Best Grocery Credit Cards in Canada
Grocery credit cards offer competitive rewards on dollars spent in Canadian grocery stores, including Food Basics, FreshCo, Loblaws, Metro, No Frills, Real Canadian Superstores, Safeway, Sobeys and more.
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Summary: Best grocery credit cards in Canada
| Card | NerdWallet rating | Annual fee | Interest rates | Rewards rate | Apply Now |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scotiabank Gold American Express® Card | APPLY NOW on Scotiabank's website | ||||
 APPLY NOW on Scotiabank's website | 5.0/5 | $120 | 20.99%/22.99% | 1x-6x Points | |
| BMO CashBack® World Elite®* Mastercard®* | APPLY NOW on BMO's website | ||||
 APPLY NOW on BMO's website | 5.0/5 | $120 Waived first year | 21.99%/23.99% | 1%–5% | |
| American Express Cobalt® Card | APPLY NOW on American Express' website | ||||
 APPLY NOW on American Express' website | 5.0/5 | $191.88 | 21.99%/21.99% | 1x-5x Points | |
| Neo World Elite® Mastercard* | APPLY NOW on Neo's website | ||||
 APPLY NOW on Neo's website | 4.5/5 | $125 | 19.99%-29.99%/22.99%-28.99% | 1%-5% | |
| PC World Elite Mastercard | |||||
 | 4.2/5 | $0 | 21.99%/22.97% | 10x-45x Points | |
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Best grocery credit cards in Canada
Rewards breakdown
Rewards breakdownPoints on every $1 you spend at Sobeys, Safeway, Freshco, Foodland and more.
Points for every $1 you spend on dining & food delivery. Includes popular food delivery and food subscriptions.
Points for every $1 you spend at other eligible grocery stores.
Points for every $1 you spend in Canada on eligible entertainment purchases. Includes movies, theatre and ticket agencies stores.
Points for every $1 CAD you spend in Canada on eligible gas purchases.
Points for every $1 CAD you spend in Canada on eligible daily transit options. Includes rideshares, buses, subway, taxis and more.
Points for every $1 CAD you spend in Canada on eligible select streaming services.
Point for every $1 spent on all other eligible everyday purchases.
NerdWallet's take
NerdWallet's takeA well-rounded rewards earner that stands out for its top-tier rates in popular categories, like groceries and entertainment spending. Its waived foreign exchange fees and travel insurance will appeal to travellers, but there’s no complimentary airport lounge access, just discounted membership to Priority Pass. Best for: Travellers and families who spend big on groceries, restaurants and commuting and want to collect Scene+ points.
Pros
- Generous rewards rates of up to 6x Scene+ points.
- No FX fees.
- Priority Pass airport lounge membership discount.
Cons
- No complimentary airport lounge access.
- Highest earn rate only applies to dollars spent at Sobeys and its subsidiary stores.
Card details
Card details- Earn up to $850 in welcome offers, first year rewards and savings value and up to 45,000 bonus Scene+ points.¹
- Earn 6x Scene+ points¹ on every $1 you spend at Sobeys, Safeway, Freshco, Foodland and more
- Earn 5x Scene+ points¹ for every $1 you spend on dining, food delivery and other eligible grocery stores. Includes popular food delivery and food subscriptions.
- Earn 5x Scene+ points¹ for every $1 you spend in Canada eligible entertainment purchases. Includes movies, theatre and ticket agencies stores.
- Earn 3x Scene+ points¹ for every $1 CAD you spend in Canada on eligible gas and daily transit options. Includes rideshares, buses, subway, taxis and more
- Earn 3x Scene+ points¹ for every $1 CAD you spend in Canada on eligible select streaming services
- Plus earn 1 Scene+ point for every $1 spent on all other eligible everyday purchases
- Earn additional benefits + up to 4X Scene+ points for every dollar you spend on hotel bookings, car rentals, and things to do with Scene+ Travel, Powered by Expedia.
- No Foreign Transaction Fee
- Comprehensive Travel Insurance coverage
- AMEX Offers®
- AMEX Front of the Line®
- American Express Invites®
- Complimentary Concierge Services
- Rates, fees and other information are effective as of January 2, 2026. Subject to change.
