Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.
If you're finding your grocery bills are higher than you'd like, you might want to consider having a dedicated card to maximize your rewards. The best grocery rewards cards can offer up to 6% cash back at supermarkets, and others earn valuable travel rewards.
CNBC Select dug into each card's perks and drawbacks to find the best grocery store rewards cards based on your spending habits. See our methodology for more information on how we choose the best cards.
Best credit cards for groceries
- Best for cash back: Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
- Best for lifestyle spending: Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card
- Best for no annual fee: Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express (see rates and fees)
- Best for flat-rate cash back: Citi Double Cash® Card
- Best for online grocery shopping: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (see rates and fees)
- Best for statement credits: American Express® Gold Card
- Best for travel rewards: Citi Strata Premier® Card
- Best for Whole Foods and Amazon Fresh: Prime Visa (see rates and fees)
- Best for Costco: Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi
Best for cash back
Who's this for? The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express is ideal if you want to earn cash back on your grocery purchases. It offers the highest cash-back rate at U.S. supermarkets: 6% cash back on up to $6,000 per year in eligible purchases (then 1%), or up to $360 each year at the elevated rate.
Standout benefits: This card is not only rewarding for groceries. It also earns 6% cash back on select streaming subscriptions, 3% cash back at eligible U.S. gas stations, 3% cash back on transit (including taxis, rideshare, parking, tolls, trains and buses) and 1% back on all other purchases.
The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express is a low-fee card with generous cash-back rewards and useful ongoing benefits, such as a monthly Disney Bundle credit. (Enrollment required for select benefits mentioned)
- High cash-back earnings for U.S. supermarkets and streaming services
- Intro-APR offer for purchases and balance transfers
- No annual fee for the first year
- It's less rewarding after the first year because of the annual fee
- Bonus rewards for U.S. supermarkets are capped
Highlights
Highlights shown here are provided by the issuer and have not been reviewed by CNBC Select's editorial staff.
- Apply and find out your welcome offer. As High As $300 cash back* after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply, and if approved: 1. Find out your offer amount 2. Accept the Card with your offer 3. Spend $3,000 in 6 months 4. Receive the cash back. *Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed for a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout.
- $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95.
- Enjoy 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 12 months from the date of account opening. After that, your APR will be a variable APR of 19.49%-28.49%.
- Plan It®: Buy now, pay later with Plan It. Split purchases of $100 or more into equal monthly installments with a fixed fee so you don't have the pressure of paying all at once. Simply select the purchase in your online account or the American Express® App to see your plan options. Plus, you'll still earn rewards on purchases the way you usually do.
- Earn 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in eligible purchases (then 1%), 6% cash back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions, 3% cash back at eligible U.S. gas stations and on transit (including taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses and more) purchases and 1% cash back on other purchases. Cash Back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit and at Amazon.com checkout.
- Get up to a $10 monthly statement credit after using your enrolled Blue Cash Preferred® Card for a subscription purchase, including a bundle subscription purchase, at DisneyPlus.com, Hulu.com, or Stream.ESPN.com U.S. websites. Subject to auto-renewal.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees
Balance transfer fee
Either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.
Foreign transaction fee
2.7% of each transaction after conversion to US dollars
Best for lifestyle spending
Who's this for? The Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card is a good fit for those who favor everyday spending. You'll earn 3% cash back on groceries, dining, entertainment and popular streaming services.
Standout benefits: You'll be automatically considered for a higher credit line in as little as six months, so long as you use your card responsibly. Plus, earn 5% back on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 8% back on Capital One Entertainment purchases.
The Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card is one of the most rewarding options for earning cash back in categories such as entertainment and dining without paying an annual fee. Plus, you can combine its rewards with Capital One's travel cards to convert them into transferable miles.
- One of the most rewarding cash back cards for entertainment and streaming services
- No annual fee
- Easy-to-earn welcome bonus
- High APR
- Requires a good to excellent credit score
Highlights
Highlights shown here are provided by the issuer and have not been reviewed by CNBC Select's editorial staff.
