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Best credit cards for groceries in 2021

Industry-leading cards to help you capitalize on grocery store and supermarket spending.

Our pick for the best grocery rewards: Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express

Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express logo

Up to 6%

Cash back

  • $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95
  • Huge cashback on groceries and streaming
  • Intro APR on purchases
Apply now
Terms apply, see rates & fees
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Steven Dashiell
Updated . What changed?
Fact checked
If you’re spending more on groceries these days to cook at home, you’re not alone. It might be time to get a card that maximizes rewards for your new spending habits. Below, we’ve selected eight of the best cards for grocery shopping to narrow your selection to the top picks.

What are the best credit cards for groceries?

Best for highest cashback rewards on groceries
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express

Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express logo
Finder Rating: 4.3 / 5

★★★★★

Credit recommended (670-850)
Apply now
on American Express's secure site
Rates & fees
670
Min. credit score
$95 ongoing
Annual fee
Up to 6%
Cash back
$150
Welcome offer
Put simply, the Amex Blue Cash Preferred earns the highest rewards rate on groceries on the credit card market. With this card, you also get to earn the highest rewards rate on US streaming services, as well as high cash back as statement credit on purchases at US gas stations and transit purchases, making it one of our favorite overall picks for cash back on everyday spending. And while it does come with a $95 annual fee after the first year, that’s small potatoes compared to the rewards you’ll earn if you use this card regularly.
  • Welcome offer. Earn $150 when you spend $3,000 within the first 6 months of your account opening. Plus earn 20% back on Amazon purchases on up to $200 total during that same time frame.
  • Cash back. Earn 6% cash back as statement credit 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. To use this card, you'll pay a $95 annual fee starting the second year.
  • No balance transfers. Amex removed the ability to perform balance transfers on this card.
Annual Fee $0 intro annual fee for the first year ($95 thereafter)
Purchase APR 0% intro for the first 12 months (then 13.99% to 23.99% variable)
Balance transfer APR N/A
Welcome offer Up to $350: 20% back on Amazon.com purchases in the first 6 months for up to $200 back, plus $150 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in the first 6 months
Estimated welcome offer value
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 (redeem as statement credit)
Disclaimer
Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers.
Cash Back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit.

Best for cash back on groceries with moderate spending
Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express

Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express logo
Finder Rating: 4.6 / 5

★★★★★

Credit recommended (670-850)
Apply now
on American Express's secure site
Rates & fees
670
Min. credit score
$0
Annual fee
Up to 3%
Cash back
$100
Welcome offer
If you want cash back and don't spend a lot on groceries each month, the Blue Cash Everyday is a great pick. You're unlikely to hit the card's annual spending cap and you don't have to worry about making up for the annual fee you'd face with the Blue Cash Preferred, the card's more advanced sibling. While the cash back rate is a bit lower than the Preferred, the ease-of-use means you can keep this in your wallet hassle-free.
  • No annual fee. This is a good pick if you want a card that's lighter on the budget.
  • Welcome offer. Earn $100 once you spend $2,000 within the first 6 months of card membership. Also earn 20% back on Amazon purchases on up to $150 total during that same time frame.
  • Rewards. Earn 3% cash back as statement credit at US supermarkets on up to $6,000 in purchases per year and 1% after. You'll also 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.
  • Restricted earning potential. Bonus grocery rewards don't apply to purchases at warehouse clubs or superstores.
  • Foreign transaction fees. Expect to pay a 2.7% fee on any international purchase. Plus, this card may also have limited acceptance when traveling abroad.
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 Up to $250: 20% back on Amazon.com purchases in the first 6 months for up to $150 back, plus $100 statement credit after spending $2,000 within the first 6 months
Estimated welcome offer value $200 based on Finder's valuation
Rewards 3% at US supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year (then 1%), 2% at US gas stations and select US department stores and 1% on all other purchases (redeem as statement credit)
Disclaimer
Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers.
Cash Back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit.