- *See Card Provider's website and Card Application for complete card details, terms and current offers. Reasonable efforts are made to maintain accuracy of information.
Rewards breakdown
Rewards breakdownCash back on groceries.
Cash back on transit including ride sharing, taxis and public transportation.*
Cash back on gas and electric vehicle charging.*
Cash back on recurring bill payments.
Cash back on all other purchases*.
NerdWallet's take
NerdWallet's takeA category-strong cash-back card that shines on essential spending categories, including a whopping 5% back on groceries, 4% on transit and 3% on gas. Lofty annual income criteria could be a dealbreaker, though. Best for: Canadians who spend big on groceries or commutes seeking simple cash-back returns.
Pros
- Redeem cash back at any time.
- Discounted airport lounge access for $32 USD per visit.
Cons
- $80,000 individual or $150,000 household annual income requirement.
Card details
Card details- Get up to $650 in value including $40 cash back each month in your first year. Plus we’ll waive the $120 annual fee in the first year.¹ Plus, get a 0% introductory interest rate on Balance transfers for 12 months with a 2% transfer fee.*
- Earn more cash back on the categories that mean the most: 5% on groceries.* 4% on transit including ride sharing, taxis and public transportation.* 3% on gas and electric vehicle charging.* 2% on recurring bill payments like your monthly phone bill or favourite streaming service.* 1% unlimited cashback on all other purchases.*
- Get valuable benefits and offers for digital everyday services from a variety of on-demand apps and subscription services.
- Extended Warranty Plus.*
- Purchase Protection Plus.*
- Complimentary membership in Mastercard Airport Experiences provided by LoungeKey.*
- Access over 1 million Wi-Fi hotspots around the world - all at no added cost, and no added fees or roaming charges.*
- Complimentary Roadside Assistance Program.*
- BMO CashBack World Elite Travel and Medical Protection.*
- BMO Concierge Service.*
- Unlock Mastercard Travel Rewards cashback offers when you travel and shop outside of Canada.
- Enjoy six months of Instacart+ and a $10 monthly Instacart credit when you enroll your eligible BMO Credit Card.*
- *Terms and conditions apply.
- BMO is not responsible for maintaining the content on this site. Please click on the Apply now link for the most up to date information.
Rewards breakdown
Rewards breakdownPoints on eligible eats and drinks in Canada, including groceries and food delivery.* Spend cap applies.
Points on eligible streaming subscriptions in Canada.
Points on eligible ride shares, transit & gas in Canada.
Point for every $1 in Card purchases everywhere else.
Additional point on eligible hotel and car rental bookings via American Express Travel Online.
NerdWallet's take
NerdWallet's takeA standout everyday earner with up to 5x points on a spectrum of everyday spending categories, including eats and drinks, streaming services, gas and more. Unusually robust travel insurance for a mid-tier card makes it a decent travel companion, too. Best for: Those who spend big on groceries, entertainment or transit and want a flexible rewards program.
Pros
- Includes 10 forms of insurance.
- Points can be transferred to other rewards programs, including Aeroplan and Marriott Bonvoy.
- Up to $60 in Instacart statement credits.
Cons
- No lounge access.
- The 5x earn rate is capped at $2,500 monthly — purchases above the cap drop to 1x.
Card details
Card details- In your first year as a new Cobalt Cardmember, you can earn 1,250 Membership Rewards® points for each monthly billing period in which you spend $750 in net purchases on your Card. This could add up to 15,000 points in a year. That’s up to $150 towards a weekend getaway or concert tickets.
- Earn 5x the points on eligible eats and drinks in Canada, including groceries and food delivery. Spend cap applies.
- Earn 3x the points on eligible streaming subscriptions in Canada.
- Earn 2X the points on eligible ride shares, transit & gas in Canada.
- Earn 1 additional point on eligible hotel and car rental bookings via American Express Travel Online.
- Earn 1X point for every $1 in Card purchases everywhere else.
