7 Best Credit Cards for Groceries of August 2025
Updated: Jul 28, 2025
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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. If you spend $100 a week on groceries, using a card that earns 3% will net you more than $150 a year. Imagine saving that kind of money at the checkout — without even needing to clip coupons! You can do it with these cards. And in some cases, rewards rates apply to grocery delivery, too.
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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. If you spend $100 a week on groceries, using a card that earns 3% will net you more than $150 a year. Imagine saving that kind of money at the checkout — without even needing to clip coupons! You can do it with these cards. And in some cases, rewards rates apply to grocery delivery, too.
Why trust NerdWallet
400+ credit cards reviewed by our team of experts (See our top picks)
80+ years of combined experience covering credit cards and personal finance
27,000+ hours spent researching and reviewing financial products in the last 12 months
Objective comprehensive ratings rubrics (Methodology)
NerdWallet's credit cards content, including ratings and recommendations, is overseen by a team of writers and editors who specialize in credit cards. Their work has appeared in The Associated Press, USA Today, The New York Times, MarketWatch, MSN, NBC's "Today," ABC's "Good Morning America" and many other national, regional and local media outlets. Each writer and editor follows NerdWallet's strict guidelines for editorial integrity.
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. If you spend $100 a week on groceries, using a card that earns 3% will net you more than $150 a year. Imagine saving that kind of money at the checkout — without even needing to clip coupons! You can do it with these cards. And in some cases, rewards rates apply to grocery delivery, too.
Why trust NerdWallet
400+ credit cards reviewed by our team of experts (See our top picks)
80+ years of combined experience covering credit cards and personal finance
27,000+ hours spent researching and reviewing financial products in the last 12 months
Objective comprehensive ratings rubrics (Methodology)
NerdWallet's credit cards content, including ratings and recommendations, is overseen by a team of writers and editors who specialize in credit cards. Their work has appeared in The Associated Press, USA Today, The New York Times, MarketWatch, MSN, NBC's "Today," ABC's "Good Morning America" and many other national, regional and local media outlets. Each writer and editor follows NerdWallet's strict guidelines for editorial integrity.
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. If you spend $100 a week on groceries, using a card that earns 3% will net you more than $150 a year. Imagine saving that kind of money at the checkout — without even needing to clip coupons! You can do it with these cards. And in some cases, rewards rates apply to grocery delivery, too.
Why trust NerdWallet
400+ credit cards reviewed by our team of experts (See our top picks)
80+ years of combined experience covering credit cards and personal finance
27,000+ hours spent researching and reviewing financial products in the last 12 months
Objective comprehensive ratings rubrics (Methodology)
NerdWallet's credit cards content, including ratings and recommendations, is overseen by a team of writers and editors who specialize in credit cards. Their work has appeared in The Associated Press, USA Today, The New York Times, MarketWatch, MSN, NBC's "Today," ABC's "Good Morning America" and many other national, regional and local media outlets. Each writer and editor follows NerdWallet's strict guidelines for editorial integrity.
Why trust NerdWallet
400+ credit cards reviewed by our team of experts (See our top picks)
80+ years of combined experience covering credit cards and personal finance
27,000+ hours spent researching and reviewing financial products in the last 12 months
Objective comprehensive ratings rubrics (Methodology)
NerdWallet's credit cards content, including ratings and recommendations, is overseen by a team of writers and editors who specialize in credit cards. Their work has appeared in The Associated Press, USA Today, The New York Times, MarketWatch, MSN, NBC's "Today," ABC's "Good Morning America" and many other national, regional and local media outlets. Each writer and editor follows NerdWallet's strict guidelines for editorial integrity.
