What is the best credit card for groceries

Grocery credit cards provide rewards on your spending at the grocery store. They can help you stretch your grocery budget by up to 6%, thanks to cash-back rewards. These cards also offer rewards on other spending categories, and many offer a sizable welcome bonus that can be used to help cover some of your groceries, too. Choosing the right grocery credit card will depend on your lifestyle, spending habits and financial goals, but the picks below represent the best options for most people.

Intro OfferEarn a $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months.

APR17.74%-28.74% Variable

Intro Purchase APR0% on purchases for 12 months

Recommended Credit Excellent, Good

Reward Rates

• 6% Cash Back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1%)
• 6% Cash Back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions
• 3% Cash Back on transit including taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses and more
• 3% Cash Back at U.S. gas stations
• 1% Cash Back on other purchases

Annual Fee$0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95.

Intro Balance Transfer APR0% on balance transfers for 12 months

Balance Transfer APR17.74%-28.74% Variable

Balance Transfer Fee Either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.

Late Payment Fee Up to $40

Foreign Transaction Fees 2.7% of each transaction after conversion to US dollars.

Penalty APR 29.99% Variable

• 6% Cash Back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1%)
• 6% Cash Back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions
• 3% Cash Back on transit including taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses and more
• 3% Cash Back at U.S. gas stations
• 1% Cash Back on other purchases

Our Take

Whether you're shopping for groceries for yourself or your family, the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express is a solid option for most people. It provides the highest cash-back rate of any card we researched, earning 6% cash back on up to $6,000 spent at U.S. supermarkets each year -- for as much as $360 back per year at this rate. Plus, you'll still earn 1% cash back if you exceed $6,000. 

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the $6,000 spending cap won't be reached by the average American household, which typically spends more in the vicinity of $5,000 per year on groceries. Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit. 

For more details about this card, check out our full review of the Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express.

Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.

Intro OfferEarn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.

APR16.99% - 26.99% (Variable)

Intro Purchase APR0% for 15 months on purchases

Recommended Credit Excellent, Good

Reward Rates

• Earn 5% cash back on purchases in your top eligible spend category each billing cycle, up to the first $500 spent, 1% cash back thereafter.
• Earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.

Annual Fee$0

Intro Balance Transfer APR0% for 15 months on balance transfers

Balance Transfer APR16.99% - 26.99% (Variable)

Balance Transfer Fee Balance transfer fee applies with this offer 5% of each balance transfer; $5 minimum.

Late Payment Fee Up to $41

Foreign Transaction Fees 3%

Penalty APR Up to 29.99% (Variable)

• Earn 5% cash back on purchases in your top eligible spend category each billing cycle, up to the first $500 spent, 1% cash back thereafter.
• Earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.

Our Take

The Citi Custom Cash℠ Card is unique in that it automatically selects your highest eligible spend category and applies 5% cash back rewards (on up to $500 of expenditure per billing cycle, then 1%). Grocery stores are one of these categories, as are restaurants, gas stations, select travel, select transit, select streaming services, drugstores, home improvement stores, fitness clubs and live entertainment. 

As long as you're not spending more on the other categories than at grocery stores with this card, you'll earn 5% cash back on all your grocery store purchases (on up to $500 spent each billing cycle), without limitations on location like some other cards impose. This card has no annual fee, so you can easily keep it as just a grocery credit card to avoid confusion.

Check out our full review of the Citi Custom Cash℠ Card.

Intro OfferEarn up to $250 - Here's How: Earn up to $150 back when you shop with PayPal. Earn 20% back as a statement credit on purchases when you use your new Card to check out with PayPal at merchants in the first 6 months of Card Membership, up to $150 back. Plus, earn $100 back as a statement credit after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card in the first 6 months of Card Membership.

APR17.74%-28.74% Variable

Intro Purchase APR0% on purchases for 15 months

Recommended Credit Excellent, Good

Reward Rates

• 3% Cash Back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%.
• 3% Cash Back on U.S. online retail purchases, on up to $6,000 per year, then 1%.
• 3% Cash Back at U.S. gas stations, on up to $6,000 per year, then 1%.
• 1% Cash Back on other purchases.

Annual Fee$0

Intro Balance Transfer APR0% on balance transfers for 15 months

Balance Transfer APR17.74%-28.74% Variable

Balance Transfer Fee Either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.

Late Payment Fee Up to $40

Foreign Transaction Fees 2.7% of each transaction after conversion to US dollars.

Penalty APR 29.99% Variable

• 3% Cash Back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%.
• 3% Cash Back on U.S. online retail purchases, on up to $6,000 per year, then 1%.
• 3% Cash Back at U.S. gas stations, on up to $6,000 per year, then 1%.
• 1% Cash Back on other purchases.

Our Take

The Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express offers a top rewards rate on U.S. supermarkets at 3% cash back. You can use that reward rate on up to $6,000 in spending per year (then 1%), which covers the average American household's annual spending on groceries, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit. 

As an alternative to traditional groceries, the Blue Cash Everyday also offers up to $180 per year in statement credits for Home Chef, a meal kit delivery service. You can receive up to $15 in monthly statement credits when you use your Blue Cash Everyday Card to pay for online Home Chef purchases (up to $180 per year).

