The best credit cards for groceries in 2024
Published 7:08 PM EDT, Fri March 8, 2024
Groceries are one of the largest expenses for American households, and as food prices have continued to rise nationally, saving on your grocery purchases has become increasingly important. One way to trim costs is by using a grocery credit card that earns bonus rewards at the supermarket.
The best credit cards for groceries can yield hundreds of dollars of savings annually for a typical household.
We receive compensation from our partners for Featured Offer placements, which impacts how and where their offer is displayed.
Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards? Points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Plus, receive 20% back in statement credits on eligible purchases made at restaurants worldwide within the first 6 months of Card Membership, up to $100 back. Limited time offer. Offer ends 11/6/24.
Credit Score ranges are based on FICO? credit scoring. This is just one scoring method and a credit card issuer may use another method when considering your application. These are provided as guidelines only and approval is not guaranteed.
Our team of experts reviewed dozens of credit cards for groceries, considering various factors including rewards, fees, sign-up bonuses and benefits. Using a data-based approach, we narrowed down the list to the top 11 credit cards that scored highly based on our weightings. Read our full methodology below.
-
American Express? Gold Card: Best grocery credit card
-
Chase Sapphire Preferred? Card: Best for online grocery orders
-
Citi Strata Premier? Card: *Best for gas and dining
The information for the Citi Strata Premier? Card has been collected independently by CNN Underscored. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
-
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card: Best for flat-rate rewards
-
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card: Best premium travel card for grocery spending
-
Hilton Honors American Express Surpass? Card: Best hotel grocery card
-
Hilton Honors American Express Card: Best no annual fee grocery card
-
Instacart Mastercard?: *Best card for Instacart
The information for the Instacart Mastercard? has been collected independently by CNN Underscored. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
-
Prime Visa: *Best card for Amazon and Whole Foods
The information for the Prime Visa has been collected independently by CNN Underscored. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
-
Blue Cash Preferred? Card from American Express: Best grocery cash back rate
We receive compensation from our partners for Featured Offer placements, which impacts how and where their offer is displayed.
Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Credit Score ranges are based on FICO? credit scoring. This is just one scoring method and a credit card issuer may use another method when considering your application. These are provided as guidelines only and approval is not guaranteed.
American Express? Gold Card
The CNN Underscored Money editorial team has developed a star rating so you can see the best card for specific categories. While we believe this card excels in this category, its overall star rating may differ.
Chase Sapphire Preferred? Card
The CNN Underscored Money editorial team has developed a star rating so you can see the best card for specific categories. While we believe this card excels in this category, its overall star rating may differ.
Citi Strata Premier? Card
*The information for the Citi Strata Premier? Card has been collected independently by CNN Underscored. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
The CNN Underscored Money editorial team has developed a star rating so you can see the best card for specific categories. While we believe this card excels in this category, its overall star rating may differ.
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
The CNN Underscored Money editorial team has developed a star rating so you can see the best card for specific categories. While we believe this card excels in this category, its overall star rating may differ.
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
The CNN Underscored Money editorial team has developed a star rating so you can see the best card for specific categories. While we believe this card excels in this category, its overall star rating may differ.
Hilton Honors American Express Surpass? Card
The CNN Underscored Money editorial team has developed a star rating so you can see the best card for specific categories. While we believe this card excels in this category, its overall star rating may differ.
Hilton Honors American Express Card
The CNN Underscored Money editorial team has developed a star rating so you can see the best card for specific categories. While we believe this card excels in this category, its overall star rating may differ.
Instacart Mastercard?
*The information for the Instacart Mastercard? has been collected independently by CNN Underscored. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
The CNN Underscored Money editorial team has developed a star rating so you can see the best card for specific categories. While we believe this card excels in this category, its overall star rating may differ.
Prime Visa
*The information for the Prime Visa has been collected independently by CNN Underscored. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
The CNN Underscored Money editorial team has developed a star rating so you can see the best card for specific categories. While we believe this card excels in this category, its overall star rating may differ.
Blue Cash Preferred? Card from American Express
The CNN Underscored Money editorial team has developed a star rating so you can see the best card for specific categories. While we believe this card excels in this category, its overall star rating may differ.
