Americans spent an average of $5,259 on groceries in 2021, according to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — up 6.6 percent from 2020 to 2021. Since shopping for groceries is one of the main weekly expenses in American households, it makes sense why more and more credit cards are offering rewards tied to grocery shopping.
However, because the number of cards — and their grocery offers — has increased due to competition, it may be hard to decide which is best for you. We’ve compiled a list of the best credit cards for groceries in 2023, so keep reading to learn about these cards’ offerings and tips for narrowing down your options.
American Express Gold Card: Best for earning Membership Rewards points
Why we picked it: The American Express® Gold Card is a premium grocery card option that offers unprecedented rewards rates whether you’re dining in or out. With the Amex Gold, cardholders earn 4X Membership Rewards points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points) for a $250 annual fee. The card also offers rewards on restaurant purchases and flights booked directly with airlines or through American Express Travel, making it a great overall choice for foodies and travelers.
Pros
60,000-point welcome bonus after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first six monthsUp to $120 in annual dining creditsUp to $120 in Uber Cash annually ($10 per month)Up to $100 hotel credit for purchases in The Hotel CollectionNo foreign transaction fees
Cons
High annual feeLack of more premium travel benefitsOnly able to earn travel rewards directly through airlines or Amex Travel
Who should apply: Since the Amex Gold has one of the highest combined rewards rates on both U.S. supermarket and restaurant purchases, it’s a good option for those who typically spend the most each month on food expenses. Additionally, if you’re a frequent traveler, those Membership Rewards points can mean big savings on your next vacation.
Who should skip: If you’re unsure whether you’ll be able to maximize the value of this card, you may want to consider other options, given the card’s high annual fee. If you prefer a card that earns rewards on other non-travel categories, you should also keep shopping.
Citi Custom Cash Card: Best for customized rewards options
Why we picked it: The Citi Custom Cash℠ Card is a great option for flexible rewards options and can prove to be a valuable card for grocery shopping — especially if the grocery aisle is where you spend the most money. With the Citi Custom Cash, you’ll earn 5 percent cash back in your top eligible spending category each billing cycle. However, this is only good for up to the first $500 you spend per category, with rewards falling to 1 percent cash back after this point. Keep this in mind if you easily spend over $500 per month at the supermarket.
Pros
20,000 ThankYou points (worth $200 in cash back) after spending $1,500 on purchases in the first six months0 percent intro APR on both purchases and balance transfers for 15 months (18.49 percent to 28.49 percent variable APR after)Cellphone protection (up to $800 per claim and $1,000 per year)May transfer points to other Citi ThankYou rewards cardsNo annual fee
Cons
$500 spending cap on the 5 percent cash back category each billing cycle (then 1 percent)3 percent foreign transaction fee
Who should apply: If your highest spending category is groceries and you typically spend about $500 per month on those purchases, this card’s rate is on par with the most lucrative grocery credit cards. It could also be a good option if you’re looking to pay off debt or have a large purchase on the horizon.
Who should skip: For those looking for a primary card to do most of their spending, you should skip the Citi Custom Cash for a flat-rate cash back card with no spending cap. Further, if you can easily spend more than $500 per month on groceries, you might look for a grocery card option with a higher cap or none at all.
Capital One Walmart Rewards Mastercard: Best for shopping at Walmart
Why we picked it: Why go to a standard grocery store when superstores allow you to get all your shopping — for groceries, cleaning supplies and toys for the kids — done all in one shot? For those who prefer one-stop shopping (specifically at Walmart), the Capital One Walmart Rewards® Mastercard® may be a good fit.
The Capital One Walmart Rewards Mastercard offers 5 percent cash back on Walmart purchases online, including grocery pickup and delivery orders, 5 percent back on in-store purchases during your first 12 months (when using Walmart Pay) and 2 percent at fuel stations. You can also earn rewards outside of Walmart purchases, including at restaurants and on travel.
