Best Credit Cards for Groceries of August 2026 - NerdWallet

Advertiser disclosure You're our first priority.

Every time.

We believe everyone should be able to make financial decisions with confidence. While we don't cover every company or financial product on the market, we work hard to share a wide range of offers and objective editorial perspectives.

So how do we make money? Our partners compensate us for advertisements that appear on our site or when you click to or take an action on their website. This compensation helps us provide tools and services - like free credit score access and monitoring. With the exception of mortgage, home equity and other home-lending products or services, partner compensation is one of several factors that may affect which products we highlight and where they appear on our site. Other factors include your credit profile, product availability and proprietary website methodologies.

However, these factors do not influence our editors' opinions or ratings, which are based on independent research and analysis. Our partners cannot pay us to guarantee favorable reviews. Here is a list of our partners.

6 Best Credit Cards for Groceries of August 2026

1. 2. 3.

Written by

Jae Bratton

Jae BrattonLead Writer & Content Strategist

Expertise

Credit cards

Jae Bratton has been writing about credit cards for NerdWallet since 2022. Her work has been published in The Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times, The Associated Press and the journal Studies in Popular Culture, among other outlets. Before joining NerdWallet, Jae taught English and journalism for 13 years.

See full bio

,

Reviewed by

Caitlin Mims

Caitlin MimsEditor & Content Strategist

Expertise

Credit cards

Travel

Credit scores

Caitlin Mims is an editor covering credit cards and travel rewards. Before joining NerdWallet, she was an editor at CreditCards.com and Bankrate. Caitlin has written about personal finance for nine years and has also covered credit scores, retirement planning and the financial challenges women face.

See full bio

,

Edited by

Kenley Young

Kenley YoungManaging Editor

Expertise

Credit cards

Credit scores

Kenley Young directs daily credit cards coverage for NerdWallet. Previously, he was a homepage editor and digital content producer for Fox Sports, and before that a front page editor for Yahoo. He has decades of experience in digital and print media, including stints as a copy desk chief, a wire editor and a metro editor for the McClatchy newspaper chain.

See full bio

Last updated on August 5, 2026

Fact Checked

Editorial integrity

NerdWallet is committed to editorial integrity

Many or all of the products on this page are from partners who compensate us when you click to or take an action on their website, but this does not influence our evaluations or ratings. Our opinions are our own.

+2

Written by

Jae Bratton

Jae BrattonLead Writer & Content Strategist

Expertise

Credit cards

See full bio

+ 2 more

Last updated on August 5, 2026

Reviewed by

Caitlin Mims

Caitlin MimsEditor & Content Strategist

Expertise

Credit cards

Travel

Credit scores

See full bio

Edited by

Kenley Young

Kenley YoungManaging Editor

Expertise

Credit cards

Credit scores

See full bio

Fact Checked

Editorial integrity

NerdWallet is committed to editorial integrity

Households with big grocery bills can save hundreds of dollars a year by using a credit card that pays elevated rewards at the supermarket. If you spend $100 a week on groceries, using a card that earns 3% will net you more than $150 a year. Imagine saving that kind of money at checkout — without even needing to clip coupons! You can do it with these cards. And in some cases, rewards rates apply to grocery delivery, too.

Read MoreShow Less

What matters most in a credit card for groceries

Food is the biggest item in the typical household budget outside of housing and transportation, so groceries is the rare category where just about anyone can justify getting a dedicated credit card just for that spending. When shopping for a grocery credit card, look for the highest rewards rate you can find with an annual fee you can tolerate. Most cards discussed on this page don't charge annual fees; those that do charge a fee make up for it with significantly higher rewards and additional perks.

Credit card issuers offer high rewards on groceries in an attempt to become your "top-of-wallet" card — the one you use everywhere. So the best credit cards for groceries tend to also earn rewards in other popular household categories, including restaurants, travel, online shopping, gas and transit, entertainment and streaming services. The right card for you will offer a combination of rewards categories that suits your usual spending, whether you have a long commute, a lot of streaming subscriptions or a thrice-weekly takeout habit.

Before signing up, though, be aware that most cards specifically exclude superstores (like Walmart and Target) and wholesale clubs (like Costco and Sam's Club) from their grocery category. If that's where you do the bulk of your grocery shopping, you'll be better off with a different option. Alternatives include cards that specifically include those merchants, a store card for the grocery brand where you shop, or a card that earns a flat 2% back on all purchases, no matter where you use it. The latter option is also a good choice if your food spending leans toward corner stores, drugstores and other merchants that card issuers might not recognize as grocery stores.

