Groceries are one of the largest recurring expenses for many American households, which makes choosing the best credit card for groceries an easy way to earn meaningful rewards on spending you already do.
The right card, however, depends on more than the headline cash-back rate. Annual fees, supermarket spending limits, where you shop, and whether you prefer cash back or travel points can all change which card offers the most value.
For 2026, several cards stand out for grocery spending. The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express offers one of the strongest straightforward supermarket cash-back rates, while cards such as the Capital One Savor and Blue Cash Everyday® Card offer solid grocery rewards without an annual fee. Other options may work better for smaller grocery budgets, online grocery orders, or shoppers who also want travel rewards.
Here is how the leading grocery credit cards compare for U.S. consumers.
Best Credit Cards for Groceries at a Glance
| Credit Card | Grocery Rewards | Annual Fee | Best Use |
| Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express | 6% at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000/year, then 1% | $0 intro first year, then $95 | High supermarket spending |
| Capital One Savor Cash Rewards | 3% at grocery stores | $0 | Grocery + dining rewards |
| Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express | 3% at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000/year, then 1% | $0 | No-annual-fee cash back |
| Citi Custom Cash® Card | 5% on top eligible category up to $500 per billing cycle, then 1% | $0 | Moderate grocery spending |
| Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card | 3X points on eligible online groceries | $95 | Online groceries + travel rewards |
Terms and merchant exclusions apply. Reward structures can change, so consumers should confirm current terms directly with the card issuer before applying.
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Best Overall for Grocery Cash Back: Blue Cash Preferred
The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express is one of the strongest options for households that spend regularly at qualifying U.S. supermarkets.
The card currently earns 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1%. It also earns 6% on select U.S. streaming subscriptions and 3% at U.S. gas stations and on eligible transit purchases.
Its annual fee is currently $0 for the introductory first year, then $95.
If you spent exactly $6,000 per year at qualifying supermarkets, the 6% rate could generate $360 in grocery cash back before considering the annual fee or rewards from other categories.
The main limitation is the $6,000 annual supermarket cap. Grocery purchases above that amount earn the card’s standard rate rather than 6%.
Another important detail is merchant classification. American Express specifies that superstores and warehouse clubs generally do not count as U.S. supermarkets for this reward category.
Best for:
Households spending roughly $300 to $500 per month at traditional U.S. supermarkets and willing to pay an annual fee after the introductory period.
Best No-Annual-Fee Grocery Card: Capital One Savor
Consumers who prefer avoiding an annual fee may find the Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card easier to manage.
The card earns 3% cash back at grocery stores, along with 3% back on dining and entertainment, and carries no annual fee for the standard Savor version marketed to applicants with excellent credit.
Unlike some competing grocery cards, the standard grocery rewards structure is not presented with a small annual grocery spending cap, making it useful for households with larger food budgets.
However, Capital One specifically excludes superstores such as Walmart and Target from its grocery-store category.
That means the card works best when most of your grocery shopping is done at merchants that code as grocery stores rather than general merchandise retailers.
Best for:
Shoppers who want straightforward grocery, restaurant, and entertainment cash back without paying an annual fee.
Best No-Fee Amex Option: Blue Cash Everyday
The Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express provides a simpler alternative for shoppers who like the Amex cash-back structure but do not want an annual fee.
Cardholders currently earn 3% cash back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 in eligible purchases per year, then 1%. The card also earns 3% on eligible U.S. online retail purchases and at U.S. gas stations, each subject to applicable limits.
Because there is no annual fee, consumers do not have to calculate whether grocery rewards will offset an ongoing card fee.
For someone spending $6,000 per year at qualifying supermarkets, the 3% grocery category could generate $180 in cash back.
The Blue Cash Everyday is therefore particularly attractive to moderate grocery spenders who value simplicity over maximizing every possible percentage point.
Best for:
Budget-conscious shoppers who want grocery, gas, and online-shopping rewards with no annual fee.
Best for Smaller Monthly Grocery Budgets: Citi Custom Cash
The Citi Custom Cash® Card approaches grocery rewards differently.
It earns 5% cash back on purchases in your highest eligible spending category each billing cycle, up to the first $500 spent, then 1% thereafter. Grocery stores are one of Citi’s eligible categories.
The card has no annual fee and automatically determines the qualifying category, so there is no quarterly activation process.
If groceries are consistently your highest eligible category and you keep spending near or below $500 per billing cycle, the structure can be highly efficient.
The limitation is equally important: once grocery spending exceeds the $500 billing-cycle threshold, additional spending in that category earns only 1% for that cycle.
This makes Citi Custom Cash better suited to moderate grocery budgets than very high monthly grocery spending.
Best for:
Shoppers spending around $500 or less per billing cycle on groceries who want a high cash-back rate without an annual fee.
