Best grocery credit cards of May 2026
Groceries are among the most common household expenses, which is why having one of the best grocery credit cards in your wallet just makes sense. Stocking up on groceries presents a great opportunity to earn credit card rewards, whether you’re looking for cash back to go right back into your household’s bottom line or travel rewards for your next getaway.
To help you find the best card that suits your needs, our team of experts has compiled this list of contenders that will help you maximize earnings at the grocery store — and may offer other bonuses and perks as well.
Check out our curated selection and comprehensive guide on some of the best grocery cards from our partners below.
- American Express® Gold Card: Best for big U.S. supermarket spenders
- Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express: Best for cash back
- Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express: Best for simple cash back
- Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card: Best for a no-annual-fee grocery card
- Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card: Best for low annual fee
- Hilton Honors American Express Card: Best for no annual fee
- Chase Freedom Flex®: Best for rotating bonus categories
- Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card: Best for earning Chase points
- American Airlines AAdvantage® Mileup® Mastercard®: Best for a no annual fee grocery card
Browse by card categories
Comparing the best grocery cards
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
This isn’t just a card that’s nice to look at. It packs a real punch, offering 4 points per dollar at restaurants worldwide (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar) and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar). There’s also an up to $120 annual dining credit at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys, plus it added an up to $120 annually ($10 per month) in Uber Cash, which can be used on Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S. The card must be added to your Uber account and you can redeem with any Amex card. All this make it a very strong contender for all food purchases, which has become a popular spending category. Enrollment required for select benefits. Read our full review of the American Express Gold Card.
Pros
- 4 points per dollar on dining at restaurants worldwide (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar) and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar).
- 3 points per dollar on flights booked directly with the airline or with Amex Travel.
- Generous welcome offer
Cons
- Weak on travel and everyday spending bonus categories.
- Not as effective for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber/food credits; few travel perks and protections.
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 6% | Earn 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in eligible purchases (then 1%). |
| 6% | Earn 6% cash back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions. |
| 3% | Earn 3% cash back at eligible U.S. gas stations and on transit (including taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses and more) purchases. |
| 1% | Earn 1% cash back on other purchases. |
The Blue Cash Preferred Card is one of the best cash-back credit cards on the market. You’ll get a great return across a wide range of bonus categories, a solid welcome bonus and a low annual fee. Read our full review of the Blue Cash Preferred Card.
Pros
- This card has one of the best earning structures out for among cash-back credit cards.
- The card comes with access to Amex Offers (enrollment required), which can save you even more money on specific purchases.
Cons
- There is a $6,000 spending cap per year on the U.S. supermarket bonus category, which may not work for those with large grocery budgets.
- You’ll have to pay a foreign transaction fee on international purchases, so it’s not a great choice when you’re traveling abroad.
- Apply and find out your welcome offer. As High As $300 cash back* after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply, and if approved: 1. Find out your offer amount 2. Accept the Card with your offer 3. Spend $3,000 in 6 months 4. Receive the cash back. *Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed for a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout.
- $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95.
- Enjoy 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 12 months from the date of account opening. After that, your APR will be a variable APR of 19.49%-28.49%.
- Plan It®: Buy now, pay later with Plan It. Split purchases of $100 or more into equal monthly installments with a fixed fee so you don’t have the pressure of paying all at once. Simply select the purchase in your online account or the American Express® App to see your plan options. Plus, you’ll still earn rewards on purchases the way you usually do.
- Earn 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in eligible purchases (then 1%), 6% cash back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions, 3% cash back at eligible U.S. gas stations and on transit (including taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses and more) purchases and 1% cash back on other purchases. Cash Back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit and at Amazon.com checkout.
- Get up to a $10 monthly statement credit after using your enrolled Blue Cash Preferred® Card for a subscription purchase, including a bundle subscription purchase, at DisneyPlus.com, Hulu.com, or Stream.ESPN.com U.S. websites. Subject to auto-renewal.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 3% | Earn 3% cash back at U.S. supermarkets, 3% cash back on U.S. online retail purchases, 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations, on eligible purchases for each category on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1%). |
| 1% | Earn 1% cash back on all other eligible purchases. |
The Blue Cash Everyday card is a good option for people who want a simple cash back structure with no annual fee. You’ll earn bonus cash back rewards on popular bonus categories, including U.S. supermarkets and U.S. gas stations. Read our full review of the Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express.
