BEST OF
6 Best Credit Cards for Groceries of January 2021
Families with big grocery bills can save hundreds of dollars by paying for them with a credit card that offers elevated rewards at the supermarket. According to federal consumer expenditure data, the average U.S. household spent $4,363 on "food at home" in 2017, the most recent year available. Paying for groceries with a card that earned just 2% rewards on groceries would have earned such a household more than $87. Imagine saving that kind of money at the checkout — without even needing to clip coupons! You can do it with these cards
Families with big grocery bills can save hundreds of dollars by paying for them with a credit card that offers elevated rewards at the supermarket. According to federal consumer expenditure data, the average U.S. household spent $4,363 on "food at home" in 2017, the most recent year available. Paying for groceries with a card that earned just 2% rewards on groceries would have earned such a household more than $87. Imagine saving that kind of money at the checkout — without even needing to clip coupons! You can do it with these cards
Best Credit Cards for Groceries From Our Partners
Our pick for
Highest rewards rate
Annual Fee
$95
Rewards Rate
1%-6%
Cashback
Intro offer
$250
Rec Credit Score
690-850
Good - Excellent
- Earn a $250 statement credit after you spend $1,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 3 months.
- 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.
- Low intro APR: 0% for 12 months on purchases from the date of account opening, then a variable rate, 13.99% to 23.99%.
- Plan It® gives the option to select purchases of $100 or more to split up into monthly payments with a fixed fee.
- Cash Back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit.
- $95 Annual Fee.
- Terms Apply.
- View Rates and Fees
Pros
In addition to the great rewards rates, you can earn a nifty new-cardholder bonus: $250 statement credit after you spend $1,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 3 months. Terms Apply. Plus, there's a good 0% intro APR offer.
Cons
There's an annual fee, and it's high for a cash-back card: $95. But if you spend around $31 per week at the supermarket, you'll make that up in cash back — and that's not even taking into account rewards earned in the card's other bonus categories.
Why We Like It
The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express is the industry champ. 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets, on up to $6,000 a year in spending (then 1%); 6% cash back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions; 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations and on transit (including such things as taxis, rideshares, parking, tolls, trains and buses); and 1% cash back on all other purchases. Terms apply. Rewards on $5,000 a year in U.S. supermarket spending: $300.
Our pick for
Ongoing high cash back with no annual fee
Annual Fee
$0
Rewards Rate
1%-20%
Cashback
Intro offer
$100
Rec Credit Score
690-850
Good - Excellent
- Earn 20% back on purchases at Amazon.com on the Card in the first 6 months, up to $200 back.
- Plus, earn $100 back after you spend $1,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months.
- 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.
- Low intro APR: 0% for 15 months on purchases from the date of account opening, then a variable rate, 13.99% to 23.99%.
- Plan It® gives the option to select purchases of $100 or more to split up into monthly payments with a fixed fee.
- Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be easily redeemed for statement credits.
- No annual fee.
- Terms Apply.
- View Rates and Fees
Pros
This card comes with a great 0% intro APR period, plus a welcome offer: Earn 20% back on purchases at Amazon.com on the Card in the first 6 months, up to $200 back. Plus, earn $100 back after you spend $1,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months. Terms Apply. The annual fee is $0.
Cons
If you spend at least $61 per week at the supermarket, you’re actually better off paying the annual fee on the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express because you'll come out ahead with the higher rewards rate.
Why We Like It
The Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express earns 3% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $6,000 spent per year, then 1%), 2% back at U.S. gas stations and select U.S. department stores, and 1% back on everything else. Terms apply. Rewards on $5,000 a year in U.S. supermarket spending: $150.
Our pick for
2% cash back on everything
Annual Fee
$0
Rewards Rate
1%-2%
Cashback
Intro offer
$0
Rec Credit Score
720-850
Excellent
- Earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases.
- To earn cash back, pay at least the minimum due on time.
- Balance Transfer Offer: 0% intro APR on Balance Transfers for 18 months. After that, the variable APR will be 13.99% - 23.99%, based on your creditworthiness.
- Balance Transfers do not earn cash back.
- If you transfer a balance, interest will be charged on your purchases unless you pay your entire balance (including balance transfers) by the due date each month.
- There is a balance transfer fee of either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.
- The standard variable APR for Citi Flex Plan is 13.99% - 23.99%, based on your creditworthiness. Citi Flex Plan offers are made available at Citi's discretion.
Pros
This card's simplicity is its not-so-secret weapon: No bonus categories to contend with or spending caps to worry about. The annual fee is $0.
Cons
This offer doesn't include a sign-up bonus or a 0% intro APR period for purchases.
Why We Like It
Not interested in carrying a special card just for groceries? The Citi® Double Cash Card – 18 month BT offer is a great one-card solution. It earns 2% back on all purchases — 1% when you buy and 1% back when you pay it off. Rewards on $5,000 a year in grocery store spending: $100.
