offers up to 5% cash back in rotating categories that change each year (capped at $1,500 in purchases per quarter). These rotating categories may include grocery store purchases.

The card also offers a $200 bonus after you spend $500 on purchases with the card in the first 3 months.

• Signup Bonus: $200
• Rewards Rate: 1% to 5%
• 0% Intro APR: Yes, on purchases
• Annual Fee: $0

Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express–6% Cash Back

The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express is arguably the best known grocery store credit card. It pays 6% cash back on the first $6,000 in grocery purchases each year. You’ll also earn 6% back on select streaming services and 3% on gas. There is an annual fee, but the cash back should more than make up for it.

The card also offers a $300 statement credit after you spend $3,000 on purchases with the card in the first 6 months.

Important: Superstores and warehouse clubs are not considered supermarkets. So if you buy your groceries at Costco, Target or Walmart, you won’t earn the 6% cash back.

• Welcome Bonus: $300
• Rewards Rate: 1% to 6%
• 0% Intro APR: Yes, on purchases
• Annual Fee: $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $95

Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card–5% Cash Back

We shop at Whole Foods, so the Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card is an important part of our cash back strategy. You get 5% cash back at Whole Foods (no spending cap) and at Amazon. There’s also no annual fee, although Amazon Prime membership is required.

• Signup Bonus: $100
• Rewards Rate: 1% to 3%
• 0% Intro APR: N/A
• Annual Fee: $0

Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express

The Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express is the best no-fee (see Rates & Fees) Amex grocery store credit card. You earn 3% cash back on up to $6,000 a year in supermarket purchases. The card also offers a $200 statement credit after you spend $2,000 on purchases with the card in the first 6 months.

• Welcome Bonus: $200
• Rewards Rate: 1% to 3%
• 0% Intro APR: Yes, on purchases
• Annual Fee: $0

American Express Gold Card

While most thing of the American Express Gold Card as a dining and travel card, it also pays 4x Memebership Rewards points on groceries. And while spending is capped, it’s much higher than the Blue Cash Preferred cap. You can earn 4x points on up to $25,000 a year in supermarket purchases.

The card also offers 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases with the card in the first 6 months.

• Welcome Bonus: 60,000 points
• Rewards Rate: 1x to 4x
• 0% Intro APR: N/A
• Annual Fee: $250

Capital One Savor Rewards Credit Card

The Capital One Savor Rewards Credit Card pays 2% cash back at grocery stores. Add to that 4% back on dining and entertainment and a generous signup bonus, and this no annual fee card is a solid option.

The card also offers a $300 bonus after you spend $3,000 on purchases with the card in the first 3 months.

• Signup Bonus: $300
• Rewards Rate: 1% to 4%
• 0% Intro APR: Yes, on both purchases and balance transfers
• Annual Fee: $95

TD Cash Credit Card

The TD Cash Credit Card pays 2% cash back on groceries and 3% on dining, including takeout and delivery orders. All other purchases earn 1% cash back and there’s no annual fee.

This card offers a $150 bonus after spending $500 within your first 3 months. There’s also a 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 12 months.

• Signup Bonus: $150 
• Rewards Rate: 1% – 3%
• 0% Intro APR: 12 months
• Annual Fee: $0

Chase Freedom Unlimited

The Chase Freedom Unlimited is a great cash back card. While it doesn’t offer an enhanced reward rate for grocery store purchase, it could easily serve as a single card for all purchases, including groceries.

The card also offers a $300 bonus after you spend $ on purchases with the card in the first months.

• Signup Bonus: $300
• Rewards Rate: 1.5% to 5%
• 0% Intro APR: Yes, on purchases
• Annual Fee: $0

Store Brand Credit Cards

If you shop for groceries at specific stores, the store-branded credit cards often offer excellent rewards. I already mentioned the Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature above. It earns 5% cash back on purchases at Whole Foods.

Here are some other store-specific cards to consider.

Target RedCard: The Target RedCard pays 5% cashback on Target purchases in the store and online. The 5% even applies to purchases at Starbucks in Target stores. The card comes as either a credit card or a debit card. The debit card version made our list of the best prepaid cards.

Walmart Credit Card: Issued by Capital One, the Walmart card pays 5% cashback at online Walmart purchases, including grocery pickup and delivery. It pays 2% cashback on purchases at Walmart stores.

Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi: the Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi pays 2% cash back on all purchases at Costco and Costco Online. Frankly, as a grocery store credit card, it’s mediocre. The problem is that many of the other cards listed above don’t pay the enhanced rewards on groceries purchased at Costco or other wholesale clubs. As such, it can be your best bet on Costco. On the brighter side, it pays 4% cash back on gas and 3% back on restaurants and eligible travel purchases.

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