How NerdWallet chose these grocery credit cards

You can easily find credit cards that pay 2% on everything. So when you're talking about groceries — or really any credit card bonus category — "elevated" rewards generally means a rate above 2%. For this page, we chose cards. that offer at least 3% on all grocery spending or at least 5% at specific merchants that sell groceries. We're also focused on cards with appeal to all U.S. consumers, so we did not include cards for individual supermarket chains, which tend to be local and regional in nature. Finally, we did include a 2% flat-rate option because, as discussed, there are many places that sell groceries but do not count as "grocery stores" as far as credit card issuers are concerned. Learn more about our picks or see more about our methodology.

Expert tip: Why a dedicated card for groceries is worth it

Sara Rathner, lead credit cards writer/spokesperson: "There are other ways to save on groceries, like clipping coupons, poring over weekly store circulars for sales, doing math in store aisles, or driving to multiple stores to score the best prices. But a credit card that earns a high rewards rate on groceries is one of the lowest-effort things you can do to save. When you combine a rewards card with coupons and sales, you can make a meaningful dent in ever-increasing food costs.”

Why this card stands out

Capital One has sweetened the deal for new cardholders: 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. That's a $50 boost over the card's previous offer.

2026Best credit card for dining

Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card

NerdWallet rating

5.0

Add to compare

Apply Nowon Capital One's website

on Capital One's website

Rates & Fees

Annual fee

$0

Rewards rate

1%-8%

Cashback

Intro offer

$250

Recommended credit score

690-850(Good - Excellent)

Get your free credit score

Purchase intro APR

0% intro on purchases for 12 months

Balance transfer intro APR

0% intro on balance transfers for 12 months; balance transfer fee applies

Regular APR

18.49%-28.49% Variable APR

Rewards breakdown

8%

Cash back on Capital One Entertainment purchases.

5%

Cash back on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel.

3%

Cash back on dining.

3%

Cash back on entertainment.

3%

Cash back on popular streaming services.

3%

Cash back at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®).

1%

Cash back on all other purchases.

Card details

NerdWallet's take

If your food expenses include as many trips to restaurants and takeout joints as to the grocery store, the Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card makes a good companion. You’ll earn unlimited 3% cash back on dining, grocery stores and entertainment. Rewards on $5,000 a year in grocery store spending: $150.

Pros

Cons

Read full review

Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express

NerdWallet rating

5.0

Add to compare

Apply Nowon American Express' website

on American Express' website

Rates & Fees

Annual fee

$0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95.

Rewards rate

1%-6%

Cashback

Intro offer

As High as $300 cash back. Find Out Your Offer.

Recommended credit

Good - Excellent

Get your free credit score

Purchase intro APR

0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months from the date of account opening

Balance transfer intro APR

0% intro APR on balance transfers for 12 months from the date of account opening

APR

19.49%-28.49% Variable APR

Rewards breakdown

6%

Cash Back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1%).

6%

Cash Back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions.

3%

Cash Back at U.S. gas stations and on transit (including taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses and more).

1%

Cash Back on other purchases.

Card details

NerdWallet's take

A NerdWallet Best-Of Award winner 10 years running, the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express remains the industry champ, with top-notch rewards not only at the supermarket, but also in other common spending categories. Rewards on $5,000 a year in U.S. supermarket spending: $300.

Pros

Cons

Read full review

Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express

NerdWallet rating

4.9

Add to compare

Apply Nowon American Express' website

on American Express' website

Rates & Fees

Annual fee

$0

Rewards rate

1%-3%

Cashback

Intro offer

As High as $200 cash back. Find Out Your Offer.

Recommended credit

Good - Excellent

Get your free credit score

Purchase intro APR

0% intro APR on purchases for 15 months from the date of account opening

Balance transfer intro APR

0% intro APR on balance transfers for 15 months from the date of account opening

APR

19.49%-28.49% Variable APR

Rewards breakdown

3%

Cash back at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%).

3%

Cash Back on U.S. online retail purchases (up to $6,000 per year, then 1%).

3%

Cash Back at U.S. gas stations (up to $6,000 per year, then 1%).

1%

Cash Back on other purchases.

Card details

NerdWallet's take

The no-annual-fee option in the Blue Cash portfolio, the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express offers solid rewards at U.S. supermarkets and in other common spending categories. Terms apply. Rewards on $5,000 a year in U.S. supermarket spending: $150.

Pros

Cons

Read full review

Citi Double Cash® Card

NerdWallet rating

4.9

Add to compare

Apply Nowon Citibank's application

on Citibank's application

Rates & Fees

Annual fee

$0

Rewards rate

2%-5%

Cashback

Intro offer

$200

Recommended credit score

690-850(Good - Excellent)

Get your free credit score

Balance transfer intro APR

0% intro APR on balance transfers for 18 months

Regular APR

17.49%-27.49% Variable APR

Rewards breakdown

2%

Cash back on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases.

