10 Best Credit Cards for Groceries in 2026

Buying groceries is something almost everyone does every week. Whether you're shopping for a family of five or living on your own, grocery bills can easily become one of your biggest monthly expenses. The good news is that the right credit card can help you earn cash back, travel points, or valuable rewards every time you visit the supermarket.

Many grocery credit cards offer between 3% and 6% cash back at eligible supermarkets, while others reward you with flexible points that can be redeemed for travel, gift cards, or statement credits. If you spend hundreds of dollars on groceries each month, choosing the right card can save you hundreds of dollars every year.

In this guide, we'll compare the best credit cards for groceries available in 2026. We'll cover their rewards, annual fees, welcome bonuses, and who each card is best suited for, making it easier for you to find one that matches your shopping habits.

Quick Comparison: Best Credit Cards for Groceries

Credit Card	Best For	Grocery Rewards	Annual Fee
Blue Cash Preferred® Card	Overall Value	Up to 6% Cash Back	Yes
American Express® Gold Card	Travel Rewards	4X Membership Rewards	Yes
Blue Cash Everyday® Card	No Annual Fee	3% Cash Back	$0
Capital One Savor Cash Rewards	Groceries & Dining	3% Cash Back	$0
Citi Custom Cash® Card	Flexible Cashback	Up to 5% Cash Back	$0
Citi Strata Premier®	Everyday Spending	Bonus ThankYou Points	Yes
Chase Sapphire Preferred®	Online Grocery Shopping	Bonus Points	Yes
Prime Visa	Amazon & Whole Foods	5% Back	$0 with Prime
Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards	Preferred Rewards Members	Bonus Cash Back	$0
Instacart Mastercard®	Grocery Delivery	Instacart Rewards	$0

Why Use a Credit Card for Grocery Shopping?

Many people still use debit cards or cash for groceries without realizing they're leaving money on the table. Grocery-focused credit cards reward spending that you're already doing every month.

Some of the biggest benefits include:

Earn cash back on every grocery purchase
Collect travel points for future vacations
Receive welcome bonuses worth hundreds of dollars
Enjoy purchase protection and extended warranties
Build your credit history with responsible use
Save money on everyday household expenses

For someone spending $700 per month on groceries, a card offering 6% cash back could return over $500 annually before considering any welcome bonuses.

1. Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express

Best Overall Grocery Credit Card

If your primary goal is earning the highest cash back at supermarkets, the Blue Cash Preferred® Card remains one of the strongest choices available.

Why It Stands Out

This card offers one of the highest grocery reward rates among major credit cards, making it ideal for families and frequent grocery shoppers.

Pros

Excellent grocery cash back
Rewards on streaming services
Additional rewards on gas stations
Strong welcome offer
Purchase protection benefits

Cons

Annual fee
Grocery rewards have spending limits
American Express isn't accepted everywhere

Best For

Families spending more than $500 each month on groceries.

2. American Express® Gold Card

Best for Travel Rewards

If you prefer earning travel points instead of traditional cash back, the American Express Gold Card is difficult to beat.

Rather than offering cashback, this card earns Membership Rewards points that can be transferred to airline and hotel partners.

Pros

High grocery rewards
Excellent dining rewards
Valuable travel redemption options
Premium travel benefits

Cons

High annual fee
Better suited for travelers than cashback seekers

Best For

Frequent travelers who spend heavily on groceries and restaurants.

3. Blue Cash Everyday® Card

Best No Annual Fee Grocery Card

Not everyone wants to pay an annual fee. The Blue Cash Everyday® Card delivers competitive grocery rewards without costing anything to keep.

Pros

No annual fee
Good grocery rewards
Rewards on online shopping
Easy cashback redemption

Cons

Lower reward rate than Blue Cash Preferred
Spending caps apply

Best For

Budget-conscious shoppers looking for a simple cashback card.

4. Capital One Savor Cash Rewards

Best for Groceries and Dining

Many households spend almost as much eating out as they do shopping for groceries. If that sounds familiar, Capital One Savor is worth considering.

Pros

Strong grocery rewards
Excellent dining cashback
Entertainment rewards
No foreign transaction fees

Cons

Grocery rewards aren't the highest available

Best For

People who split their spending between restaurants and grocery stores.