- For a limited time, earn a one-time $250 cash bonus once you spend $500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening
- $0 annual fee and no foreign transaction fees
- Earn unlimited 3% cash back at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®), on dining, entertainment and popular streaming services, plus 1% on all other purchases
- Earn 8% cash back on Capital One Entertainment purchases
- Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
- No rotating categories or sign-ups needed to earn cash rewards; plus cash back won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how much you can earn
- 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 12 months; 18.74% - 28.74% variable APR after that; balance transfer fee applies
- Top rated mobile app
Balance transfer fee
Introductory fee of 3% of the amount of each transferred balance that posts to your account during the first 12 months that your account is open. After that, 4% of the amount of each transferred balance that posts to your account at a promotional APR that we may offer you at any other time.
Best for no annual fee
Who's this for? The Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express is ideal if you don't want to pay an annual fee but still want to earn cash back in a variety of everyday categories.
Standout benefits: Earn 3% cash back at U.S. supermarkets, U.S. gas stations and on U.S. online retail purchases on up to $6,000 per year in eligible purchases, per category (then 1%). The card also offers a low intro APR on purchases and balance transfers and a Disney streaming credit (Subject to auto-renewal; Enrollment required).
The Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express has no annual fee and bonus rewards on a wide range of common expenditures. On top of that, you also have access to an intro-APR offer for purchases and balance transfers. So this card can help you save in a variety of ways.
- Up to $264 in streaming service and meal kit credits every year (subject to auto renewal)
- High cash-back rates in popular spending categories
- No annual fee
- The best bonus cash-back categories are capped
- Has a foreign transaction fee
Highlights
Highlights shown here are provided by the issuer and have not been reviewed by CNBC Select's editorial staff.
- Apply and find out your welcome offer. As High As $200 cash back* after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply, and if approved: 1. Find out your offer amount 2. Accept the Card with your offer 3. Spend $2,000 in 6 months 4. Receive the cash back. *Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed for a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout.
- No Annual Fee.
- Enjoy 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months from the date of account opening. After that, your APR will be a variable APR of 19.49%-28.49%.
- Earn 3% cash back at U.S. supermarkets, 3% cash back on U.S. online retail purchases, 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations, on eligible purchases for each category on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1%). Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit and at Amazon.com checkout.
- Get up to a $7 monthly statement credit after using your enrolled Blue Cash Everyday® Card for a subscription purchase, including a bundle subscription purchase, at DisneyPlus.com, Hulu.com, or Stream.ESPN.com U.S. websites. Subject to auto-renewal.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees
Balance transfer fee
Either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.
Foreign transaction fee
2.7% of each transaction after conversion to US dollars
Best for flat-rate cash back
Who's this for? The Citi Double Cash® Card is a great fit if you're looking to keep your purchases simple and only use one or two main credit cards. It offers an unlimited 2% cash back, with no enrollment needed: 1% on purchases and 1% when paying your bill.
Standout benefits: The Double Cash doubles as one of the top balance transfer cards, featuring a long intro APR offer and an intro balance transfer fee.
What makes the Citi Double Cash® Card special is that it sits near the top of its class in several categories. It is an excellent option if you want flat-rate rewards, a balance transfer intro-APR or no annual fee.
- Balance transfers get a long intro APR
- Generous flat-rate cash-back rewards structure
- Earns transferable rewards
- No annual fee
- It has a foreign transaction fee
- Intro APR only applies to balance transfer
- Points transfer ratios are reduced compared to premium cards
Highlights
Highlights shown here are provided by the issuer and have not been reviewed by CNBC Select's editorial staff.
- Earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.
- Earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases. To earn cash back, pay at least the minimum due on time. Plus, earn 5% total cash back on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked with Citi Travel.
- Balance Transfer Only Offer: 0% intro APR on Balance Transfers for 18 months. After that, the variable APR will be 17.49% - 27.49%, based on your creditworthiness.
- Balance Transfers do not earn cash back. Intro APR does not apply to purchases.
- If you transfer a balance, interest will be charged on your purchases unless you pay your entire balance (including balance transfers) by the due date each month.
- There is an intro balance transfer fee of 3% of each transfer (minimum $5) completed within the first 4 months of account opening. After that, your fee will be 5% of each transfer (minimum $5).
Balance transfer fee
There is an intro balance transfer fee of 3% of each transfer (minimum $5) completed within the first 4 months of account opening. A balance transfer fee of 5% of each transfer ($5 minimum) applies if completed after 4 months of account opening.
Foreign transaction fee
3%
Best for online grocery shopping
Who's this for? If you like to order groceries online and want to earn travel rewards, the Chase Sapphire Preferred may be for you. It earns an unlimited 3X points on online grocery purchases, and you can transfer those points to 14 travel partners.