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NerdWallet's Best Credit Cards for Groceries of August 2025
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express: Best for Highest rewards rate
Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card: Best for Frequent restaurant diners
American Express® Gold Card: Best for Travel rewards and perks
Citi Double Cash® Card: Best for 2% cash back on everything
Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express: Best for Ongoing high cash back with no annual fee
Prime Visa: Best for Amazon and Whole Foods
Citi Strata Premier® Card: Best for Travel rewards
Best Credit Cards for Groceries From Our Partners
| Credit card | NerdWallet rating | Annual fee | Rewards rate | Intro offer | Learn more |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American ExpressApply Nowon American Express' website on American Express' website | Best for Highest rewards rate | $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95. | 1%-6% | $250 | Apply Nowon American Express' website on American Express' website |
 Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American ExpressApply Nowon American Express' website on American Express' website | Best for Ongoing high cash back with no annual fee | $0 | 1%-3% | $200 | Apply Nowon American Express' website on American Express' website |
 Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit CardApply Nowon Capital One's website on Capital One's website | Best for Frequent restaurant diners | $0 | 1%-8% | $200 | Apply Nowon Capital One's website on Capital One's website |
 American Express® Gold CardApply Nowon American Express' website on American Express' website | Best for Travel rewards and perks | $325 | 1x-4x | As High As 100,000 Points. Find Out Your Offer. | Apply Nowon American Express' website on American Express' website |
 Prime VisaApply Nowon Amazon.com's website on Amazon.com's website | Best for Amazon and Whole Foods | $0 | 1%-5% | $150 | Apply Nowon Amazon.com's website on Amazon.com's website |
 Citi Double Cash® CardApply Nowon Citibank's application on Citibank's application | Best for 2% cash back on everything | $0 | 2%-5% | $200 | Apply Nowon Citibank's application on Citibank's application |
 Citi Strata Premier® CardApply Nowon Citibank's application on Citibank's application | Best for Travel rewards | $95 | 1x-10x | 60,000 points | Apply Nowon Citibank's application on Citibank's application |
Find the right credit card for you.
Whether you want to pay less interest or earn more rewards, the right card's out there. Just answer a few questions and we'll narrow the search for you.
Whether you want to pay less interest or earn more rewards, the right card's out there. Just answer a few questions and we'll narrow the search for you.
Our pick for: Highest rewards rate
Rewards breakdown
Card details
- Earn a $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months.
- $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95.
- Buy Now, Pay Later: Enjoy $0 intro plan fees when you use Plan It® to split up large purchases into monthly installments with a fixed fee. Pay $0 intro plan fees on plans created during the first 12 months from the date of account opening. Plans created after that will have a monthly plan fee up to 1.33% of each eligible purchase amount moved into a plan based on the plan duration, the APR that would otherwise apply to the purchase, and other factors.
- Low Intro APR: 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 12 months from the date of account opening. After that, your APR will be a variable APR of 20.24% - 29.24%.
- 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.
- Cash Back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout.
- $84 Disney Bundle Credit: With your enrolled Blue Cash Preferred® Card, spend $9.99 or more each month on an auto-renewing Disney Bundle subscription, to receive a monthly statement credit of $7. Valid only at Disney Plus.com, Hulu.com or Plus.espn.com in the U.S.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- View Rates & Fees
NerdWallet's take
A NerdWallet Best-Of Award winner 10 years running, the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express remains the industry champ, with top-notch rewards not only at the supermarket, but also in other common spending categories. Rewards on $5,000 a year in U.S. supermarket spending: $300.
Grocery rewards: 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets, on up to $6,000 a year in spending.
Other rewards: 6% cash back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions; 3% at U.S. gas stations and on transit (including such things as taxis, rideshares, parking, tolls, trains and buses); and 1% on all other purchases.
New cardholders get this nifty offer: Earn a $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months. Terms Apply. Plus, there's a good 0% intro APR offer.
Terms apply.
There's an annual fee: $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $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.
The annual cap on the 6% rewards rate at U.S. supermarkets hasn't changed in several years, even as grocery prices have risen, so more and more families will likely hit the cap.
Our pick for: Ongoing high cash back with no annual fee
Rewards breakdown
Card details
- Earn a $200 statement credit after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months.
- No Annual Fee.
- Enjoy 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months from the date of account opening. After that, 20.24% to 29.24% variable APR.
- 3% Cash Back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%.
- 3% Cash Back on U.S. online retail purchases, on up to $6,000 per year, then 1%.
- 3% Cash Back at U.S. gas stations, on up to $6,000 per year, then 1%.
- Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout.
