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The Points Guy believes that credit cards can transform lives, helping you leverage everyday spending for cash back or travel experiences that might otherwise be out of reach. That's why we publish a variety of editorial content and card comparisons: to help you find a great card to turn your goals into reality.
Our site may earn compensation when a customer clicks on a link, when an application is approved, or when an account is opened with our partners, and this may impact how or where these products appear. While we don't cover all available credit cards, our editorial team creates and maintains all of the analysis of these cards, and our content is not influenced nor subject to review by any credit card company, bank or partner prior to (or after) publication. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
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6 foolproof ways to maximize rewards on grocery spending
Chris was a reporter at The Points Guy, where he covered the intersection of credit card rewards and travel. At TPG, he wrote a broad array of stories ranging from in-depth features and reports to trending travel news as it related to loyalty, card benefits and consumer behavior.
Chris Nelson is a credit cards writer for TPG. He specializes in budget travel, hotels, earning elite status through minimal spending and redeeming points for maximum value.
also contributed to this story
February 7, 2025 • 8 min read
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Quick summary
Grocery spending can be a significant opportunity to earn rewards, but maximizing value requires understanding where and how purchases are coded.
Superstores like Walmart and Target typically do not qualify for grocery category bonuses, so shoppers should weigh direct savings versus potential rewards.
Many rewards cards have annual or quarterly caps on grocery bonus earnings, after which the earning rate drops.
Using store and third-party apps, as well as online shopping portals, can further enhance rewards and savings on grocery purchases.
What to consider
Always check how a merchant codes purchases, as not all grocery sellers qualify for bonus rewards.
Some cards limit the amount of grocery spending eligible for elevated rewards each year or quarter, so have a backup plan after reaching those limits.
Third-party apps and shopping portals may offer additional points or cash back, but availability and rates can vary by retailer.
What you'll miss from the article
Detailed strategies for combining store choice, card selection, and online tools to maximize grocery rewards efficiently.
Generated by AI with support from our editorial team.
Comments
By commenting, you agree to our Community Guidelines to help create a positive space for conversation. The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser, our partners, or The Points Guy (“TPG”). They have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these parties. All responses are submitted by individual contributors, and neither the bank advertiser, our partners, nor TPG are responsible for ensuring that all posts and/or questions are answered.
Every purchase is an opportunity to earn credit card rewards, and that includes purchases at U.S. supermarkets and grocery stores.
The average American spends $270 weekly on groceries. Wherever you fall within that range, that’s a large chunk of spending, and at least some of it will probably be on groceries. With the right approach, it can earn you lots of points, miles or cash back.
Let’s explore a few different strategies (and credit cards) you can use to maximize every dollar you spend on your next milk-and-egg run.
Shop where you can save
Here's an easy rule to follow: Shop where you can save. It sounds like a no-brainer, but it bears repeating.
Walmart and Target typically don't qualify as grocery stores when it comes to earning a category bonus for grocery purchases on your credit card. They are most often considered superstores and fall under a separate category.
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But if shopping for groceries at Walmart or Target is cheaper than at your local grocery store chain, you're likely better off sticking with those savings than shopping at grocery stores just to earn a category bonus.
Do the math and ensure you’re not paying more than you should to earn rewards.
Pay attention to the purchase "code"
On a related note, be aware of the merchant category code. This code determines whether a particular purchase will earn you bonus points. If you’re uncertain how a given merchant is coded, I recommend testing it with a small purchase.
You can then examine your card statement to see whether the merchant codes properly. For example, grocery purchases at Walmart and wholesale clubs like Costco are not categorized as groceries on many rewards credit cards. At the same time, some cards may code grocery delivery services like Instacart as grocery stores on your statement.
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Because Instacart also delivers items from a wide variety of stores, including Costco, you may be able to maximize a bonus from stores not typically associated with that category.
Some cards, such as the American Express® Gold Card, limit the amount of rewards you can earn. While you’ll earn a generous 4 points per dollar spent at U.S. supermarkets up to $25,000 of spending on these purchases per calendar year, your earning rate drops to 1 point per dollar spent after reaching this maximum cap.
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Then, there are the 5 points per dollar spent on rotating bonus categories on the Chase Freedom Flex® (see ). Often, the rotating category is for grocery store spending. But keep in mind there is a $1,500 quarterly spending cap, and you need to activate the bonus category.
We recommend that you have a backup card ready for when you exceed this limit.
Earn with one of the best cards for groceries
Ready to earn some points, miles or cash back through card spending? The following cards offer some of the biggest returns on your U.S. supermarket spending.
In addition to the earnings on groceries mentioned above, there are other food-related benefits. For example, you'll earn 4 points per dollar spent at restaurants worldwide (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar). You'll also earn up to $120 in dining credit with select merchants, provided you enroll to receive the benefit. The annual fee on the Amex Gold is $325 (see rates and fees), but well worth it when you consider the value from groceries and dining alone.
Plus, Membership Rewards points offer incredible versatility. You can book directly through amextravel.com or transfer your points to 17 airlines and three hotel partners.
The Amex EveryDay Preferred Credit Card from American Express
The Amex EveryDay® Preferred Credit Card (no longer accepting new applicants) gives you 3 Membership Rewards points per dollar spent on up to $6,000 at U.S. supermarkets each year, along with 1 point per dollar beyond that. Additionally, if you hit 30 monthly transactions, you get a 50% bonus on all points earned. So you could effectively earn 4.5 points per dollar spent at supermarkets.
Membership Rewards are worth 2 cents each, according to TPG’s February 2025 valuations. If you spend $15,000 annually at U.S. supermarkets and hit the monthly bonus, you could earn over 40,000 points each year — worth $800. The card has a $95 annual fee, so your net value earned could be in the neighborhood of $700.
The information for the Amex EveryDay Preferred Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express
The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express earns 6% cash back on the first $6,000 purchases at U.S. supermarkets per calendar year and 1% on all purchases thereafter. The 6% return on the first $6,000 would earn you $360.
Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that you can redeem as a statement credit and at Amazon.com checkout.
The Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card earns unlimited 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services, and grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®). It also earns 1% cash back on all other purchases and has no annual fee.
Besides the apps from stores like CVS, Publix, Safeway and Target (which offer coupons), many third-party apps can also help you maximize your grocery spending. Ibotta, for instance, pays you cash back for in-store and online purchases from dozens of supported retailers and grocery stores.
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Fetch is yet another app that helps you earn rewards. With Fetch, you snap a photo of your shopping receipts. Each receipt earns 25 points, and you can earn point boosts any time you spend money at a participating brand. I have managed to rack up 35,000 Fetch points — enough to get a $25 Safeway gift card.
Shopping portals are an easy way to earn extra points, miles or cash back for online purchases. While opportunities are limited in the grocery category, some food-related retailers, such as Cashback Monitor or Rakuten, may offer points or cash back through a portal.
Instead of going directly to the store's website, navigate to a shopping portal, find the retailer you want to purchase from and click through to that site.
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You'll earn points or cash back from the retailer and credit card rewards on your purchase. That means, in many situations, you can double or even triple your earnings by combining the shopping portal bonus, category bonus, card offer, etc.
There are dozens of online shopping portals, but they all operate the same way.
By shopping at the right stores, using one of the top grocery credit cards and a shopping portal when spending online, you should be well on your way to maximizing your grocery spending. As you do, just remember to set a certain travel or cash-back redemption goal in the back of your mind.
