According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average American family spends approximately $475 monthly on groceries, totaling about $5,700 annually.
So, why not turn your necessary grocery expenses into an opportunity to save money?
Here are the best credit cards for groceries for 2024 that offer up to 6% cash back on up to $6,000 spent at U.S. supermarkets annually for your grocery purchases.
- Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
- Citi Custom Cash® Card
- Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card
- American Express® Gold Card
- Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
- Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express
- Citi Double Cash® Card
1. Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
- Annual Fee: $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95
- Welcome Offer: Earn $250 back after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership. You’ll receive the $250 back as a statement credit.
- APR: 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 12 months from the account opening date, then a variable APR of 19.24% to 29.99%.
- Required Credit Score: Good to Excellent, but approval considers factors other than your credit score.
Rewards
- 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 on transit, including taxis, rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses, and more
- 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations
- 1% cash back on all other purchases
Cash back is received as Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit.
Additional Perks
- $84 Disney Bundle Credit: Get a $7 monthly statement credit after spending $9.99 or more each month on a subscription to the Disney Bundle (valid only at DisneyPlus.com, Hulu.com, or Plus.espn.com in the U.S.)
- Cash Back at Amazon.com Checkout: Use your cash back at checkout on Amazon.com
- Send & Split®: Split purchases with any other Venmo or PayPal user directly from the Amex App.
- Pay It®: Quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards.
- Plan It®: Split up purchases of $100 or more into monthly installments with a fixed fee
- Amex Offers: Explore and add offers to your card to earn extra rewards on qualifying purchases at select brands.
- Purchase Protection, Return Protection, and Extended Warranty
Why Go with Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
The card offers an impressive 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%), making it one of the most rewarding cards for this spending category.
To put this into perspective, if you spend $500 monthly on groceries, you’ll reach the $6,000 annual cap and earn $360 in cash back. This effectively covers nearly a month’s worth of grocery expenses. Even if you don’t hit the cap, the cash back you earn will likely offset the card’s $95 annual fee.
If you need to make a large purchase and want to spread out the cost over time, the intro APR offer can help you save on interest charges.
If you’re planning a large purchase, let’s say a $1,000 appliance for your home, the introductory APR offer can help you save on interest charges.
With a 0% intro APR on purchases for the first 12 months, you can avoid interest charges completely if you pay off the balance within this period. Typically, with a standard credit card APR of 20%, you would have paid an extra $200 in interest over the year.
Pros
- High reward rates in practical categories like groceries and gas.
- Valuable perks, including streaming service credits and protective benefits.
- Competitive welcome offer and introductory APR period.
Cons
- The $95 annual fee after the first year might offset some of the rewards for those who spend less.
- A high reward rate cap at U.S. supermarkets might limit benefits for larger families or higher spenders beyond the $6,000 annual threshold.
- Requires good to excellent credit for approval
2. Citi Custom Cash® Card
- Annual Fee: None
- Welcome Offer: Earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.
- APR: 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers; after that, a variable APR of 19.24% – 29.24%, based on your creditworthiness.
- Required Credit Score: Good to Excellent (670–800+)
Rewards
- Earn 5% cash back on your top eligible spend category each billing cycle, up to the first $500 spent. After that, earn 1% cash back on purchases in that category.
- 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 the Citi Travel℠ portal through 6/30/2025.
Cashback is earned in the form of ThankYou® Points. Each billing cycle, you’ll earn 5 points per $1 on purchases in your top eligible spend category up to the first $500 spent and 1 point per $1 on all other purchases.
Additional Perks
- $0 liability on unauthorized charges
- Flexible redemption options: Redeem your points for cash back as a statement credit, direct deposit, or check, or explore other options like gift cards, travel, and Shop with Points at Amazon.com
- There is no need to enroll in rotating bonus categories – your rewards automatically adjust to your spending
- $0 Liability on Unauthorized Charges: Protects against unauthorized charges on your account.
Why Citi Custom Cash® Card Is Good
The Citi Custom Cash® Card automatically adapts to your spending habits. Each billing cycle, you’ll earn 5% cash back on purchases in your top eligible spend category up to the first $500 spent. If grocery stores are your top spending category, you can maximize your rewards without extra effort.
Let’s say you spend $400 per month on groceries. With the Citi Custom Cash® Card, you’ll earn $20 in cash back every billing cycle, which adds up to $240 over a year.