Our picks at a glance
| Annual fee | Welcome bonus | Grocery rewards rate | Notable feature | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
American Express? Gold Card (terms apply, see rates and fees)
| $325
| 60,000 Membership Rewards? points after spending $6,000 on eligible purchases in the first six months of card membership. Plus, receive 20% back in statement credits on eligible restaurant purchases worldwide (up to $100 back) within the first six months of card membership (offer ends 11/6/24)
| 4x on up to $25,000 spent each calendar year at US supermarkets (then 1x)
| Monthly Uber Cash and dining statement credits
|
$95
| 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening
| 3x (online only)
| 10% annual points bonus
| |
Citi Strata Premier? Card
*
The information for the Citi Strata Premier? Card has been collected independently by CNN Underscored. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
| $95
| 70,000 bonus ThankYou? Points after spending $4,000 in the first three months of account opening
| 3x
| Also earns 3x on gas, EV charging, dining, hotels and airfare
|
$95
| 70,000 bonus points after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
| 3x
| Application fee credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck
| |
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
| $395
| 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening
| 2x
| $300 annual statement credit for travel booked through Capital One
|
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
| $95
| 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
| 2x
| Up to $120 statement credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee
|
$150
| 165,000 Hilton Honors bonus points after you spend $3,000 on eligible purchases in the first six months
| 6x
| Up to $200 in statement credits annually for Hilton purchases
| |
$0
| 100,000 Hilton Honors bonus points after you spend $2,000 on eligible purchases in the first six months
| 5x
| Includes Hilton Honors Silver status
| |
Instacart Mastercard?
*
The information for the Instacart Mastercard? has been collected independently by CNN Underscored. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
| $0
| $100 Instacart credit plus 1 free year of Instacart+ automatically upon approval
| 5% on Instacart
| No minimum redemption threshold
|
Prime Visa
*
The information for the Prime Visa has been collected independently by CNN Underscored. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
| $0
| $100 Amazon Gift Card instantly upon approval exclusively for Prime members
| 5% at Whole Foods and Amazon Fresh with Prime
| Uncapped rewards
|
Blue Cash Preferred? Card from American Express (terms apply, see rates and fees)
| $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95
| $250 statement credit after spending $3,000 on eligible purchases within the first six months
| 6% at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $6,000 in purchases annually, then 1%)
| Monthly statement credit for Disney Bundle subscriptions
|
What is a grocery credit card?
Grocery credit cards can earn you points, miles or cash back every time you use them at the supermarket. A good grocery credit card typically has some or all of the following features:
- Bonus rewards for grocery purchases: A grocery credit card boosts the return you get for each dollar spent on groceries and other eligible purchases.
- Rewards on purchases other than groceries: Many grocery credit cards earn bonus points or cash back for other purchases in addition to groceries, such as dining, gas or travel.
- Additional benefits: You can expect standard credit card features such as fraud protection and online account management, but you may also see perks such as cell phone protection and discounts with retail partners.
- Stacks with other discounts: You can generally use a grocery credit card while also redeeming coupons and earning rewards from your grocery store of choice.
How credit cards can save you money on groceries
Credit cards that earn bonus rewards for grocery purchases provide a way to reduce your net cost. When you use your card as payment, you’ll automatically earn rewards at an accelerated rate for all eligible purchases. That can be easier than clipping coupons or tracking in-store rewards (though you can also stack those savings).
As an example of how much you can save, consider that the average US household spent $5,703 on groceries in 2022. A cash back credit card that earns a 5% return on grocery spending would tally about $285 in rewards for the year; that’s $228 more than a 1% cash back credit card would earn. Naturally, the savings would be greater for households that spend more than average on groceries.
General rewards credit cards versus store-branded cards
Many large grocery retailers offer store-branded supermarket credit cards, including Target, Costco and Amazon. These cards offer high cash back rates on groceries and other eligible purchases from each respective retailer, which is convenient if you do most of your shopping (grocery or otherwise) at one of these stores.