- Enjoy access to hotel bookings, a room upgrade (when available), 12pm check-in and late check-out (when available), and up to $100 USD hotel credit to use on amenities when charged to the room for a stay of 2 or more consecutive nights through The Hotel Collection from American Express Travel
- Transfer points 1:1 to several frequent flyer and other loyalty programs.
- Access Front Of The Line® Amex Presale & Reserved Tickets to some of your favourite concerts and theatre performances and special offers and events curated for Cardmembers with Amex Experiences™
- American Express is not responsible for maintaining or monitoring the accuracy of information on this website. For full details and current product information, click the Apply Now link. If you apply and get approved for an American Express Card, (I/we) may receive compensation from American Express, which can be in the form of monetary payment.
Rewards breakdown
Rewards breakdownCashback on groceries.
Cashback on recurring payments.
Cashback on gas & electric vehicle charging.
Cashback on everything else.
NerdWallet's take
NerdWallet's takeNeo’s top-tier Mastercard offers up to 5% back on everyday essentials with high monthly caps and a full suite of travel insurance. You’ll also get airport lounge access with DragonPass, but a $32 USD fee applies to each visit. The $80,000 minimum income requirements for the card may exclude some users. Best for: Travellers who spend big at the grocery store and value cash-back over points.
Pros
- High $1,000/month spending caps on top earn rates.
- Robust travel insurance.
- Secured option available.
Cons
- Interest rates can reach 29.99%, depending on credit history.
- Steep $80,000 minimum income requirement.
- Majority of travel insurance not available in Quebec.
Card details
Card details- 5% cashback on groceries
- 4% cashback on recurring payments
- 3% cashback on gas & electric vehicle charging
- 1% on everything else
- Average of 5% cashback at 10,000 partner locations nation-wide—on top of the base cashback rates
- Extended Warranty
- Purchase Protection
- Comprehensive Travel Insurance for delayed and lost baggage, flight delay, trip interruption and more
- Emergency medical coverage for out-of-province and out-of-country travel
- Mastercard Travel Pass provided by DragonPass
- Track your monthly spending with real-time insights
- Instant cashback that can be redeemed anytime
- Pay your bill instantly with Neo's #1 rated financial app
- Also available as a secured credit card for those looking to build their credit history in Canada
- International IDs accepted
Rewards breakdown
Rewards breakdownPoints per $1 at Shoppers Drug Mart and Pharmaprix stores.
Points per $1 at Loblaw-affiliated grocery stores.
Points per litre at Esso and Mobil gas stations.
Points per $1 every else.
NerdWallet's take
NerdWallet's takeThis co-branded card generously rewards Loblaw shoppers with up to 4.5% back on everyday spending categories, like gas, groceries and drugstore purchases. That said, points are only redeemable at Loblaw stores, and steep income criteria limits this card’s accessibility. Best for: High-income earners who frequently shop Loblaw-affiliated stores.
Pros
- No annual fee.
- Up to 4.5% back in everyday spending.
- Some travel insurance.
Cons
- High $80,000 individual or $150,000 household annual income requirement.
- Highest earn rate limited to drugstore spending.
- Points only redeemable at participating Loblaw-owned stores, Shoppers Drug Mart/Pharmapix, and Esso gas stations.
Card details
Card details- 45x PC Optimum points per dollar on Shoppers Drug Mart purchases.
- 30x PC Optimum points per dollar on Loblaw-brand grocery store purchases.
- 30x PC Optimum points per dollar per litre of gas purchased at Esso Mobil.
- 10x PC Optimum points per dollar on all other purchases.
- Redeem a minimum of 10,000 points for free products and groceries at participating stores (in person and online).
- No annual fee.
- 24/7 concierge service to make dinner reservations, reserve event tickets, deliver gifts and more.
- Access to identity theft services to help you avoid identity theft or restore your identity if stolen.
- Four types of insurance provided, including 10-day travel medical benefits for those under age 65.
- Preferred rates: 20.97% for purchases, 21.97% for cash advances.
- To be eligible, $80,000 (individual) or $150,000 (household) annual income is required. Also, you must have a Canadian credit file and be a Canadian resident of the age of majority in the province or territory where you live.