Pros
2 percent cash back on purchases in Walmart stores (without Walmart Pay)No annual feeNo foreign transaction feesFlexible redemption options (such as cash back outside of Walmart)
Cons
Must use Walmart Pay for your in-store purchases to earn 5 percent cash back during the first 12 monthsLower ongoing rewards rate on in-store Walmart purchases after the first 12 months
Who should apply: Cardholders who specifically do most of their shopping online at Walmart.com or in the stores are best suited to fully maximize the value of this card.
Who should skip: If you don’t want to have your shopping restrained to one particular retailer, you can pass on the Walmart Rewards Mastercard. There are other card options available that offer high rewards on grocery purchases and have fewer restrictions.
Instacart Mastercard: Best for online grocery delivery
Why we picked it: For those who prefer to steer clear of in-store grocery shopping or already regularly use Instacart, the Instacart Mastercard® can help you earn big on groceries delivered right to your door. You’ll earn 5 percent cash back on Instacart app and Instacart.com purchases — plus a free year of Instacart+ membership and a $100 Instacart credit automatically upon approval. As a cardholder, you’ll also earn points on Chase Travel Center purchases, as well as on purchases at restaurants, gas stations and for select streaming services.
Pros
Free year of Instacart+, meaning no delivery fees on orders of $35 or more and reduced service feesNo spending requirement needed to earn the welcome offerNo annual feeExtended warranty protection, purchase protection and travel accident insurance
Cons
Who should apply: For those who already use Instacart as their main method of grocery shopping, the Instacart Mastercard makes sense for you. You’ll be able to earn an impressive rate of cash back on those purchases without having to worry about offsetting an annual fee. Plus, the one year of free Instacart+ membership is a great benefit for faithful users of the app.
Who should skip: If you’re not already a loyal Instacart user, you’ll likely get more value out of a more flexible grocery card, especially considering the fees and occasional markups associated with Instacart.
Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express: Best for high rewards
Why we picked it: The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express offers perhaps the highest cash back rate available on groceries: 6 percent cash back at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $6,000 in purchases per year, then 1 percent). There’s a $95 annual fee ($0 intro annual fee for the first year) associated with this card.
The Blue Cash Preferred also earns rewards on select U.S. streaming subscriptions, with notably no cap on earnings. At U.S. gas stations and on transit, you’ll earn 3 percent cash back — though your cash back is capped at $6,000 in purchases per year, then you’ll earn 1 percent.
Pros
$250 statement credit welcome bonus when you spend $3,000 in the first six monthsIntro APR offer on purchases and balance transfers for 12 months (17.74 percent to 28.74 percent variable after)Up to $84 in statement credits toward The Disney Bundle (you must spend $12.99 or more monthly)Up to $120 annually toward your Equinox+ membership
Cons
Yearly spending cap on the U.S. supermarket categorySuperstore purchases at places like Walmart and Target don’t count toward U.S. supermarket category$95 annual fee ($0 intro annual fee for the first year)
Who should apply: Those who spend a large chunk of their money at supermarkets should have no problem offsetting this card’s annual fee due to its impressive 6 percent cash back rate. But if you spend more than $6,000 a year on groceries, be sure to have a backup rewards card to utilize, as you’ll earn 1 percent cash back after hitting that cap.
Who should skip: More moderate spenders may find this card hard to maximize due to its $95 annual fee after the first year. Also, shoppers will be disappointed to know that the U.S. supermarket category does not apply to superstores like Walmart or Target.
Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards: Best for unlimited rewards on groceries
Why we picked it: A favorite among many cardholders, the Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card earns steady rewards across multiple fixed bonus categories, qualifying it as a great dining, entertainment, streaming services or grocery card. On the grocery front, you’ll earn 3 percent cash back at any “supermarket, meat locker, freezer, dairy product store and specialty market,” says Capital One, excluding superstores. The Capital One SavorOne card comes with no spending cap and no limit to how much cash back you can earn.
Pros
5 percent cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel3 percent cash back on dining and entertainment$200 if you spend $500 in first three months0 percent intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months (19.24 percent to 29.24 percent variable thereafter)
Cons
Limited redemption options
Who should apply: Anyone who spends heavily in the card’s fixed bonus categories — dining, entertainment, grocery stores and popular streaming services — will have an easy time maximizing it and enjoy the unlimited cash back. Those who spend a great deal on groceries (more than $6,000 a year) will also appreciate the absence of a spending cap.
