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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.
Guides
2 grocery cards, twice the rewards: Why I double up at supermarkets
Daisy is a credit cards editor at TPG. Her expertise spans earning and redeeming rewards across rotating categories on multiple cards.Prior to this, she wrote news stories, how-to guides and tested and reviewed gear for Popular Mechanics, Sports Illustrated, Bicycling and Runner's World.
September 29, 2025 • 8 min read
The cards we feature here are from partners who compensate us when you are approved through our site, and this may impact how or where these products appear. We don't cover all available credit cards, but our analysis, reviews, and opinions are entirely from our editorial team. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
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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.
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Quick summary
The article explores a strategy of using two different rewards cards to maximize benefits on grocery purchases, balancing both cash-back and transferable points.
Diversifying reward currencies can provide flexibility, allowing for both travel redemptions and statement credits.
The author details how splitting grocery spending between two cards helps optimize rewards and maintain a long-standing account, which benefits credit history.
Both cards highlighted offer additional statement credits for select dining and streaming services, further enhancing their value.
What to consider
Reward rates for grocery purchases are capped annually, so maximizing benefits requires monitoring spending limits.
Some statement credits require enrollment and are only valid at specific merchants or platforms, with expiration dates for certain partners.
The value of transferable points is estimated at an 8% return for grocery purchases, per TPG’s September 2025 valuations.
What you'll miss from the article
A detailed breakdown of how to allocate grocery spending across multiple cards to optimize both cash-back and points, plus tips on leveraging statement credits.
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.
I started my credit card rewards journey with theDiscover it® Cash Back over 10 years ago.
At the time, it was a perfect fit for my spending habits — until I realized I could be earning a higher reward rate for one of my biggest expenses: groceries.
In 2024, I finally added the American Express® Gold Card to my rotation so that I could start earning points on grocery purchases in addition to the cash back* I was getting from the Blue Cash Preferred.
*Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit and at Amazon.com checkout.
At present, both cards serve as mygrocery store go-tos.
You might be questioning why I'd have more than one card for a single bonus category, but there's a method to the madness here. Let's get into it.
For many, cash-back cards feel more approachable than points and miles products. This was true for me, which is one of the reasons why I opted for the Discover it card as a college student.
Though I've graduated to more premium products, I still haven't settled on just one grocery card.
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I've considered downgrading my Blue Cash Preferred card to an Amex product with no annual fee, but the value I get from it, both in cash-back* rewards and statement credits, always stops me.
4 points per dollar spent on groceries at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 in purchases per year, then 1 point per dollar)
6% cash back* at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 per year on eligible purchases, then 1%)
When I used the Blue Cash Preferred as my main card, I easily earned more than $500 in cash-back* rewards each year.
Now that the majority of my grocery purchases get charged to my Amex Gold, I still earn at least $200 cash back* every year with my Blue Cash Preferred — more than double the card's $95 annual fee (see ). Note that the card has an introductory $0 annual fee for the first year.
I've decided to spread my grocery shopping across two different cards because diversifying the reward currency you earn is the key to a strong card strategy.
*Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit and at Amazon.com checkout.
As for how I divvy up my grocery shopping, my approach is simple.
I prioritize earning transferable points that I can redeem for travel. This means I use my Amex Gold for the majority of my grocery purchases because the high rewards rate is an 8% return (up to that $25,000 annual cap), according to TPG’s September 2025 valuations.
Because I’ve had my Blue Cash Preferred for so long, and 15% of your overall credit score is tied to the length of your credit history, I make sure to keep this account open and in good standing.
I typically hit the grocery store two to three times each month.
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One trip is to stock up on pantry and fridge essentials like meat, produce, nuts, milk and eggs. The second and third trips are to restock smaller items like seasonings that are running low, and specific ingredients if I'm testing a new recipe.
My Amex Gold covers the more expensive items, like meat, produce and dairy products, while I use my Blue Cash Preferred for smaller purchases. This setup helps me use my spending to earn the card reward currency I value most, while still netting me cash back and helping me keep an old account open.
Up to $120 in annual dining statement credit per calendar year (up to a $10 statement credit per month when you pay with the Amex Gold at participating dining partners, including Five Guys, Grubhub, the Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Buffalo Wild Wings, Wonder and Wine.com; Wine.com and Goldbelly are available through June 30, 2026)
Up to $120 in annual Uber Cash per calendar year (up to $10 in Uber Cash per month for Uber Eats and Uber rides in the U.S. Uber Cash will only be deposited into one Uber account when you add the Amex Gold as a payment method and redeem with any Amex card)
Up to $100 annual U.S. Resy statement credit per calendar year (disbursed as two up-to-$50 statement credits biannually)
Up to $84 annual Dunkin' statement credit per calendar year (up to $7 in monthly statement credits when you pay with the Amex Gold at U.S. Dunkin' locations)
Enrollment is required for select benefits.
Up to $120 back each calendar year (disbursed as an up-to-$10 statement credit per month; subject to automatic renewal) for Disney streaming purchases (valid at DisneyPlus.com, Hulu.com or Stream.ESPN.com U.S. websites) when you pay with your Blue Cash Preferred
Enrollment is required.
The Blue Cash Preferred's up-to-$120 streaming credit is enough to completely offset the card's annual fee.
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If you subscribe to any of the eligible streaming platforms covered by it, you essentially get access to the card and its perks at no cost — and that's before you take advantage of other elevated earning rates featured on this card.
While the Amex Gold comes with a much higher $325 annual fee (see ), it also offers up to $424 in annual statement credits that can, when maximized, more than offset the annual fee.
Bottom line
Having two cards that earn elevated reward rates in a specific category may not be ideal for everyone, but it works well for me.
Looking for a way to earn more than one type of reward currency on your biggest expenses? Consider my two-card approach.
If you prefer to stick with one card, there are a couple of great options, but my top recommendations are the Amex Gold and the Blue Cash Preferred. If you prefer a no-annual-fee option that earns elevated rewards on grocery store purchases, consider the Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card.
And remember, you can apply this method to any category you frequently spend in — whether it's groceries, transit purchases, gas fill-ups or dining. Tailoring your card strategy to your individual spending patterns is a great way to accrue valuable credit card rewards.