Our pick for
Travel rewards
Annual Fee
$250
Rewards Rate
1x-4x
Points
Intro offer
60,000
Points
Rec Credit Score
690-850
Good - Excellent
- Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $4,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® Points on Restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X).
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com.
- $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub, Seamless, The Cheesecake Factory, Ruth's Chris Steak House, Boxed, and participating Shake Shack locations. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $250.
- Terms Apply.
- View Rates and Fees
Pros
In addition to its 4X categories, this card pays 3 points per dollar on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com. There's also a welcome offer: Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $4,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months. Terms Apply. And the card comes with a slew of perks that can help offset its hefty annual fee.
Cons
There's a steep annual fee of $250. This card is for someone who spends a lot on groceries AND likes to travel. If you don't travel much, forget the 4X points and look elsewhere.
Why We Like It
The American Express® Gold Card earns 4 Membership Rewards points per dollar spent at U.S. supermarkets on up to $25,000 per year in purchases. And if you're tired of cooking? You can also earn 4 points per dollar at restaurants worldwide, with no annual cap. Terms apply. Rewards on $5,000 a year in U.S. supermarket spending: $200 (assuming redemption value of 1 cent per point).
Our pick for
Frequent restaurant diners
Annual Fee
$0
Rewards Rate
1%-3%
Cashback
Intro offer
$200
Rec Credit Score
690-850
Good - Excellent
- 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 and entertainment, 2% at grocery stores and 1% on all other purchases
- 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 for 15 months; 15.49% - 25.49% variable APR after that
- No foreign transaction fee
- No annual fee
Pros
In addition to the $0 annual fee, there’s also a great 0% intro APR offer and a sign-up bonus: Earn a one-time $200 cash bonus after you spend $500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening.
Cons
If you don't dine out much, you'll miss out on the biggest chunk of this card's value. Look elsewhere.
Why We Like It
If your food expenses include as many trips to restaurants and takeout joints as to the grocery store, the Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card makes a good companion. You’ll earn unlimited 3% cash back on dining and entertainment, 2% at grocery stores and 1% on all other purchases. Rewards on $5,000 a year in grocery store spending: $100.
Our pick for
Customizable 3% cash back and Bank of America® customers
Annual Fee
$0
Rewards Rate
1%-3%
Cashback
Intro offer
$200
Rec Credit Score
690-850
Good - Excellent
- No annual fee
- $200 online cash rewards bonus after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening
- Earn 3% cash back in the category of your choice, automatic 2% at grocery stores and wholesale clubs (up to $2,500 in combined choice category/grocery store/wholesale club quarterly purchases) and unlimited 1% on all other purchases
- 0% Introductory APR for 12 billing cycles for purchases, and for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days. After the intro APR offer ends, 13.99% - 23.99% Variable APR will apply. A 3% fee (min $10) applies to all balance transfers
- No expiration on rewards
- If you're a Preferred Rewards member, you can earn 25% - 75% more cash back on every purchase
- Contactless Cards - The security of a chip card, with the convenience of a tap
Pros
The annual fee is $0, you get a 0% intro APR period, and you can earn a sign-up bonus: $200 online cash rewards bonus after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening. The ability to choose your 3% category (from gas, online shopping, dining, travel, drugstores, or home improvement /furnishings) makes this card worth considering even if you're not eligible for Preferred Rewards.
Cons
The combined quarterly spending cap on the 2% and 3% rewards creates complications. Make a big purchase in your 3% category, and you could end up earning only 1% at the grocery store for the rest of the quarter.
Why We Like It
With the Bank of America® Cash Rewards credit card, you earn 2% cash back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs and 3% cash back in a category of your choice, on up to $2,500 in combined spending per quarter. Plus, you’ll get 1% cash back on all other purchases. If you qualify for Bank of America®'s Preferred Rewards program, you can earn a bonus of 25%, 50% or 75% of your rewards, depending on your account balances. Maximum rewards on $5,000 a year in grocery store spending: $100 (for Preferred Rewards customers: $125, $150 or $175).
FULL LIST OF EDITORIAL PICKS: BEST CREDIT CARDS FOR GROCERIES
Click the card name to read our review. Before applying, confirm details on the issuer’s website.
Our pick for: Overall highest rewards rate
If your household spends a lot on groceries, gas, transit and streaming services, the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express is for you. The rewards it pays in those categories — particularly at U.S. supermarkets and on select streaming services — are among the richest of any card. There's a nice bonus offer for new cardholders and an introductory 0% APR period, too. The generous benefits come at a cost, though: Unlike most cash-back cards, this one charges an annual fee. Read our review.