In contrast, many general rewards credit cards offer a bonus for grocery purchases beyond a single brand. These non-branded cards are a better fit if you’re not loyal to one brand and prefer to shop around. With some general rewards credit cards, you can earn points or miles that may have a less consistent value but offer greater returns when you redeem them strategically.
Maximizing rewards and benefits for grocery purchases
The first step toward maximizing rewards on a grocery credit card is to use it consistently. Keep your card on hand and make it your default payment method for all purchases that earn rewards at a higher rate. If other trusted members of your household do a share of the grocery shopping, consider adding them as authorized users on your account so you can also earn on their purchases.
In addition to the rewards you earn from spending, get familiar with your card’s benefits. For example, the Target RedCard? Credit Card * The information for the Target RedCard? Credit Card has been collected independently by CNN Underscored. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. gets you free shipping on eligible purchases at Target.com, and the American Express? Gold Card can reimburse you for select dining expenses, Dunkin’ purchases and Resy restaurant spending, plus provide monthly Uber Cash.
If your card comes with a welcome bonus offer, be sure to claim it by meeting the spending requirement in the allotted time. Missing the mark is a costly mistake since it nullifies the offer entirely — there’s no partial credit.
Finally, remember to redeem your rewards. Redeeming cash back is simple, but if you earn points or miles with multiple redemption options, research which ones will provide the most value. Also, check to see if your rewards can expire.
How to choose the best grocery credit card for you
The best credit card for groceries is the one that suits your needs, so before you apply for a card, look beyond the rewards rate to determine whether it’s a good fit. Factors to consider include the value of the rewards you’ll earn, spending caps or other limits on bonus categories, whether the card offers a welcome bonus and additional card holder benefits. Any one of these variables can make or break a card’s usefulness, so assess each one in the context of your own spending habits.
One last crucial variable is whether the card charges an annual fee, which can eat into the value of the rewards you earn. When all else is equal, a card that earns you $300 in rewards each year with no annual fee provides more value than one that earns you $500 in rewards with a $250 annual fee. In short, look at the net value (including both earning potential and costs) as you evaluate each card.
Does it make sense to pair multiple grocery cards?
Having more than one credit card can be helpful if your primary grocery credit card has a spending cap on bonus rewards at the supermarket. For example, the Blue Cash Preferred? Card from American Express earns 6% cash back on up to $6,000 in spending per year at U.S. supermarkets. Once you hit that limit, you’ll only earn 1% back. If you spend more than $6,000 a year on groceries, you’ll want to switch to a different grocery card for the rest of the year.
Pairing multiple cards can also make sense if you want to diversify the rewards you earn. Suppose you’re saving up travel points for a vacation. Using a card such as the Amex Gold or Capital One Venture card at the supermarket could help you hit your rewards goal faster. But after your trip, earning cash back rewards from a different card may be more of a priority.
Should I use my credit card for groceries?
Using a credit card to pay for groceries might feel strange if you’re used to paying with cash or debit. But as long as you treat your credit card like a debit card — that is, only spend what you can afford to pay off — you’ll avoid paying interest and earn rewards that can save you money.
Grocery credit cards are especially handy if you want to reduce costs but don’t have the time or inclination to clip coupons, because you’ll earn rewards automatically whenever you swipe your card. Or, if you do clip coupons, credit card rewards can add to your savings.
Credit cards also come with stronger protections against fraud than debit cards, so from a security standpoint, using a credit card is a smart move. Some cards also include purchase protection and extended warranty, which can be a lifesaver if you buy big-ticket items such as kitchen appliances or fancy cookware at supermarkets that sell more than just groceries.
Common mistakes to avoid when using credit cards for groceries
Getting the best credit card for groceries can help maximize your return on spending, but there are some potential pitfalls you’ll want to avoid:
- Failing to analyze your spending: Maximizing rewards on grocery purchases may not be a priority for those who don’t spend a lot on groceries. For example, you may be better off getting a card that rewards spending on restaurants and takeout if you tend to dine out often.
- Ignoring spending caps: Some grocery credit cards limit the amount of spending that qualifies for bonus rewards over a set period (such as each quarter or year). Once you hit that limit, your grocery purchases for the rest of that period will earn rewards at the lower base rate.
