Our pick for rewards on groceries and all purchases: Citi® Double Cash Card
Up to 2%
Cash back
- An excellent choice for cash back and balance transfers
- Market-leading 2% back (1% after buying, 1% after paying)
- No annual fee
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Best credit cards for groceries in 2020
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. But to make things easier for you, we’ve select what we believe are the best cards for grocery shopping.
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 is the best credit card for groceries?
There are several cards that can arguably be considered the best credit cards for groceries, depending on your financial needs.
Quick look to best credit card for groceries
- Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express: Best for cashback rewards on groceries
- American Express® Gold Card: Best for travel rewards overall.
- Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express: Best for cash back on groceries with moderate spending.
- Amex EveryDay® Preferred Credit Card: Best for highest possible grocery rewards.
- U.S. Bank Cash+™ Visa Signature® Card: Best for cash back versatility.
- Target REDcardâ„¢ Credit Card: Best for shopping at Target.
- Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card: Best for shopping at Whole Foods
Best for cashback rewards on groceries
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
670
Min. credit score
Min. credit score
$95
Annual fee
Annual fee
Up to
6%
Cash back
Cash back
$250
Welcome offer
Welcome offer
If you're looking to get the highest rewards rate on groceries without too much hassle, then this is the way to go. With this card, you also get to earn the highest rewards rate on US streaming services, and you get high cash back on purchases at US gas stations and transit purchases.
- Welcome offer. Earn $250 when you spend $1,000 within the first 3 months of your account opening.
- Cash back. Earn 6% cash back at US supermarkets on up to $6,000 in purchases per year and 1% after. This is a stellar cashback rate on groceries, the best on the market. You will also earn 3% cash back at US gas stations, 6% on select US streaming services, 3% on transit purchases and 1% back on other eligible purchases.
- Intro APR. Enjoy a 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months following your account opening and 13.99% to 23.99% variable after. This is a decent intro APR for purchases, though you'll find better promotional rates with other cards.
| Annual Fee | $95 |
|---|---|
| Purchase APR | 0% intro for the first 12 months (then 13.99% to 23.99% variable) |
| Balance transfer APR | N/A |
| Welcome offer | $250 after spending $1,000 in the first 3 months |
| Rewards | 6% on select US streaming services, 3% on transit and US gas stations, 6% at US supermarkets on up to $6,000 annually, then 1% after that and on all other purchases |
Best for grocery rewards with travel credits
American Express® Gold Card
680
Min. credit score
Min. credit score
$250
Annual fee
Annual fee
Up to
4x
Points
Points
35,000
Points welcome offer
Points welcome offer
If you spend more than $10,000 annually on groceries, this may be a card worth considering. Though it costs a hefty $250 a year, this card has two especially valuable benefits: a $120 annual dining credit and a $100 airline fee credit. This is almost enough to offset the annual fee. On top of that, you'll enjoy the card's excellent rewards on dining and eligible travel.
- Welcome offer. Earn 35,000 Membership Rewards points after you make $4,000 in purchases with your card within the first 3 months of your account opening.
- Rewards. Earn 4x points at restaurants. And earn 4x points at US supermarkets on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1x. On flights booked directly with airlines or on American Express Travel, earn 3x points. And on everything else, you'll earn 1x points.
- Dining and airline fee credit. After enrolling, use your American Express® Gold Card at participating restaurants and earn $10 in statement credits each month. You could earn up to $120 in statement credits every year. Also, get a $100 airline fee credit per calendar year on one qualifying airline of your choice. You can use it for charges such as in-flight meals and checked bags.