5. Citi Custom Cash® Card

Best Flexible Cashback Card

The Citi Custom Cash® Card automatically rewards your highest eligible spending category each billing cycle.

If groceries are your biggest monthly expense, you don't need to manually activate categories.

Pros

Automatically maximizes rewards
No annual fee
Flexible redemption
Simple rewards structure

Cons

Monthly spending cap on bonus rewards

Best For

People whose grocery spending changes throughout the year.

6. Citi Strata Premier®

Best for Everyday Spending

Instead of focusing only on groceries, Citi Strata Premier rewards multiple everyday categories.

This makes it attractive for people who want one card for almost everything.

Pros

Rewards on groceries
Travel benefits
Flexible point transfers
Strong welcome bonus

Cons

Annual fee
Better for travelers than cashback users

Best For

Consumers wanting one card for groceries, travel, and dining.

7. Chase Sapphire Preferred®

Best for Online Grocery Shopping

Online grocery delivery continues to grow every year, and Chase Sapphire Preferred offers valuable rewards on eligible online grocery purchases.

Pros

Valuable Ultimate Rewards points
Excellent travel protections
Great transfer partners
Strong welcome bonus

Cons

Doesn't maximize in-store grocery rewards
Annual fee

Best For

People who frequently order groceries online.

8. Prime Visa

Best for Amazon and Whole Foods Shoppers

If most of your grocery shopping happens at Whole Foods or through Amazon Fresh, Prime Visa is one of the easiest recommendations.

Pros

Excellent Whole Foods rewards
Amazon rewards
No annual fee with Prime membership
No foreign transaction fees

Cons

Requires Amazon Prime
Limited grocery benefits outside Amazon ecosystem

Best For

Amazon Prime members who regularly shop at Whole Foods.

9. Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards

Best for Preferred Rewards Customers

Existing Bank of America customers can increase their rewards significantly through the Preferred Rewards program.

Pros

No annual fee
Flexible cashback categories
Higher rewards for Preferred Rewards members

Cons

Maximum value requires banking relationship

Best For

Existing Bank of America customers.

10. Instacart Mastercard®

Best for Grocery Delivery

Grocery delivery has become part of everyday life for millions of households.

If you frequently order through Instacart, this card can provide valuable savings.

Pros

Excellent Instacart rewards
Additional grocery benefits
No annual fee

Cons

Most valuable for regular Instacart users

Best For

Busy families and professionals who use grocery delivery services regularly.

How We Chose These Credit Cards

To create this list, we focused on the features that matter most to everyday grocery shoppers.

Our evaluation included:

Grocery reward rates
Annual fees
Welcome bonuses
Redemption flexibility
Introductory APR offers
Credit score requirements
Overall long-term value
Additional everyday rewards

Rather than choosing cards based solely on cashback percentages, we also considered how useful the rewards are over time.

Cash Back vs. Travel Rewards: Which Type of Grocery Credit Card Is Better?

Before choosing a grocery credit card, it's worth deciding how you want to use your rewards. Some cards return cash directly to you, while others let you earn points that can be redeemed for flights, hotels, or other travel expenses.

Cash Back Cards

Cash back cards are the easiest to understand. Every eligible grocery purchase earns a percentage back, which can usually be redeemed as a statement credit, direct deposit, or check.

Best for:

Families
Everyday shoppers
People who want simple rewards
Budget-conscious users

Advantages

Easy to redeem
Rewards have a clear cash value
Great for reducing monthly expenses
No need to learn complex points systems

Travel Rewards Cards

Travel rewards cards earn points or miles instead of cash. These points can often be transferred to airline or hotel loyalty programs, where they may provide more value than standard cashback.

Best for:

Frequent travelers
Business travelers
People planning vacations
Those who enjoy maximizing reward points

Advantages

Higher redemption value for travel
Premium travel perks
Airport lounge access on some cards
Flexible airline and hotel transfer partners

Which Should You Choose?

If groceries are simply another monthly expense and you'd rather save money, a cashback card is usually the better choice.

If you travel several times a year and enjoy redeeming points for flights or hotels, a travel rewards card can deliver greater long-term value.

Grocery Stores That Usually Qualify for Rewards

One common misunderstanding is that every place selling groceries counts as a grocery store. Credit card issuers use Merchant Category Codes (MCCs) to determine whether purchases qualify for grocery rewards.

