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If you spend a lot of money on groceries, it makes sense to use a rewards credit card that offers bonus rewards at the supermarket to make the most of this necessary expense. Fortunately, there are lots of credit cards that offer bonus points, miles, or cash back at the grocery store — and some even don't charge an annual fee.
See our picks for the best credit cards »
Here are our top credit card picks for earning the most rewards at grocery stores.
Compare Grocery Credit Cards
Best Grocery Credit Cards
American Express® Gold Card - Product Name Only : Best for earning points at US supermarketsChase Sapphire Preferred® Card - Product Name Only : Best for online grocery purchasesCiti Premier® Card - Product Name Only : Best for earning bonus points on groceries and lots of other categoriesCiti Custom Cash℠ Card - Product Name Only : Best if groceries is your highest spending categoryBlue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express - Product Name Only : Best credit card for cash back on groceries at US supermarketsCapital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card - Product Name Only : Best for cash back on groceries with no annual feeAmazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card - Product Name Only : Best for Whole Foods and AmazonAmex EveryDay® Preferred Credit Card - Product Name Only : Best for Amex points with a sub-$100 annual fee
Methodology: How We Chose the Best Grocery Credit Cards
We're focused here on the rewards and perks that come with each card. These cards won't be worth it if you're paying interest or late fees. When using a credit card, it's important to pay your balance in full each month, make payments on time, and only spend what you can afford to pay.
We narrowed down our list of the best credit cards for grocery shopping by evaluating several factors:
- Ease of use — Does the card have a straightforward rewards program? Are there any restrictions on earning bonus rewards?
- Earning potential — What bonus do you earn at the supermarket with this card, and are there other bonus categories that reward everyday spending?
- Annual fee — Some rewards credit cards have no annual fee, but for those that do charge one, are there additional benefits that make it worth it?
- Cards for various types of consumers — We chose cards to reflect different types of spending, from families looking to earn the most cash back to those who prefer shopping online.
Learn more about how we rate and review credit cards at Insider.
Grocery Credit Card Frequently Asked Questions
Are grocery credit cards worth it?
Opening a credit card specifically for grocery purchases is worth it for those who spend a lot at supermarkets, especially with food prices climbing nowadays. Families with large grocery bills in particular can do quite well by earning rewards for these purchases.
It's an even better deal if you choose a card that also earns bonus rewards in other everyday categories. For example, families that spend a lot on gas and dining out as well as groceries can maximize these expenses with the
What credit score do you need to open a grocery credit card?
Most of the grocery credit cards we recommend require a credit score in the good to excellent range. This means a FICO score of at least 670. However, there are a handful of student credit cards — many of which don't require a credit score — that earn bonus rewards on grocery purchases. For example, the
What's the best credit card for cash back on groceries?
Hands down, the
However, if you tend to spend more than $6,000 on groceries each year (or have grocery expenses overseas), choosing another cash-back card (or adding a second card) could make sense. In that case, a card like the
What is the best credit card for groceries and gas?
If you regularly spend big on grocery and gas purchases you can apply for a credit card with high rewards rates in both spending categories. You can pick from some of the best cards like the
Best for Earning Points at US Supermarkets
The
In addition, cardholders receive up to $120 per year in dining credits** (up to $10 per month) with participating restaurants and food delivery services, and up to $120 per year (up to $10 per month) in Uber Cash credits**. The card charges a
Best for Online Grocery Purchases
The pandemic shifted consumer grocery shopping habits, with many still preferring to order groceries online for curbside pickup or delivery. As part of a refresh, the
You'll earn bonus points when you use your card to pay for grocery pickup and delivery orders that are placed online with grocery stores, specialty food stores, meal kit delivery services, or delivery service merchants that classify as grocery store merchants (excluding membership and subscription fees).
Purchases from Target, Walmart, wholesale clubs, liquor stores, and merchants that specialize in only a few grocery items do not qualify. Pharmacy purchases (even from those located in supermarkets), gift cards, gift boxes, and gift baskets aren't eligible, either. Here's a full list of what purchases count in the Chase Sapphire bonus categories.
Chase Sapphire Preferred Card Review
Best for Earning Bonus Points on Groceries and Much More
The
The card comes with a welcome bonus of
Best if Groceries Is Your Highest Spending Category
The
There's no annual fee, and the card offers a solid welcome bonus:
Best Credit Card for Cash Back on Groceries at US Supermarkets
If you prefer earning cash back on your grocery spending, the
The card also offers 6% back on select US streaming services, 3% on transit, 3% at US gas stations, and 1% on all other purchases. There's an annual fee of
American Express Blue Cash Preferred Review
Best for Cash Back on Groceries With No Annual Fee
If you like earning cash back without paying an annual fee, the
The card offers a decent welcome bonus:
Capital One SavorOne Card Review
Best for Whole Foods and Amazon
Amazon Prime members can take the sting out of their Whole Foods grocery bill when they use the Amazon
If you don't have a Prime Membership, the card earns 3% back instead of 5%. There's no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees, so this card is a good pick if you spend a lot at Whole Foods and Amazon. If you shop at other supermarkets, though, you'll likely do better with a card that earns a bonus at all grocery stores.
Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Card Review
Best for Amex Points With a Sub-$100 Annual Fee
Of all the Amex cards in my wallet, I've had the
The card has a trick up its sleeve, too. If you make at least 30 purchases on the card in a billing cycle, you'll get a 50% bonus on all the points you've earned, effectively bumping the rate to 4.5x points at U.S. supermarkets (up to spending limits). The
Amex EveryDay Preferred Card Review
What Counts as a Grocery Store or Supermarket for Bonus Credit Card Rewards?
Each bank has a slightly different definition of what counts as a grocery store purchase when it comes to earning bonus rewards. Be aware that most credit card networks do not consider superstores like Walmart or Target, or warehouse clubs like Costco, as part of the grocery category, so you won't earn extra points or cash back on those purchases.
There are other restrictions to keep in mind. For example, American Express only awards bonus points or cash back at "US supermarkets" and not retailers abroad. It defines supermarkets as retailers 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. This does not include superstores, convenience stores, warehouse clubs, or meal-kit delivery services.
Meanwhile, Chase's definition includes supermarkets, merchants that offer a full-service grocery line of merchandise including a deli and bakery, and smaller grocery stores. Larger stores that sell a wide variety of goods and groceries, like warehouse clubs, discount stores, drugstores, and merchants that specialize in only a few grocery items aren't included, but delivery service merchants (like Instacart) are included if they classify as a grocery store merchant.