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Best Credit Cards for Groceries in 2026: Amex vs. Chase vs. Citi
July 1, 2025
Best Credit Cards for Groceries…
Your Grocery Bill Is a Goldmine — If You Know How to Use It
Picture your last grocery run. Fresh fruit, weekly staples, maybe a few impulse snacks (no judgment). You swipe your card, grab your bags, and head home. Simple, right?
But here’s the thing: That swipe could be worth so much more.
Most people walk into a grocery store thinking about recipes, deals, or family needs — not rewards. But groceries are one of the most predictable, high-volume expenses in your life. And the right credit card can turn every single grocery run into:
- Cash back that lowers your monthly budget
- Travel points that build toward a dream trip
- Statement credits that soften inflation’s sting
- Everyday savings that compound month after month
The wrong card? It quietly drains money you could have earned back — every week, every month, every year.
Groceries aren’t optional. But wasting rewards is.
This guide breaks down the best grocery credit cards of 2025 and helps you choose one that turns your food budget into a financial engine. We looked at real-world spending, practical value, and long-term benefits, not hype.
How We Chose the Best Grocery Cards
Selecting a grocery credit card isn’t about chasing the biggest headline reward. It’s about aligning a card’s structure with how you actually spend it. Here's how we evaluated each contender — the same way you should.
1. Reward Rates That Actually Move the Needle
For grocery shopping, a baseline 1%–2% card simply doesn’t cut it anymore. We prioritized cards that deliver:
- 3%+ cash back
- 3x+ points
- Consistent category coding at U.S. supermarkets
We also considered related categories like dining, gas, and online groceries since many households overlap these spending areas.
High earn rates + consistent coding = real value.
2. Annual Fees: Worth Paying or Worth Avoiding?
A fee isn’t the enemy — paying a fee that doesn’t pay you back is.
We evaluated each card’s annual fee against its:
- Grocery rewards
- Credits and perks
- Break-even spending
- Everyday utility
Some cards with higher fees offer disproportionately large rewards. Others shine because they stay free.
3. Welcome Bonuses for a Head Start
A strong welcome bonus can jumpstart your rewards by months — sometimes years.
We favored cards offering bonuses that are:
- Easy to reach with normal spending
- Valuable in either cash back or travel
- Useful regardless of long-term card strategy
A great grocery card shouldn’t only reward you later — it should reward you upfront.
4. Flexible Redemption Options
We prioritized cards that make redeeming rewards easy and valuable:
- Cash back (always a win)
- Transferable travel points (often the highest value)
- Statement credits
- Gift cards for favorite stores
A card that earns big but redeems poorly isn’t really rewarding you.
5. Additional Perks That Matter in Real Life
These aren’t dealbreakers, but they elevate a card from “good” to “great”:
- Purchase protection
- Extended warranty
- Travel protections
- Monthly or annual credits
- Promotions for dining, rideshare, or shopping
Because when perks align with your lifestyle, they amplify everyday value.
The Big Three: Amex vs. Chase vs. Citi — Who Wins at Groceries?
When you think of premium rewards, three names dominate: American Express, Chase, and Citi. Each brings a unique angle on grocery rewards. Here's how their standout cards perform where it matters most — in the checkout line.
American Express® Gold Card: The Grocery MVP
The American Express® Gold Card (See Rates & Fees) is a perennial favorite for one reason: it absolutely crushes grocery rewards.
[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "118", "isExpanded": "false", "bestForCategoryId": "15", "bestForText": "Frequent Travelers", "headerHint": "Generous Travel Rewards"} ]]
Why It Stands Out
This card delivers elevated rewards on everyday essentials like groceries and dining, along with strong earning potential on travel purchases such as flights. Points earned can be redeemed through a wide range of travel partners, where they often deliver outsized value compared to standard cash-back options.
As a result, routine spending, especially on food and travel, can generate returns that rival or surpass many traditional rewards cards, making it a standout choice for everyday use.
Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.
Who It’s Best For
- Households that spend heavily at traditional supermarkets
- Frequent diners or foodies
- Travelers who want high-value points
- Anyone who values premium benefits for everyday spending
This card is pure power for grocery rewards. If you want maximum return on food spending, this is your winner.
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card: A Flexible All-Rounder for Everyday Life
Chase Sapphire Preferred isn’t a grocery-first card, but its flexibility and point value make it a top pick for many households.
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Why It Stands Out
This card rewards common spending categories such as online grocery orders, dining, streaming services, and travel, while still earning on everyday purchases outside those areas. It is especially appealing for people who prefer ordering groceries online and want consistent rewards from routine expenses.
Travel Boosts Add Extra Value
Points can be redeemed for enhanced value when booking travel through the issuer’s portal, and they can also be transferred to a wide selection of airline and hotel partners. Additional built-in perks provide ongoing value each year, helping offset travel costs and rewarding long-term cardholders.
Overall, these points are easy to redeem and flexible enough to support both future travel plans and more immediate redemptions, making the card a strong all-around option.
Who It’s Best For
- Travelers who like simple, high-value point redemptions
- Households that buy most groceries online
- People who want one card for dining + travel + everyday purchases
If you want versatility instead of a grocery-only powerhouse, Chase Sapphire Preferred is a top contender.
Citi Custom Cash® Card: Easy Grocery Rewards
Citi Custom Cash doesn’t just reward your grocery spending — it automatically adjusts to your top category each billing cycle.
[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "2885", "isExpanded": "false", "bestForCategoryId": "15", "bestForText": "People with Good to Excellent Credit Score", "headerHint": "Flexible Cash Back Card"} ]]
Why It Stands Out
This card automatically rewards your highest spending category each billing cycle, making it especially effective for everyday purchases like groceries. Spending outside the top category still earns rewards, and the lack of an annual fee keeps ongoing costs low.
Because rewards are applied automatically, there is no need to activate categories or manage rotating bonuses. The result is a simple, low-effort way to earn consistent cash back on regular monthly spending without added complexity.
Who It’s Best For
- Households spending up to ~$500/month on groceries
- People who want effortless optimization
- Savers who prefer cash back over points
- Those who want multiple Custom Cash cards for stackable categories
If you want the simplest possible high return on groceries, Citi Custom Cash is the easiest win on this entire list.
Blue Cash Preferred® Card by American Express: The Grocery Cash Back King
The Blue Cash Preferred® Card by American Express (See Rates & Fees) is one of the highest-earning grocery cards available, period.
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[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "261", "isExpanded": "false", "bestForCategoryId": "15", "bestForText": "Cash Back Seekers", "headerHint": "Popular Cash Back Card"} ]]
Why It Stands Out
This card offers elevated cash-back rewards on everyday household spending, including groceries, streaming services, gas, and transportation. These categories align closely with common monthly expenses, making it easy to earn meaningful value through normal spending habits.
For many households, the rewards earned on groceries alone can help offset the cost of holding the card, and higher overall spending can significantly increase its value. This makes it a strong option for families looking to maximize cash back on recurring essentials.
Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.
Who It’s Best For
- Households with moderate-to-high grocery spending
- People who prefer cash back over points
- Those who value gas + streaming rewards
If straightforward cash back is your style, this is one of the best cards in the U.S. market.
How to Choose the Right Grocery Card for Your Life
You don’t need the “best card on paper.” You need the best card for you. Here’s how to make that decision with clarity.
1. Start With Where You Shop
Where you spend your money matters more than almost anything else when choosing a credit card. Credit card issuers classify retailers differently, and those classifications determine whether you earn bonus rewards or just the base rate.
Traditional supermarkets
Stores like Kroger, Albertsons, Publix, Safeway, and Whole Foods are usually coded as grocery stores. Cards such as the Amex Gold Card, Blue Cash Preferred, and Citi Custom Cash tend to perform best here, offering strong grocery-focused rewards.
