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With over $150 billion in gross sales in 2025, Amazon is officially the second-largest grocer in the United States, according to Amazon CEO Andy Jassy. But does it make sense for you to order from the retail giant?
Amazon's options for buying fresh groceries are both slightly confusing and incredibly simple — but with Prime Day 2026 running June 23 through June 26, you may be interested in what the online retailer has to offer (yes, grocery essentials will also be on sale).
What's more, Amazon is running a major sweepstakes that can help you cover groceries for a whole year. Now through June 22, you can order groceries from Amazon or a participating retailer (minimum of $15) for a chance to win $10,000 in Amazon.com Gift Cards.
If you're already a Prime member for the quick delivery options or video content, Amazon grocery could make sense. But if you aren't someone who uses Amazon that often, or you prefer doing most of your grocery shopping in person, it might not be the best fit.
What are Amazon's grocery options?
Amazon offers five different ways to order fresh groceries, and while there is a lot of overlap, each option features a unique aspect that could be attractive depending on your shopping needs and preferences.
Same-Day Delivery
Same-Day Delivery is great for those looking to keep things simple, as you shop for groceries the same way you shop for anything else on Amazon. While the online retailer has offered same-day grocery delivery for some time, it introduced perishable foods in August 2025. Now, over 2,300 cities across the U.S. offer Same-Day Delivery of fresh groceries.
Prime members have a $25 threshold to qualify for free shipping in most areas ($12.99 delivery fee on all orders for non-Prime members), and all your purchases go in one cart, so you can order a bunch of bananas alongside your new headphones. If you need only a few items, Prime members will be charged a $2.99 fee for smaller orders.
Tip: Now through Prime Day, Amazon is offering 35% off select grocery essentials. According to the retailer, other savings include $1 red cherries, $1 hot dogs and buns, discounted barbecue essentials and more.
Amazon Fresh
Amazon announced in January that all physical Amazon Fresh and Amazon Go stores will shutter, but you can still order groceries from Amazon Fresh online.
This option offers a wide selection of groceries available for delivery within two-hour windows. The delivery fees are in a tiered system:
- Prime members get free delivery on orders over $100 but are charged a $6.95 fee on orders between $50 and $100 and a $9.95 fee on orders under $50.
- Without Prime, you'll pay a fee of $4.95 to $13.95 based on your order size.
There's also a unique subscription option: Prime members can subscribe for $9.99 per month, and you'll get unlimited free deliveries on orders of $25 or more. With this subscription, you also get unlimited free delivery on orders from Whole Foods (which we cover below) and participating local retailers (over $25) and free access to one-hour delivery windows when available.
Whole Foods Market delivery
If you're a fan of Whole Foods Market for its natural and organic groceries, you can shop with the grocery store directly on Amazon and get deliveries in two-hour windows. Prime members get a discounted $9.95 delivery fee, compared to the $13.95 fee non-Prime members pay.
As noted above, Prime members can sign up for a $9.99-per-month grocery delivery subscription to receive unlimited free deliveries on Whole Foods Market orders of $25 or more.
Amazon Now
In May, Amazon announced the expansion of Amazon Now delivery to dozens of cities across the U.S. With this service, Amazon users can shop for thousands of items and have them delivered in 30 minutes or less.
Currently, Amazon Now is available in Atlanta, Dallas, Philadelphia and Seattle, but Amazon is continuing to expand to new cities, including Austin, Texas, Orlando, Florida, Houston, Minneapolis, Phoenix, Denver and Oklahoma City.
While non-Prime members will be charged a $13.99 delivery fee (and an additional $3.99 for orders under $15), Prime members get a heavily discounted fee of just $3.99, with an additional $1.99 fee for orders under $15.
Shop local grocery stores and retailers
Last but not least, you can now purchase directly from a number of local grocery store chains right on Amazon, including favorites like Weis Markets and Winn-Dixie. The exact delivery fees vary by partner retailer, but you can enjoy two-hour delivery windows or one-hour delivery windows with Amazon's aforementioned grocery delivery subscription.
How to save on groceries from Amazon
If you're already an Amazon Prime member, buying your groceries on Amazon could end up saving you a decent amount of money. Simply being a Prime member alone gives you access to cheaper delivery rates, but you can stack savings by applying for the no-annual-fee Prime Visa (see rates and fees).