Standout benefits: With your Sapphire Preferred, you may be able to receive even more value by transferring your points to Chase's hotel and airline partners, such as United MileagePlus, Southwest Rapid Rewards, World of Hyatt and more. You'll also get a $100 credit for hotel stays booked via Chase Travel, which covers all of the card's $95 annual fee.
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card packs a punch for a $95 annual fee card, offering annual travel credits, comprehensive travel protections, flexible rewards and more.
- You can transfer rewards to all of Chase's travel partners including World of Hyatt, Southwest Rapid Rewards and many more
- Long list of travel and shopping protections
- Annual Chase Travel hotel credit
- Has an annual fee
- Requires a high credit score
Highlights
Highlights shown here are provided by the issuer and have not been reviewed by CNBC Select's editorial staff.
- Earn 100,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
- Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase TravelSM, 3x on dining, 3x on vacation homes, 3x on gas & EV charging, 3x on top streaming services and online groceries (excluding Walmart, Target, and wholesale clubs), 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases
- Earn up to $100 in statement credits each account anniversary year for hotel stays through Chase Travel
- Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
- Get a year of complimentary Apple TV when activated by December 31, 2026 - a value of $156.
- Complimentary DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees & lower service fees for a min. of one year when you activate by 12/31/27. Plus, a $10 promo each month on non-restaurant orders.
- Receive one statement credit of up to $120 every four years as reimbursement for the application fee charged to your card for a Global Entry, TSA Precheck® or NEXUS application.
- Transfer points to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs
- Member FDIC
Balance transfer fee
Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater
Best for statement credits
Who's this for? The American Express® Gold Card is a perfect fit for those looking for lots of value via statement credits. Outside of its 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year), the card offers over $500 in statement credit value for things like dining, hotels and rideshares.
Standout benefits: The Amex Gold also earns heightened rewards at restaurants worldwide and on select hotels, flights and prepaid car rentals.
The American Express Gold Card is great for earning valuable Membership Rewards® points at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets. Membership Rewards® points transfer to many of the top airline and hotel loyalty programs, which makes this card one of the best options for earning travel rewards.
- You can earn $400+ in dining and rideshare credits every year (Enrollment required for select benefits mentioned)
- Exceptionally rewarding for eligible restaurant and U.S. supermarket purchases
- No foreign transaction fees
- Large annual fee
- Credits are more complicated, you earn them monthly or semi-annually
- Spending caps on the top bonus categories
Highlights
Highlights shown here are provided by the issuer and have not been reviewed by CNBC Select's editorial staff.
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you're approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you're approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You'll know upfront exactly how much you'll pay.
- Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment required.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
- Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees
Foreign transaction fee
None
Best for travel rewards
Who's this for? The Citi Strata Premier® Card is a great option for those looking to save on gas while dipping their toes into the world of credit card points. You'll earn 3X ThankYou® Points at gas stations and EV charging stations, which transfer to 15+ hotels and airlines.
Standout benefits: Not only is Citi the only direct transfer partner for the AAdvantage® Program, but the Strata Premier also offers a $100 credit off a single hotel stay costing $500 or more booked through CitiTravel.com.
The Citi Strata Premier® Card has competitive rewards rates and unlocks access to all of the Citi ThankYou® transfer partners, which boosts the value of your points.
- Unlocks point transfers to all of the Citi ThankYou® partners, including Emirates Skywards, Choice Privileges, Flying Blue and more
- Generous bonus spending categories include dining, supermarkets, hotels and flights
- Valuable welcome bonus
- Has an annual fee
- Car rental coverage is secondary, not primary
Highlights
Highlights shown here are provided by the issuer and have not been reviewed by CNBC Select's editorial staff.
- Earn 60,000 bonus ThankYou® Points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months of account opening, redeemable for $600 in gift cards or travel rewards at thankyou.com.
- Earn 10 Points per $1 spent on Hotels, Car Rentals, and Attractions booked on CitiTravel.com.
- Earn 3 Points per $1 on Air Travel and Other Hotel Purchases, at Restaurants, Supermarkets, Gas and EV Charging Stations.
- Earn 1 Point per $1 spent on all other purchases
- $100 Annual Hotel Benefit: Once per calendar year, enjoy $100 off a single hotel stay of $500 or more (excluding taxes and fees) when booked through CitiTravel.com. Benefit applied instantly at time of booking.
