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Best credit cards for groceries of April 2024

Groceries are something most of us purchase every week. The right credit card can help you get rewarded for those purchases. CardRatings editors reveal the best credit cards for groceries including cash-back rewards cards, travel rewards cards and more. View More

Everyone has to eat and that means credit cards that earn rewards at grocery stores can be beneficial for almost anyone. Some stores have their own co-branded credit cards that can come with perks such as special discounts; however, a better option may be a rewards credit card that gives you cash back, miles or points regardless of which supermarket you shop so you’re not limited to doing your grocery shopping all in one place. Some even offer bonus rewards outside of grocery purchases, meaning you can reap benefits on things besides food.

There is no one best credit cards for groceries as everyone’s spending habits are unique, but taking into consideration annual fees, bonuses, ongoing rewards and credit scores needed, we think that any of these featured cards would make a great companion to your reusable bags next time you head to the grocery store.. View Less

author Jennifer Doss
Terms apply; see the online credit card application for full terms and conditions of offers and rewards.

20+ years

finding the best card for you

1,500+ cards

in our database

5,000+ cardholders

polled about their cards

243 reviews

from our experts

List of Winners

  • CardName – Best for U.S. Supermarket Purchases
  • CardName – Best for Shopping at Costco
  • CardName – Best for Online Grocery Purchases
  • CardName – Best for Earning Where You Spend the Most
  • CardName – Best for Cardholder-Choice Rewards
  • CardName – Best for Simplicity
  • CardName – Best for High Grocery Spending
  • CardName – Best for Balance Transfers
  • CardName – Best for Travel Rewards
  • CardName – Best for Fair Credit

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editor_rating
 
foreign_transaction_fee annual_fees
Why We Like It: The CardName is hands-down one of the best cards for groceries in terms of the percentage of cash back offered. The 6% cash back on purchases at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%) offer is a hard offer to beat, and there's also intro 0% APR on new purchases and balance transfers for the first 12 months from opening an account (then RegAPR), further sweetening the deal. American Express is a CardRatings advertiser. 

Read our full CardName review.

Welcome Bonus
$250 Earn a $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new card within the first six months
Annual Fee
AnnualFees
APR
RegAPR
Credit Score
CreditScoreNeeded

The Bonus: Earn a $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new card within the first six months.

The Rewards: Cardholders earn 6% cash back on the first $6,000 spent at U.S. supermarkets each year and then 1% on purchases after that. You also earn 6% cash back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions, 3% cash back on transit and gas purchases at U.S. gas stations, and 1% cash back on other purchases.

The Annual Fee: AnnualFees

Credit Score Needed: CreditScoreNeeded

PROS:

  • This card offers 6% cash back on all grocery purchases at U.S. supermarkets up to $6,000 per year. That works out to a maximum of $360 in cash back on groceries alone. Who ever said grocery shopping wasn't fun?!
  • Introductory 0% APR on all new purchases and balance transfers for 12 months from the date of account opening is a great offer if you have a large purchase on the horizon. After the intro period, regular RegAPR APR applies.
  • The welcome bonus offer is easy to earn and could go a long way towards future grocery purchases.

CONS:

  • Some stores may seem like "supermarkets," but they might not actually qualify for the rebate. Wholesale clubs, superstores and alcohol retailers are typically the culprits for this confusion.
  • You'll probably want to leave this card at home when you travel abroad as it charges fees on foreign transactions.
Current Scores Past Scores
Overall Score 78.5 78.2
Rewards Program Satisfaction 7.6 7.8
Customer Service 7.7 8.0
Website/App Usability 8.1 7.7
Likelihood of Continuing to Use 8.3 8.2
Recommend to a Friend/Colleague 8.2 7.5

*Scores above reflect the results of surveys with actual cardholders. Full methodology below.

