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September 29, 2021
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This article was last updated September 29, 2021 . Terms and conditions may have changed. For the most accurate information, please consult the issuer website.
If you have a large family to feed or simply prefer to cook at home, you most likely spend a large amount on groceries each month. By using the right credit card, you can earn cash back or points on those purchases — which can help offset your monthly grocery bill.
When choosing a grocery credit card, the goal is to earn the highest rewards rate on grocery purchases without paying high annual fees. If the card also lets you earn rewards in other popular spending categories, such as gas, dining out and travel, that’s an added bonus.
Based on our research of cards available through LendingTree, as well as top cards offered by major issuers, these are our top picks for the best grocery rewards credit cards.
| Best Credit Cards for Groceries of October 2021 | |
| Best overall grocery credit card | Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express |
| Best grocery card with rotating categories | Discover it® Cash Back |
| Best grocery card with no annual fee | Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express |
| Best for Whole Foods and Amazon | Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card |
| Best grocery card for wholesale clubs | Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi |
The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express is our top overall pick since it offers the highest cashback rate currently available at U.S. supermarkets.
Cardholders earn 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 and on transit (including taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses and more), 1% Cash Back on other purchases. Terms apply.
Cash back is earned in the form of Rewards Dollars, which can be redeemed for statement credits when your available balance reaches 25 Rewards Dollars or more.
The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express also offers $300 back after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months.
The highest cashback rate is limited to the first $6,000 spent in U.S. supermarket purchases each year. Once you reach that amount, those purchases will only earn 1% cash back.
That said, if you max out the spend cap, you’ll earn $360 at the end of the year just on those purchases alone. However, once you factor in the $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $95 annual fee, that amount essentially drops to $265 after the first year of card membership.
To see the rates and fees for Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express, please click here.
If you spend a large amount on groceries each month, the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express may be a good fit. Along with offering one of the highest cashback rates available at U.S. supermarkets, the card offers a generous cashback rate on U.S. streaming subscriptions, transit and at U.S. gas stations. Additionally, new cardmembers can earn $300 back after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new card within the first 6 months.
Additional Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express benefits:
The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express is our top overall pick since it offers the highest cashback rate currently available at U.S. supermarkets.
Cardholders earn 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 and on transit (including taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses and more), 1% Cash Back on other purchases. Terms apply.
Cash back is earned in the form of Rewards Dollars, which can be redeemed for statement credits when your available balance reaches 25 Rewards Dollars or more.
The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express also offers $300 back after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months.
The highest cashback rate is limited to the first $6,000 spent in U.S. supermarket purchases each year. Once you reach that amount, those purchases will only earn 1% cash back.
That said, if you max out the spend cap, you’ll earn $360 at the end of the year just on those purchases alone. However, once you factor in the $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $95 annual fee, that amount essentially drops to $265 after the first year of card membership.
To see the rates and fees for Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express, please click here.
If you spend a large amount on groceries each month, the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express may be a good fit. Along with offering one of the highest cashback rates available at U.S. supermarkets, the card offers a generous cashback rate on U.S. streaming subscriptions, transit and at U.S. gas stations. Additionally, new cardmembers can earn $300 back after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new card within the first 6 months.
Additional Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express benefits:
The Discover it® Cash Back card offers a generous cashback rate in popular spending categories — such as groceries — that rotate quarterly.
Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places each quarter like Amazon.com, grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations and when you pay using PayPal, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate, 1% unlimited cash back on all other purchases - automatically.
Here is Discover’s 5% cashback calendar for 2021:
Additionally, for new card members only, Unlimited Cashback Match – only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year! There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards. You could turn $150 cash back into $300. For example, if you make $1,500 in purchases in the 5% bonus category each quarter, you’ll earn $300 cash back in one year. Once you factor in the cashback match sign-up bonus, that amount will jump to $600 in the first year of card membership.
You can redeem your cashback rewards as direct deposits, statement credits, gift cards, instant e-certificates or charitable donations. You can also use cash back to pay for merchandise at Amazon.com and Paypal.
The Discover it® Cash Back lets you 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places each quarter like Amazon.com, grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations and when you pay using PayPal, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate, 1% unlimited cash back on all other purchases - automatically. This is a great rate for people who want to maximize their spending in bonus categories. Remember to activate the bonus categories each quarter so you don’t miss out on the higher rate.
The Discover it® Cash Back is also a good option for people who want a balance transfer card that offers rewards. The intro APR of 0% for 14 months on balance transfers lets you transfer high-interest credit card debt to your Discover it® Cash Back without incurring interest charges for more than a year, then a 11.99% - 22.99% Variable APR applies. Additionally, the intro APR of 0% for 14 months on purchases lets you pay off a large purchase over time without being charged interest. After the intro period, a 11.99% - 22.99% Variable APR applies.
Additional Discover it® Cash Back benefits:
The Discover it® Cash Back card offers a generous cashback rate in popular spending categories — such as groceries — that rotate quarterly.
Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places each quarter like Amazon.com, grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations and when you pay using PayPal, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate, 1% unlimited cash back on all other purchases - automatically.