Card details

NerdWallet's take

Not interested in carrying a special card just for groceries? The Citi Double Cash® Card is a great one-card solution. It earns 2% back on all purchases — 1% when you make a purchase and 1% back when you pay it off. Rewards on $5,000 a year in grocery store spending: $100.

Pros

Cons

Read full review

Citi Strata Premier® Card

NerdWallet rating

4.9

Add to compare

Apply Nowon Citibank's application

on Citibank's application

Rates & Fees

Annual fee

$95

Rewards rate

1x-10x

Points

Intro offer

60,000

points

Regular APR

19.49%-27.49% Variable APR

Recommended credit score

690-850(Good - Excellent)

Get your free credit score

Rewards breakdown

10x

Points per $1 spent on Hotels, Car Rentals, and Attractions booked on CitiTravel.com.

3x

Points per $1 on Air Travel.

3x

Points per $1 on Hotels.

3x

Points per $1 spent at Supermarkets.

3x

Points per $1 spent at Gas Stations.

3x

Points per $1 spent at Restaurants.

1x

Point per $1 spent on all other purchases.

Card details

NerdWallet's take

The Citi Strata Premier® Card is the rare travel rewards credit card that pays a high rate on everyday non-travel spending, with 3X points in a bunch of categories, including supermarkets. Rewards on $5,000 a year in grocery spending: $150 (assuming 1 cent per point redemption value).

Pros

Cons

Read full review

American Express® Gold Card

NerdWallet rating

4.4

Add to compare

Apply Nowon American Express' website

on American Express' website

Rates & Fees

Annual fee

$325

Rewards rate

1x-5x

Points

Intro offer

As High As 100,000 Points. Find Out Your Offer.

APR

See Pay Over Time APR

Recommended credit

Good - Excellent

Get your free credit score

Rewards breakdown

5x

Points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.

4x

Points when you dine at restaurants worldwide.

4x

Points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per year in purchases, then 1X).

4x

Points for Uber Eats purchases made at restaurants or U.S. supermarkets (after using your $120 in Uber Cash)

3x

Points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com.

2x

Points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.

1x

Point on all other eligible purchases.

Card details

NerdWallet's take

The American Express® Gold Card earns strong rewards on your food dollars, whether you prefer to dine out, eat in or both. There's a sizable annual fee, however. Rewards on $5,000 a year in U.S. supermarket spending: $200 (assuming redemption value of 1 cent per point).

Pros

Cons

Read full review

Compare the Best Groceries Credit Cards

Credit card Rating Annual fee Rewards rate Intro offer Learn more
2026Best credit card for dining
Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card
Apply Nowon Capital One's website
on Capital One's website
Rates & Fees
5.0/5
Best for Grocery + dining rewards
$0 1%-8%
Cashback
$250 Apply Nowon Capital One's website
on Capital One's website
Rates & Fees
2026Best credit card for groceries
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
Apply Nowon American Express' website
on American Express' website
Rates & Fees
5.0/5
Best for Highest rewards rate
$0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95. 1%-6%
Cashback
As High as $300 cash back. Find Out Your Offer. Apply Nowon American Express' website
on American Express' website
Rates & Fees
2026Best 0% APR credit card for purchases
Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express
Apply Nowon American Express' website
on American Express' website
Rates & Fees
4.9/5
Best for High cash back + online shopping rewards
$0 1%-3%
Cashback
As High as $200 cash back. Find Out Your Offer. Apply Nowon American Express' website
on American Express' website
Rates & Fees
Citi Double Cash® Card
Apply Nowon Citibank's application
on Citibank's application
Rates & Fees
4.9/5
Best for 2% cash back on everything
$0 2%-5%
Cashback
$200 Apply Nowon Citibank's application
on Citibank's application
Rates & Fees
Citi Strata Premier® Card
Apply Nowon Citibank's application
on Citibank's application
Rates & Fees
4.9/5
Best for Travel rewards
$95 1x-10x
Points
60,000
points
Apply Nowon Citibank's application
on Citibank's application
Rates & Fees
American Express® Gold Card
Apply Nowon American Express' website
on American Express' website
Rates & Fees
4.4/5
Best for Travel perks
$325 1x-5x
Points
As High As 100,000 Points. Find Out Your Offer. Apply Nowon American Express' website
on American Express' website
Rates & Fees

More about our picks: Best credit cards for groceries

BACK TO TOP

Everyone needs to eat, so everyone could benefit from a credit card that saves money on groceries. But which particular card is right for you depends on your specific needs and preferences. Some people are after the highest rewards rate possible; some want the highest rewards they can get without paying an annual fee; some want grocery rewards plus additional categories; some want travel points rather than cash back. No single grocery card is the best option for everyone; however, every card on this page is, in our opinion, the best for a specific kind of consumer. This is not a ranked list ordered from best to worst; it's a roundup of all the best options.