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Cardholder Favorite
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foreign_transaction_fee annual_fees
Why We Like It: While this card is a logical card choice for Costco warehouse shoppers, it also comes with valuable cash-back benefits for all kinds of purchases. These include 4% cash back on eligible gas and EV charging purchases (for the first $7,000 per year, 1% thereafter); 3% cash back at restaurants and on eligible travel purchases; and 2% on purchases from Costco and Costco.com. Members of the warehouse club won't pay an annual fee, and the card doesn't charge any foreign transaction fees either. Citi is a CardRatings advertiser.

Read our full CardName review.

Rewards
Up to 4% cash back Earn 4% csah back on up to $7,000 spent annually on gas an EV charging purchases, 3% cash back on restaurant and eligible travel purchases; 2% cash back on Costco and Costco.com purchases; and 1% cash back on other purchases
Annual Fee
AnnualFees
APR
RegAPR
Credit Score
CreditScoreNeeded

The Bonus: None at this time.

The Rewards: Cardholders receive 4% cash back on eligible gas and EV charging purchases (for the first $7,000 per year, 1% thereafter); 3% cash back at restaurants and on eligible travel purchases; 2% on purchases from Costco and Costco.com; and 1% on all other purchases. Cash back is issued once a year as a reward certificate that can be redeemed for cash or merchandise at Costco stores.

The Annual Fee: AnnualFees

Credit Score Needed: CreditScoreNeeded

PROS:

  • No annual fee with your paid Costco membership and no foreign transaction fees.
  • You earn 2% on purchases from Costco and Costco.com which is great if you like to do your grocery shopping in bulk.
  • Because this card earns a robust 4% on eligible gas and EV charging purchases (for the first $7,000 per year) it's also great if you like to fill you car up with gas after you grocery shop.

CONS:

  • While it's easy to accumulate cash back, it's only redeemed once a year and is done automatically, giving the cardholder very little control.
  • Costco membership is required. While the card has no annual fee, you must pay for a Costco membership to apply.
Current Scores Past Scores
Overall Score 83.3 86.3
Rewards Program Satisfaction 8.3 8.6
Customer Service 7.7 8.5
Website/App Usability 8.1 8.8
Likelihood of Continuing to Use 9.5 9.3
Recommend to a Friend/Colleague 8.6 8.4

*Scores above reflect the results of surveys with actual cardholders. Full methodology below.

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editor_rating
 
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Why We Like It: This card has long been a travel favorite, but now thanks to updated bonus categories such as streaming services and online grocery store purchases, it's now a top pick as an everyday card as well.

Read our full CardName review.

Welcome Bonus
60,000 points Earn 60,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points after spending $4,000 in the first three months
Annual Fee
AnnualFees
Regular APR
RegAPR
Credit Score
CreditScoreNeeded

The Bonus: Earn 60,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points after spending $4,000 in the first three months. That's worth $750 when redeemed through Chase Travel℠.

The Rewards: Earn 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases, $50 Annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit, plus more.

The Annual Fee: AnnualFees

Credit Score Needed: CreditScoreNeeded

PROS:

  • Receive a $50 Annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit.
  • Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Travel. For example, 60,000 points are worth $750 toward travel.
  • Make your rewards go even further by taking advantage of Chase's extensive list of travel partners.

CONS:

  • There is an annual fee to consider.
  • Rewards earned are best used for travel, so if you're looking for something more flexible, a cash-back credit card may be a more suitable option.
Current Scores Past Scores (avg.)
Overall Score 80.3 86.6
Rewards Program Satisfaction 7.8 8.6
Customer Service 8.0 8.7
Website/App Usability 8.3 8.8
Likelihood of Continuing to Use 8.4 8.7
Recommend to a Friend/Colleague 8.1 8.6

*Scores above reflect the results of surveys with actual cardholders. Full methodology below.

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editor_rating
 
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Why We Like It: Are grocery stores where you spend the most money each month? If so, you'll earn 5% back on those purchases as this card earns bonus rewards in your top eligible spend category each billing cycle (up to the first $500 spent, then 1%).

Read our full CardName review.