Best for large family spending
American Express® Gold Card

American Express® Gold Card logo
Finder Rating: 4.6 / 5

★★★★★

Credit recommended (670-850)
Apply now
on American Express's secure site
Rates & fees
670
Min. credit score
$250
Annual fee
Up to 4x
Points
60,000
Points welcome offer
If you spend more than $10,000 annually on US groceries, this is a card worth your attention. Though it costs a hefty $250 a year, this card has three especially valuable benefits for families: a top-of-the-line 4x points rewards rate at restaurants and US supermarkets (with US supermarkets capped at $25,000 annually, reverting to 1x back), $120 annual dining credit and a $120 Uber Cash credit. If you take advantage of these credits, they're worth more than enough to offset the annual fee. On top of that, the US supermarket cap is much higher than the competition, with many capping out at around $6,000.
  • Welcome offer. Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards points after you make $4,000 in purchases with your card within the first 6 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 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. Get a similar benefit when you add your card to your Uber account, which can earn you up to $120 in Uber Cash annually.
  • 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.
  • High annual fee. Be prepared to shell out $250 annually for this card.
  • Overseas acceptance. While you don't need to worry about foreign transaction fees, this card typically isn't as widely accepted as Mastercard or Visa.
Annual Fee $250
Purchase APR See Pay Over Time APR
Balance transfer APR N/A
Welcome offer 60,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first 6 months
Estimated welcome offer value $600 based on Finder's valuation
Rewards 4x at restaurants including delivery and Uber Eats; 4x at US supermarkets on up to $25,000 annually (then 1x points), 3x points on directly-booked flights and 1x points on all other purchases
Disclaimer
Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers.

Best for shopping at Sam's Club
Sam's Club® Mastercard®

Sam's Club® Mastercard® logo
Finder Rating: 4 / 5

★★★★★

Credit recommended (670-850)
See offer
on Synchrony Bank's secure site
Rates & fees
670
Min. credit score
$0
Annual fee
Up to 5%
Cash back
$30
Welcome offer
Similar in ways to the Costco credit card, the Sam's Club® Mastercard® offers a great opportunity for earning rewards at this warehouse store. And like the Costco card, the Sam's Club Mastercard also earns big cash back on gas purchases, though the Sam's Club Mastercard exceeds the rate offered by the Costco card, offering 5% back on up to $6,000 annually, then reverting to 1% back. This rate makes it one of the most appealing gas credit cards on the market provided you don't mind getting your rewards in the form of Sam's Club credit.
  • No annual fee. You won't pay an annual fee, but you need an Sam's Club membership to apply for the card. A basic membership is $45 annually while a Plus membership is $100 annually.
  • Cash advance at register. You can request a cash advance with this card at the Sam's Club checkout counter.
  • Cash back. Earn up to 5% cash back on eligible Sam's Club purchases (3% with Sam's Club® Mastercard® in addition to the 2% you earn with Plus membership), 5% back on gas purchases on up to $6,000 annually (reverting to 1% after), 3% back on dining and takeout, and 1% back on all other purchases.
Annual Fee $0
Purchase APR 14.9% to 22.9% variable
Balance transfer APR 14.9% to 22.9% variable
Welcome offer Get a $30 statement credit when you open a new account and make $30 in Sam's Club purchases
within 30 days.
Estimated welcome offer value
Rewards Up to 5% at Sam's Club with Plus membership, 5% cash back on gas (on up to $6,000 annually, then 1%), 3% on dining and 1% on all other purchases

Best for shopping at Costco
Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi

Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi logo
Finder Rating: 3.4 / 5

★★★★★

Credit recommended (740-850)
Apply now
on Citi's secure site
740
Min. credit score
$0
Annual fee
Up to 4%
Cash back
n/a
Welcome offer
The Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi doesn’t just earn 4% back on Costco purchases, it's also an excellent card for earning cash back on everyday purchases, including 4% back at gas stations on up to $7,000 annually (then 1%), and 3% back on dining and travel. What's more, this card works as your Costco ID and there's no annual fee besides the cost of your Costco membership. The only thing keeping this card from taking over some of our general rewards card best picks is the fact that cash back earned is only redeemable at Costco.
  • No annual fee. This card is technically 'free' with the cost of a Costco membership.
  • Earn rewards. Earn 4% cash back at gas stations on up to $7,000 each year, then 1%. Earn 3% back on restaurant and travel, 2% back on Costco purchases, and 1% back on everything else.
  • Purchase protection. Enjoy extended warranties on eligible purchases.
  • Limited redemption options. You'll receive your awards as a Costco coupon or cashback at the end of each year.
Annual Fee $0
Purchase APR 15.24% variable
Balance transfer APR 15.24% variable
Welcome offer N/A
Estimated welcome offer value
Rewards 4% at gas stations on up to $7,000 annually (then 1%), 3% at restaurants and on travel, 2% at Costco and 1% on all other purchases

