Some credit cards pay enhanced rewards on purchases at supermarkets. These cards can pay up to 6% cash back at the grocery store, although some also cap the amount that earns this increased reward. Here are all the details in our list of the best credit cards for groceries, including the card I use at Whole Foods.
When it comes to saving money at the grocery store, your first thought is probably a coupon. While coupons are a great way to cut your grocery bill, you can also save by using a cash back credit card. 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.
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
The Chase Freedom Flex is one of the best all-around cash back credit cards. In terms of groceries, it offers up to 5% cash back in rotating categories that change each year (capped at $1,500 in purchases per quarter). Typically at least one of these quarters includes groceries. While it doesn’t apply all year, the other cash back rewards and signup bonus more than make up for it.
- $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases with the card in the first 3 months.
- 5% on travel purchases through Chase Ultimate Rewards
- 3% on dining at restaurants, including takeout or eligible delivery services.
- 3% on drugstore purchases
- 5% on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories every quarter (activation required)
- 1% on all other purchases
- 5% cash back on Lyft rides through March 2022
- Free access to your credit score
- 0% APR introductory rate for 15 months on purchases.
- No annual fee
Chase Sapphire Preferred Card
Most don’t think of the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card as a grocery rewards credit card. And it’s not, most of the time. It’s focus is on travel and dining. But from now until April 30, 2021, you get a 25% point bonus when you use points to pay for purchases in several categories including, you guessed it, groceries. Chase calls it ‘Pay Yourself Back,’ and it’s intended to address the fact that aren’t traveling much at the moment.
- Earn 60,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points after you spend $4,000 on purchases with the card in the first months. These points are worth $750 in travel when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards.
- 2X points on travel and dining at restaurants
- 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases
- Get 25% point bonus when you redeem points for travel through Chase
- $0 foreign transaction fees
- 1:1 point transfer to leading frequent travel programs at full value
- $95 Annual Fee
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
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. As you can see, you’ll also earn 6% back on select streaming and 3% on gas. There is an annual fee, but the cash back should more than make up for it.
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. If that’s you, check out some of the cards below.
- Limited Time Offer: $300 statement credit after you spend $3,000 on purchases with the card in the first 6 months.
- Earn Cash Back: 6% at U.S. supermarkets up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1%), and 6% Cash Back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions including Spotify, Netflix, Hulu, HBO, ShowTime, Pandora, Apple Music, Amazon Music or Video (Does not include Prime membership).
- Earn 3% at U.S. gas stations and on transit including taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses and more.
- 1% on all other purchases. Terms and limitations apply.
- Annual Fee: $95
- 0% APR on purchases for 12 months
- Terms Apply
Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card
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.
- 5% cash back at Amazon.com and Whole Foods Market
- 2% cash back at restaurants, gas stations and drugstores
- 1% cash back on all other purchases
- $70 Amazon gift card upon approval
- No annual fee
- No foreign transaction fees
Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express
The Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express is the best no-fee Amex grocery store credit card. You earn 3% cash back on up to $6,000 a year in supermarket purchases.
- Welcome Offer: Earn $200 statement credit after you spend $1,000 on purchases with the card in the first 3 months.
- Cash Back Rewards–
- 3% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%);
- 2% cash back at U.S. gas stations and at select U.S. department stores; and
- 1% back on other purchases.
- Note: Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be easily redeemed for statement credits, gift cards, and merchandise.
- Intro APR: 0% for 15 months on purchases.
- No annual fee.
- Terms Apply
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.
- Welcome Offer: Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $4,000 within your first 6 months.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards points at restaurants worldwide. This includes takeout and delivery, as well as Uber Eats.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per year in purchases, then 1X).
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com.
- 1X points on other purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash: Add your Gold card to your Uber account and each month you’ll get $10 in Uber Cash for Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S.
- $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to $10 in statement credits each month when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub, Seamless, The Cheesecake Factor, Ruth’s Chris, Boxed, and participating Shake Shacks. Enrollment required.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees, making this an excellent card for international travel.
- Annual Fee: $250.
- Rose Gold is back. Choose between Gold or Rose Gold.
- Terms Apply.
Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card
The Capital One Savor Cash 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.
- Early Spend Bonus: Earn $300 cash bonus after you spend $3,000 on purchases within the first 3 months
- 4% Cash Back: Earn 4% cash back on dining and entertainment
- 2% Cash Back: Earn 2% on groceries
- 1% Cash Back: Earn 1% on all other purchases
- Intro APR: 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 9 months
- $0 intro annual fee for the first year, $95 after that
- No foreign transaction fees
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.
- Welcome Bonus: Earn $200 bonus after spending $500 within your first 3 months.
- Earn 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards
- Earn 3% cash back at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery services
- Earn 3% cash back at drugstores
- Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases
- Intro APR: 0% for 15 months from account opening on purchases
- Free credit score, updated weekly with Credit Journey
- No annual fee
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 Card 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.
FAQ
If you spend a lot of money on groceries, as many families do, a card that pays extra rewards at the supermarket can be worth it. Just make sure to consider the overall value of the card, including purchases in other categories.
The answer depends on where you buy groceries. The highest cash back for all grocery stores is the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express. If you shop at Whole Foods, however, the Amazon Prime card is the best option. And for superstores and warehouses, branded cards are the best option.
