Credit Cards

Save more, spend less: 7 best credit cards for grocery shopping

By
Social Links for Kevin Payne ,
edited by
Social Links for Hanna Horvath
Published Oct. 23, 2023, 8:48 a.m. ET
A couple uses a credit card to buy groceries.
Shutterstock

Content provided by Bankrate.com. New York Post and its content partners earn compensation from the affiliate companies that appear below. This content does not include all available financial offers, and compensation may impact how and where links appear in the content.

Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.

Everyone needs to eat — which is why grocery shopping is a large part of our monthly budgets. And it’s becoming even more expensive. A recent report found almost 70% of shoppers spent more on groceries this year than the year before.

Some cards offer boosted points or cash back for grocery purchases, helping you save at the supermarket. The best credit cards for groceries come with solid rewards earning rates, flexible redemptions, and added perks that keep your food costs down

Best credit cards for groceries

Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express: Best for cash back rewards

The Blue Cash Preferred card offers some of the highest cash back rates on grocery purchases. The popular Amex card earns 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets up to $6,000 per year (then 1%). Other elevated cash back categories include select U.S. streaming subscriptions, transit, and U.S. gas stations.

Keep in mind there’s a spending limit for earning 6% on groceries. That’s why this card is best for those who spend around $500 or less each month at the grocery store.

This card has an introductory annual fee of $0 in the first year and costs $95 annually afterward. See rates and fees.

Pros:

  • High cash back rewards on groceries 
  • Often offers a welcome bonus 
  • Elevated cash back on streaming, gas, and transit

Cons:

  • $95 annual fee applies after the first year
  • High APR if you carry a balance
  • Requires good to excellent credit 

American Express Gold Card: Best for premium benefits

The American Express Gold Card comes with an annual price tag that may be too high if you’re only looking for rewards on grocery spending. But, if you’re a big spender at the supermarket and are looking for elevated points on dining and travel, you may want to consider this premium card.

With the Amex Gold Card, you can earn 4X points at U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000 per year, then 1x points). The spending limit is higher than the Blue Cash Preferred, so if you know you’re going to be spending a lot on food, you may want to consider the Gold card.

You’ll also earn 4X points at restaurants (including takeout and delivery in the U.S.) and Uber Eats, and 1X on other eligible purchases. Plus, earn 3X points on flights booked directly with airlines or via American Express Travel and 1X points on all other purchases. The card also often comes with credits for food delivery services and restaurants.

Pros

  • High spending limit to earn higher rewards on groceries 
  • Often offers a large welcome offer
  • Annual dining and takeout credits

Cons

  • $250 annual fee. See rates and fees. 
  • Restricted redemption options 
  • Requires good or excellent credit

Chase Sapphire Preferred Card: Best for earning travel rewards on groceries 

The Chase Sapphire Preferred card makes our list of best grocery cards because it earns 3X points on online grocery purchases (excluding Target, Walmart, and wholesale clubs). Rewards earning doesn’t stop with food spending. Cardholders earn 5X points on travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards and 3X points on dining, including eligible delivery services and select streaming services, 2X points on other travel, and 1X on other purchases.

This card is also often considered one of the best travel rewards credit cards — and for good reason. It earns flexible travel rewards worth 25% more when redeemed through Chase Ultimate Rewards.

You can often earn a lucrative sign-up bonus after spending a certain amount in the first few months of opening the card.

Pros

  • Generous sign-up bonus
  • Above-average reward rates on online grocery purchases
  • Transfer points to travel partners at a 1:1 rate
  • Earn 25% more when booking travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards

Cons

  • $95 annual fee
  • Bonus rewards only include online grocery purchases
  • No intro 0% APR offer

Capital One SavorOne: Best for cash back with no annual fee

The SavorOne Cash Rewards card offers valuable rewards for anyone who likes to eat. You can earn unlimited 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming subscriptions, and grocery store purchases (excluding superstores like Walmart and Target).

You’ll also earn 10% cash back on Uber and Uber Eats purchases (through Nov. 14, 2024), 8% cash back on Capital One Entertainment purchases, 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, and 1% cash back on all other purchases.