Pros
- 3% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $6,000 per year on purchases)
- No annual fee.
- 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations and U.S. online retail purchases (on up to $6,000 per year on purchases)
- Amex Offers, which earn you statement credits or extra points on purchases with a wide variety of merchants. (Enrollment required)
Cons
- There is a $6,000 spending cap on the U.S supermarkets bonus category, which may not work for those with larger annual grocery spend.
- You’ll have to pay a foreign transaction fee on purchases abroad, so it’s not a great choice to take with you when traveling outside of the U.S.
- Apply and find out your welcome offer. As High As $200 cash back* after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply, and if approved: 1. Find out your offer amount 2. Accept the Card with your offer 3. Spend $2,000 in 6 months 4. Receive the cash back. *Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed for a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout.
- No Annual Fee.
- Enjoy 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months from the date of account opening. After that, your APR will be a variable APR of 19.49%-28.49%.
- Plan It®: Buy now, pay later with Plan It. Split purchases of $100 or more into equal monthly installments with a fixed fee so you don’t have the pressure of paying all at once. Simply select the purchase in your online account or the American Express® App to see your plan options. Plus, you’ll still earn rewards on purchases the way you usually do.
- Earn 3% cash back at U.S. supermarkets, 3% cash back on U.S. online retail purchases, 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations, on eligible purchases for each category on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1%). Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit and at Amazon.com checkout.
- Get up to a $7 monthly statement credit after using your enrolled Blue Cash Everyday® Card for a subscription purchase, including a bundle subscription purchase, at DisneyPlus.com, Hulu.com, or Stream.ESPN.com U.S. websites. Subject to auto-renewal.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees
at Capital One's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 8% | Earn 8% cash back on Capital One Entertainment purchases |
| 5% | Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel |
| 3% | Earn unlimited 3% cash back at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®), on dining, entertainment and popular streaming services |
| 1% | Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases |
The Capital One Savor is a great cash back credit card for beginners looking for a solid rewards structure and no annual fee. Dining, entertainment and groceries are high-value bonus categories, and it’s rare for a card to hit all three. Read our full review of the Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card.
Pros
- Earn unlimited 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services and at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®), plus 1% on all other purchases.
- This card is great for beginners.
Cons
- If you spend a lot on dining and entertainment each year, there are cards that provide better value with higher rewards potential.
- The sign-up bonus isn't anything to write home about (though it is easy to earn).
- Earn a one-time $200 cash bonus once you spend $500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening
- $0 annual fee and no foreign transaction fees
- Earn unlimited 3% cash back at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®), on dining, entertainment and popular streaming services, plus 1% on all other purchases
- Earn 8% cash back on Capital One Entertainment purchases
- Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
- No rotating categories or sign-ups needed to earn cash rewards; plus cash back won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how much you can earn
- 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 12 months; 18.49% - 28.49% variable APR after that; balance transfer fee applies
- Top rated mobile app
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 12X | Earn 12X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for each dollar of eligible purchases charged on your Card directly with a hotel or resort within the Hilton portfolio. |
| 6X | Earn 6X Points for each dollar of purchases on your Card at U.S. restaurants, at U.S. supermarkets, and at U.S. gas stations. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Points for each dollar on U.S. Online Retail Purchases. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Points for all other eligible purchases on your Card. |
The Hilton Honors Surpass Card stands out in the crowded mid-tier category of cobranded hotel credit cards. It comes with elite-like perks at a reasonable annual fee. Read our full review of the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card.
Pros
- High earning rate.
- Generous welcome offer.
- Automatic Hilton Gold status.
Cons
- Free anniversary night requires high annual spending.
- Earn 130,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points with the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card after you spend $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months of Card Membership.