Rewards breakdown
Rewards breakdownPoints on gas & electric vehicle charging.
Points on groceries.
Points on direct Air Canada purchases.
Points on all other purchases.
NerdWallet's take
NerdWallet's takeA mid-tier Aeroplan card that earns accelerated points on groceries, gas, EV charging and Air Canada purchases, plus travel insurance and free checked bags on Air Canada itineraries. Just don’t expect high-end airport perks like priority check in or complimentary airport lounge access. Best for: Air Canada flyers who occasionally need to check a bag and want Aeroplan points without a premium price tag.
Pros
- Free first checked bags when you fly Air Canada.
- Free international money transfers.
Cons
- No airport lounge access.
Card details
Card details- Earn 10,000 Aeroplan points when you make your first purchase. Earn 20,000 Aeroplan points when you spend $4,000 or more during the first 4 monthly statements periods. Earn 15,000 Aeroplan points as an additional anniversary bonus when you have at least $10,000 in net purchases posted on your account during the first 12 monthly statement periods. Offer applies to new cardmembers only.
- 1.5x Aeroplan points for every dollar spent on gas, electric vehicle charging, groceries and direct Air Canada purchases, including Air Canada Vacations, up to a maximum annual spend of $80,000.
- 1x Aeroplan point for every dollar you spend on all other purchases.
- Earn points twice by providing your Aeroplan number at over 150 Aeroplan partners and more than 170 online retailers through the Aeroplan eStore.
- Points can be redeemed for flights, car rentals and hotel bookings, as well as merchandise and gift cards available in the Aeroplan eStore.
- $139 annual fee, which can be reduced each year if you have a CIBC Smart Plus account.
- Access to Visa Infinite offers, including exclusive benefits at luxury hotels, gourmet restaurants and wineries in British Columbia, Ontario and Sonoma Valley.
- Car rental discounts of up to 25% at participating Avis and Budget locations worldwide.
- The Aeroplan Family Sharing plan allows Aeroplan members in the same household to combine their points and speed up the delivery of their next flight reward.
- Primary cardholders hoping to reach Aeroplan Elite Status can receive 1,000 Status Qualifying Miles and 1 Status Qualifying Segment for every $10,000 in eligible purchases.
- Access to CIBC Pace It, an installment plan designed to help you pay off large or unexpected purchases over time at a lower interest rate.
- 13 types of insurance provided, including 15-day travel medical benefits (three days if you’re 65 or older on your departure date) — worth up to $5 million in coverage per insured person.
- Preferred rates: 20.99% for purchases, 22.99% for cash advances.
- To be eligible, $60,000 (individual) or $100,000 (household) annual income is required. You must also be a Canadian resident of the age of majority in the province or territory where you live who has not declared bankruptcy in the last seven years.
- The information for the CIBC Aeroplan® Visa Infinite Card has been collected independently by NerdWallet. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Rewards breakdown
Rewards breakdownPoint for every $1 you spend on eligible gas, electric vehicle charging.
Point for every $1 you spend on groceries.
Point for every $1 you spend directly with Air Canada.
Point for every $1.50 you spend on all other purchases.
NerdWallet's take
NerdWallet's takeThis card offers students clean and easy entry into the Aeroplan program: no annual fee, points on everyday essentials and access to Aeroplan’s Family Sharing feature to pool rewards with loved ones. There’s no robust travel insurance or glitzy airport perks though, so it’s best for occasional flyers building credit. Best for: Students who want to access credit and earn travel rewards in tandem.
Pros
- No annual fee.
- No minimum income requirements.
- 12-month Skip+ free trial.
Cons
- No emergency medical coverage.
- Credit limits are capped at $5,000 for domestic students and $2,000 for international students.
Card details
Card details- 1x Aeroplan points per dollar on gas, electric vehicle charging, groceries and Air Canada travel purchases, up to $40,000 annual spend.
- 1x Aeroplan points per $1.50 spent on all other purchases, including gas, electric vehicle charging, groceries and Air Canada travel purchases that exceed the $40,000 threshold.