However, the 5% cash-back category has a $500 monthly spending cap. So, to maximize your rewards, be mindful of your spending and spread your grocery purchases throughout the month.
One strategy is to designate the Citi Custom Cash® Card as your dedicated grocery rewards card and use it solely for supermarket trips. This way, you’ll ensure that grocery stores remain your top spending category and consistently earn 5% cash back.
In addition to the ongoing rewards, the Citi Custom Cash® Card offers a $200 cash-back welcome bonus after spending $1,500 in the first 6 months. That’s enough to cover over a month’s worth of grocery spending for the average household.
It also offers a 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers. For example, on a large purchase of $1,500, the 0% intro APR means you could avoid around $225 in interest charges (compared to an 18% standard APR) over 15 months if you pay it off before the promotional period ends.
Pros
- There is no annual fee and a straightforward cash-back program that maximizes returns on your highest spending category.
- Introductory 0% APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers, ideal for large purchases or paying down other credit card balances.
- Diverse redemption options, enhancing the usability of rewards.
Cons
- 5% cash back applies only to the first $500 spent in the top spending category each cycle, which may be limiting if your expenses in that category exceed this amount.
- Foreign transaction fees are 3%, which is not ideal for international travelers.
- There is a balance transfer fee of either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater, which can add up.
3. Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card
- Annual Fee: $0
- Welcome Offer: You’ll earn a one-time $200 cash bonus after you spend $500 on purchases within the first three months of opening an account.
- APR: 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers; 19.99% – 29.99% variable APR after that; Balance transfer fee applies.
- Credit Score Required: Excellent (FICO score of at least 720, though some report success with scores of 670 or higher)
Rewards
- 3% Cash Back on Dining, Entertainment, and Popular Streaming Services: Unlimited cash back in these categories, ensuring savings every time you dine out, pay for entertainment, or subscribe to streaming services.
- 3% Cash Back at Grocery Stores: Earn substantial rewards when grocery shopping, excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®.
- 5% Cash Back on Hotels and Rental Cars: Exclusive to bookings made through Capital One Travel, enhancing your travel savings.
- 1% Cash Back on All Other Purchases: This ensures you’re rewarded for every purchase, regardless of the category.
Additional Perks
- No Foreign Transaction Fees: This card lets you make purchases abroad without worrying about extra charges, making it ideal for international travelers.
- $0 Fraud Liability: If your card is lost or stolen, you won’t be responsible for unauthorized charges.
- Flexible Rewards Redemption: You can redeem your cash back for any amount. You can use your rewards at Amazon.com, PayPal, or for a statement credit, check, or gift card.
Why Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card Is Good
Let’s say you spend $500 monthly on groceries, $200 on dining out, $100 on entertainment, and $50 on streaming services. With the SavorOne card, you’d earn:
- $15 cash back on groceries (3% of $500)
- $6 cash back on dining (3% of $200)
- $3 cash back on entertainment (3% of $100)
- $1.50 cash back on streaming services (3% of $50)
- $7.50 cash back on your other monthly expenses, assuming $750 in other purchases (1% of $750)
That’s $33 in cash back each month, or $396 yearly, just for making your usual purchases.
The welcome bonus is also easily attainable. Spending $500 in the first 3 months will net you an extra $200 in cash back. That’s like getting 40% back on your first $500 in purchases.
But the real kicker is its 0% intro APR offer on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months. This feature can save you a substantial interest charge if you plan to make a significant purchase or transfer high-interest balances.
For instance, transferring a $1,000 balance from a card with an 18% APR to the SavorOne card could save you around $270 in interest over 15 months if you pay it off during the intro period.
Pros
- No annual fee and no fees on foreign transactions enhance its value.
- Diverse cash back rewards structure that benefits everyday activities like dining, entertainment, and grocery shopping.
- Valuable introductory offers on APR and balance transfers, perfect for big purchases or managing existing debt.
Cons
- High-end variable APR after the intro period can be steep if you carry a balance.
- The 3% cash back category excludes purchases at superstores and wholesale clubs, which might be a drawback for some shoppers.
- Although the balance transfer fee of 3% during the introductory period is competitive, it could add up depending on the transferred amount.
4. American Express® Gold Card
Update: The American Express® Gold Card has recently been refreshed with some exciting changes. For a limited time, new cardholders can earn 90,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in the first 6 months, along with 20% back on restaurant purchases (up to $100) in the first 6 months. These offers are valid until November 6, 2024. Learn more about these updates and whether the Amex Gold is still worth it in our latest article, Amex Gold Changes 2024: Rumored Changes Are Now Live.