- Thinking about getting the Disney Bundle which can include Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+? Your decision made easy with $7/month back in the form of a statement credit after you spend $9.99 or more each month on an eligible subscription (subject to auto renewal) with your Blue Cash Everyday® Card. Enrollment required.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- View Rates & Fees
NerdWallet's take
The no-annual-fee option in the Blue Cash portfolio, the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express offers solid rewards at U.S. supermarkets and in other common spending categories. Terms apply. Rewards on $5,000 a year in U.S. supermarket spending: $150.
Grocery rewards: 3% cash back at U.S. supermarkets, on up to $6,000 a year in spending; 1% after that.
Other rewards: 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations and on U.S. online retail purchases (on up to $6,000 in spending per year in each category; 1% after that); 1% on other purchases.
This card comes with a great 0% intro APR period, plus a welcome offer: Earn a $200 statement credit after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months. Terms Apply.
$0 annual fee.
Terms apply.
If you spend at least $61 per week at the supermarket, you may be better off paying the annual fee on the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express because you'll come out ahead with the much higher rewards rate.
The annual cap on the 3% rewards rate at U.S. supermarkets hasn't changed in several years, even as grocery prices have risen, so more and more families will likely hit the cap.
Our pick for: Travel rewards and perks
Rewards breakdown
Card details
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
- View Rates & Fees
NerdWallet's take
The American Express® Gold Card earns strong rewards on your food dollars, whether you prefer to dine out, eat in or both. There's a sizable annual fee, however. Rewards on $5,000 a year in U.S. supermarket spending: $200 (assuming redemption value of 1 cent per point).
Grocery rewards: 4X points at U.S. supermarkets, on up to $25,000 per year in purchases.
Other rewards: 4X points at restaurants; 3X on flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel; 2X on select travel; 1X on other eligible purchases.
There's a strong welcome offer: You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
The card also comes with a slew of perks that can help offset its annual fee.
Terms apply.
The $325 annual fee is steep. This card is for someone who spends a lot on groceries AND likes to travel. If you don't travel much, the annual fee isn't worth it, so forget the 4X points and look elsewhere.
Our pick for: Frequent restaurant diners
Rewards breakdown
Card details
- Earn a one-time $200 cash bonus once you spend $500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening
- Earn unlimited 3% cash back at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®), on dining, entertainment and popular streaming services, plus 1% on all other purchases
- Earn 8% cash back on Capital One Entertainment purchases
- Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options. Terms apply
- 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 and balance transfers for 15 months; 19.24% - 29.24% variable APR after that; balance transfer fee applies
- No foreign transaction fee
- No annual fee
- View Rates & Fees
NerdWallet's take
If your food expenses include as many trips to restaurants and takeout joints as to the grocery store, the Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card makes a good companion. You’ll earn unlimited 3% cash back on dining, grocery stores and entertainment. Rewards on $5,000 a year in grocery store spending: $150.
Grocery rewards: 3% cash back at grocery stores.
Other rewards: 3% cash back at restaurants; 3% on entertainment, including streaming services; 8% on Capital One Entertainment purchases; 5% on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel (terms apply); and 1% on all other purchases.
Annual fee: $0.
This card comes with a bonus offer that most households can easily claim with grocery spending alone: Earn a one-time $200 cash bonus once you spend $500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening. There's also an excellent intro APR offer.
If you don't dine out much, you'll miss out on a big chunk of this card's value.
If you dine out significantly more than you eat in, you may be better off with a card that pays a higher rate at restaurants than on groceries.
Our pick for: Amazon and Whole Foods
Rewards breakdown
Card details
- Get a $150 Amazon Gift Card instantly upon approval exclusively for Prime members
- Earn unlimited 5% back at Amazon.com, Amazon Fresh, Whole Foods Market and on Chase Travel purchases with an eligible Prime membership
- Prime Card Bonus: Earn 10% back or more on a rotating selection of items and categories on Amazon.com with an eligible Prime membership
- Earn unlimited 2% back at gas stations, restaurants, and on local transit and commuting (including rideshare)
- Earn unlimited 1% back on all other purchases
- No annual credit card fee
- No more waiting. Redeem daily rewards at Amazon.com as soon as the next day
- Member FDIC
- View Rates & Fees
NerdWallet's take
If you've got a lot of groceries coming in from Amazon, Amazon Fresh and/or Amazon-owned Whole Foods, the Prime Visa could be a perfect fit for your wallet, with unlimited 5% back. Rewards on $5,000 a year in grocery spending (at Amazon/Whole Foods): $250.