- Buying groceries outside the grocery store: Merchants that accept credit cards are assigned a merchant category code, which card issuers use to determine whether purchases are eligible for bonus rewards. Some merchants that sell groceries may not be coded as grocery stores, in which case you’ll get a lower return than expected.
- Committing to a vendor: Store-branded cards commit you to shopping at one store (or chain of stores) if you want to earn bonus rewards, even if that store doesn’t have the best price or the product you want. A store card could still be the right choice for you, but you’ll get more flexibility with a general rewards card that offers a bonus for grocery purchases.
- Redeeming rewards for low values: Travel rewards or transferable rewards can give you more value than cash back, but realize that upside takes effort. If you’re unfamiliar with the rewards program, you may end up getting a lower return from your points or miles than you would from a cash back card.
- Overspending: Credit cards let you spend any amount up to your credit limit, which makes blowing past your budget easier than it would be with a debit card or cash. Beware of the temptation to overspend, and plan to always pay your bill in full and on time to avoid carrying a balance and paying interest.
Alternatives to grocery store credit cards
Credit cards that earn bonus rewards on groceries and other types of expenses can generate high returns on your spending. Most of the cards on our list fall into this category, but the Venture X and Capital One Venture card are exceptions, earning 2 miles per dollar just about everywhere.
These types of credit cards that earn a flat rate of rewards on purchases are a good fit if you don’t want to keep track of bonus categories or spending caps. Other good options include:
- Wells Fargo Active Cash? Card (terms apply, see rates and fees): This card earns 2% cash rewards on purchases with no limits, and it doesn’t charge an annual fee.
- Citi Double Cash? Card * The information for the Citi Double Cash? Card has been collected independently by CNN Underscored. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. : With this no annual fee card, you’ll earn 1% back when you make a purchase, and 1% back when you pay it off (effectively 2% cash back).
- Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card: While this card only earns 1.5% cash back on most purchases, it’s a good option for international travelers because it doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees.
- Chase Freedom Unlimited?: This isn’t a true flat-rate credit card (it earns 5% on travel purchased through Chase and 3% on dining and at drugstores), but its base rewards rate of 1.5% cash back is better than average.
Methodology
Our money and data analytics teams evaluated dozens of credit cards available to consumers that are best for earning on grocery spending. From there, we narrowed down our list of the best credit cards for groceries by giving them a star rating out of five, based on the following factors and our editorial judgment:
Rewards value (35%)
When it comes to the best credit cards for groceries, one of the most important aspects is how much you’ll earn for your purchases. The cards that earn more for your grocery purchases got a boost in our rankings — and those that earn more valuable rewards were scored higher.
Sign-up bonus (25%)
A sign-up bonus is an additional perk for most credit cards, including the best for groceries. We ranked cards with valuable sign-up bonuses higher than cards with low or no sign-up bonuses.
Select fees (25%)
Cards with no annual fees scored higher in this category. Additionally, some credit cards on the market charge a fee for purchases made abroad, which can add up quickly on extended trips. Cards that don’t charge foreign transaction fees received priority over cards that do.
Benefits (10%)
Some of the best credit cards for groceries also come with non-supermarket-related benefits. We scored cards that earn additional perks — such as purchase protections and automatic elite status — higher.
Annual credits and bonuses (5%)
Credits and bonuses can help to offset annual fees and help you extract more value from your card. We scored cards that offer annual bonuses and credits higher.
What didn’t make the cut
You may see these entries on other lists for the best grocery credit cards. However, there are some reasons why they may not be the best pick for your wallet.
- Citi Custom Cash? Card * The information for the Citi Custom Cash? Card has been collected independently by CNN Underscored. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. : This card offers 5% cash back on purchases in your top eligible spend category each billing cycle, up to the first $500 spent, 1% cash back thereafter. Also, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases. Special Travel Offer: Earn an additional 4% cash back on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked on Citi Travel? portal through 6/30/2025.