- Annual Fee: $250 annually.
- Welcome Offer: Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 on purchases within the first 6 months of card membership.
- APR: Variable APR for the Pay Over Time feature ranges from 21.24% to 29.24%, based on your creditworthiness.
- Credit Score Required: Good to Excellent (generally considered to be a FICO score of 670 or higher, with some sources suggesting 740 or above)
Rewards
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at restaurants worldwide, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets on up to $25,000 in yearly purchases, then 1X points.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® points on all other eligible purchases.
Additional Perks
- $120 Dining Credit: Receive up to $10 in statement credits monthly when used at participating dining partners like Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, and select Shake Shack locations.
- $120 Uber Cash: Automatically receive $10 monthly for Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S., totaling up to $120 annually.
- The Hotel Collection: Benefit from a $100 hotel credit with a two-night minimum stay booked through American Express Travel.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees: Make international purchases without incurring additional fees.
- Amex Offers: Earn extra rewards on qualifying purchases at select brands when you add Amex Offers to your card.
Why American Express® Gold Card Is Good
If you spend $500 monthly on groceries at U.S. supermarkets and $400 on dining out. With the Gold Card, you’d earn:
- 2,000 points on groceries (4X points on $500)
- 1,600 points on dining (4X points on $400)
That’s 3,600 points per month, or 43,200 points per year, just for your food-related purchases.
Plus, with the $120 annual dining credit, you can effectively reduce your annual fee to $130 if you fully utilize the credit at participating partners. If you spend $100 monthly at these restaurants or delivery services, you’ll get $10 back each month, totaling $120 in savings over the year.
Similarly, if you regularly use Uber for rides or Uber Eats for food delivery, the $120 annual Uber Cash benefit can further offset the annual fee. By adding your Gold Card to your Uber account, you’ll automatically receive $10 in Uber Cash each month, which can be applied to your rides or food orders.
The welcome bonus is also substantial. If you meet the $6,000 spending threshold in the first 6 months, you’ll earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points. That’s a significant boost to your rewards balance right off the bat.
Pros
- High reward rates in key spending categories like dining and groceries.
- Valuable annual statement credits that offset the annual fee.
- There are no foreign transaction fees, making it ideal for international travelers.
Cons
- A high annual fee of $250 may not be justifiable for all users.
- High APR for Pay Over Time balances, making it less ideal for those who carry a balance.
- Reward point caps on groceries might limit benefits for very high spenders.
5. Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
- Annual Fee: $95
- Welcome Offer: Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That’s $750 toward travel when redeemed through Chase Travel.
- APR: A variable APR of 21.49% to 28.49%, based on your creditworthiness. This APR will vary with the market based on the Prime Rate.
- Credit Score Required: Good to Excellent (generally considered to be a FICO score of 690 or higher, with some sources suggesting 700 or above for better approval odds)
Rewards
- Earn 5x total points on travel purchased through Chase Travel, excluding hotel purchases that qualify for the $50 Annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit.
- Earn 3x points on dining, including eligible delivery services, takeout, and dining out.
- Earn 3x points on online grocery purchases (excluding Target, Walmart, and wholesale clubs).
- Earn 3x points on select streaming services.
- Earn 2x points on other travel purchases.
- Earn 1x points on all other purchases.
Additional Perks
- Get 25% more value when you redeem points for travel through Chase Travel. For example, 60,000 points are worth $750 toward travel.
- Points do not expire as long as the account is open.
- Earn bonus points equal to 10% of your total purchases made the previous year on each account anniversary.
- There are no foreign transaction fees.
- Eligible cardmembers can use Chase Pay Over Time to break up card purchases of $100 or more into fixed monthly payments, with no interest and just a fixed monthly fee.
Why Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card Is Good
With this card, you’ll earn 3x points on online grocery purchases, excluding Target, Walmart, and wholesale clubs. So, if you do a significant portion of your grocery shopping online, you can quickly rack up points for your next travel.
Suppose you spend $800 monthly on online groceries from eligible retailers. With the Sapphire Preferred card, you’d earn 2,400 points per month or 28,800 points yearly. When redeemed through Chase Travel, those points are worth $360.