- Earn points twice at over 150 Aeroplan partners and 170+ online retailers through the Aeroplan eStore.
- Aeroplan Points never expire and can be redeemed for a variety of travel, merchandise, gift card, and other rewards offered by Aeroplan’s participating partners and suppliers.
- $0 annual fee.
- Get three free months of Uber Pass for discounts on rides, meals and more. Offer ends September 8, 2022.
- Earn 1 Aeroplan point for every $6 spent on CIBC Global Money Transfer, with no transaction fees or interest as long as you pay your balance on time. Offer ends June 30, 2022.
- Maximize your points by adding up to three additional cards and giving them to your spouse or other family members. Points can be shared with other Aeroplan members in your household.
- Earn points by using your CIBC Aeroplan Visa to automatically make recurring bill payments.
- Receive preferred pricing when paying for flights with your Aeroplan points.
- Save up to 25% on car rentals at participating Budget and Avis locations worldwide when paying with your card.
- Save up to 10 cents per litre at participating Chevron, Ultramar and Pioneer gas stations if you link your card with Journie Rewards.
- Use the CIBC Pace It feature to make installment payments on large purchases.
- Four types of insurance are provided: auto rental collision and loss damage insurance, purchase security, extended protection insurance, and $100,000 in common carrier accident insurance.
- Preferred rates: 20.99% for purchases, 22.99% for cash advances.
- To be eligible, you must have full-time status in a college or university.
- The information for the CIBC Aeroplan® Visa* Card for Students has been collected independently by NerdWallet. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
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Methodology
BACK TO TOPFull list of editorial picks: Best grocery credit cards
Scotiabank Gold American Express® Card
Our pick for: Best overall grocery card
Earns up to 6 Scene+ points per $1 spent on groceries
Equivalent to $15.17 monthly and $182.08 annually in rewards*
The Scotiabank Gold American Express® Card earns its spot as the best overall grocery card with a highly competitive earn rate on groceries alongside a bevy of enticing perks. Beyond the whopping 6 Scene+ points per dollar spent at eligible grocery stores, which, with the right redemptions, shakes out to a 6% cash-back equivalent, I appreciate this card’s feature lineup, which includes comprehensive insurance coverage, discounted airport lounge access and access to American Express Experiences. Plus, the waived foreign transaction fees — a potential game-changer for international grocery hauls — is a major point in its favour.
Neo World Elite
Our pick for: Cash back rewards
Earns up to 7% per $1 on groceries
Equivalent to $17.70 monthly and $212.43 annually in rewards*
The Neo World Elite® Mastercard* may be the new kid on the cash-back block, but it’s out to make a name for itself with some of the most lucrative rewards rates on the market. It’s possible to earn a sizable 7% cash back on grocery dollars spent. Plus, this card’s accelerated earn rates on gas and recurring payments, along with a flat 1% on everything else, make the Neo World Elite Mastercard a veritable rewards-earning juggernaut. Now, hold on to your grocery cart because to unlock those sky-high boosted rates, you’ll need to pair the card with a Neo Everyday account and maintain a minimum account balance of $10,000. Still, even without the boost, this card’s baseline 5% on groceries is nothing to scoff at.
PC Financial World Elite Mastercard
Our pick for: Loblaw shoppers
Earns 30 PC Optimum points per $1 spent on groceries
Equivalent to $7.59 monthly and $91.04 annually in rewards*
I like a no-fee card that packs a punch, and the PC World Elite Mastercard delivers. This card offers 30 PC Optimum points per $1 spent at Loblaw banner grocery stores, alongside elevated earn rates for Esso, Mobil and Shoppers Drug Mart purchases. Of course, the caveat is that this card’s beefiest earn rates are restricted to Loblaw-affiliated stores, though this is true of any PC Financial credit card. That said, regular shoppers at Zehrs, No Frills, Fortinos or the Real Canadian Superstore will be well-positioned to take advantage of this card’s grocery rewards. Best of all, there are no limits to the number of points you can earn, making it a top choice for families who spend big at Loblaw stores.