- Enjoy complimentary Hilton Honors™ Gold status with your Card. Plus, spend $40,000 on eligible purchases on your Card in a calendar year and you can earn an upgrade to Hilton Honors Diamond status through the end of the next calendar year.
- Get up to $50 in statement credits each quarter for purchases made directly with a property in the Hilton portfolio on your Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card. That’s up to $200 in statement credits annually.
- Earn a Free Night Reward from Hilton Honors after you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases on your Card in a calendar year.
- Earn 12X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for each dollar of eligible purchases charged on your Card directly with a hotel or resort within the Hilton portfolio.
- Earn 6X Points for each dollar of purchases on your Card at U.S. restaurants, at U.S. supermarkets, and at U.S. gas stations.
- Earn 4X Points for each dollar on U.S. Online Retail Purchases.
- Earn 3X Points for all other eligible purchases on your Card.
- As a Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card Member, you can enroll to receive complimentary National Car Rental® Emerald Club Executive® status through the link on your American Express online account. After you’re enrolled, you can reserve a rental car by calling National Car Rental directly, using your travel service, or by booking online or through the National Car Rental mobile app. Terms apply.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- Whenever you travel more than 100 miles from home, Global Assist® Hotline is available for 24/7 emergency assistance and coordination services, including medical and legal referrals, emergency cash wires, and missing luggage assistance. Card Members are responsible for the costs charged by third-party service providers. Other terms and conditions apply.
- Points don’t expire while your Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card is active and in good standing.
- $150 annual fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees
Comparing the best grocery cards
Credit card | Best for | Intro offer | Earning rate | Annual fee | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
at American Express's secure site | big U.S. supermarket spenders | As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer. Open Intro bonus You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. | 1 - 4X points Open Rewards rates
| $325 | ||||||||||
at American Express's secure site | cash back | As High As $300 Cash Back. Find Out Your Offer. Open Intro bonus You may be eligible for as high as $300 cash back after spending $3,000 in purchases on your new Card in the first 6 months. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Cash back is received as Reward Dollars, redeemable for statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout. Terms Apply. | 1 - 6% cash-back Open Rewards rates
| $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95. | ||||||||||
at American Express's secure site | simple cash back | As High As $200 Cash Back. Find Out Your Offer. Open Intro bonus You may be eligible for as high as $200 cash back after spending $2,000 in purchases on your new Card in the first 6 months. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Cash back is received as Reward Dollars, redeemable for statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout. Terms Apply. | 1 - 3% cash-back Open Rewards rates
| $0 | ||||||||||
at Capital One's secure site | a no-annual-fee grocery card | Earn a one-time $200 cash bonus Open Intro bonus Earn a one-time $200 cash bonus once you spend $500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening | 1 - 8% cash-back Open Rewards rates
| $0 | ||||||||||
at American Express's secure site | low annual fee | Earn 130,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points Open Intro bonus Earn 130,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points with the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card after you spend $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months of Card Membership. | 3 - 12X points Open Rewards rates
| $150 |
More details on the best grocery credit cards
If you’re looking to turn everyday grocery expenses into travel rewards, it doesn’t get much better than the Amex Gold. You’ll earn bonus Membership Rewards points on U.S. supermarkets, dining and eligible travel purchases — plus, the card comes with a solid welcome bonus for new cardholders.
Foodies who want to earn flexible travel rewards. In addition to earning on grocery expenses and more, you’ll get some great benefits like hundreds of dollars annually in statement credits that help you get the most value out of your card.
“There's no better card for groceries and dining than the Amex Gold. I earn 4 points per dollar in both of these categories, and with additional perks like a monthly Uber credit and the ability to transfer my Membership Rewards points to valuable airline partners, the card is a mainstay in my wallet.” — Nick Ewen, director of content
If you're looking to really maximize every trip you make to the grocery store, consider the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express. It offers a killer cash back rate on U.S. supermarket purchases that add up quickly and can be redeemed in several ways, including as a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout (6% on the first $6,000 each year, then 1%).
