Consider a card’s annual fee and how much you spend on groceries.
There’s no single “best” grocery card for everyone — the top grocery card is the one that works most effectively for you.
The main thing to consider is whether you want to get the absolute best rewards rate by using credit card points optimally, or if you’d rather keep things simple with a cashback card.
Our pick for the best cashback rate on groceries
Compare credit cards for grocery shopping
“The best credit card for groceries”: What does this mean?
The best card for groceries is often defined as the one that brings you the highest rewards in this category.
Here are a few of the most important factors that can affect how useful the card is for you:
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- Amex EveryDay® Preferred Credit Card: Best for highest possible grocery rewards.
- Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express: Best for cashback rewards on groceries
- Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express: Best for cash back on groceries with moderate spending.
- American Express® Gold Card: Best for travel rewards overall.
- Target REDcard™ Credit Card: Best for shopping at Target.
- Amex EveryDay® Credit Card: Best for travel rewards with moderate spending.
- Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card: Best for shopping at Whole Foods
What is the best credit card for groceries?
There are two cards competing for this title. Both cards have annual fees, so they’re best if you have high spending on groceries. Otherwise, you might get more out of a no-annual-fee card.
Best for highest possible grocery rewards: Amex EveryDay® Preferred Credit Card
While that doesn’t sound high, consider the card’s points boost: Each billing period, you use your card at least 30 times, you’ll earn 50% extra points. If you can manage this, you’ll essentially earn 4.5x points at US supermarkets, up to the yearly cap.
That’s not all. According to our valuations, your points can be worth up to 2 cents each when transferred to certain airlines. With the right transfers, then, your 4.5x points at US supermarkets can yield a fantastic 9% rewards rate. This is the highest rewards rate on groceries you’ll find anywhere.
When to choose this card over its no-annual-fee version
Assuming you use the card only for groceries:
- Go with the Amex EveryDay® Preferred Credit Card if you spend at least $2,262 a year, or about $189 a month.
- If you spend less than that, you’ll earn better rewards with the no-annual-fee Amex EveryDay® Credit Card.
Best for cashback rewards on groceries: Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
You’ll earn 6% cash back at US supermarkets on up to $6,000 in purchases per year and 1% after. This is the highest face-value grocery rewards rate on the market.
When to choose this card over its no-annual-fee version
Assuming you use the card only for groceries:
- Go with the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express if you spend at least $3,167 a year, or about $264 a month.
- If you spend less than that, you’ll earn better rewards with the no-annual-fee Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express.
Other superb credit cards for groceries
The following cards are excellent picks in certain instances. Read on and see our recommendations for when to get them.
Best for grocery rewards with travel credits: American Express® Gold Card
Not every cardholder will make use of these credits. But if you can, you’ll find this card offers higher effective rewards in groceries than the Amex EveryDay® Preferred Credit Card.
On top of that, you’ll enjoy the card’s excellent rewards on dining and eligible travel.
Best for travel rewards with moderate spending: Amex EveryDay® Credit Card
Consider this card if you make at least 20 purchases with your card each billing cycle and want travel rewards for your grocery spending.
This card is a better pick than the Amex EveryDay® Preferred Credit Card if you spend less than $2,262 a year — or less than around $188 a month — on groceries. This assumes you make enough purchases for the points boost each month and want to get maximum value from your rewards by transferring them to airlines.
Best for cash back on groceries with moderate spending: Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express
You won’t earn as high of a cashback rate as you would with the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express, but you won’t have to deal with an annual fee.
The best store-specific grocery credit cards
These two cards are limited in an important respect: You can use them only at select stores. If that’s not a problem, however, you’ll enjoy great rewards on groceries.
Best for shopping at Target: Target REDcard™ Credit Card
Best for shopping at Whole Foods: Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card
How we selected our top cards
When comparing the best credit cards for groceries, we looked at a number of features across eligible cards, including which grocery stores were eligible, points or cash back earned per dollar spent, limitations on cashback percentages, annual fees, introductory APRs and other reward perks a consumer might consider. The cards that stood out above the rest in one or several of these categories, or fulfilled a certain niche, earned a spot on our list.
What’s changed in 2019
The American Express® Gold Card has grown into a stellar choice for US supermarket purchases, with Membership Rewards points that can be highly valuable when transferred to travel partners. More generally, Amex continues its dominance in the grocery space, offering cards with excellent rewards on everyday purchases.
How to compare credit cards for grocery stores
Comparing these cards can get confusing — especially with so many products from one provider. Here are a few factors to consider that might help you pick the winner.
- Annual fee.
Consider whether you want to pay an annual fee for your card. For some, an annual fee is a dealbreaker. If this is the most important factor for you, you could narrow your options very quickly. - How much you spend on groceries.
If you spend little on groceries, lean toward the no-annual-fee cards. If you spend a lot, you might get more rewards out of the annual-fee options. - Where you shop.
The Target REDcard™ Credit Card is a formidable contender, but only if you use it at its designated store. Take a serious look at the card if you’re willing to do all of your grocery shopping at Target. If you like to shop for groceries outside of Target, one of the American Express cards will likely be a better fit. - Whether you want an intro APR.
Most of Amex’s grocery cards offer decent intro APRs on purchases and balance transfers. The American Express® Gold Card doesn’t have an intro APR. - Welcome offer.
Annual-fee cards tend to have more valuable welcome offers than no-annual-fee cards — though you’ll likely have to spend more to qualify. The Target REDcard™ Credit Card doesn’t have a welcome offer.
Bottom line
The two most important factors to consider may be each card’s annual fee and how much you spend on groceries. If you’re thinking about an American Express card, consider which type of rewards you want: cash back or membership rewards points. Points can be more valuable, but cash back is simpler.
For excellent options for rewards cards, check out our cashback credit card finder.