The following stores typically qualify:

Kroger
Publix
Trader Joe's
Whole Foods Market
Aldi
Safeway
Harris Teeter
H-E-B
Wegmans
Stop & Shop
Meijer (grocery purchases)

Stores That May Not Qualify

Depending on the credit card issuer, these retailers may earn lower rewards or no grocery bonus at all:

Walmart Supercenter
Target
Costco
Sam's Club
BJ's Wholesale Club
Convenience stores
Discount stores

Always check your card's terms before applying, as each issuer defines eligible grocery merchants differently.

How Much Can You Save Every Year?

The value of a grocery credit card depends on how much you spend. Here are a few simple examples.

Example 1: $300 Per Month on Groceries

Annual grocery spending: $3,600
3% cashback: $108
5% cashback: $180
6% cashback: $216

Example 2: $600 Per Month on Groceries

Annual grocery spending: $7,200
3% cashback: $216
5% cashback: $360
6% cashback: $432

Example 3: $1,000 Per Month on Groceries

Annual grocery spending: $12,000
3% cashback: $360
5% cashback: $600
6% cashback: $720

If your card also includes a welcome bonus, your first-year rewards could be worth several hundred dollars more.

Factors to Consider Before Applying

Not every grocery credit card is the right fit. Looking beyond the advertised reward rate can help you avoid choosing a card that doesn't match your spending habits.

1. Annual Fee

Some premium cards charge an annual fee but offer higher grocery rewards and additional benefits.

Ask yourself:

Will the rewards outweigh the annual fee?
Do I spend enough on groceries to justify the cost?

For occasional shoppers, a no-annual-fee card may provide better overall value.

2. Grocery Spending Limits

Many cards offer bonus rewards only up to a certain amount each year.

For example, a card may pay high rewards on the first portion of grocery spending and a lower rate after reaching that limit.

If your household spends heavily on groceries, make sure the spending cap fits your budget.

3. Welcome Bonus

Many of the best grocery credit cards include introductory offers for new cardholders.

These bonuses usually require spending a specific amount within the first few months after opening the account.

A generous welcome bonus can significantly increase your first-year value.

4. Interest Rate (APR)

Reward rates are important, but they shouldn't encourage carrying a balance.

If you pay interest every month, the charges can quickly outweigh any cashback or points you earn.

Using your credit card responsibly and paying the full balance each month helps you get the most from your rewards.

5. Credit Score Requirements

Most top grocery credit cards are designed for applicants with good to excellent credit.

Improving your credit score before applying can increase your chances of approval and may help you qualify for better offers.

6. Redemption Options

Different issuers provide different ways to use your rewards.

Common redemption options include:

Statement credits
Direct deposit
Gift cards
Travel bookings
Airline miles
Hotel stays
Online shopping
Charitable donations

Choose a card whose redemption options match your preferences.

7. Additional Benefits

Many grocery credit cards include perks beyond rewards, such as:

Purchase protection
Extended warranty coverage
Travel insurance
Cell phone protection
Rental car insurance
No foreign transaction fees
Exclusive shopping offers

These extras can add meaningful value over time.

Best Grocery Credit Cards by Category

Choosing the "best" card depends on your spending habits. Here's a quick guide based on different needs.

Category	Recommended Card
Best Overall	Blue Cash Preferred® Card
Best No Annual Fee	Blue Cash Everyday® Card
Best Cashback	Citi Custom Cash® Card
Best Premium Card	American Express® Gold Card
Best for Families	Blue Cash Preferred® Card
Best for Online Grocery Shopping	Chase Sapphire Preferred®
Best for Travel Rewards	American Express® Gold Card
Best for Amazon & Whole Foods	Prime Visa
Best for Grocery Delivery	Instacart Mastercard®

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Even a great rewards card won't deliver much value if it's used the wrong way.

Avoid these common mistakes:

Applying without checking your credit score.
Choosing a card based only on the welcome bonus.
Ignoring annual fees.
Exceeding bonus spending limits.
Assuming every supermarket earns bonus rewards.
Carrying a balance and paying interest.
Missing payment due dates.
Redeeming rewards without comparing their value.
Using only one card when another may offer better rewards for certain purchases.
Not reviewing updated card benefits each year.