- No expiration and no limit to the amount of points you can earn with this card
- No Foreign Transaction Fees on purchases
Balance transfer fee
Balance transfer fee applies with this offer 5% of each balance transfer; $5 minimum.
Best for Whole Foods and Amazon Fresh
Who's this for? If you find yourself primarily grocery shopping at Whole Foods Market or Amazon.com, then you should consider the Prime Visa. Cardholders earn 5% back on those purchases, which is hard to beat.
Standout benefits: This card is also a decent choice for everyday purchases, as it earns an unlimited 2% back at gas stations, restaurants and on local transit and commuting (including rideshare). You can redeem your points for Amazon purchases, travel booked through Chase TravelSM, cash or gift cards.
The Prime Visa is only available to Amazon Prime members ($139 for an annual membership and $14.99 for a monthly membership) but is very rewarding for Amazon purchases.
- High rate of return at Amazon.com, Whole Foods Market and on Chase Travel purchases
- Offers an automatic gift card welcome bonus after card approval
- Option to earn rewards or take advantage of 0% promo APRs
- Includes a wealth of travel insurance protections
- Requires an Amazon Prime membership for approval
- If you choose the promo APR, you won't earn rewards on those purchases
- Rewards can't be pooled with other Chase credit cards
Rewards
- Earn unlimited 5% back at Amazon.com, Amazon Fresh, Whole Foods Market and on Chase Travel purchases with an eligible Prime membership
- Unlimited 2% back at gas stations, restaurants, and on local transit and commuting (including rideshare)
- 10% back or more on a rotating selection of items and categories on Amazon.com with an eligible Prime membership
- Unlimited 1% back on all other purchases
Balance transfer fee
Either $5 or 4% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater
Best for Costco
Who's this for? The Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi is a great fit for Costco members because there's no additional fee (outside of the membership), and you'll earn at least 2% cash back on all Costco spending.
Standout benefits: The Costco Anywhere Visa Card isn't just great for Costco purchases, but it also makes sense as a gas credit card and can even find space in your wallet for dining. It earns 5% cash back rewards on gas at Costco and earns 4% cash back on other eligible gas and electric vehicle (EV) charging purchases for the first $7,000 combined spend per year, and then 1% thereafter.
The Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi is a valuable card to pair with a Costco membership, but the rewards program is more restrictive than what you get with a typical cash-back card.
- High rewards rates for gas/EV charging and travel
- No foreign transaction fees
- Restrictive rewards that you can only cash out once per year
- Requires a paid Costco membership
- No welcome bonus
Highlights
Highlights shown here are provided by the issuer and have not been reviewed by CNBC Select's editorial staff.
- Discover one of Citi's best cash back rewards cards designed exclusively for Costco members
- Earn 5% cash back rewards on gas at Costco and earn 4% cash back on other eligible gas and electric vehicle (EV) charging purchases for the first $7,000 combined spend per year, and then 1% thereafter.
- 3% cash back on restaurants and eligible travel purchases and eligible travel, including Costco Travel.
- 2% cash back on all other purchases from Costco and Costco.com
- 1% cash back on all other purchases
- No annual fee with your paid Costco membership and enjoy no foreign transaction fees on purchases
- Receive an annual credit card reward certificate, which is redeemable for cash or merchandise at U.S. Costco warehouses, including Puerto Rico
Balance transfer fee
5% of each balance transfer; $5 minimum
Foreign transaction fee
None
How to choose a grocery credit card
Picking the best grocery credit card for your spending depends a lot on how you prefer to shop. Are you someone who grocery shops in person, or do you buy online and have your groceries delivered?
If it’s the latter, you’ll probably be best off with the Chase Sapphire Preferred, which offers 3X points on online grocery purchases, or the Prime Visa, which offers 5% cash back at Amazon.com (plus grocery delivery services through Amazon Fresh and Whole Foods).
To help you choose a generic grocery credit card, look at the reward rates and associated costs. While the best grocery rewards cards offer up to 6% cash back at supermarkets, many come with annual fees. The Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express has no annual fee (see rates and fees), making it a smart choice if you’re cash-strapped and every dollar counts.
It's worth noting that wholesale clubs, like Costco and BJ's, or big box stores like Target and Walmart, are often excluded from grocery store rewards categories. Frequent shoppers of similar stores might consider applying for a store credit card; just make sure you're watching out for high credit card interest rates.