This low-annual-fee cash-back card has multiple high-value bonus categories that are easy for cardholders to maximize. Plus, the card has a few additional perks, including statement credits and shopping protections, that make it one of the best grocery credit cards on the market.
Infrequent travelers who want to earn cash back at U.S. supermarkets, as well as on everyday expenses such as gas, transit and streaming services.
“The Blue Cash Preferred Card is the card I recommended to my parents when they were looking for a new cash-back rewards card for their groceries. My parents prefer the simplicity of cash-back rewards, and I knew they'd benefit from earning 6% cash back on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1%) at U.S. supermarkets. Compared to the 1.5% cash back they were earning on these purchases, the elevated earnings easily justified adding the Blue Cash Preferred to their wallet.” — Katie Genter, senior writer
Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout.
If you’re looking for a no-annual-fee option, the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express (see rates and fees) is a great alternative. This card earns cash back on grocery, gas and online retail purchases. Plus, you’ll get some high-value statement credits. Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout.
After undergoing a refresh a couple of years back, this card now has solid earning rates and some statement credits (rare to find on a no-annual-fee credit card).
Anyone looking to earn additional cash back at U.S. supermarkets, U.S. gas stations and U.S. online retailers will benefit from having this card in their wallet. And if you like to get meal kits delivered to your house, the additional benefits offered on this card could make it the perfect choice.
“I added this card to my wallet shortly after my first travel card as a way to earn better rewards on gas and groceries. Three percent back on both categories was a great way for me to earn higher cash back on many of my everyday purchases without any added annual fee.” — Jack Markham, senior director
Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout.
If you do your grocery shopping at Costco (which is often excluded from grocery categories on credit cards), you could also look into the Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi. It also comes with no annual fee (aside from your Costco membership), but you’ll earn even more on gas station purchases. Plus, the Costco card also earns rewards at restaurants and on travel.
For a no-annual-fee card, the Capital One Savor card comes with a generous rewards structure that will help you rack up cash back quickly. It’s a no-hassle way to earn rewards on groceries, dining, entertainment purchases, streaming service subscriptions and more.
People who want a no-annual-fee card for everyday expenses alongside entertainment experiences such as concerts (The Eras Tour, anyone?), movie tickets and more.
Very few no-annual-fee cards have a rewards rate that matches the Savor. Turn your monthly grocery expenses into a cash-back fund for your next concert adventure, or save money while staying in and watching your favorite streaming platform. Either way, the Savor is a great addition to your wallet.
If you want to stick with Capital One but are looking for a card that offers solid reward rates on all purchases and includes some travel perks, consider the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card.
This midrange hotel card offers plenty of valuable benefits, including automatic Hilton Honors Gold elite status, and the ability to earn a free night reward from Hilton Honors after you spend $15,000 on purchases on your card in a calendar year.
If you stay with Hilton’s brands fairly frequently, but not enough to achieve Gold elite status on your own, this card is a no-brainer. What’s more, it has high everyday earning rates to help you rack up even more points even more quickly, raking in 12 points per dollar on eligible purchases at Hilton hotels; 6 points per dollar at U.S. restaurants, U.S. gas stations and U.S. supermarkets; 4 points per dollar on U.S. online retail purchases; and 3 points per dollar on all other eligible purchases.
“This card is a keeper for me in large part because of the annual free-night-reward certificate I get after spending $15,000 in a calendar year. The elevated earning rates on everyday spending categories are also a good match for many of my purchases.” — Senitra Horbrook, former credit cards editor
Want many of the same benefits (and a sizable welcome offer) without having to pay an annual fee? Consider the Hilton Honors American Express Card instead (see rates and fees). It comes with complimentary Hilton Honors Silver elite status and earns 7 points per dollar on eligible purchases at Hilton hotels; 5 points per dollar at U.S. restaurants, U.S. gas stations and U.S. supermarkets; and 3 points per dollar on all other eligible purchases.
The Hilton Honors American Express Card serves as Hilton's introductory product, offering a no-annual-fee option. With its attractive benefits of earning 7 points per dollar on eligible Hilton purchases and complimentary Hilton Honors Silver status, this card presents a reliable choice for new cardholders who are devoted to the hotel brand or prefer to avoid annual fees. However, it is worth noting that other travel cards provide greater flexibility in earning and redeeming points, along with more substantial perks.