With the Prime Visa, you earn an unlimited 5% back when you use any of the five methods mentioned above to order groceries. And when you're approved, you'll automatically receive a $150 Amazon Gift Card instantly upon approval (exclusively for Prime members), which you can put toward future Amazon grocery orders.
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
If you don't want to apply for an Amazon-branded credit card, you can still earn rewards on Amazon grocery purchases with the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (see rates and fees) or Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express.
The Sapphire Preferred earns an unlimited 3X points on online grocery purchases, including those made on Amazon.com or online through Amazon Fresh or Whole Foods Market. Plus, the Preferred is offering an all-time-high welcome bonus of 100,000 points after you spend $5,000 in the first three months of account opening.
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
The Blue Cash Everyday earns 3% cash back at U.S. supermarkets and on U.S. online retail purchases (both categories are subject to a $6,000 spending cap per year, then 1%) — meaning you can earn on grocery purchases online or in-store, depending. This no-annual-fee card (see rates and fees) earns Reward Dollars that can be redeemed at checkout on Amazon.com.
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
If you're a Prime member and plan on making more than one order from Amazon Fresh, Whole Foods Market or your local grocery store each month, Amazon's grocery delivery subscription could make sense. The cost of a monthly subscription ($9.99 per month) is similar to the cost of one-to-two delivery fees, depending on the service you're ordering from.
Amazon also offers a Freshness Guarantee, meaning that perishable items with the Freshness Guarantee badge will arrive as expected. If you're not satisfied, you can contact customer service within seven days to request a refund for the product. (Note: Only items with this badge can qualify for a refund.) This could be a nice reassurance for those who normally like to look at produce before purchasing, as you may be able to rectify anything that looks off from your order.
Need help budgeting for groceries? Check out these apps
Pros and cons of shopping for groceries on Amazon
While Amazon has a lot of different grocery delivery options, it still might not make sense for everyone — especially those without a Prime membership or those who prefer making multiple smaller orders as opposed to larger ones.
- Discounts for Prime members: With all five grocery options, Amazon offers discounted or free delivery for Prime members. And with Amazon's grocery delivery subscription, Prime members can get free grocery delivery on orders over $25 in many locations.
- Catch-all for your shopping needs: You can buy your fresh fruit and meat at the same time as your other household needs, like pet supplies or electronics.
- Grocery subscription: Outside of discounted or free delivery, Amazon's grocery delivery subscription features free access to one-hour delivery windows when available, free 30-minute pickup from Whole Foods Market and Amazon, priority access to grocery deliveries and more.
- Freshness protection: If you're not satisfied with the freshness of an item that dons a Freshness Guarantee badge, you can request a 100% refund — no need to return the item.
- Various delivery fees: Amazon has several different fees depending on your ordering method, and they're significantly higher for non-Prime members.
- Prime membership pulls a lot of weight: If you're not already a Prime member, using Amazon for groceries alone could be fairly costly over time.
- Not great for small orders: Amazon orders that don't meet certain price thresholds will have higher delivery fees.
Cards for those who prefer shopping in person
If you're not an Amazon Prime member — or maybe you simply prefer to get up close and personal with your produce — the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express earns 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets, on up to $6,000 per year in eligible purchases, then 1%. If you take full advantage of this category, you can earn up to $360 cash back per year.
The card also has an uncapped 6% cash-back category on select U.S. streaming subscriptions and 3% back on transit and at U.S. gas stations.
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
You could also consider the Citi Strata Premier® Card, which earns an unlimited 3X points at supermarkets. If your grocery spending exceeds $6,000 per year, the Strata Premier is a better option.
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.
Amazon grocery FAQs
Is it cheaper to buy groceries through Amazon?
Depending on where and what you buy, it can be cheaper. Amazon Prime members will typically be able to get the deepest savings, and Amazon's grocery delivery subscription could be a great option for those who order multiple times a month.
What is the $9.99 Amazon grocery subscription?
This Amazon grocery subscription lets Prime members enjoy unlimited free deliveries on orders over $25 in most areas and access to one-hour delivery windows when available.
Is Amazon Prime free for seniors?
While Amazon Prime offers age-based discounts for students and people ages 18 through 24 through Prime for Young Adults, seniors won't receive a discount unless they qualify for a specific government assistance program and sign up for Prime Access.
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