Grocery rewards: 5% back at Amazon, Amazon Fresh and Whole Foods; 1% on grocery purchases elsewhere.
Other rewards: 5% on Chase Travel purchases; 2% at restaurants and gas stations; 2% on rideshare, local commuting and transit; 1% elsewhere.
New cardholders can start shopping and saving with this offer: Get a $150 Amazon Gift Card instantly upon approval exclusively for Prime members.
The card has no annual fee, but you need an Amazon Prime membership, which costs $139 a year. (If you're already a Prime member, on the other hand, there's no additional cost.)
Our pick for: Travel rewards
Rewards breakdown
Card details
- Earn 60,000 bonus ThankYou® Points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months of account opening, redeemable for $600 in gift cards or travel rewards at thankyou.com.
- Earn 10 Points per $1 spent on Hotels, Car Rentals, and Attractions booked on CitiTravel.com.
- Earn 3 Points per $1 on Air Travel and Other Hotel Purchases, at Restaurants, Supermarkets, Gas and EV Charging Stations.
- Earn 1 Point per $1 spent on all other purchases
- $100 Annual Hotel Benefit: Once per calendar year, enjoy $100 off a single hotel stay of $500 or more (excluding taxes and fees) when booked through CitiTravel.com. Benefit applied instantly at time of booking.
- No expiration and no limit to the amount of points you can earn with this card
- No Foreign Transaction Fees on purchases
- View Rates & Fees
NerdWallet's take
The Citi Strata Premier® Card is the rare travel rewards credit card that pays a high rate on everyday non-travel spending, with 3X points in a bunch of categories, including supermarkets. Rewards on $5,000 a year in grocery spending: $150 (assuming 1 cent per point redemption value).
Grocery rewards: 3 points per dollar spent at supermarkets.
Other rewards: 3 points per dollar at gas stations and restaurants; 3 points per dollar on air travel and most hotels; 10 points per dollar on select travel purchased through Citi's travel portal; 1 point per dollar on other purchases.
Points can be redeemed at a value of 1 cent apiece for cash back or for travel booked through Citi; points can also be transferred to partner airline and hotel programs.
Solid new-cardholder offer: Earn 60,000 bonus ThankYou® Points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months of account opening, redeemable for $600 in gift cards or travel rewards at thankyou.com.
The card has an annual fee of $95. That's standard for travel cards in its class, and a great deal for what you get, but might be too much if you're looking for a just-for-groceries card.
There aren't many good domestic airline options on the list of travel partners you can transfer your points to.
Our pick for: 2% cash back on everything
Rewards breakdown
Card details
- Earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.
- 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. Plus, earn 5% total cash back on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked with Citi Travel.
- Balance Transfer Only Offer: 0% intro APR on Balance Transfers for 18 months. After that, the variable APR will be 18.24% - 28.24%, based on your creditworthiness.
- Balance Transfers do not earn cash back. Intro APR does not apply to purchases.
- 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 an intro balance transfer fee of 3% of each transfer (minimum $5) completed within the first 4 months of account opening. After that, your fee will be 5% of each transfer (minimum $5).
- View Rates & Fees
NerdWallet's take
Not interested in carrying a special card just for groceries? The Citi Double Cash® Card is a great one-card solution. It earns 2% back on all purchases — 1% when you make a purchase and 1% back when you pay it off. Rewards on $5,000 a year in grocery store spending: $100.
Grocery rewards: 2% cash back, delivered as 1% when you make a purchase and 1% when you pay it off.
Other rewards: The same 2%, paid as 1% + 1%, for most purchases. Certain travel purchases booked through Citi can earn 5%.
This card's simplicity is its not-so-secret weapon: No bonus categories to contend with or spending caps to worry about.
$0 annual fee.
Earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.
Unlike many other top-tier cash back cards, this offer doesn't include a 0% intro APR period for purchases.
The card's 1% + 1% structure means it can take a little longer to earn your rewards than it would with a straight-up 2% cash back card.
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.
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
Our pick for: Overall highest rewards rate
If your household spends a lot on groceries, gas, transit and streaming, 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 U.S. streaming subscriptions — are among the richest of any card. There's a nice welcome offer for new cardholders and an introductory APR period, too. The generous benefits come at a cost, though: Unlike most cash-back cards, this one charges an annual fee. Terms apply. Read our review.
Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express
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, at U.S. gas stations and on U.S. online retail purchases. The rewards might not be as rich as on the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express, but this card doesn't charge an annual fee either. New cardholders get a decent welcome offer and an introductory APR period. Read our review.
Citi Custom Cash® Card
Our pick for: Up to 5% cash back
The Citi Custom Cash® Card offers a lot of value for a $0 annual fee: 5% back automatically in your eligible top spending category on up to $500 spent per billing cycle (1% back on other spending). The list of eligible 5% categories is varied and includes biggies like restaurants, grocery stores and more. And unlike with its competitors, there's no activation schedule or bonus calendar to keep track of. Read our review.
U.S. Bank Shopper Cash Rewards® Visa Signature® Card
Our pick for: Target / Walmart / wholesale shoppers
The U.S. Bank Shopper Cash Rewards® Visa Signature® Card is tailor-made for consumers who spend a lot of money at retailers that don't fit into (or are specifically excluded from) the bonus categories offered by other credit cards. The card also offers a higher-than-usual rate on spending outside its bonus categories. The downside: There's an annual fee. Read our review.
Prime Visa
Our pick for: Amazon and Whole Foods
If you drop a lot of money at Amazon and/or Whole Foods Market, this is the card for you, with 5% back on such purchases, plus bonus rewards at restaurants and gas stations, plus local transit and commuting (including rideshare). There's no annual fee, but you have to be a Prime member, and that does have a fee. Read our review.
Instacart Mastercard®
Our pick for: Grocery delivery
You'll earn high rewards on Instacart grocery delivery and extra cash back in some other common spending categories. The bonus offer makes it even more enticing to have your groceries brought to you rather than driving to the store. Read our review.
Citi Double Cash® Card
Our pick for: 2% cash back on everything
Year after year, the Citi Double Cash® Card has been a top choice among flat-rate cash-back cards. 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 bonus categories, but the high rewards rate more than makes up for the lack of bells and whistles. Read our review.
Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card
Our pick for: Frequent restaurant diners
Some credit cards reward you well for going out, others for staying in. The Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card is the rare card that does both. It offers a terrific cash-back rate not only on dining and entertainment but also at grocery stores and on popular streaming services. Toss in a good bonus offer and intro APR period, and this card is a winner. (see rates and fees). Read our review.
U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card
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.
American Express® Gold Card
Our pick for: Travel rewards and perks
The American Express® Gold Card can earn you a pile of points from everyday spending, with generous rewards at U.S. supermarkets, at restaurants 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 welcome 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.
Citi Strata Premier® Card
Our pick for: Travel rewards
The Citi Strata Premier® Card earns bonus points on select travel, supermarkets, dining, gas stations and EV stations. There's a solid sign-up bonus as well. Read our review.
Ask our credit card experts
Paul Soucy
Paul SoucyWHAT CARD DO YOU USE FOR GROCERIES?
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express. No one offers better rewards on my supermarket spending — even after taking into account the annual fee.
Paul Soucy
Director of Content
Kenley Young
Kenley YoungWHAT CARD DO YOU USE FOR GROCERIES?
I've been using the Citi Custom Cash® Card for grocery runs. It offers a reliable 5% back there, but the problem is that we routinely spend beyond the card's monthly cap. Taking suggestions!
Kenley Young
Managing Editor
Melissa Lambarena
Melissa LambarenaWHAT CARD DO YOU USE FOR GROCERIES?
I use the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express. Some AmEx offers have also helped me save in this category as well.
