topsverseLet me be honest with you – grocery shopping has gotten ridiculously expensive. I was at the store last week, and what used to cost me around 80 dollars now easily runs me over 120 dollars for the same items. If you are anything like me, you have probably found yourself staring at your receipt wondering how basic food items became so pricey.
Here is the thing though – while we cannot control rising food costs, we can definitely be smarter about how we pay for groceries. That is where cashback credit cards come in. I have been using grocery cashback cards for years now, and honestly, they have saved me hundreds of dollars annually. The average American household spends about 5,800 dollars yearly on groceries, and that number keeps climbing. Why not get some of that money back?
The trick is finding the right card. Trust me, I have tried quite a few over the years, and some are definitely better than others. After doing extensive research and testing several cards myself, I have put together this list of the ten best grocery cashback credit cards available right now. Whether you are feeding a family of five or just shopping for yourself, there is probably a perfect card on this list for you.
The 10 Best Grocery Cashback Credit Cards Right Now
Let me walk you through my top picks. I have organized these based on what I think works best for different types of shoppers.
1. American Express Blue Cash Preferred Card
This card is honestly incredible if you do a lot of grocery shopping. You get 6 percent cashback on up to 6,000 dollars in annual grocery spending, then it drops to 1 percent after that. I know the 95-dollar annual fee might seem steep, but hear me out – if you spend just 132 dollars monthly on groceries, you will break even. Most families spend way more than that.
The card also gives you 6 percent back on streaming services and 3 percent on gas and transit. When I first got this card, I was amazed at how quickly the rewards added up. The welcome bonus is usually around 300 dollars when you spend 3,000 dollars in your first six months.
You will need good to excellent credit to get approved, but if you qualify and shop at regular supermarkets frequently, this card is hard to beat. Just remember – it does not work for stores like Walmart or Target, which are considered superstores rather than traditional grocery stores.
2. Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express
If you want solid grocery rewards without paying an annual fee, this is your card. You get 3 percent back at supermarkets up to 6,000 dollars per year, plus 3 percent on gas and online retail purchases.
I recommend this card to friends who are just starting out with rewards cards or those who do not want to deal with annual fees. The welcome bonus is typically 200 dollars after spending 2,000 dollars in six months, which is pretty reasonable. The earning rate is not as high as the Blue Cash Preferred, but sometimes avoiding that annual fee makes more sense depending on your spending habits.
3. Citi Double Cash Card
Here is what I love about this card – it is so simple. You get 2 percent back on everything. Period. No categories to track, no caps to worry about, no quarterly activations. You earn 1 percent when you buy something and another 1 percent when you pay your bill.
While 2 percent on groceries is not the highest rate you can get, this card shines if you hate dealing with complicated reward structures. I actually keep this card in my wallet as a backup for purchases that do not fit into bonus categories on my other cards. No annual fee either, which is always nice.
4. Chase Freedom Flex
This card gets interesting because it offers 5 percent cashback on rotating quarterly categories. Groceries typically show up as a bonus category at least once per year. When they do, you earn 5 percent back on up to 1,500 dollars in spending per quarter – but you have to activate the category first.
I like this card for people who pay attention to their credit card benefits and do not mind activating categories each quarter. You also get 3 percent back year-round on dining and drugstore purchases. The 200-dollar welcome bonus after spending just 500 dollars in three months makes it easy to get started.
5. Chase Freedom Unlimited
This card normally gives you 1.5 percent back on everything, but here is where it gets good for new cardholders – Chase often runs promotions giving you 5 percent back on groceries for your entire first year, up to 12,000 dollars in purchases. That is potentially 600 dollars in grocery rewards in your first year alone.
After that first year, you are back to 1.5 percent on groceries, but you keep getting 3 percent on dining and drugstores. If you are planning a move, starting a family, or know you will have high grocery expenses in your first year, this card can be fantastic.