Welcome Bonus
20,000 points Spend $1,500 on purchases within the first six months of opening an account and you’ll receive 20,000 ThankYou® Points, worth $200
Annual Fee
AnnualFees
APR
RegAPR
Credit Needed
CreditScoreNeeded

The Bonus: Spend $1,500 on purchases within the first six months of opening an account and you’ll receive 20,000 ThankYou® Points, worth $200.

The Rewards: 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) - there are no category enrollments to worry about or no need to juggle reward tiers. On everything else you purchase, you’ll get 1% cash back. Eligible 5% categories include: restaurants, grocery stores, gas stations, select travel, select transit, select streaming services, fitness clubs, live entertainment, drugstores, and home improvement stores.

Annual Fee: AnnualFees

Credit Score Needed: CreditScoreNeeded

PROS:

  • Perhaps some months you spend heavily on grocery purchases, but other months you spend most of your money elsewhere. With this credit card, you'll get rewarded for it all. As long as you're spending in an eligible spend category, you'll automatically earn 5% back on where you're spending most each billing cycle, up to the first $500 spent.
  • Rewards earned with this card are automatic. There are no category enrollments to worry about, or no rewards tiers to juggle.
  • This is a good card if you have a large purchase on the horizon or if you need some time to pay off an existing balance interest free as it offers intro 0% APR on balance transfers and purchases for 15 months (then RegAPR).

CONS:

  • If your spending is all over the place, you might have trouble maximizing the amount of rewards that can be earned with this card.
  • Once you reach $500 in spend in any eligible bonus category each billing cycle, you'll only earn 1% on purchases.
Current Scores Past Scores
Overall Score 80.3 87.8
Rewards Program Satisfaction 8.2 8.8
Customer Service 7.7 8.8
Website/App Usability 7.8 8.7
Likelihood of Continuing to Use 8.7 9.0
Recommend to a Friend/Colleague 7.9 8.5

*Scores above reflect the results of surveys with actual cardholders. Full methodology below.

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editor_rating
 
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Why We Like It: In addition to 2% cash back earned at grocery stores and wholesale clubs, this card offers 3% cash back in a choice category (up to $2,500 in combined choice category/grocery store/wholesale club quarterly purchases), making it a great option for a variety of spending habits. Plus, Bank of America Preferred Rewards members can earn 25%-75% more cash back on purchases, making it a prime pick for existing Bank of America bankers.

Read our full CardName review.

Welcome Bonus
$200 in online cash rewards 200 in online cash rewards after making at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening
Annual Fee
AnnualFees
APR
RegAPR
Credit Score
CreditScoreNeeded

The Bonus: Earn $200 in online cash rewards after making at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.

The Rewards: Earn 3% cash back in the category of your choice - now with expanded categories, automatic 2% at grocery stores and wholesale clubs (up to $2,500 in combined choice category/grocery store/wholesale club quarterly purchases) and unlimited 1% on all other purchases. Choose 3% cash back on gas and EV charging station, online shopping/cable/internet/phone plan/streaming, dining, travel, drug store/pharmacy or home improvement/furnishing purchases. Update your choice category for future purchases once each calendar month using the mobile banking app or online banking, or do nothing and it stays the same.

Annual Fee: AnnualFees

Credit Score Needed: CreditScoreNeeded

PROS:

  • As a Preferred Rewards client (membership and tiers are based on a three-month average balance across your eligible Bank of America accounts) you can earn 25%-75% more cash back on each purchase depending on your tier. 
  • You can choose the category in which you'll earn the highest rewards so you can rest assured that you're fully optimizing the card's reward potential.
  • Bank of America offers BankAmerideals® through which you select deals from an ever-changing list of retailers, restaurants and websites. Just pay for your product or service with an eligible Bank of America credit or debit card (such as this one), and earn the listed cash back directly into your linked account.

CONS:

  • If you aren't a Bank of America Preferred Rewards client, you could miss out on the full rewards potential offered by this card.
  • You can only adjust your 3% cash-back earning category once per calendar month. If an unexpected expense comes up in a different category after you've already made your choice, you’ll only earn 1% cash back on that category until the following month rolls around.
Current Scores Past Scores
Overall Score 81.1 80.2
Rewards Program Satisfaction 8.1 8.1
Customer Service 7.9 8.1
Website/App Usability 8.6 8.1
Likelihood of Continuing to Use 9.0 7.9
Recommend to a Friend/Colleague 7.7 7.8

*Scores above reflect the results of surveys with actual cardholders. Full methodology below.