Best for 5% cash back versatility
Citi Custom Cashâ„  Card

Citi Custom Cashâ„  Card logo
Finder Rating: 4.9 / 5

★★★★★

Credit recommended (670-850)
Apply now
on Citi's secure site
670
Min. credit score
$0
Annual fee
Up to 5%
Cash back
$200
Welcome offer
The new Citi Custom Cashâ„  Card allows you to earn 5% back on your highest eligible spending categories each billing cycle up to $500, reverting to 1% after. This doesn't just include groceries, but other everyday purchases, like travel, dining and more. This is incredibly flexible given most 5% cashback cards possess rotating categories where you can only earn the 5% rewards rate in certain purchase categories at certain times.
  • Cash back. Earn 5% back on eligible categories, up to $500 total each billing period, reverting to 1% after that. Eligible categories include restaurants, gas stations, grocery stores, select travel, select transit, select streaming services, drugstores, home improvement stores, fitness clubs and live entertainment.
  • Signup bonus. Earn $200 after you spend $750 within your first 3 months of account opening.
  • No annual fee. You won't pay an annual fee to use this card.
  • Foreign transaction fee. It's best to avoid using this card at foreign merchants online or abroad or you'll pay a 3% of the amount.
  • No introductory APR. The lack of an intro APR on purchases stings a bit if you need to make heavy initial investments and pay them off over time interest free.
Annual Fee $0
Purchase APR 0% intro for the first 15 months (then 13.99% to 23.99% variable)
Balance transfer APR 0% intro for the first 15 months (then 13.99% to 23.99% variable)
Welcome offer $200 cash back after spending $750 in the first 3 months. Fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back
Estimated welcome offer value
Rewards 5% cash back on purchases in your top eligible spend category each billing cycle on up to the first $500 spent, then 1% cash back thereafter and on all other purchases

Best for shopping at Target
Target REDcardâ„¢ Credit Card

Target REDcardâ„¢ Credit Card logo
Credit recommended (580-850)
Read review
580
Min. credit score
$0
Annual fee
Up to 5%
Cash back
n/a
Welcome offer
If Target is your one stop shop for groceries, apparel and more, you won’t find a more lucrative card for those purchases than the Target REDcard™ Credit Card.The card offers a straight up 5% discount on Target purchases online and in-store, which is a phenomenal rewards rate given the breadth of products you can find at Target. Just beware: the card can only be used 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.
  • No signup bonus. Unlike many of the other cards on this list that offer bonus points or cash back rewards for signing up, the Target REDcardâ„¢ doesn't offer any signup incentives.
  • Limited to Target purchases. This store card can only be used for in-person and online Target purchases.
Annual Fee $0
Purchase APR 22.9% variable
Balance transfer APR N/A
Welcome offer N/A
Estimated welcome offer value
Rewards 5% discount at Target stores and Target online

Best for shopping at Whole Foods
Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card

Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card logo
Credit recommended (670-850)
Read review
Rates & fees
670
Min. credit score
$0
Annual fee
Up to 5%
Cash back
$100
Welcome offer
The Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card offers 5% back — an excellent rate — at Whole Foods Market. And that’s just one half of the card’s draw: it also earns that same 5% on Amazon.com purchases. Given the variety of items you can find on Amazon.com, this card has the potential to earn some serious rewards on not just groceries, but almost anything else you can find from Amazon.com. 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 $100 Amazon.com gift card immediately upon approval. This is 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.
  • No intro APR. If you're interested in a 0% intro APR for balance transfers or purchases, you'll need to look elsewhere.
Annual Fee $0
Purchase APR 14.24% to 22.24% variable
Balance transfer APR 14.24% to 22.24% variable
Welcome offer $100 Amazon Gift Card instantly upon approval
Estimated welcome offer value
Rewards 5% back at Amazon.com, Whole Foods Market and Zappos, 2% back at restaurants, gas stations and drugstores and 1% back on all other purchases
Disclaimer
The information about Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card has been collected independently by Finder and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer.

How we selected the best 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 2021?

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.

The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express and Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express have lost their intro APRs on balance transfers. This may not be a deal breaker — especially as the cards still have purchase intro APRs — but the changes still weaken these products. Note that at this time, the cards don’t allow balance transfers at all for new applicants.

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.

Doing the math: How much cash back can you really earn?

The Johnsons are a family of four that spend approximately $250 on groceries each week. This shakes out to $13,000 of grocery spending annually. Here’s how much cash back they’d earn in one year with each card on our list.

Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express$250
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express$430
Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi$260 if you shop exclusively at Costco — $130 if you shop elsewhere
Target REDcard™ Credit Card$650 if you shop exclusively at Target — $0 if you shop elsewhere
Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card$650 if you shop exclusively at Whole Foods — $130 if you shop elsewhere

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.

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.

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