This card is a good move for anyone who doesn’t spend in one place. You may find better cash back rates elsewhere (like the Blue Cash Preferred) if you’re only looking for grocery rewards.

Pros

  • Unlimited bonus cash back rates in dining and groceries 
  • Intro APR offer on purchases and balance transfers
  • No annual fee
  • Easy rewards redemptions  

Cons

  • Requires excellent credit
  • Limited reward categories
  • Balance transfer fees 

Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi: Best for Costco members

If you’re an avid Costco member, this card is for you. It’s designed for frequent shoppers who prefer to use cash back rewards in-house with the wholesale club. You must have a Costco membership to get the card, which starts at $60 annually, but the card has no annual fee.

Cardholders earn 4% cash back on eligible gas and EV charging purchases (up to $7,000 per year, then 1%). You’ll also earn 3% cash back on restaurant and eligible travel purchases, 2% on all Costco purchases, and 1% on all other purchases.

This card isn’t for someone looking for flexible rewards. You only get one redemption option — an annual reward certificate redeemable for cash or merchandise at eligible Costco warehouse locations.

Pros

  • High rewards rates in bonus categories
  • No annual fee
  • Card acts as your Costco membership card

Cons

  • Requires Costco membership
  • Cash back rate on Costco purchases is comparable with other cash back cards
  • Limited redemption options 

Prime Visa Card: Best for Amazon and Whole Foods purchases

As one of the largest online retailers, Amazon is a fan favorite among shoppers. If your grocery spending includes Amazon or Whole Foods, this card is a good option.

The Prime Visa earns unlimited 5% cash back on all eligible Amazon.com or Whole Foods Market purchases, including in-store and online Amazon Fresh purchases. Cardholders also earn unlimited 2% cash back on restaurants and gas stations, unlimited 2% cash back on local transit and commuting, and unlimited 1% cash back on everything else.

The card has no annual fee but does require a Prime membership to get the card and earn cash back. Membership currently costs $14.99 per month or $139 annually.

Upon approval, new cardholders instantly receive a $100 Amazon gift card without a spending requirement.

Pros

  • High cash back rates at Amazon and Whole Foods
  • No annual fee
  • $100 Amazon gift card sign-up bonus

Cons

  • Requires an Amazon Prime membership
  • Average cash back rates in other categories
  • No 0% intro APR

Target REDCard: Best for Target shoppers

If your grocery trips include a stop at Target, you should consider the Target REDCard.

The Target REDCard is different from a typical cash back card. Instead of earning a percentage of your purchase as cash back, you’ll receive a discount. So, with every eligible purchase you make at Target and Target.com, you’ll get 5% off. On top of that, you’ll receive a 10% discount coupon each year on your card’s anniversary.

Outside of Target, the REDCard earns 2% in rewards on dining and gas purchases and 1% in rewards everywhere else, which you can redeem for a Target gift card. Other perks include exclusive sales, free two-day shipping on select purchases, and extended return times.

Keep in mind there are multiple versions of the Target REDCard. If you don’t qualify for the Mastercard option, Target may consider you for its closed-loop credit card, which is only accepted within Target and Target.com.

Pros

  • 5% discount at Target and Target.com
  • No annual fee
  • Free two-day shipping on eligible items

Cons

  • Limited redemptions
  • High APR
  • Mediocre rewards rates in other bonus categories 

The bottom line

A grocery credit card is a good idea if you’re heading to the supermarket or grocery shopping online a few times each month. A store-branded card may offer the best rewards and benefits depending on where you shop. If your food spending habits vary, opt for a grocery card with bonus rewards for general grocery purchases.

Choosing a credit card based on grocery spending alone may not make sense for most, especially if you also spend considerable amounts in other monthly categories. You’re probably better off getting one of these rewards cards geared toward everyday spending. 

Let your spending habits be your guide when researching the cards on our list to find the right grocery card for you.

[Disclaimer]: *Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company

Opinions expressed are author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included in the post.