Online grocery shopping and delivery
If you use services like Instacart, Amazon Fresh, or local delivery options, cards that reward online purchases often work better than traditional grocery cards. Examples include the Chase Sapphire Preferred when set to online shopping.
Big-box superstores
Walmart and Target typically do not code as grocery stores, even though they sell food. Because grocery bonuses usually do not apply, flat-rate cash back cards often provide the most reliable value for these purchases.
Warehouse clubs
Costco and Sam’s Club are generally excluded from supermarket bonus categories. Cards designed specifically for warehouse spending, such as the Costco Anywhere Visa, or flat-rate cash back cards are usually the best options. Category-based cards like the Citi Custom Cash may also work well in certain situations.
2. Decide How You Want to Use Your Rewards
Your reward type determines the right card.
If you want cash back:
- Blue Cash Preferred
- Citi Custom Cash
- BofA Customized Cash
If you want travel points:
- Amex Gold
- Chase Sapphire Preferred
If you want both:
Pair a points card with a cash-back card, or pick a hybrid like Sapphire Preferred.
3. Evaluate Annual Fees Realistically
Here’s a simple test: Will the rewards + credits exceed the fee?
If yes, the card pays for itself.
If no, choose a no-annual-fee option.
4. Factor in the Welcome Bonus
A good welcome bonus is like an instant rebate on your time and attention.
- Use planned spending to hit the minimum
- Never overspend just for the bonus
- Stack bonuses strategically if opening multiple cards within a year
5. Know Your Credit Score Before You Apply
- Premium cards often require good-to-excellent credit (670+)
- No-fee cards are generally easier to qualify for
- Too many applications at once can hurt approval odds
Being strategic avoids unnecessary hard inquiries.
How to Maximize Your Grocery Rewards
You’ve chosen a grocery card — great. Now squeeze out every possible reward.
1. Stack Rewards: Get Paid Multiple Times for the Same Purchase
Stacking lets you earn rewards from:
- Your credit card
- A cash back portal
- A store loyalty program
- Digital coupons
- Even gift card purchases (when coded as groceries)
For example:
- Log into a cash back portal like Rakuten
- Click through to Instacart or a grocery store
- Use your high-earning grocery credit card
- Stack store rewards
It’s not unusual to earn 8–12% back or more when stacking correctly.
2. Track Category Caps to Avoid Earning Only 1%
Some cards throttle bonus rewards after a spending limit.
Examples:
- Blue Cash Preferred: 6% up to $6,000/year
- Citi Custom Cash: 5% up to $500/month
- Amex Gold: 4x up to $25,000/year
If you exceed these limits, switch cards for the rest of the month/year.
3. Use Multiple Cards for Maximum Return
Many expert cardholders:
- Use Amex Gold for most groceries
- Use Citi Custom Cash when hitting category caps
- Use Chase Sapphire Preferred for online grocery orders
Diversifying is the secret to consistently high returns.
4. Always Pay Your Balance in Full
This is the rule that matters more than everything else combined. Rewards only help if you avoid interest. Carry a balance, and you erase your gains instantly. Use autopay. Use alerts. Do whatever keeps you from paying interest.
Your Groceries Are a Powerful Financial Tool
Groceries aren’t glamorous. They’re necessary. They’re constant. They’re predictable. Which is exactly why they’re one of the smartest expenses to optimize. With the right grocery credit card, you can turn a basic weekly chore into a consistent stream of:
- Cash back
- Travel points
- Statement credits
- Real savings
You don’t need a wallet full of cards or a spreadsheet of hacks to make grocery rewards work. The biggest wins come from choosing a card that fits your shopping habits, so every checkout earns rewards without extra effort.
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Editorial Disclosure: Opinions expressed here are those of Kudos alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
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