For more information on this card, see our full review of the Blue Cash Everyday from American Express.

Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.

Intro OfferUp to a $150 Amazon gift card instantly upon approval

APR17.24% - 25.24% Variable

Intro Purchase APRN/A

Recommended Credit Excellent/Good

Reward Rates

• 5% back at Amazon.com and Whole Foods Market with eligible Prime membership*
• 2% back at restaurants, gas stations, and drugstores*
• 1% back on all other purchases*

Annual Fee$0

Balance Transfer APR17.24% - 25.24% Variable

Balance Transfer Fee Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.

Late Payment Fee Up to $39

Foreign Transaction Fees None

• 5% back at Amazon.com and Whole Foods Market with eligible Prime membership*
• 2% back at restaurants, gas stations, and drugstores*
• 1% back on all other purchases*

Our Take

If you're a regular shopper at Amazon and Whole Foods, the Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card* is a great way to earn cash back on your purchases. It offers 5% cash back at Whole Foods Market and on Amazon Fresh and other Amazon.com purchases, which can be redeemed at checkout or as a statement credit from Chase. You can also score up to a $150 Amazon gift card upon account approval.

This card also features 2% cash back at restaurants, gas stations and drug stores and 1% on everything else. You must have an Amazon Prime membership -- $139 per year -- to apply for this card, but we're guessing if you're a heavy Amazon shopper, you're already a member.

Check out our full review of the Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card.

Intro OfferEarn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $4,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership.

APR19.74%-26.74% Variable

Intro Purchase APRN/A

Recommended Credit Excellent/Good

Reward Rates

• Earn 4X Membership Rewards® Points at Restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S.
• Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X).
• Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com.

Annual Fee$250

Balance Transfer Fee N/A

Late Payment Fee Up to $40

Foreign Transaction Fees None

Penalty APR See Rates & Fees

• Earn 4X Membership Rewards® Points at Restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S.
• Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X).
• Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com.

Our Take

If you would like to redeem rewards for travel, the American Express® Gold Card is a great choice. On up to $25,000 of purchases per calendar year at U.S. supermarkets, you can earn 4x Membership Rewards® Points (then 1x points) -- valued at 1 cent each when used to purchase flights through American Express Travel. That's essentially a 4% return on your U.S. supermarket purchases toward flights.

Keep in mind this card has a higher-than-average annual fee of $250, and for the most bang for your buck (or points), you must book travel through the American Express Travel Portal. These points are only worth 0.6 cent each when redeemed for a statement credit.

For more details, see our full review of the American Express Gold Card.

Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.

FAQs

How do you choose the right grocery credit card?

Deciding which grocery credit card is right for you will depend largely on your shopping habits. Keep in mind that most major credit card companies do not consider wholesale clubs and big-box stores like Walmart and Target to be grocery stores, so your purchases there might not qualify for the same rewards. Before applying for a grocery credit card, you'll want to closely read the fine print to make sure that your needs will be met depending on where you shop.

One last thing to keep in mind: Don't get overly enamored of credit cards with a welcome bonus offer. While the immediate cash back can be appealing, it is typically a one-time or short-lived reward. Groceries are purchases that you need to make every month. You're better off focusing on maximizing these rewards over time rather than going for the up-front bonus.

How do you earn rewards with grocery cards?

Here's the way cash-back rewards credit cards typically work: Let's say your credit card offers 3% cash back on groceries. That means for every $100 you spend on groceries, you will get $3 back. While it's called "cash back," the card issuer won't actually give you physical cash. Instead, the "cash" will be associated with your account. Depending on your card, your cash back earned could appear as a statement credit or could be redeemed in other ways, like for travel or as gift cards.

To make the most of your cash back, it's important to pay off your balance in full each month, in order to avoid accruing interest that would essentially void any rewards you may have earned.

Is a grocery credit card right for me?

Grocery cards can be a great way to earn rewards for essentials you purchase every week or month. But that doesn't mean they're the best option for you. It all comes down to how you spend your money. If you travel frequently, travel rewards credit cards or airline credit cards might make more sense. And if you're worried about overspending to earn rewards, consider a flat-rate cash-back card that will earn you the same rewards rate for any purchase.

Our methodology

CNET reviews credit cards by exhaustively comparing them across set criteria developed for each major category, including cash back, welcome bonus, travel rewards and balance transfer. We take into consideration the typical spending behavior of a range of consumer profiles -- with the understanding that everyone's financial situation is different -- and the designated function of a card. 

For rates and fees of the Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express, click here.

For rates and fees of the American Express Gold Card, click here.

For rates and fees of the Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express, click here.

*All information about the Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card has been collected independently by CNET and has not been reviewed by the issuer.

The editorial content on this page is based solely on objective, independent assessments by our writers and is not influenced by advertising or partnerships. It has not been provided or commissioned by any third party. However, we may receive compensation when you click on links to products or services offered by our partners.

Should you use a credit card to buy groceries?

Which credit card is best for online grocery shopping?

What is the best way to pay for groceries?

Which credit card is best for consumers?