Our pick for: Ongoing high cash back with no annual fee
The Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express pays elevated rewards at U.S. supermarkets, U.S. gas stations and select U.S. department stores. The rewards aren't as rich as on the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express, but this card doesn't charge an annual fee. New cardholders get a decent bonus offer and an introductory 0% APR period. If you're buying groceries regularly but not necessarily all the time, it's worth a look. Read our review.
Our pick for: 2% cash back on everything
Year after year, the Citi® Double Cash Card – 18 month BT offer has been our choice for the best flat-rate cash-back card. You earn 2% cash back on every purchase — 1% when you buy something and 1% when you pay it off. There's no 0% intro period for purchases and no sign-up bonus, but the high rewards rate more than makes up for the lack of bells and whistles. Read our review.
Our pick for: Frequent restaurant diners
Love the night life but dead-set against paying an annual fee? Consider the Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card. It pays a lower cash-back rate on dining and entertainment than the regular Savor card, but the rewards are nevertheless quite good. The sign-up bonus is smaller than on the annual-fee version, too, but it's still solid. Read our review.
Our pick for: Customizable 5% cash back
If you don't mind putting some work into your rewards, check out the U.S. Bank Cash+™ Visa Signature® Card. It might be the most customizable cash back card available. You pick which categories earn the most cash back — you get two 5% categories and a 2% category — and you can change those options every quarter. There's a good bonus offer for new cardholders, too. Read our review.
Our pick for: Travel rewards
The American Express® Gold Card can earn you a pile of points from everyday spending, with generous rewards at U.S. supermarkets, at restaurants worldwide and on certain flights booked through amextravel.com. Other benefits include hundreds of dollars a year in available dining and travel credits and a solid bonus offer for new cardholders. There's an annual fee, though, and a pretty substantial one, so it's not for smaller spenders. Read our review.
Our pick for: Customizable 3% cash back and Bank of America® customers
The Bank of America® Cash Rewards credit card gives you a little more control over your credit card rewards by letting you choose which category earns the highest cash-back rate, from a list that includes gas stations, restaurants, travel and others. You also get bonus rewards at grocery stores and supermarkets, plus a great new-cardholder bonus offer. Read our review.
Options for brand loyalists
The cards identified above can earn elevated rewards regardless of the supermarket or grocery store where you shop. If you shop at Costco, Whole Foods or Target, consider these options.
Costco: Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi
If you buy your groceries wholesale-club-style, the Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi earns 2% cash back at Costco and Costco.com. It also earns 4% cash back on eligible gas purchases (both at Costco and at other gas stations) on the first $7,000 per year (1% thereafter), as well as 3% cash back on restaurants and eligible travel purchases. All other spending earns 1% back. The annual fee is $0, although you have to be a Costco member to apply, and membership starts at $60 a year. » Rewards on $5,000 a year in groceries at Costco: $100.
Whole Foods: Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card
If you're more of a Whole Foods fanatic — and if you already pay for an Amazon Prime membership — consider the Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card. It earns 5% back at Whole Foods, plus 5% back at Amazon.com, 2% back at restaurants, gas stations and drugstores, and 1% everywhere else. Redeem your points for Amazon.com purchases at a value of 1 cent per point. The card's annual fee is $0, but you must be an Amazon Prime member, which does require a yearly fee. » Rewards on $5,000 a year in groceries at Whole Foods: $250.
Target: Target REDcard™ Credit Card
The Target REDcard™ Credit Card doesn't offer rewards in the form of cash back or points, but you could argue that it gives you something even better: an immediate 5% discount on nearly everything you buy at Target, either in-store or online. You also get free shipping on most items at Target.com. If your grocery runs take you to a full-service Super Target — or just to the food aisles at a regular Target — this $0-annual-fee card is mighty attractive. » Savings on $5,000 a year in groceries at Target: $250.
5% rotating category cards
The other cards on this page offer elevated grocery rewards year-round. The Chase Freedom® and select Discover cards like the Discover it® Cash Back pay a higher rate on groceries for only three months at a time when you activate rewards categories — but what a rate it is.
On each card, you earn 5% cash back in rotating categories that you activate, on up to $1,500 per quarter in spending, and 1% cash back on all other purchases. In recent years, both cards have offered grocery stores as a 5% category. (See current and past categories here.) Other bonus categories on both cards tend to be common expenses, meaning it's not hard to get great value out of them. Neither card charges an annual fee.
» Maximum rewards on $5,000 a year in groceries (assuming each card offers grocery stores for one quarter):
If using one card: $110.
If using both cards: $170.
To view rates and fees of the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express, please visit this page.
To view rates and fees of the American Express® Gold Card, please visit this page.
Last updated on January 14, 2021
Methodology
NerdWallet's credit cards team selects the best cards in each category based on overall consumer value. Factors in our evaluation include fees, promotional and ongoing APRs, and sign-up bonuses; for rewards cards, we consider earning and redemption rates, redemption options and redemption difficulty. A single card is eligible to be chosen in multiple categories.