Here is Discover’s 5% cashback calendar for 2021:
Additionally, for new card members only, Unlimited Cashback Match – only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year! There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards. You could turn $150 cash back into $300. For example, if you make $1,500 in purchases in the 5% bonus category each quarter, you’ll earn $300 cash back in one year. Once you factor in the cashback match sign-up bonus, that amount will jump to $600 in the first year of card membership.
You can redeem your cashback rewards as direct deposits, statement credits, gift cards, instant e-certificates or charitable donations. You can also use cash back to pay for merchandise at Amazon.com and Paypal.
The Discover it® Cash Back lets you 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places each quarter like Amazon.com, grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations and when you pay using PayPal, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate, 1% unlimited cash back on all other purchases - automatically. This is a great rate for people who want to maximize their spending in bonus categories. Remember to activate the bonus categories each quarter so you don’t miss out on the higher rate.
The Discover it® Cash Back is also a good option for people who want a balance transfer card that offers rewards. The intro APR of 0% for 14 months on balance transfers lets you transfer high-interest credit card debt to your Discover it® Cash Back without incurring interest charges for more than a year, then a 11.99% - 22.99% Variable APR applies. Additionally, the intro APR of 0% for 14 months on purchases lets you pay off a large purchase over time without being charged interest. After the intro period, a 11.99% - 22.99% Variable APR applies.
Additional Discover it® Cash Back benefits:
For those who want to earn cash back at U.S. supermarkets without paying an annual fee, the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express could be a good fit.
Cardholders earn 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. 1% cash back on other purchases. Terms apply.
Additionally, the $0 annual fee card lets members $200 back after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new card within the first 6 months.
Cash back, which is earned in the form of Rewards Dollars, can be redeemed for statement credits.
The Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express comes with an intro APR of 0% on purchases for 15 months on purchases, then a 13.99%-23.99% variable APR will apply.
To see the rates and fees for Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express, please click here.
In addition to offering a generous cashback rate on grocery purchases, the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express also has a decent cashback rate for gas and U.S. department store purchases.
The supermarket category includes supermarkets located within the U.S. that offer a wide variety of food and household products, such as meat, fresh produce, dairy, canned and packaged goods, household cleaners, pharmacy products and pet supplies. Note, superstores, convenience stores, warehouse clubs and specialty stores do not qualify for this category.
The U.S. gas station category includes merchants that primarily sell gasoline to consumers. Gas purchased from superstores, supermarkets or warehouse clubs that sell gasoline are not eligible for the higher rewards rate.
U.S. department stores include the following: Bealls, Belk, Bloomingdale’s, Bon Ton Stores, Boscov’s, Century 21 Department stores, Dillard’s, JCPenney, Kohl’s, Lord & Taylor, Macy’s, Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue and Stein Mart.
Additional Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express benefits:
For those who want to earn cash back at U.S. supermarkets without paying an annual fee, the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express could be a good fit.
Cardholders earn 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. 1% cash back on other purchases. Terms apply.
Additionally, the $0 annual fee card lets members $200 back after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new card within the first 6 months.
Cash back, which is earned in the form of Rewards Dollars, can be redeemed for statement credits.
The Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express comes with an intro APR of 0% on purchases for 15 months on purchases, then a 13.99%-23.99% variable APR will apply.
To see the rates and fees for Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express, please click here.
In addition to offering a generous cashback rate on grocery purchases, the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express also has a decent cashback rate for gas and U.S. department store purchases.
The supermarket category includes supermarkets located within the U.S. that offer a wide variety of food and household products, such as meat, fresh produce, dairy, canned and packaged goods, household cleaners, pharmacy products and pet supplies. Note, superstores, convenience stores, warehouse clubs and specialty stores do not qualify for this category.
The U.S. gas station category includes merchants that primarily sell gasoline to consumers. Gas purchased from superstores, supermarkets or warehouse clubs that sell gasoline are not eligible for the higher rewards rate.
U.S. department stores include the following: Bealls, Belk, Bloomingdale’s, Bon Ton Stores, Boscov’s, Century 21 Department stores, Dillard’s, JCPenney, Kohl’s, Lord & Taylor, Macy’s, Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue and Stein Mart.
Additional Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express benefits:
If you regularly buy groceries from Whole Foods or Amazon, you should look at the Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card. Cardholders earn 5% back at Amazon.com and Whole Foods Market with an eligible Prime membership, 2% back at restaurants, gas stations and drugstores and 1% back on all other purchases..
You can redeem rewards for Amazon purchases, gift cards, statement credits, direct deposits and more.
Along with rewards on every purchase, Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card holders get a $100 amazon gift card instantly upon approval.
Although the Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card comes with a $0 annual fee, it does require Amazon Prime membership — which runs $119 per year.
How much do you need to spend to recoup the cost of Prime? As long as you’re earning 5% cash back, spending $2,380 will earn you $119 in rewards. To recoup the lower cost of Prime Student, spending $1,180 on eligible purchases will get you there.