If you were to shift just half of those purchases to online grocers that qualify for the 3x bonus category, you’d earn over 8,500 points per year, worth more than $106 when redeemed for travel through Chase Travel.
In addition to the rewards you’ll earn on your online grocery purchases, the Sapphire Preferred card also offers a substantial welcome bonus. If you can meet the $4,000 spending threshold in the first 3 months, you’ll earn 60,000 bonus points. That’s worth $750 when redeemed for travel through Chase Travel.
Plus, on each account anniversary, you’ll earn bonus points equal to 10% of your total purchases made the previous year. So, if you spent $10,000 on online groceries in the first year, you’d get an additional 1,000 bonus points on your account anniversary.
Pros
- Substantial rewards on dining and travel, with additional bonuses for travel booked through Chase.
- Valuable introductory offer and travel redemption bonuses.
- Practical benefits like no foreign transaction fees and flexible payment options with Chase Pay Over Time.
Cons
- $95 annual fee, which is not waived for the first year.
- High APR if carrying a balance, making it less ideal for those who do not pay off their balance monthly.
- Reward exclusions on groceries from major discount stores and wholesale clubs might limit the earning potential for some users.
6. Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express
- Annual Fee: No annual fee
- Welcome Offer: Earn $200 back after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership. You’ll receive the $200 back as a statement credit.
- APR: 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months from the account opening date, then a variable APR of 19.24% to 29.99%.
- Credit Score Required: Good to Excellent (generally considered to be a FICO score of 670 or higher, with some sources suggesting 700 or above, or even 740–799 for better approval odds)
Rewards
- 3% cash back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1%).
- 3% cash back on U.S. online retail purchases, on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1%).
- 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1%).
- 1% cash back on other eligible purchases.
Cash back is received as Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit.
Additional Perks
- $180 Home Chef Credit: Get up to $15 monthly in statement credits when you subscribe to Home Chef meal kits with your card.
- $84 Disney Bundle Credit: Earn a $7 monthly statement credit when you spend $9.99 or more monthly on a Disney Bundle subscription.
- Send & Split®: Easily send money and split purchases with other Venmo or PayPal users directly from the Amex App.
- Plan It® Feature: Option to split up purchases of $100 or more into monthly installments with a fixed fee, helping manage large expenses more easily.
Why the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express Is Good
Suppose you spend $500 monthly on groceries at U.S. supermarkets. With the Blue Cash Everyday card, you’d earn $15 in cash back each month or $180 yearly.
If you were to max out the $6,000 annual spending cap in this category, you’d earn $180 in cash back on your grocery purchases alone.
In addition to the rewards on groceries, you’ll earn 3% cash back on U.S. online retail purchases and at U.S. gas stations on up to $6,000 per year in combined purchases (then 1%). This means that if you spend $200 per month on online shopping and $100 per month on gas, you’d earn an additional $108 in cash back annually.
The welcome bonus is also easily attainable. By spending $2,000 in the first 6 months, you’ll earn $200 back as a statement credit. That’s like getting 10% back on your first $2,000 in purchases.
And if you need to carry a balance or transfer debt from another high-interest card, the Blue Cash Everyday card offers a 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months from the account opening date. This can help you save on interest charges while paying your balance.
Pros
- There is no annual fee, reducing the cost of card ownership.
- High cashback rates in practical everyday categories like groceries, online shopping, and gas.
- Valuable statement credits like the Disney Bundle and Home Chef credits add everyday value beyond typical cash-back rewards.
Cons
- Cash back rewards cap at $6,000 per year in key categories, which may limit benefits for higher spenders.
- Higher APR after the introductory period could be costly if carrying a balance.
- A foreign transaction fee of 2.7%, making it less ideal for international use.
7. Citi Double Cash® Card
- Annual Fee: None
- Welcome Offer: Earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months. This offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.
- APR: 0% intro APR for 18 months on balance transfers; after that, a variable APR of 19.24% – 29.24%, based on your creditworthiness. Purchase APR is 19.24% – 29.24% (variable), based on your creditworthiness.
- Credit Score Required: Fair to Excellent (generally considered to be a FICO score of 580–850 or a VantageScore of 601–850, with the average cardholder having a score of 674)
Rewards
- 2% Cash Back on Everything: Earn unlimited 1% cash back when you buy and an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases.
- 5% Cash Back on Travel: For a limited time, earn 5% cash back on hotel and car rentals booked through the Citi Travel℠ portal until 12/31/24.