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editor_rating
 
foreign_transaction_fee annual_fees
Why We Like It: This is an excellent option for anyone who doesn’t want to think about how they earn rewards, and instead, just want to earn them… no thought required. With the Capital One Venture card you’ll earn a flat 2X miles on every purchase you make. So whether you’re shopping for groceries at your local supermarket or at Target, making a travel purchase, or using your card to pay your gym membership, you’ll earn 2X miles on every dollar you spend. It’s as simple as that.

Read our full CardName review.

Welcome Bonus
75,000 miles Earn a one-time 75,000 mile bonus when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months
Annual Fee
AnnualFees
APR
RegAPR
Credit Score
CreditScoreNeeded

The Bonus: Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within three months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel.

The Rewards: Earn 2X miles on every purchase, every day. Miles can be transferred to several leading travel loyalty programs or redeemed as an account statement when you choose to cover a recent travel purchase with your miles. 

The Annual Fee: AnnualFees

Credit Score Needed: CreditScoreNeeded

PROS:

  • Simplicity is a beautiful thing when it comes to a rewards program. The Venture card gives you 2X miles for every dollar spent on every purchase. It's that simple.
  • In addition to travel, miles can also be redeemed for various travel expenses, such as hotel stays, vehicle rentals and theme park tickets. Miles can also be turned into cash and merchandise credit.
  • There are no foreign transaction fees.

CONS:

  • If you do choose to redeem your miles for cash, the value is only half that of redeeming for travel or merchandise.
  • The current partner airlines with the Venture card are not the most common or frequently used for rewards travel so transferring points may not provide as much value as other card programs.
Current Scores Past Scores
Overall Score 83.3 76.0
Rewards Program Satisfaction 8.2 7.7
Customer Service 8.0 7.2
Website/App Usability 8.4 8.2
Likelihood of Continuing to Use 8.9 7.9
Recommend to a Friend/Colleague 8.5 7.2

*Scores above reflect the results of surveys with actual cardholders. Full methodology below.

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editor_rating
 
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Why We Like It: The CardName is good choice for rewards on both U.S. supermarket purchases and dining, but while most of the best cards for groceries offer cash back, this card gives cardholders Membership Rewards points that can be redeemed for travel, gifts or statement credits. Points can also be transferred to other loyalty programs such as Marriott Bonvoy and Delta SkyMiles for added flexibility. The Gold Card comes with more perks than we can possibly name here. A dining credit, Uber Cash and car rental insurance are just a few of the cardholder benefits. Enrollment required for select benefits.

Read our full CardName review.

Welcome Offer
60,000 Membership Rewards points Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards points when you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases within six months of opening an account
Annual Fee
AnnualFees
APR
RegAPR
Credit Score
CreditScoreNeeded

The Bonus: Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards points when you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases within six months of opening an account.

The Rewards: Earn 4X Membership Rewards points when you dine at restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S.; 4X Membership Rewards points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per year in purchases, then 1X); 3X Membership Rewards points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com; and 1X point on other eligible purchases.

The Annual Fee: AnnualFees

Credit Score Needed: CreditScoreNeeded

PROS:

  • If you like racking up rewards in a hurry, this card fits the bill. You earn 4X points per dollar spent at U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000 in purchases per year), 4X points per dollar spent at restaurants and 3X points per dollar spent on flights booked at amex.com
  • Get a jumpstart on your rewards with 60,000 bonus points earned by spending at least $6,000 on eligible purchases in the first six months after opening an account.
  • You can earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with your card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, Milk Bar and select Shake Shack locations (enrollment required).
  • Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and each month automatically get $10 in Uber Cash for Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S., totaling up to $120 per year.
  • There are no foreign transaction fees, which can result in big savings if you travel overseas frequently for business or pleasure.