6. Discover it Cash Back
This card works similarly to the Chase Freedom Flex with rotating 5 percent categories that often include groceries. But here is the kicker – Discover matches all the cashback you earn in your first year. So if groceries are a 5 percent category during your first year and you max out that quarter, you are effectively getting 10 percent back on those grocery purchases.
I always recommend this card to people who are new to the cashback game. That first-year match is incredibly generous, and there is no annual fee. Just remember to activate your quarterly categories.
7. Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card
You get a flat 3 percent back on groceries with no annual fee and no spending caps. The card also gives you 3 percent on dining, entertainment, and streaming services. I think of this as the “lifestyle” card because it rewards you for groceries and all the fun stuff too.
The credit requirements are not as strict as some other cards, which makes it accessible to more people. If you spend moderately on groceries but also dine out, stream services, and go to entertainment events, this card covers all your bases nicely.
8. Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card
Another simple card – 1.5 percent back on everything with no annual fee. It is not flashy, but sometimes simple is better. The welcome bonus is usually 200 dollars for spending 500 dollars in three months.
I recommend this to people who want something straightforward without worrying about categories or caps. Students often like this card because it is uncomplicated and builds credit history while earning rewards on all purchases.
9. Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card
Here is something cool – you get to choose your 3 percent cashback category each month, and grocery stores are one of the options. You can earn 3 percent on up to 2,500 dollars per quarter in your chosen categories.
The real benefit kicks in if you are already a Bank of America customer. Their Preferred Rewards program can boost your cashback by 25 to 75 percent, potentially giving you over 5 percent back on groceries. That is some serious earning power.
10. U.S. Bank Cash+ Visa Signature Card
This card lets you pick two 5 percent cashback categories each quarter, and grocery stores are usually an option. You can also choose one 2 percent everyday category. The 5 percent rate applies to up to 2,000 dollars in combined quarterly spending.
It takes some management since you have to log in and select your categories each quarter, but the earning potential is excellent if you stay on top of it. No annual fee either.
11. Wells Fargo Active Cash Card
Simple and effective – 2 percent back on everything with no categories, caps, or annual fees. You also get cell phone protection if you pay your wireless bill with the card, which is a nice bonus.
This is another great “set it and forget it” option. I often suggest pairing this with a category card so you have high earnings on groceries and solid earnings on everything else.
How to Actually Make These Cards Work for You
Getting a good cashback card is just the first step. Here is how to really maximize your grocery rewards:
Stock up during bonus quarters. If you have a rotating category card, buy non-perishables and household items when groceries are the featured category. I buy things like paper products, cleaning supplies, and canned goods in bulk during these periods.
Pay your balance in full every month. This cannot be stressed enough. Interest charges will completely wipe out any cashback you earn. Set up autopay if you need to.
Use multiple cards strategically. I use my Amex Blue Cash Preferred for groceries and my Citi Double Cash for everything else. This way, I am always earning solid rewards no matter what I am buying.
Time your applications. If you know you will have high grocery expenses coming up (like holidays or a big move), apply for cards with good welcome bonuses and use that spending to hit the bonus requirements.
Actually use your rewards. It sounds obvious, but some people just let cashback sit in their accounts. I either take statement credits or transfer the money to my savings account every few months.
Conclusion
If you spend a lot on groceries and do not mind an annual fee, go with the Amex Blue Cash Preferred. The 6 percent rate is unmatched.
For no annual fee options, I recommend the Blue Cash Everyday if you want straightforward grocery rewards, or the SavorOne if you also spend on dining and entertainment.
If you hate tracking categories and just want simplicity, the Citi Double Cash or Wells Fargo Active Cash are your best bets.
For people who like optimizing and do not mind activating categories, the Chase Freedom Flex or Discover it can provide excellent value, especially in your first year.
The most important thing is to pick a card that matches how you actually shop and spend. The best cashback card is worthless if it does not fit your lifestyle. Take a look at your last few months of grocery receipts, figure out where you shop and how much you spend, then choose accordingly.
Remember, these cards are tools to help you save money on spending you are already doing. Used responsibly, they can put hundreds of dollars back in your pocket every year. In today’s economy, every bit helps.