Melissa Lambarena
Senior Writer & Content Strategist
Caitlin Mims
Caitlin MimsWHAT CARD DO YOU USE FOR GROCERIES?
I normally use my Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card for groceries. Yes, its 3% back is half what you’ll get with Blue Cash Preferred. But it’s worth it to be able to transfer rewards to my Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card and take advantage of better redemption options.
Caitlin Mims
Editor & Content Strategist
Sara Rathner
Sara RathnerWHAT CARD DO YOU USE FOR GROCERIES?
If I'm working on a sign-up bonus, groceries go on that card (along with every other purchase). If not, I have the no-longer-available Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card, and usually I just put groceries on that. It's not the highest cash-back rate one can get for groceries, but none of us are at our best 100% of the time, OK?
Sara Rathner
Senior Writer/Spokesperson
WHAT CARD DO YOU USE FOR GROCERIES?
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express. No one offers better rewards on my supermarket spending — even after taking into account the annual fee.
Paul Soucy
Director of Content
WHAT CARD DO YOU USE FOR GROCERIES?
I've been using the Citi Custom Cash® Card for grocery runs. It offers a reliable 5% back there, but the problem is that we routinely spend beyond the card's monthly cap. Taking suggestions!
Kenley Young
Managing Editor
WHAT CARD DO YOU USE FOR GROCERIES?
I use the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express. Some AmEx offers have also helped me save in this category as well.
Melissa Lambarena
Senior Writer & Content Strategist
WHAT CARD DO YOU USE FOR GROCERIES?
I normally use my Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card for groceries. Yes, its 3% back is half what you’ll get with Blue Cash Preferred. But it’s worth it to be able to transfer rewards to my Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card and take advantage of better redemption options.
Caitlin Mims
Editor & Content Strategist
WHAT CARD DO YOU USE FOR GROCERIES?
If I'm working on a sign-up bonus, groceries go on that card (along with every other purchase). If not, I have the no-longer-available Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card, and usually I just put groceries on that. It's not the highest cash-back rate one can get for groceries, but none of us are at our best 100% of the time, OK?
Sara Rathner
Senior Writer/Spokesperson
Other options worth a look
Flat-rate cash-back cards
Some people like to juggle multiple credit cards, with a specific card for every major category of spending. Others prefer the simplicity of having one card for everything. If that's you, consider one of these cards that pay a solid rate on everything:
Citi Double Cash® Card: 2% cash back on all purchases (1% when you make the purchase, 1% when you pay it off). Bonus offer: Earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.
Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card: 2% cash back on all purchases. Bonus offer: Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months.
Apple Card: 2% cash back on all purchases through Apple Pay. Bonus offer: None.
Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card: 1.5% cash back on all purchases (see rates and fees). Bonus offer: Earn a one-time $200 cash bonus after you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening.
Chase Freedom Unlimited®: 1.5% cash back on all purchases outside the card's 3% and 5% bonus categories. Bonus offer: Intro Offer: Earn a $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening.
Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards credit card: 1.5% cash back on all purchases. Bonus offer: $200 online cash rewards bonus after making at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of your account opening.
Branded credit cards
Most of the cards identified above can earn elevated rewards regardless of which supermarket or grocery store you shop at. If your grocery runs are always taking you to a specific store, though, you might be interested in that retailer's card. Some store-branded cards offer fairly pedestrian rewards, but some can be a valuable addition to your wallet. Below are a few more popular 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 and EV charging 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 $65 a year. » Rewards on $5,000 a year in groceries at Costco: $100.
Target: Target Circle™ Credit Card
The Target Circle™ 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 featured on this page offer elevated grocery rewards year-round. The Chase Freedom Flex® and select Discover cards like the Discover it® Cash Back pay a higher rate on groceries for only one quarter per year 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, see this page. To view rates and fees of the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express, see this page. To view rates and fees of the American Express® Gold Card, see this page.
Methodology
NerdWallet's credit cards team selects the best credit 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 as among the "best" in multiple categories. Learn how NerdWallet rates credit cards.
About the author
Jae Bratton
Lead Writer & Content StrategistAbout the reviewer
Caitlin Mims
Editor & Content StrategistAbout the editor