CONS:

  • The annual fee is hefty. It can be offset by the cash back you earn but not if American Express is not your "go to" card.
  • Unlike typical credit cards, the card allows you to carry a balance for certain charges, but not all.
  • The overall rewards earning with the Gold card is good, however the travel rewards earning being higher only on specific travel purchases made through American Express can be a bit of a barrier compared to other travel rewards cards that offer higher points earning on most travel purchases.
Current Scores Past Scores
Overall Score 81.9 83.4
Rewards Program Satisfaction 8.0 8.4
Customer Service 8.4 8.4
Website/App Usability 8.2 8.3
Likelihood of Continuing to Use 8.6 8.4
Recommend to a Friend/Colleague 8.2 8.2

*Scores above reflect the results of surveys with actual cardholders. Full methodology below.

card_name discontinued_disclaimer 

editor_rating
 
foreign_transaction_fee annual_fees
Why We Like It: This card rewards you once when you make a purchase and again when you pay your bill. There's no annual fee, and you get a flat cash-back reward so there is no need to worry about your Walmart or Target purchases not counting as groceries. If you need to transfer a balance, you'll appreciate the 0% intro APR on balance transfers for the first 18 months (then RegAPR. Citi is a CardRatings advertiser.

Read our full CardName review.

Rewards
2% cash back Earn unlimited 1% when you buy and another 1% when you pay for those purchases as long as you make your minimum payment due on time.
Annual Fee
AnnualFees
APR
RegAPR
Credit Score
CreditScoreNeeded

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

The Rewards: You'll receive unlimited 1% cash back on all your purchases, including groceries. Then, you'll get another 1% cash back when you make payments on those purchases. Just make sure you're making minimum payments on-time to get the second 1% back. Plus, for a limited time, earn 5% total cash back on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked on the Citi Travel℠ portal through 12/31/24.

The Annual Fee: AnnualFees

Credit Score Needed: CreditScoreNeeded

PROS:

  • This card offers a 0% introductory interest rate for a full 18 months on balance transfers.
  • No annual fee is always a nice perk when it comes to rewards credit cards.
  • Earning rewards is easy with this card. You get 1% when you make the purchase and another 1% when you pay for them.

CONS:

  • This card doesn't offer an introductory interest rate for purchases, so make sure you aren't using it for purchases if you've also made a balance transfer.
  • To qualify for the bonus cash-back rewards, you need to make at least the minimum payment, on time each month. This encourages healthy credit card practices though, so it's not too strong of a con in our minds.
Current Scores Past Scores
Overall Score 77.2 84.7
Rewards Program Satisfaction 7.9 8.5
Customer Service 7.5 8.4
Website/App Usability 6.9 8.3
Likelihood of Continuing to Use 8.2 8.8
Recommend to a Friend/Colleague 7.7 8.4

*Scores above reflect the results of surveys with actual cardholders. Full methodology below.

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editor_rating
 
foreign_transaction_fee annual_fees
Why We Like It: This card offers three points per dollar spent at supermarkets and restaurants as well as air travel, hotels and at gas stations. Plus, you can earn a bonus of 60,000 points after spending $4,000 within the first three months, which can be redeemed for $600 in gift cards or travel rewards through thankyou.com. Additionally, you can earn $100 off a single hotel stay of $500 or more, excluding taxes and fees, through thankyou.com, once per calendar year.

Read our full CardName review.

Welcome Offer
60,000 points Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in the first three months with your card. These points can be worth $600 in gift cards or travel rewards when redeemed through thankyou.com. Plus, for a limited time, earn 10 points per $1 on hotels, car rentals and attractions (excluding air travel) booked via the Citi Travel℠ portal through June 30, 2024.
Annual Fee
AnnualFees
APR
RegAPR
Credit Score
CreditScoreNeeded

The Bonus: earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in the first three months with your card. These points can be worth $600 in gift cards or travel rewards when redeemed through thankyou.com. Plus, for a limited time, earn 10 points per $1 on hotels, car rentals and attractions (excluding air travel) booked via the Citi Travel℠ portal through June 30, 2024.