Is it better to use credit or debit for groceries?
If you always pay your bill in full each month, you may be better off with a credit card.
Not only do credit cards typically have more robust rewards programs, but you'll also get stronger fraud protections in case your card is lost or stolen. Though debit cards offer a similar security feature, the window you have to report issues is much smaller.
There are always exceptions, especially when it comes to helping you budget or cut back on overspending. If you have a history of overspending with credit cards, using a debit card might give you more control over your spending habits. You'll likely be sacrificing rewards, but credit card debt can be extremely costly and should be avoided at almost all costs.
Types of credit cards for groceries
The main types of grocery credit cards are cash-back cards and rewards credit cards.
Cash-back cards are straightforward and offer cash rewards or points that can be redeemed for cash and cash-like rewards. These cards can be generous and simple, but you're always earning a fixed value.
There are several different types of rewards credit cards, including airline cards, hotel cards, store cards and travel cards. Co-branded cards (i.e., airline, hotel and store cards) typically offer perks and rewards you can redeem with that specific company. These cards can be valuable for your grocery spending, but your redemption options tend to be more limited.
Grocery store credit cards pros and cons
Everyone has to eat, so having a credit card that earns you rewards on your grocery shopping makes sense for most people. However, not every card that earns rewards for groceries will be ideal for other types of purchases such as travel, dining or entertainment.
- Earn rewards on the money you're already spending
- You can often redeem rewards for travel and other non-grocery purchases, which can boost the value you receive
- Many grocery cards have no annual fee
- Could earn fewer rewards on other purchases
- You may have limited redemption options
FAQs
Who should apply for a grocery credit card?
Anyone who enjoys maximizing rewards should consider applying for a grocery credit card. A card that earns extra rewards on groceries can be a great supplement to other types of cards you may have.
Does buying groceries with a credit card build credit?
Paying for everyday expenses like groceries with a credit card can help you build credit. However, to improve your credit score, you must remember to pay your bills on time and in full each month.
How can I save more on groceries?
Using a credit card for groceries instead of a debit card enables you to earn cash back or points at supermarkets and save money. Beyond that, you can save on groceries by joining a supermarket's loyalty program and by clipping coupons for additional discounts. There are also rebate apps, such as Ibotta and Rakuten, that may give you cash back for buying groceries.
Why trust CNBC Select?
At CNBC Select, our mission is to provide our readers with high-quality service journalism and comprehensive consumer advice so they can make informed decisions with their money. Every credit card list is based on rigorous reporting by our team of expert writers and editors with extensive knowledge of credit card products. While CNBC Select earns a commission from affiliate partners on many offers and links, we create all our content without input from our commercial team or any outside third parties, and we pride ourselves on our journalistic standards and ethics. See our methodology for more information on how we choose the best grocery credit cards.
The CNBC Select Recommends newsletter delivers practical money tips each week along with expert-picked financial product recommendations. Sign up here.
Our methodology
To determine which cards offer the best value for grocery purchases, CNBC Select analyzed credit cards issued through FDIC-insured banks and NCUA-insured credit unions that are widely available in the U.S.
We compared each card on a range of features, including rewards (e.g., cash back, points and miles), annual fees, welcome bonuses, introductory and standard APR and balance transfer fees and foreign transaction fees. We also considered additional perks (e.g., ongoing travel or merchant statement credits), cardholder protections (e.g., purchase protection, $0 liability protection and travel insurance), the application process when available (e.g., is there a credit pull or required credit score) and how easy it is to redeem points (e.g., are rewards are tied to a specific brand; if transferable, to how many/which partners, can you redeem for straight cash back).
When choosing the best credit cards for grocery shopping, CNBC Select considers the rewards categories and rates earned by card, active welcome bonus opportunities, flexibility of the rewards earned, intro APR options and more.
We also considered CNBC Select audience data when available, such as general demographics and engagement with our content and tools.
Catch up on CNBC Select's in-depth coverage of credit cards, banking and money, and follow us on TikTok, Facebook, Instagram and X to stay up to date.
Read more
For rates and fees of the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express, please click here.
For rates and fees of the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express, please click here.
For rates and fees of the American Express® Gold Card, please click here.
We may earn commissions from qualifying purchases made through Amazon links.