- Amex EveryDay? Preferred Credit Card * The information for the Amex EveryDay? Preferred Credit Card has been collected independently by CNN Underscored. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. : You’ll earn 3 points per dollar at U.S. supermarkets, plus a 50% bonus when you use your card at least 30 times in a billing period. However, the 3x earnings are capped at $6,000 of spending annually, and the card charges a $95 annual fee.
- Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card: This card earns unlimited 3% cash back on groceries (as well as dining, entertainment and select streaming services), but other cards that earn 3x offer more valuable rewards and benefits.
All information about Amex EveryDay? Preferred Credit Card has been collected independently by CNN Underscored.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
No prominent credit cards are designed specifically and exclusively for grocery purchases, but many credit cards yield a high return when you use them to pay for groceries. These include store-branded cards offered by some of the largest grocery retailers, as well as a variety of general-purpose credit cards that reward grocery purchases alongside other spending.
Most credit cards for groceries offer rewards in other categories, such as dining, gas and travel. Supermarket credit cards generally earn bonus rewards for all in-store purchases, including non-grocery items like clothing and housewares. Some cards allow you to select which categories of purchases earn the highest return, so you can tailor your rewards to match your spending habits.
No credit cards are designed exclusively for online grocery shopping, but several cards reward buying groceries online more than shopping in person. For example, the Instacart Mastercard earns 5% cash back on Instacart purchases, but earns only its base rate of 1% cash back for shopping at in-person grocery stores. The Chase Sapphire Preferred? Card earns 3 points per dollar on eligible online grocery spending, but 1 point per dollar on other grocery expenses.
The Blue Cash Preferred? Card from American Express offers the most cash back with a return of 6% back on up to $6,000 in purchases at U.S. supermarkets annually (then 1%). But the highest cash back rate does not always equal the highest return on spending. For example, the American Express? Gold Card earns 4 Membership Rewards points per dollar on up to $25,000 of spending at U.S. supermarkets each calendar year (then 1x). Depending on how you use those points, they may be worth more to you than cash back.
You can combine your credit card rewards with other grocery discounts and promotions, such as sales, coupons, in-store rewards programs and vendor rebates. Those discounts and promotions are available regardless of how you pay, so using a grocery credit card enables you to stack rewards on top of other savings.
*The information for the following card(s) has been collected independently by CNN Underscored Money: Aeroplan? Credit Card, Instacart Mastercard? * The information for the Instacart Mastercard? has been collected independently by CNN Underscored. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. , and Prime Visa * The information for the Prime Visa has been collected independently by CNN Underscored. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. . The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
To view rates and fees of the American Express? Gold Card please visit this page.
To view rates and fees of the Hilton Honors American Express Card please visit this page.
To view rates and fees of the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass? Card please visit this page.
To view rates and fees of the Blue Cash Preferred? Card from American Express please visit this page.
1Purchase Protection is an embedded benefit of your Card Membership and requires no enrollment. It can help protect Covered Purchases made on your Eligible Card when they’re accidentally damaged, stolen, or lost, for up to 90 days from the Covered Purchase date. The coverage is limited up to $10,000 per occurrence, up to $50,000 per Card Member account per calendar year. Coverage Limits Apply. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.
2Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance can provide coverage up to $50,000 for theft of or damage to most rental vehicles when you use your eligible Card to reserve and pay for the entire eligible vehicle rental and decline the collision damage waiver or similar option offered by the Commercial Car Rental Company. This product provides secondary coverage and does not include liability coverage. Not all vehicle types or rentals are covered. Geographic restrictions apply. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Car Rental Loss or Damage Coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.
All information about Amex EveryDay? Preferred Credit Card, Citi Custom Cash? Card, Citi Double Cash? Card, Citi Strata Premier? Card, Instacart Mastercard?, Prime Visa and Target RedCard? Credit Card has been collected independently by CNN Underscored.
Editorial Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines, hotel chain, or other commercial entity and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of such entities.
This content is for educational purposes only and is not intended and should not be understood to constitute financial, investment, insurance or legal advice. All individuals are encouraged to seek advice from a qualified financial professional before making any financial, insurance or investment decisions.
Note: While the offers mentioned above are accurate at the time of publication, they're subject to change at any time and may have changed or may no longer be available.