With the Hilton Honors American Express card, you receive complimentary Silver elite status, which can be upgraded to Gold by spending $20,000 or more on the card in a calendar year. Additionally, you have the opportunity to earn bonus points not only on Hilton hotel stays but also on essential everyday purchases. These accumulated Hilton Honors points can then be redeemed for complimentary nights at your preferred properties, allowing you to make the most of your rewards.
“Long considered to be the best no annual fee hotel cobranded credit card, you can use Hilton Silver elite status to unlock the fifth night free on standard Hilton award stays. It’s one of the only ways to unlock elite status no annual fee. You can also earn bonus points on popular categories like Hilton hotels, U.S. restaurants, at U.S. supermarkets and at U.S. gas stations.” — Kyle Olsen, former points and miles reporter
By using the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card, you can enjoy a generous earning rate of 12 points per dollar on eligible purchases spent at Hilton hotels. As an added benefit, the card grants automatic Gold status, providing you with valuable perks. Moreover, by making $15,000 worth of purchases in a calendar year, you have the opportunity to earn a complimentary night reward. The card also offers up to $200 in statement credits annually towards Hilton purchases, up to $50 per quarter.
The rotating categories on the Chase Freedom Flex give you a lot of flexibility in how you earn rewards throughout the year, and grocery stores are a commonly repeated rotating category. In addition to those rotating categories, you’ll earn bonus rewards on travel booked through Chase, on dining and at drugstores.
The Chase Freedom Flex is especially lucrative for travelers who have a Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, Chase Sapphire Reserve® or the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card because you can combine the cash-back points earned with the Freedom Flex to turn your rewards into highly valuable Chase Ultimate Rewards points, maximizing your earning potential and redemption options.
“As a points and miles enthusiast, I’m happy to keep up with the rotating quarterly categories that earn 5% cash back. I get the most value from this card when I can max out the $1,500 quarterly limit on online purchases. My top tip for this card is to make sure that you activate the categories every quarter so that you can maximize your points-earning.” — Matt Moffitt, senior credit cards editor
Looking to earn rewards you can combine with your Chase Ultimate Rewards cards without juggling rotating categories? The no-annual-fee Chase Freedom Unlimited® is another great option. You’ll earn bonus rewards on every single purchase, so you never have to worry about activating categories or checking to see where you’ll earn the most rewards each quarter.
This card has one of the best reward structures of any travel credit card, all for a low annual fee. You’ll earn valuable Chase Ultimate Rewards points on travel, dining, streaming services and — of course — online grocery purchases.
The Chase Sapphire Preferred is one of the best cards for travel credit card beginners because it balances a low annual fee with great earning categories, valuable redemption options for rewards and fantastic travel protections when you book trips with the card. (But even travel card pros keep it in their wallets long-term!)
“The Chase Sapphire Preferred has been in my wallet for 5-plus years and is the go-to midlevel rewards credit card that I recommend to people. It usually has a pretty solid sign-up bonus, with points that can be transferred to some of my favorite loyalty programs, like British Airways Executive Club and World of Hyatt. The strong earning rate on dining and travel as well as streaming services makes it a good choice for a millennial like me. Finally, I like using this card when renting cars, as it provides primary car insurance and a little more peace of mind.” — Matt Moffitt, senior credit cards editor
Another great credit card for beginners is the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card. You’ll earn a flat rewards rate across almost all purchases, meaning you can earn valuable Capital One miles on groceries as well as all of your other monthly expenses. If you’re looking for an easy-to-maximize card with a low annual fee, it’s hard to beat the Venture Rewards card.
The American Airlines AAdvantage® MileUp® Mastercard®* comes with a simple earning structure meaning you don’t have to track bonus categories. We also like that it has no annual fee.
*The information for the American Airlines AAdvantage® Mileup® Mastercard® have been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
This is a good card for flyers who live near an American Airlines hub and want to earn AAdvantage miles but are not looking for any additional perks like free checked bags or priority boarding.