- No category restrictions or enrollment are needed.
- There is no limit on the amount of cash back you can earn.
Additional Perks
- Flexible Redemption Options: Redeem your points for cash back as a statement credit, direct deposit, or check. Alternatively, use points for gift cards, travel, or shop with points at Amazon.com.
- Citi Flex Plan: Offers options to split large purchases into fixed monthly payments with a fixed fee, providing financial flexibility.
- No Category Restrictions: Earn cash back on every purchase without worrying about category restrictions or caps.
Why the Citi Double Cash® Card Is Good
If you spend regularly across various categories, this card rewards you for every purchase.
Let’s say you spend $1,500 per month on various expenses like groceries, gas, dining out, and online shopping. You’d earn $15 in cash back on those purchases (1% of $1,500).
Then, when you pay off your balance, you’d earn another $15 in cash back (1% of $1,500), for a total of $30 in cash back each month, or $360 per year.
And if you need to transfer a balance from a high-interest credit card, the Citi Double Cash® Card offers a generous 18-month 0% intro APR on balance transfers completed within the first 4 months of account opening. This can help you save on interest charges and pay your debt faster.
Also, there are no categories to keep track of and no limits on the amount of cash back you can earn. Whether you’re a big spender or have more modest spending habits, you’ll be rewarded for every dollar you spend and pay off.
Pros
- No annual fee reduces overall costs.
- Simple and effective, 2% cash back on all purchases as you buy and pay maximizes rewards without restrictions.
- Attractive introductory APR period for balance transfers, offering significant savings on interest.
Cons
- There is no introductory APR for purchases, meaning a balance from purchases would accrue interest at the standard rate.
- Cashback on balance transfers, cash advances, and account fees is not earned, limiting some potential rewards.
- A 3% foreign transaction fee makes it less ideal for international use.
Earn Up to $600 in Annual Grocery Rewards with These Top Credit Cards
What can you do with an extra $600 each year? The possibilities are endless.
But the benefits don’t stop there. These credit cards offer generous sign-up bonuses and introductory 0% APR offers on purchases and balance transfers, giving you the flexibility and financial freedom to live on your terms.
With the right card, you can maximize your rewards and save substantial money.
Don’t wait to start saving. Apply now.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should you use a credit card for groceries?
Yes. Using a credit card for your grocery purchases is a smart financial move. It’ll help you earn money back on regular spending, especially if you pay off the monthly balance to avoid interest charges.
Is it better to pay groceries with a credit card or debit card?
It’s better to use a credit card rather than a debit card when paying for groceries. Credit cards offer rewards like cash back or points, provide stronger fraud protection, and help build your credit score, while debit cards lack these benefits.
Can I earn rewards on grocery purchases at any store?
It depends on your specific credit card. Some cards, like the American Express Blue Cash Preferred, offer bonus rewards on purchases made at U.S. supermarkets, which includes most standalone grocery stores. However, superstores like Walmart or Target may not qualify for bonus rewards, as credit card companies often classify them differently.
How much can I realistically save on groceries by using a credit card?
The amount you can save varies based on several factors, such as your monthly grocery spending, your credit card’s rewards rate, and any applicable caps or limits. For example, if you spend $500 monthly on groceries and your credit card offers 3% cash back on grocery purchases, you could earn $15 per month or $180 per year in rewards.
If you have a card with a higher rewards rate, like the Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express, which offers 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%), you could earn up to $360 per year, assuming you reach the $6,000 annual cap.
Can using a credit card for groceries help me with budgeting?
Yes. A credit card for groceries can help you with budgeting by tracking your spending more effectively. Many credit cards offer detailed spending reports and budgeting tools that can help you monitor where your money goes each month, making it easier to adjust and plan your grocery budget.
What credit cards offer 6% cash back on groceries?
The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express is the primary credit card offering 6% cash back on groceries at U.S. supermarkets, on up to $6,000 per year in purchases, after which it earns 1%. This makes it an excellent choice for maximizing rewards on your grocery spending.
Is Amex good for groceries?
Yes, American Express (Amex) is a good option for groceries, particularly with the Blue Cash Preferred® Card. This card offers an impressive 6% cash back on grocery purchases at U.S. supermarkets, up to $6,000 per year, after which it earns 1%. This makes it one of the best cash back cards for grocery shopping, especially for families or individuals who spend significantly on groceries.