Best for Online Groceries and Travel: Chase Sapphire Preferred
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is not primarily a grocery cash-back card, but it deserves consideration for consumers who order groceries online and also value travel rewards.
The card currently earns 3X points on qualifying online grocery purchases, excluding Target, Walmart and wholesale clubs. It also earns accelerated rewards in categories including dining, travel and select streaming services.
Chase explains that qualifying online grocery purchases can include eligible grocery pickup and delivery transactions, as well as certain meal-kit services. Purchases from excluded merchants and some specialty retailers do not qualify.
The card currently has a $95 annual fee.
This card makes more sense for shoppers who value Chase Ultimate Rewards and travel benefits than for someone seeking only simple grocery cash back.
Best for:
Consumers who frequently buy groceries online and want transferable travel rewards.
What Counts as a Grocery Purchase?
This is one of the most important details when choosing a grocery rewards card.
Credit card companies normally award bonus rewards based on the merchant category assigned to the store, not simply on what you purchase.
A traditional supermarket may qualify for elevated grocery rewards, while buying the same food items at a superstore or warehouse club may not.
Common exclusions can include:
- Walmart
- Target
- Costco
- Sam’s Club
- BJ’s Wholesale Club
- Convenience stores
- Some specialty retailers
The exact definition varies by issuer and card.
For example, Capital One excludes superstores such as Walmart and Target from Savor’s grocery category, while Chase excludes Target, Walmart and wholesale clubs from Sapphire Preferred’s online grocery category.
Always consider where you actually shop before choosing a card based solely on the advertised grocery rewards rate.
How to Choose the Best Credit Card for Groceries
The highest percentage is not automatically the best deal.
Start by calculating your average monthly grocery spending and multiplying it by 12. Then compare that figure with each card’s rewards cap.
For example, a household spending $500 per month spends approximately $6,000 annually. That aligns closely with the Blue Cash Preferred supermarket limit.
Next, consider the annual fee. A higher cash-back rate can justify a fee when your spending is high enough, but low or moderate spenders may receive more net value from a no-annual-fee card.
You should also consider:
- Grocery spending limits
- Annual fees
- Where you normally shop
- Online versus in-store purchases
- Other bonus categories
- Cash back versus travel points
- Redemption flexibility
Most importantly, paying interest can quickly eliminate the benefit of credit card rewards. Grocery rewards are most useful when the statement balance is paid according to your normal financial plan rather than carrying debt simply to earn points or cash back.
Are Grocery Credit Cards Worth It?
For many U.S. households, yes—provided the card matches existing spending habits.
NerdWallet notes that groceries are a recurring household expense and that cards offering elevated supermarket rewards can generate meaningful yearly savings compared with cards earning only a basic rate.
The practical value depends on your spending.
A person who spends $100 per month on groceries will have very different needs from a family spending $800 per month. Similarly, someone who shops almost exclusively at Costco or Walmart should not choose a card assuming every food purchase automatically qualifies as a supermarket purchase.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best credit card for groceries?
For high rewards at qualifying U.S. supermarkets, the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express is a strong option because it currently earns 6% cash back on up to $6,000 in annual U.S. supermarket purchases, then 1%. Its annual fee is $0 for the introductory first year and $95 thereafter.
What is the best grocery credit card with no annual fee?
The Capital One Savor, Blue Cash Everyday, and Citi Custom Cash are notable no-annual-fee options. Which works best depends on your monthly grocery spending and where you shop.
Which credit card gives 5% cash back on groceries?
The Citi Custom Cash® Card can earn 5% cash back at grocery stores when groceries are your highest eligible spending category, up to $500 in spending per billing cycle. After that threshold, the rate drops to 1% for additional purchases in that category.
Do Walmart and Target count as grocery stores?
Often, no. Many credit card issuers classify Walmart and Target as superstores rather than grocery stores, which can prevent purchases from earning grocery-category bonuses. Check the terms of the specific card you are considering.
Is a grocery rewards card worth an annual fee?
It can be when the additional rewards you earn exceed the annual fee and you naturally use the card’s other benefits. Compare your expected annual rewards with a similar no-fee card before deciding.
Conclusion
Best credit card for groceries depends on how much you spend, where you shop, and whether you prefer cash back or travel rewards.
For households seeking a high supermarket cash-back rate, the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express stands out with 6% back on up to $6,000 in qualifying annual U.S. supermarket purchases. Shoppers who want to avoid annual fees can consider alternatives such as Capital One Savor, Blue Cash Everyday, or Citi Custom Cash.
Before applying, check three things carefully: the annual fee, the grocery spending cap, and whether your preferred stores qualify for bonus rewards.
A grocery credit card works best when it rewards purchases you would make anyway—not when it encourages additional spending simply to earn cash back.
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