One of the best things about earning rewards with this card issued by Chase — besides the generous rate — is that there’s no limit to how much you can earn. There are cashback cards offering competitive rates on various spending categories, but there is often a cap before the cash back drops to a lower rate. Plus, you can use the card anywhere Visa is accepted.
You can redeem rewards toward Amazon purchases with no minimum amount required for redemption. Or you can redeem your rewards for cash — starting at 2,000 points, which is equal to $20 — as a statement credit or a bank account deposit.
Additional Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card benefits:
If you regularly buy groceries from Whole Foods or Amazon, you should look at the Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card. Cardholders earn 5% back at Amazon.com and Whole Foods Market with an eligible Prime membership, 2% back at restaurants, gas stations and drugstores and 1% back on all other purchases..
You can redeem rewards for Amazon purchases, gift cards, statement credits, direct deposits and more.
Along with rewards on every purchase, Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card holders get a $100 amazon gift card instantly upon approval.
Although the Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card comes with a $0 annual fee, it does require Amazon Prime membership — which runs $119 per year.
How much do you need to spend to recoup the cost of Prime? As long as you’re earning 5% cash back, spending $2,380 will earn you $119 in rewards. To recoup the lower cost of Prime Student, spending $1,180 on eligible purchases will get you there.
One of the best things about earning rewards with this card issued by Chase — besides the generous rate — is that there’s no limit to how much you can earn. There are cashback cards offering competitive rates on various spending categories, but there is often a cap before the cash back drops to a lower rate. Plus, you can use the card anywhere Visa is accepted.
You can redeem rewards toward Amazon purchases with no minimum amount required for redemption. Or you can redeem your rewards for cash — starting at 2,000 points, which is equal to $20 — as a statement credit or a bank account deposit.
Additional Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card benefits:
If you prefer purchasing food and other household items in bulk from Costco, the Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi would be a smart choice. Cardholders earn 4% cash back on eligible gas for the first $7,000 per year and then 1% thereafter, 3% on restaurants & travel, 2% at Costco & Costco.com, 1% on all other purchases.
The Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi comes with a $0 annual fee. But keep in mind that you will be responsible for paying an annual Costco membership fee of $60 (for the Gold Star membership) or $120 (for Executive membership).
Cashback rewards can only be redeemed for merchandise or cash back at Costco warehouses located in the U.S. (including Puerto Rico). Also, rewards are only distributed once per year (after your February billing statement closes), and must be redeemed by Dec. 31 of the year in which they were issued.
While the Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi offers solid rewards for Costco and Costco.com purchases, where it also shines is its generous cashback rate for gas purchases. It also offers a competitive cashback rate for dining and travel, making it a very well-rounded card.
Be aware that certain gas purchases are considered non-qualifying purchases and will only earn 1% cash back instead of 4%, according to the card’s terms and conditions — this includes gas purchased at superstores, supermarkets, convenience stores, warehouse clubs other than Costco, and fuel used for non-automobile purchases.
The Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi also serves as your Costco membership ID.
Note that rewards will be forfeited if you cancel your credit card or end your Costco membership. Compared with other cards that let you redeem rewards throughout the year, this might be a turn-off to potential cardholders.
Additional Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi benefits:
If you prefer purchasing food and other household items in bulk from Costco, the Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi would be a smart choice. Cardholders earn 4% cash back on eligible gas for the first $7,000 per year and then 1% thereafter, 3% on restaurants & travel, 2% at Costco & Costco.com, 1% on all other purchases.
The Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi comes with a $0 annual fee. But keep in mind that you will be responsible for paying an annual Costco membership fee of $60 (for the Gold Star membership) or $120 (for Executive membership).
Cashback rewards can only be redeemed for merchandise or cash back at Costco warehouses located in the U.S. (including Puerto Rico). Also, rewards are only distributed once per year (after your February billing statement closes), and must be redeemed by Dec. 31 of the year in which they were issued.
While the Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi offers solid rewards for Costco and Costco.com purchases, where it also shines is its generous cashback rate for gas purchases. It also offers a competitive cashback rate for dining and travel, making it a very well-rounded card.
Be aware that certain gas purchases are considered non-qualifying purchases and will only earn 1% cash back instead of 4%, according to the card’s terms and conditions — this includes gas purchased at superstores, supermarkets, convenience stores, warehouse clubs other than Costco, and fuel used for non-automobile purchases.
The Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi also serves as your Costco membership ID.
Note that rewards will be forfeited if you cancel your credit card or end your Costco membership. Compared with other cards that let you redeem rewards throughout the year, this might be a turn-off to potential cardholders.
Additional Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi benefits:
While each of the cards in this post allow you to earn rewards on grocery purchases, the right one for you comes down to where you spend the most. For example, if you want to earn the highest amount of cash back on U.S. supermarket purchases, the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express could be the best choice. But if you frequently buy groceries and gas from Costco, the Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi may be a better fit, or if you’re a Whole Foods enthusiast, it may be worth trying out the Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card.
To see the rates and fees for Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express, please click here.
To see the rates and fees for Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express, please click here.
The above offers and/or promotions may have since changed, expired, or is no longer available. Check the Issuers’ website for more details.