Who should skip: If you find 3 percent cash back on groceries too low, there are other cards that earn higher rewards, albeit with spending caps. However, if a $500 per month or $6,000 per year cap is in line with your regular budget, you could opt for a different card with higher rewards.
Comparing the best credit cards for grocery shopping
There are many rewards credit cards that offer attractive features and benefits catered toward grocery shopping. When deciding on a credit card to apply for, it’s important to compare the details side by side to better determine which works best for you.
CardBest forRewards rateAnnual feeWelcome bonusAmerican Express Gold CardEarning Membership Rewards points4X points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points)4X points at restaurants3X points on flights booked directly with airlines or via amextravel.com1X points on other purchasesTerms apply$25060,000 points when you spend $4,000 in the first 6 monthsCiti Custom CashCustomized rewards options5% cash back on purchases in your top eligible spend category each billing cycle, up to the first $500 spent (then 1% back)1% back on all other purchases$0$200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening (fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou points)Capital One Walmart Rewards MastercardShopping at Walmart5% cash back on Walmart.com purchases, including grocery pickup and delivery orders2% back on purchases in Walmart stores and fuel stations2% back on restaurant and travel purchases1% back on all other purchases everywhere Mastercard is accepted$05% cash back on in-store Walmart purchases for the first 12 months when using Walmart PayInstacart MastercardOnline grocery delivery5% cash back on Instacart app and Instacart.com purchases5% back on travel purchased through the Chase Travel Center2% back at restaurants, gas stations and on select streaming services1% back on all other purchases$0Free year of Instacart+ and a $100 Instacart credit upon approvalBlue Cash Preferred Card from American ExpressHigh rewards6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 in purchases per year, then 1%)6% back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions3% back at U.S. gas stations and on transit (up to $6,000 in purchases per year, then 1%)1% back on general purchasesTerms apply$95 ($0 intro annual fee for the first year)$250 statement credit when you spend $3,000 in the first 6 monthsCapital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit CardUnlimited rewards on groceries8% cash back on Capital One Entertainment purchases5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel3% cash back on dining, entertainment, grocery stores and popular streaming services1% cash back on other purchases$0$200 if you spend $500 in the first 3 months
How to choose a card for grocery shopping
For most of us, using a credit card at a grocery store simply involves taking it out in the checkout line. But if you want to up your grocery shopping game and save some serious money with a grocery card, here are some tips to keep in mind:
Flat-rate vs. premium bonus category cards: Do you prefer the flexibility of swiping your card and earning a flat rate of rewards on those purchases, or is tracking bonus categories more the name of your game? Make sure you have a solid idea of your spending style prior to applying so that you don’t end up with an annual fee you can’t justify or benefits you’ll never use.Redemption options: Keep an eye out for cards that offer multiple redemption options and allow rewards transfers between accounts — especially if you’re also interested in travel.Spending caps: Be aware of any limits on the rewards you can earn. Higher spenders should be wary of lower monthly rewards caps so they don’t end up earning 1 percent on valuable purchases.Credit score requirements: This goes without saying, but before you apply for a card, be sure that your credit score falls within the qualifying range. For example, the Blue Cash Preferred requires good-to-excellent credit, whereas the Walmart Rewards Mastercard requires at least fair credit. If the card you’re interested in is slightly out of reach, know there are a few ways you can work to improve your credit score.
Bottom line
Shopping for groceries is one of the main weekly expenses in most American households, so it makes sense to open a credit card that will allow you to earn cash back or points on grocery purchases.
There are many different options on the market, so determining which one is right for you can prove to be daunting. However, by consulting our guide and following the tips above, you’re bound to find the best grocery credit card for your needs.
Editorial Disclaimer
The editorial content on this page is based solely on the objective assessment of our writers and is not driven by advertising dollars. It has not been provided or commissioned by the credit card issuers. However, we may receive compensation when you click on links to products from our partners.