- Benefits for The Hotel Collection. When you use your card to book The Hotel Collection properties on American Express Travel, you'll receive benefits on eligible bookings, including up to a $100 hotel credit and room upgrade if available.
| Annual Fee | $250 |
|---|---|
| Purchase APR | See Rates & Fees |
| Balance transfer APR | See Rates & Fees |
| Welcome offer | 35,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months |
| Rewards | 3x points on directly-booked flights; 4x at restaurants; 4x at US supermarkets on up to $25,000 annually (then 1x points) |
Best for cash back on groceries with moderate spending
Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express
670
Min. credit score
Min. credit score
$0
Annual fee
Annual fee
Up to
3%
Cash back
Cash back
$150
Welcome offer
Welcome offer
If you want cash back and spend less than $3,167 each year on groceries — or about $263 or less each month — strongly consider this card. You won't earn as high of a cashback rate as you would with the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express, but you won't have to deal with an annual fee.
- No annual fee. This is a good pick if you want a card that's lighter on the budget.
- Welcome offer. Earn $150 once you spend $1,000 within the first 3 months of card membership. It's a good bonus with a relatively low spending requirement, though you'll find cards that offer similar bonuses with lower spend requirements.
- Cash back. 3% cash back at US supermarkets on up to $6,000 in purchases per year, then 1%. Earn 2% cash back at US gas stations and eligible US department stores, and 1% back on other purchases.
- Intro APR. Enjoy a 0% intro APR on purchases for 15 months following your account opening, and 13.99% to 23.99% variable after that. This is a good intro APR, one of the best you'll find for a grocery card.
| Annual Fee | $0 |
|---|---|
| Purchase APR | 0% intro for the first 15 months (then 13.99% to 23.99% variable) |
| Balance transfer APR | N/A |
| Welcome offer | $150 after spending $1,000 in the first 3 months |
| Rewards | 2% at US gas stations and select US department stores, 3% at US supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year, then 1% after that and on all other purchases |
Best for potentially the highest grocery rewards
Amex EveryDay® Preferred Credit Card
670
Min. credit score
Min. credit score
$95
Annual fee
Annual fee
Up to
3x
Points
Points
15,000
Points welcome offer
Points welcome offer
If you spend up to $6,000 annually on groceries and if you're willing to do some work with your points, you can potentially get the highest rewards rate on groceries equivalent to a 9% return on your purchases.
- Welcome offer. Earn 15,000 points when you make $1,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of card membership.
- Reward points. Earn 3x points at US supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases, and then 1x points after that. Earn 2x points at US gas stations and 1x points on all other purchases.
- Rewards points boost. Earn 50% extra points when you use your card 30 or more times on purchases in a billing period. Leverage it and you could find yourself with an attractive haul of Membership Rewards points.
- Intro APR. Enjoy a 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months following your account opening, and 12.99% to 22.99% variable after that.
| Annual Fee | $95 |
|---|---|
| Purchase APR | 0% intro for the first 12 months (then 12.99% to 22.99% variable) |
| Balance transfer APR | N/A |
| Welcome offer | 15,000 points after spending $1,000 in the first 3 months |
| Rewards |
3x points at US supermarkets on up to $6,000 annually (then 1x), 2x points at US gas stations and 1x points on all other purchases
|
Please note: All information about Amex EveryDay® Preferred Credit Card has been collected independently by Finder and this card is not available through this site.
Best for cash back versatility
U.S. Bank Cash+™ Visa Signature® Card
670
Min. credit score
Min. credit score
$0
Annual fee
Annual fee
Up to
5%
Cash back
Cash back
$150
Welcome offer
Welcome offer
This card can be an excellent addition to your wallet if you want a slightly higher cashback rate on groceries and one of the highest cashback rates on two categories that you choose each quarter. These categories include home utilities, electronic stores, furniture stores, ground transportation and more.
- Cash back. Earn 5% cash back on two categories you choose on up to $2,000 in combined purchases each quarter. After that, earn 1% cash back. Earn 2% cash back on gas purchases or groceries, whichever you choose, and 1% cash back on everything else.
- Signup bonus. Earn a $150 cash bonus once you spend $500 in your first 90 days of card membership.