The Rewards: You'll earn three points per dollar spent at restaurants and supermarkets and at hotels, on air travel and at gas stations, and 1 point per dollar spent on all your purchases.

The Annual Fee: AnnualFees

Credit Score Needed: CreditScoreNeeded

PROS:

  • This card awards triple points for purchases at supermarkets, making it a great card for earning rewards on groceries.
  • You can think of the bonus as covering at least six years of annual fees if you redeem for gift cards through thankyou.com. And that's without considering the other rewards you can earn with regular use.
  • You can earn bonus rewards in multiple everyday categories, so it's easier to rack up the points.

CONS

  • This card has an annual fee that might get expensive if you don't earn the bonus or rewards.
  • The ThankYou® Points program isn't as well-known as some other travel rewards currency programs out there, but it can still be worthwhile for certain travelers.
Current Scores Past Scores
Overall Score 78.1 84.5
Rewards Program Satisfaction 7.6 8.3
Customer Service 7.9 8.5
Website/App Usability 7.9 8.5
Likelihood of Continuing to Use 8.2 8.6
Recommend to a Friend/Colleague 8.0 8.5

*Scores above reflect the results of surveys with actual cardholders. Full methodology below.

card_name discontinued_disclaimer 

editor_rating
 
foreign_transaction_fee annual_fees
Why We Like It: The CardName is geared towards credit card users with a limited credit history and/or fair credit. It earns unlimited, flat 1.5% cash back on every purchase made, including grocery purchases, and offers users the opportunity for a higher line of credit in as little as six months.

Read our full CardName review.

Welcome Offer
NA
Annual Fee
AnnualFees
APR
RegAPR
Credit Score
CreditScoreNeeded

The Bonus: There’s not a traditional bonus offered for new cardholders, however, we consider the opportunity to improve your credit to be an invaluable bonus of sorts. Plus, there’s also the opportunity to increase your line of credit in as little as six months, which is a nice added perk.

The Rewards: Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase, every day.

The Annual Fee: AnnualFees

Credit Score Needed: CreditScoreNeeded

PROS:

  • We like things nice and simple. This card offers a flat 1.5% cash-back rate on every purchase. No caps, no categories, no expiration.
  • There are no foreign transaction fees charged with this card.
  • Quicksilverone offers several perks beyond the cash-back rewards.

CONS:

  • The 1.5% flat cash-back rate is only fair. Many other cards offer a higher base rate or offer specialty categories with significantly higher cash back rates. This is a good offer though for people with fair credit scores.
  • The annual fee is modest, but still, it's something to consider.
Current Scores Past Scores
Overall Score 82.9 82.8
Rewards Program Satisfaction 8.2 8.2
Customer Service 8.1 8.5
Website/App Usability 8.5 8.5
Likelihood of Continuing to Use 8.7 8.6
Recommend to a Friend/Colleague 8.4 8.1

*Scores above reflect the results of surveys with actual cardholders. Full methodology below.

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FAQ

All grocery rewards credit cards automatically reward users for their purchases, but how they do that can vary by card. For instance, some rewards cards offer flat rate cash back for every purchase, regardless of whether you’re shopping at a grocery store or somewhere else. Others offer extra rewards for purchases at supermarkets. The best credit cards for groceries offer as much as 6% cash back when you shop at eligible stores.

This cash back accumulates in your account and then can be redeemed as a statement credit, for merchandise or gift cards, or as a direct payment. A few cards offer miles or points instead of cash back which can be redeemed for travel, merchandise or experiences.

Walmart and Target typically are not considered grocery stores by credit card issuers. Some companies, such as American Express and Capital One, specifically state on their websites that superstores are excluded from grocery rewards. However, you may need to read the fine print or contact customer services to confirm whether this is the case for other issuers. If you shop primarily at one of these big box stores, the best card for groceries in your case may be an all-purpose cash-back card that offers the same rewards for all purchases, regardless of where you shop.

