Grocery spending is a significant part of most household budgets. Finding the right credit card to maximize rewards on these purchases can translate into substantial savings. This article dives into the best credit cards for groceries, drawing insights from Reddit discussions and expert reviews, to help you choose the perfect card for your needs in 2024.
| Credit Card | Key Benefits | Reddit Buzz |
|---|---|---|
| Chase Sapphire Preferred | 5x points on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards; 2x points on all other travel and dining; 1x points on all other purchases. | Highly recommended for travel enthusiasts who also want decent grocery rewards; praised for its flexibility and ease of point redemption. |
| American Express Gold Card | 4x points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per year in purchases, then 1x); 4x points at restaurants worldwide; 3x points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com. | Popular choice for foodies; criticized for its high annual fee, but justified by many due to the high rewards rates on groceries and dining. |
| 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. | Frequently cited as the best cash-back card for groceries; appreciated for its high cash-back rate at supermarkets and additional rewards on streaming and gas. |
| Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card | 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services and at grocery stores; 1% cash back on all other purchases. | Considered a good alternative to the Amex Blue Cash Preferred for those who prefer a lower annual fee; praised for its broad rewards categories. |
| Citi Custom Cash Card | 5% cash back on your highest spending category each billing cycle (on up to $500 spent, then 1%), automatically. | Highly adaptable card, especially useful if groceries are consistently your top spending category each month; praised for its simplicity and lack of rotating categories. |
| Discover it Cash Back | 5% cash back on rotating categories each quarter (on up to $1,500 spent, then 1%), requires activation; 1% cash back on all other purchases. | A good option for those willing to track and activate rotating categories, which sometimes include grocery stores; praised for its first-year cash back match. |
| 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. | Ideal for Amazon Prime members who frequently shop at Whole Foods Market; appreciated for its no annual fee and straightforward rewards structure. |
| U.S. Bank Altitude Go Visa Signature Card | 4x points on dining and takeout; 2x points at grocery stores, grocery delivery, gas stations, and streaming services; 1x points on all other purchases. | A hidden gem for grocery rewards, especially appreciated for its broad definition of grocery stores and delivery services; praised for its low annual fee and ongoing rewards. |
| Wells Fargo Propel American Express Card (No Longer Available) | 3x points on dining, gas, travel, and streaming services; 1x points on all other purchases. | While no longer available for new applicants, existing cardholders still benefit from its strong rewards on everyday spending, including groceries at some merchants coded as dining. |
| Target RedCard Credit Card | 5% off at Target and Target.com; free shipping at Target.com. | Specifically for Target shoppers; appreciated for the automatic 5% discount on all purchases, including groceries. |
Detailed Explanations
Chase Sapphire Preferred: This card is a great all-around travel rewards card. While it doesn't offer a specific bonus for groceries, the 2x points on all travel and dining, combined with the 5x points on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards, makes it a valuable card for those who spend on travel and occasionally on groceries. The points can be redeemed for travel, cash back, or gift cards, offering flexibility.
American Express Gold Card: The Amex Gold Card is a premium rewards card geared towards foodies. Its standout benefit is the 4x points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per year in purchases, then 1x) and restaurants worldwide. The points can be transferred to Amex's travel partners or redeemed for other rewards, making it a versatile option despite its annual fee.
Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express: This card is a top contender for cash-back rewards on groceries. It offers a generous 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%), along with 6% cash back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions and 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations and transit. If you spend a significant amount on groceries, this card can quickly pay for itself, despite its annual fee.
Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card: The SavorOne card provides a solid 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services, and at grocery stores. This makes it a good option for people who want a card that rewards them for various everyday expenses. It stands out with its no annual fee, making it an easily accessible option.
Citi Custom Cash Card: The Citi Custom Cash Card offers a unique rewards structure. It automatically gives you 5% cash back on your highest spending category each billing cycle (on up to $500 spent, then 1%). If groceries are consistently your top spending category, this card can be a simple and effective way to maximize your rewards.
Discover it Cash Back: The Discover it Cash Back card features rotating 5% cash back categories that change each quarter. Sometimes these categories include grocery stores, making it a valuable card for those who are willing to track and activate these categories. Plus, Discover matches all the cash back you've earned at the end of your first year.
Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card: If you're an Amazon Prime member, this card is a no-brainer. You'll earn 5% back at Amazon.com and Whole Foods Market, along with 2% back at restaurants and gas stations. The rewards are easy to redeem for Amazon purchases, making it a convenient option for frequent Amazon shoppers.
U.S. Bank Altitude Go Visa Signature Card: This card is often overlooked but offers solid rewards on dining, takeout, grocery stores, grocery delivery, gas stations, and streaming services. You earn 4x points on dining and takeout, and 2x points on the other categories. It’s particularly valuable because it includes grocery delivery services, which many other cards don't.
Wells Fargo Propel American Express Card (No Longer Available): Although no longer available for new applicants, existing cardholders can still benefit from this card's 3x points on dining, gas, travel, and streaming services. Depending on how merchants are coded, you may also earn 3x points on groceries.
Target RedCard Credit Card: For dedicated Target shoppers, the Target RedCard Credit Card is a must-have. It offers an automatic 5% discount on all purchases at Target and Target.com, including groceries. This is a simple and effective way to save money if you frequently shop at Target. It also offers free shipping at Target.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which credit card is best for groceries? The best card depends on your spending habits. The Blue Cash Preferred from Amex offers high cash back at U.S. supermarkets, while the Citi Custom Cash is great if groceries are your top spending category.
What is the highest cash-back percentage for groceries? The Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express offers the highest cash-back percentage at 6% (on up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%) at U.S. supermarkets.
Do any credit cards offer bonus rewards at Whole Foods Market? Yes, the Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card offers 5% back at Whole Foods Market for Prime members.
Is the Amex Gold Card worth it for groceries? If you spend a significant amount on groceries and dining, the Amex Gold Card's 4x points can justify its annual fee.
Can I use a general travel rewards card for groceries? Yes, cards like the Chase Sapphire Preferred offer points on all purchases, which can be redeemed for travel or other rewards, making them suitable for grocery spending even without a specific bonus category.
Are there any credit cards with no annual fee that offer grocery rewards? Yes, the Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card and the Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card (for Prime members) offer grocery rewards with no annual fee.
How do rotating category cards work for groceries? Cards like the Discover it Cash Back offer 5% cash back on rotating categories each quarter, which sometimes include grocery stores; you must activate the category each quarter to earn the bonus.
What is the best credit card for Target grocery purchases? The Target RedCard Credit Card offers an automatic 5% discount on all Target purchases, including groceries.
How do I maximize my grocery rewards? Choose a card with a high rewards rate for groceries, track your spending to stay within spending limits for bonus categories, and redeem your rewards strategically.
What should I consider when choosing a credit card for groceries? Consider your spending habits, annual fee, rewards structure, and redemption options to find the card that best fits your needs.
Conclusion
Choosing the best credit card for groceries depends heavily on your individual spending habits and preferences. The Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express provides the highest cash-back rate for U.S. supermarkets, while the Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card is perfect for Whole Foods shoppers. Consider your spending patterns and desired rewards to select the card that maximizes your returns on grocery purchases.