Choosing the right credit card can significantly impact your budget, especially when it comes to everyday expenses like dining and groceries. With so many options available, finding the perfect card can feel overwhelming. This guide will help you navigate the landscape of credit cards, highlighting the best choices for maximizing rewards on your dining and grocery purchases in 2024.
Choosing a credit card that offers substantial rewards on dining and groceries can translate into significant savings over time. By strategically using the right card for these common expenses, you can earn cash back, points, or miles that can be redeemed for travel, merchandise, or statement credits.
| Credit Card | Rewards Structure | Key Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| American Express® Gold Card | 4x Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per year in purchases, then 1x), 4x points at restaurants worldwide. | $120 Dining Credit (up to $10 monthly statement credits when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, Milk Bar and select Shake Shack locations), $120 Uber Cash benefit, Purchase Protection, Extended Warranty. |
| Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card | 5x points on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards, 3x points on dining, 2x points on all other travel purchases, 1x points on all other purchases. | 25% more value when redeeming points for travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards, Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, No foreign transaction fees. |
| Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card | 3% cash back on dining and entertainment, 3% cash back at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®), 1% cash back on all other purchases. | No annual fee, Extended Warranty, Travel Accident Insurance, Access to Capital One Entertainment experiences. |
| Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express | 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 at U.S. gas stations and transit, 1% cash back on all other purchases. | $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $95. Amex Offers, Purchase Protection, Return Protection. |
| Citi Custom Cash® Card | 5% cash back on your top spending category each billing cycle (on up to $500 spent, then 1%), 1% cash back on all other purchases. | No annual fee, 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months. |
| Discover it® Chrome Gas & Restaurant Card | 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter (then 1%), 1% cash back on all other purchases. | No annual fee, Cashback Match™ - Discover automatically matches all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year! |
| U.S. Bank Altitude Go Visa Signature® Card | 4x points on dining, takeout, and restaurant delivery, 2x points at grocery stores, grocery delivery, gas stations, and streaming services, 1x point on all other purchases. | $15 Annual Streaming Service Credit (when you make 11 consecutive monthly eligible streaming service purchases), No foreign transaction fees, Visa Signature benefits. |
| Wells Fargo Propel American Express® Card | 3x points on dining, gas stations, travel, transit, and popular streaming services, 1x point on all other purchases. (Note: This card is no longer available to new applicants, but existing cardholders retain their benefits.) | No annual fee (for existing cardholders), Cell Phone Protection (for existing cardholders). |
| Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card | 5% back at Amazon.com and Whole Foods Market with an eligible Prime membership, 2% back at restaurants and gas stations, 1% back on all other purchases. | No annual fee (with eligible Prime membership), Travel and Purchase protections. |
Detailed Explanations
American Express® Gold Card: This card is a powerhouse for dining and grocery rewards. It offers 4x Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per year in purchases, then 1x) and at restaurants worldwide. The points can be redeemed for travel, merchandise, or gift cards. The annual fee can be offset by the $120 Dining Credit and $120 Uber Cash Benefit, making it a strong contender for frequent diners and grocery shoppers.
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card: While not solely focused on dining and groceries, the Chase Sapphire Preferred offers a solid 3x points on dining. The points are valuable due to the Chase Ultimate Rewards program, which allows for flexible redemption options, including travel booked through Chase and transfers to airline and hotel partners. The card also offers travel protections, making it a great all-around travel and dining card.
Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card: This card offers a compelling combination of rewards and no annual fee. You'll earn 3% cash back on dining and entertainment, as well as 3% back at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®). This makes it a great choice for those who want consistent rewards on these everyday spending categories without paying an annual fee.
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express: This card is specifically tailored for U.S. supermarket spending, offering a generous 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%). It also offers 6% cash back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions and 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations and transit. While it has an annual fee ($0 intro for the first year, then $95), the high rewards rates can easily offset the fee for those who spend a significant amount on groceries.
Citi Custom Cash® Card: This card offers a unique rewards structure, providing 5% cash back on your top spending category each billing cycle (on up to $500 spent, then 1%). This means that if dining or groceries is your highest spending category in a given month, you'll automatically earn the 5% back on those purchases (up to the $500 limit). This flexibility can be advantageous for those with fluctuating spending habits.
Discover it® Chrome Gas & Restaurant Card: This card offers 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter (then 1%). While the rewards rate isn't as high as some other cards, it has no annual fee and offers a Cashback Match™ feature, where Discover automatically matches all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year.
U.S. Bank Altitude Go Visa Signature® Card: This card provides strong rewards for dining. Earn 4x points on dining, takeout, and restaurant delivery. Also earn 2x points at grocery stores, grocery delivery, gas stations, and streaming services. The $15 Annual Streaming Service Credit can help offset the annual fee.
Wells Fargo Propel American Express® Card: This card is no longer available to new applicants, but existing cardholders retain their benefits. It offers 3x points on dining, gas stations, travel, transit, and popular streaming services. The fact that it has no annual fee (for existing cardholders) makes it a valuable card for those who already have it.
Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card: This card is ideal for Amazon Prime members. Earn 5% back at Amazon.com and Whole Foods Market with an eligible Prime membership. Also earn 2% back at restaurants and gas stations and 1% back on all other purchases. If you shop regularly at Amazon and Whole Foods, this card is a must-have.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which credit card is best for dining if I eat out frequently? The American Express® Gold Card and U.S. Bank Altitude Go Visa Signature® Card are excellent options due to their high rewards rates on dining.
What is the best credit card for groceries if I spend a lot at supermarkets? The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express offers 6% cash back on U.S. supermarket purchases (up to $6,000 per year).
Is it worth paying an annual fee for a credit card with dining and grocery rewards? It depends on your spending habits. Calculate whether the rewards you earn will offset the annual fee.
Can I use my credit card for online grocery delivery services? Yes, most credit cards that offer rewards on grocery purchases also apply to online grocery delivery services.
What are the benefits of using a credit card with travel insurance? Travel insurance can protect you from financial losses due to trip cancellations, interruptions, or medical emergencies.
Conclusion
Choosing the best credit card for dining and groceries depends on your individual spending habits and preferences. Consider the rewards structure, annual fees, and other benefits offered by each card to determine which one aligns best with your needs. By carefully evaluating your options, you can maximize your rewards and save money on these essential expenses.