By avoiding these mistakes, you'll get more value from your grocery spending and make your rewards work harder for you.

Final Verdict

The best credit card for groceries depends on how you shop and what type of rewards you value most. Some people want the highest cash back on supermarket purchases, while others prefer earning travel points they can use for future vacations.

If your monthly grocery bill is high, a premium card with a higher reward rate may easily offset its annual fee. On the other hand, if you shop less often or prefer keeping costs low, a no-annual-fee card can still provide solid rewards without adding extra expenses.

Here's a quick recommendation based on different shopping styles:

If You Want...	Recommended Card
Best Overall Grocery Card	Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
Highest Cash Back	Blue Cash Preferred® Card
Best No Annual Fee	Blue Cash Everyday® Card
Best Travel Rewards	American Express® Gold Card
Best for Families	Blue Cash Preferred® Card
Best for Dining & Groceries	Capital One Savor Cash Rewards
Best Flexible Cashback	Citi Custom Cash® Card
Best for Online Grocery Orders	Chase Sapphire Preferred®
Best for Amazon & Whole Foods	Prime Visa
Best for Grocery Delivery	Instacart Mastercard®

Before applying, compare the annual fee, grocery reward rate, welcome bonus, and spending limits. Also, make sure the supermarkets where you shop most often qualify for bonus rewards under the card's terms.

The right grocery credit card can help you earn valuable cash back or travel rewards on purchases you're already making every week. Over time, those rewards can add up to hundreds of dollars in savings each year.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Which credit card gives the highest cashback on groceries?

The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express is widely considered one of the best options, offering one of the highest cash back rates at eligible U.S. supermarkets, subject to annual spending limits.

2. What credit score do I need for a grocery credit card?

Most of the best grocery rewards credit cards require a good to excellent credit score, generally around 670 or higher. Approval also depends on your income, existing debt, and overall credit history.

3. Do Walmart and Target count as grocery stores?

Not always. Many credit card issuers classify Walmart Supercenters and Target as discount retailers rather than grocery stores, meaning purchases there may not earn bonus grocery rewards.

4. Are Costco and Sam's Club eligible for grocery rewards?

In most cases, warehouse clubs such as Costco and Sam's Club do not qualify for grocery bonus categories. Some cards may still earn standard rewards on these purchases.

5. Which grocery credit card has no annual fee?

Several excellent options have no annual fee, including:

Blue Cash Everyday® Card
Citi Custom Cash® Card
Capital One Savor Cash Rewards
Prime Visa (with an eligible Amazon Prime membership)

6. Is a cashback credit card better than a travel rewards card?

If your goal is to save money on everyday expenses, cashback cards are usually the better choice. If you travel frequently and enjoy redeeming points for flights or hotels, a travel rewards card can provide greater overall value.

7. Can I earn rewards on online grocery shopping?

Yes. Many credit cards reward eligible online grocery purchases, though participating merchants vary by issuer. Some cards also offer additional benefits for grocery delivery services.

8. Are grocery rewards unlimited?

Not always. Many credit cards limit the amount of grocery spending that qualifies for bonus rewards each year or each billing cycle. Once you reach the cap, purchases typically earn a lower reward rate.

9. Should I pay my grocery bill with a credit card every month?

Yes, if you can pay the full statement balance by the due date. This allows you to earn rewards without paying interest, helping you maximize the value of your grocery spending.

10. Which grocery credit card is best for families?

For households with high monthly grocery expenses, the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express is often one of the strongest choices thanks to its generous supermarket rewards and additional everyday benefits.

Conclusion

Groceries are one of the few expenses that almost everyone has every month, making them a great opportunity to earn consistent rewards. Choosing the right grocery credit card can turn routine shopping into meaningful savings, whether through cash back, travel points, or other valuable perks.

Before making a decision, take a close look at your monthly grocery budget, preferred supermarkets, and whether you're comfortable paying an annual fee. A card that matches your spending habits will usually provide more long-term value than simply choosing the one with the biggest advertised reward rate.

Whether you're looking for the best credit card for groceries, the best grocery cashback card, or a rewards card that fits your lifestyle, comparing the available options carefully will help you get more from every grocery trip.