- Intro APR. Use 12 billing cycles of 0% intro APR period on balance transfers you make within your first 60 days when you open your account. After the intro period expires, your rate reverts to variable 13.99% to 23.99%.
| Annual Fee | $0 |
|---|---|
| Purchase APR | 13.99% to 23.99% variable |
| Balance transfer APR | 0% intro for the first 12 billing cycles (then 13.99% to 23.99% variable) |
| Welcome offer | $150 after spending $500 in the first 90 days |
| Rewards | 5% on up to $2,000 each activated quarter on two categories combined (1% after), 2% on one everyday category and 1% on all other purchases |
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 REDcardâ„¢ Credit Card
580
Min. credit score
Min. credit score
$0
Annual fee
Annual fee
Up to
5%
Cash back
Cash back
n/a
Welcome offer
Welcome offer
Target may be your all-in-one-stop for groceries, household supplies and apparel. If that's the case, the Target REDcardâ„¢ Credit Card is a smart choice with its 5% discount on Target purchases.
- No annual fee. You get all the card's perks and features without paying an annual fee.
- 5% discount on Target purchases. 5% cash back on every Target purchase online and in stores, a superb rate for groceries and gifts.
- Free shipping on most items when you shop at Target.com. Normally, orders under $35 come with a $5.99 flat fee for shipping, with this card you'll get free shipping. Plus, eligible orders over $35 will get free two-day shipping.
- Extended returns. On qualifying purchases at Target stores or Target.com, you'll get an extra 30 days to make returns.
- Receive your Target REDcardâ„¢ Credit Card discount on top of Cartwheel and Target Subscriptions savings. You can stack multiple discounts on your Target and Target.com purchases.
- Target REDcardâ„¢ Credit Card perks. Get early access to products, promotions, special items and events, offers and a 10% off coupon on your Target REDcardâ„¢ Credit Card anniversary.
| Annual Fee | $0 |
|---|---|
| Purchase APR | 22.9% variable |
| Balance transfer APR | N/A |
| Welcome offer | N/A |
| Rewards | 5% discount at Target stores and Target online |
Best for shopping at Whole Foods
Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card
670
Min. credit score
Min. credit score
$0
Annual fee
Annual fee
Up to
5%
Cash back
Cash back
$70
Welcome offer
Welcome offer
The Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card offers 5% back — an excellent rate — at Whole Foods Market. You must have an eligible Prime membership to apply.
- No annual fee. You won't pay an annual fee, but you need an Amazon Prime membership to apply for the card.
- Signup bonus. Get a $70 Amazon.com gift card immediately upon approval. A fairly competitive signup bonus given you don't have to spend anything to get it.
- Cash back. Earn 5% back at Amazon.com and Whole Foods Market. Earn 2% back at restaurants, gas stations and drugstores. And earn 1% back on all other purchases.
| Annual Fee | $0 |
|---|---|
| Purchase APR | 14.24% to 22.24% variable |
| Balance transfer APR | 14.24% to 22.24% variable |
| Welcome offer | $70 Amazon.com gift card upon approval |
| Rewards | 5% back at Amazon.com and Whole Foods Market, 2% back at restaurants, gas stations and drugstores and 1% back on all other purchases |
How to choose the best credit card for grocery stores
Choosing the right card 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 up to $6,000 on groceries each year, the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express would earn the most rewards. - Where you shop.
The Target REDcardâ„¢ 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 REDcardâ„¢ Credit Card doesn’t have a welcome offer.
What does the best credit card for groceries look like?
The best credit card should meet your financial needs and have the following perks:
- Low or no annual fee
- High rewards rate on groceries
- High rewards rate on other categories
- Additional perks
Alternatives to credit cards for grocery shopping
This kind of credit card is useful if you have several credit cards for different purposes. But if you want a simple credit card to use on all purchases, consider the following alternatives:
- Flat cashback cards. There are several credit cards that earn unlimited cash back on everything you buy. For example, the Citi® Double Cash Card lets you earn 2% back — 1% when you make the purchase and 1% when you pay off your balance — on everything you buy.
- Rotating category cards. Some cards let you earn a massive 5% cash back on select categories that rotate each quarter. Sometimes this could be groceries, other times gas or department stores.
Compare credit cards for grocery shopping
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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.