BMO CashBack World Elite Mastercard
Our honourable mention for: Cash back
Earns 5% cash back per $1 spent on groceries
Equivalent to $15.17 monthly and $182.08 annually in rewards*
For those who prefer cold, hard cash over points, the BMO CashBack® World Elite®* Mastercard®* is a standout choice. I'm particularly impressed by its 5% cash-back rate on groceries, one of the highest in Canada. What I appreciate about this card is its simplicity — there's no need to calculate point values or navigate tricky redemption options. You spend money on groceries, and you get cash back, period. It's perfect for pragmatic shoppers who want to see tangible savings on their credit card statements. While the annual fee isn't insignificant, I think it can be easily justified if you're spending a good chunk of change on groceries each month. Plus, with additional perks like travel insurance and car rental discounts, it offers solid value beyond your grocery runs. For those who prefer a no-fee credit card, the BMO CashBack Mastercard may be a practical fit.
American Express Cobalt Card
Our pick for: Rewards points
Earns 5 American Express Membership points per $1 spent on groceries
Equivalent to $36.42 monthly and $436.99 annually in rewards*
American Express cards tend to be less popular among Canadian consumers, which makes the American Express Cobalt® Card something of a dark horse in the grocery credit card race. But don’t be fooled: this hidden gem is a reward-earning powerhouse. In fact, of the cards on this list, the Amex Cobalt reigns supreme as the best bang for your buck as far as grocery rewards are concerned. This card has rewards redemption potential of up to 14 cents per dollar spent on groceries — more than double that of the Scotiabank Gold American Express. So why doesn’t the Amex Cobalt take the best grocery card crown? It lacks a few of the bells and whistles of its competitors, like waived FX fees and discounted airport lounge access. Still, for folks exclusively seeking to turn grocery spending into discounted travel and hotel stays, especially through partner loyalty programs, you’d be hard-pressed to outdo the Amex Cobalt.
CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card
Our pick for: Aeroplan points
Earns 1.5 Aeroplan points per $1 spent on groceries
Equivalent to $5.82 monthly and $69.80 annually in rewards*
For Aeroplan loyalists, the CIBC Aeroplan® Visa Infinite Card offers the highest earn rate on grocery dollars spent available among Aeroplan cards. Plus, cardholders get free first checked bags on Air Canada flights, adding extra value. While 1.5 Aeroplan points per grocery dollar spent may not seem like much to write home about, the real advantage lies in the value of Aeroplan points, which offer outsized value when redeemed for flights. On top of that, this card is loaded with travel benefits, like airport perks and ways to fast-track your Aeroplan status. This means that savvy Air Canada travellers can turn their grocery bills into travel rewards, so long as they spend and redeem strategically.
CIBC Aeroplan Visa Card for Students
Our pick for: Students
Earns 1 Aeroplan point per $1 spent on groceries
Equivalent to $2.53 monthly and $30.35 annually in rewards*
As someone who remembers the financial juggling act of student life firsthand, I thought the CIBC Aeroplan® Visa* Card for Students deserved a spot on this list. With no annual fee or minimum income requirements, it’s a practical fit for those seeking a budget-friendly card that earns rewards. Beyond grocery purchases, cardholders earn 1 Aeroplan point per $1 spent on gas, electric vehicle charging and Air Canada purchases, too. There are also useful benefits, such as car rental coverage and a few card insurance standards, like purchase security and extended protection. All in all, this is a well-rounded card with plenty of value for a student seeking travel rewards without added costs.
*Estimated rewards are based on NerdWallet’s point valuation and an average per capita grocery spend of $252.89 per month ($3,034.68 annually), according to Canada’s Food Price Report 2024.
How grocery credit cards work in Canada
Credit cards that earn points or cash back on dollars spent in grocery stores are an ideal fit for frequent food shoppers. Whether a grocery credit card is suitable for a shopper’s wallet largely depends on their spending habits.
Which credit cards offer the most valuable rewards on groceries?
Canadian credit card rewards programs are plentiful, and reward point values differ drastically. For this reason, a credit card’s earn rate alone doesn’t provide much insight into the monetary worth of the reward unless you can identify the redemption value of each point.