If you want to earn AAdvantage miles but don’t fly American often enough to justify a more premium card, consider adding the AAdvantage MileUp card* to your wallet to get the most out of your spending.
If you’re an American Airlines loyalist who wants to get more out of your credit card, consider the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®. This card comes with a first free checked bag (for you and up to four companions on the same reservation) and no foreign transaction fee, making it a solid choice for a travel card.
The information for the Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
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Getting the most out of your grocery spending
Earning bonus rewards on your grocery shopping is a top priority for many consumers. In a recent survey, 63% of TPG readers reported earning bonus rewards on grocery purchases while 46% of TPG readers rank bonus earnings at grocery stores and supermarkets as the most important perk of a credit card. The best grocery cards offer elevated earning rates and can deliver significant value to any household’s wallet.
Ask our experts
What’s your favorite grocery credit card — and why?
How to choose the best grocery credit card
- Depending on your grocery and overall food expenses, a card with an annual fee may be well worth its cost. Is the value of your earned rewards higher than your annual fee? If yes, then it is a considerable contender for your wallet. If not, we have included several great no annual fee cards so that you can get the most out of your spending.1Annual fee
- One of the primary factors in determining a card’s value is its welcome bonus. Select cards on this list offer a significant welcome bonus which should be a consideration in the card making decision. You don’t want to miss the chance to earn a welcome bonus on a card so make sure your spending aligns with you chosen credit card’s requirements.2Welcome bonus
- All of the cards on this list feature an elevated reward rate on groceries, whether it is cash back or points and miles. Many of the cards also feature additional bonus categories like dining and travel. Consider a card that earns rewards on your most common spending categories to maximize the value of those purchases.3Bonus categories
Pros + cons of grocery credit cards
Pros
- Credit cards that earn rewards on groceries can help you earn valuable rewards that you can use toward travel and more.
- Many grocery credit cards also offer rewards in other categories, such as dining or travel.
- When used responsibly, grocery credit cards can help you build your credit score.
- Many of the top grocery credit cards charge no annual fee.
- Credit cards offer fraud protection, so using a grocery credit card at the store can help protect your financial security.
Cons
- Not paying off your credit card in full each month can lead to interest charges that negate your earned rewards.
- Most grocery credit cards don’t earn bonus rewards in all categories, so you might need other cards to maximize earning across all of your monthly expenses.
- Many grocery credit cards require a good credit score, which means those who have never had a credit card before (or have a low score from past spending) might not be approved.
- Opening new lines of credit can negatively impact your credit score, which could affect things like any upcoming mortgage or loan applications.
Frequently asked questions
The short answer? No.
Each credit card issuer has its own criteria for what it classifies as a grocery store or supermarket purchase. For example, while you may buy a lot of groceries at a big-box store such as Walmart or Target, many credit cards that earn rewards on groceries actually exclude those chains.
Additionally, some issuers include specialty markets like butchers in their definition of grocery stores, but others do not.
Before signing up for a grocery store credit card, make sure to check that you’ll be able to earn rewards with it at your local grocery store and that it suits your specific needs.
The best card for you will depend on various factors, including your spending habits and financial goals. However, there are plenty of great options included in our list of best grocery credit cards if you’re interested in a card that doesn’t carry an annual fee:
- Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express (see rates and fees)
- Capital One Savor Rewards Credit Card (see rates and fees)
- Chase Freedom Flex®
Additionally, you might be interested in specific store cards that carry no annual fee, if you are a loyal shopper at these retailers for groceries:
- Prime Visa (no annual fee for the card itself, but you do need an Amazon Prime membership)
- Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi
- Target RedCard
The information for the Prime Visa and Target RedCard has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
If you’re someone who spends a lot of money on groceries each month, making sure you’re earning bonus rewards on those purchases with a grocery store credit card is definitely worth the investment.
Even for those with lower monthly budgets, many no-annual-fee credit cards will help you save money on groceries without costing you anything (so long as you avoid interest fees by paying off your card in full each month).