Grocery purchases are something everyone has to make, so you might as well get rewarded for them, right? With responsible use, rewards credit cards are a great way to in some sense, reimburse you for those purchases.

When looking for the best credit card for grocery shopping, keep an eye open for cards that offer bonus cash back or points specifically for purchases made at supermarkets. These can be a simple way to save additional money off your grocery bill. What's more, you can use your card along with coupons or savings apps like Ibotta and Checkout 51 to maximize your savings.

However, as with all rewards credit cards, it's essential to pay off your balance every month. Paying interest on a card balance is a surefire way to wipe out any savings you get from grocery store credit cards. Here are some other things to consider when utilizing a credit card to help you save on your grocery bill:

  • Consider where you shop the most. An increased cash-back offer at grocery stores might seem like an enticing offer, but not if do all of your shopping at say, Walmart, and your credit card issuer doesn't consider Walmart a grocery store. Are you willing to change where you do your grocery shopping? A smarter move may be to consider a credit card with a more flexible rewards program, such as the CardName which offers 2X miles for every dollar you spend - no matter where you make a purchase.
  • Use the right card. Seems a bit superfluous to even mention it, but you'd be surprised how often people stick to just one credit card, forgetting that they actually have another that would be better suited for the situation. If you're carrying multiple credit cards, make sure you're choosing whichever card will earn you the most rewards for the purchase. If you're shopping at a supermarket and you have a card that earns you 3% cash back on grocery purchases, use that one. Don't use your card that earns you a flat 1.5% cash back on all purchases, just because that's what you're used to using. If you're carrying multiple rewards credit cards, each time you make a purchase is an opportunity to earn rewards. Be sure to make the most of that opportunity.
  • Consider what kind of rewards you'd like. Do you like the idea of cash back in your wallet, or are you working towards your next big vacation? Do you have a preferred hotel group or airline that you'd like to accumulate points/miles with? Or do you prefer a simple check or statement credit? Don't take these questions lightly as you decide which card to apply for. While it's true that many cash-back cards have travel partners that you can transfer rewards to, and many travel cards have cash-back redemption options, these options might not always offer you the best value for your rewards. If you'd like flexibility with how you use your rewards, a true cash-back credit card might be your best option. However, if you only want rewards for travel, consider a card that earns points or miles instead.
  • Make sure to meet the bonus spending threshold before the introductory period expires. We don't recommend signing up for a credit card just for the signup bonus; however, if you sign up for a card with a signup bonus, make sure that you meet the spend threshold before the offer period expires. Even if you don't think you'll spend that much with your card every month, try and at least spend that much during the introductory period so you can reap the benefits of the offer.
author
Jennifer Doss
CardRatings Executive Editor

Jennifer Doss is a credit card analyst and the executive editor of CardRatings.com. She has worked as both a print and online journalist and has over a decade of experience in the media industry. Her published work has covered a broad range of topics, from finance and technology to travel and dining. Through extensive travel experiences and her personal interest...Read more


Survey Methodology: CardRatings commissioned Op4G in September 2023 to conduct surveys among 1,869 cardholders nationwide. CardRatings website analytics from Jan. 1, 2023-Aug. 31, 2023 were used to determine a selection of the most popular cards and additional cards were included to add survey breadth. Responses to each of nine questions were given on a scale of 1-10 and respondents’ scores were then averaged under broad topics. To determine the overall score, responses from questions 1-8 were summed and the answer to “How likely are you to recommend this card to a friend, coworker or family member?” was double weighted. “Current Scores” reflect scores from the most recent survey (2023); “Past Scores” reflect scores from the 2022 survey.

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To see the rates and fees for the cards featured in this post, please visit the following links: CardName: See Rates and Fees; CardName: See Rates and Fees

For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the above benefits are provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply.

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The information in this article is believed to be accurate as of the date it was written. Please keep in mind that credit card offers change frequently. Therefore, we cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information in this article. Reasonable efforts are made to maintain accurate information. See the online credit card application for full terms and conditions on offers and rewards. Please verify all terms and conditions of any credit card prior to applying.

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