Some reward programs, like PC Optimum, publish the monetary value of their rewards points. Other programs, like Aeroplan and Air Miles, don’t. To develop point valuations for programs like these, NerdWallet Canada compared hundreds of reward redemption data points. We looked at some of the most popular grocery cards in Canada to get a sense of the kind of value food shoppers could get out of their rewards.
To calculate each credit card’s cash redemption equivalent on grocery spending, we multiplied each card’s reward rate per $1 spent on groceries by its NerdWallet Canada point valuation — the estimated maximum value you could get when redeeming your rewards. For example, the Scotiabank Gold American Express Card earns 6 Scene points per $1 spent on groceries. Based on NerdWallet Canada point valuation, Scene points are worth 1 cent each when redeemed optimally. So, the card’s cash back equivalent per $1 spent on groceries is 6 cents.
Which grocery stores in Canada accept American Express?
Many grocery stores in Canada accept American Express credit cards with a few notable exceptions. Costco and Loblaw-affiliated stores do not accept Amex cards as a payment method.
How to choose a grocery credit card
Finding the right grocery credit card for your lifestyle has the potential to significantly enhance your savings and rewards on everyday purchases.
Spending habits. Assessing your spending habits — specifically, how much and how often you spend in grocery stores — will help you determine the potential value of adding a grocery credit card to your wallet.
Rewards programs. There’s a lot to consider when comparing credit card rewards programs, including earn rates and redemption options.
Annual fees. Cards with annual fees tend to offer more robust perks and benefits. Whether the annual fee is worthwhile will depend on your financial situation.
Introductory offers. A credit card welcome bonus can offer additional value, though you may be required to complete one or more card-related actions to unlock the offer.
Card acceptance. If you prefer to shop at a specific grocery store or supermarket chain, consider checking whether the card you’re interested in is an accepted payment method at that establishment.
Spending caps. Some credit cards impose reward-earning caps on spending categories, limiting the rewards you can earn based on your total spend in that category over a set period of time.
A grocery credit card doesn’t need to be the only credit card in your wallet. A multi-card approach may be practical if your grocery card is missing certain features, like travel perks, or causes you to bump into spending caps that limit your reward-earning potential. Just be sure you’re comfortable managing multiple credit accounts responsibly before you apply for an additional card.
Alternatives to grocery credit cards
While grocery store credit cards offer enticing rewards for food shoppers, they won’t be ideal for everyone. If you frequently order take-out or shop at a supermarket that isn’t coded as a grocery store for rewards purposes, a grocery credit card may not make sense. Grocery credit cards may also be missing some perks preferred by travellers, like free checked bags and airport lounge access. The good news is that there are numerous other credit card options worth considering:
Rewards credit cards. Any card that earns points or cash back could be considered a rewards card. However, reward programs, redemption options and earn rates vary widely.
Travel credit cards. Those who frequently take to the roads, seas or skies may benefit from perks typically offered by travel credit cards, like travel insurance, car rental discounts, free checked bags and more.
Store credit cards. Brand loyalists may be interested in exploring their store credit card options, which offer accelerated rewards on dollars spent with co-branded retailers.
Checking out different card benefits and reward programs can increase the likelihood of finding a credit card that is well-suited to your spending habits and financial goals.
What Reddit has to say
To find the best grocery cards in Canada, NerdWallet’s credit card experts review hundreds of cards available on the market. But our Nerds know it can also be helpful to hear what everyday cardholders think. We took to Reddit to find out what users are saying across multiple threads.
Redditors mostly agree with NerdWallet's grocery card picks:
As of this writing, Redditors suggest that some of the best grocery cards are the Amex Cobalt, Scotiabank Amex Gold and PC World Elite Mastercard, all of which made our list. They also suggest some store-branded cards, like the Triangle® World Elite® Mastercard®, that NerdWallet recommends as alternatives. However, some Redditors favor cards that didn’t make our list, such as the National Bank World Elite Mastercard.
DIVE EVEN DEEPER
Shannon Terrell