Below, we dive a little deeper on the cards featured on this page — what makes them stand out and what kind of cardholder would benefit most from them. If you're still unsure about your decision, this additional context may help.

BEST CREDIT CARDS FOR GROCERIES OF AUGUST 2026

Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express

Our pick for: Highest rewards rate

The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express stands out for its high rewards rates across a range of common household spending categories. NerdWallet has dubbed it the "ultimate family card" for that very reason. The rates it pays at U.S. supermarkets and on select U.S. streaming subscriptions are among the richest of any card on the market, and you also get strong cash back at U.S. gas stations and on transit. If you spend a lot of money in these categories — whether you have a family or not — the card merits serious consideration. Note the key phrase there: "a lot of money." Unlike most cash back cards, this one charges an annual fee, so it's not for those who intend to use it for a few purchases here and there. But if you do have big grocery, commuting or streaming bills, you can break even quickly and start racking up serious cash back. Terms apply. Read our review of the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express.

» For an alternative with no annual fee (terms apply): Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express

Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card

Our pick for: Grocery + dining rewards

The Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card is a perfect fit for many modern families’ spending habits, earning 3% cash back at grocery stores, at restaurants and on popular streaming services and entertainment. It's the rare card with high rewards for both going out (dining and entertainment) and staying in (groceries and streaming). That versatility makes it a solid top-of-wallet card and gives busy young professionals or harried parents one less thing to juggle. The card also pairs well with Capital One's Venture-branded travel cards, as you can transfer your rewards and combine them with Venture miles for greater flexibility in redemption. This is the rare card without a glaring drawback — it has a bonus offer and an introductory APR period, too — but it's worth noting that there are cards with higher rewards on groceries and cards with higher rewards at restaurants. If the bulk of your food spending is at one or the other, rather than both, you might be able to generate more cash back with a different card (see rates and fees). Read our review of the Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card.

» For higher grocery and dining rewards (but at a cost): American Express® Gold Card.

Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express

Our pick for: High cash back + online shopping rewards

True, the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express doesn't have the industry-leading rewards rates boasted by its more expensive sibling, the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express. But households that spend a lot of money in its bonus categories can still earn hundreds of dollars a year in cash back. The card earns 3% at U.S. supermarkets, at U.S. gas stations and on U.S. online retail purchases. Those categories are each capped at $6,000 in annual spending (after which you earn 1%), and some households will undoubtedly exceed those limits, especially for groceries and online purchases. But it's not as if the Preferred gives you a higher spending cap for U.S. supermarkets, even with its annual fee, and that card doesn't offer bonus rewards on online purchases. The Everyday card also has a good introductory APR period, which pairs nicely with its bonus cash back on online retail. Say you have a large purchase coming up but want to finance it to maintain a positive cash flow. You could make the purchase online, put it on this card and effectively get a 3% discount (and maybe also earn the card's new cardholder bonus offer), then use the APR promotion to pay it off over time without interest. Terms apply. Read our review of theBlue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express.

» For bigger rewards on groceries: Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express.

Citi Double Cash® Card

Our pick for: 2% cash back on everything

Because the Citi Double Cash® Card earns an unlimited 2% cash back on all purchases, it’s an ideal card for both everyday spending and one-off big expenses. The 2% rate is actually earned in two stages: You get 1% when you make a purchase and another 1% when you pay it off. This unique structure can serve as an incentive to pay your credit card bill in full every month — or it can be a minor nuisance since 50% of your rewards won’t be credited to your account until you make a payment. (Also, when you redeem your cash back for credit on your statement, you don't get the second 1% for that amount.) The cash back is technically earned as points, which you can transfer to select Citi travel cards and then move to the issuer's airline or hotel partners. One big drawback of this card: It lacks an introductory 0% APR period for purchases, which is a relatively common benefit on cash back cards. There is a promo period for balance-transfers, however, and it's a good one, with a relatively low transfer fee. But because there's no matching period for purchases, it's best not to put spending on this card until you've paid down any transferred balance. Read our review of the Citi Double Cash® Card.

» For near-instant rewards: Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card.

Citi Strata Premier® Card

Our pick for: Travel rewards

The Citi Strata Premier® Card stands out for high rewards rates across popular spending categories (both travel-oriented and everyday) coupled with some valuable perks. It's ideal for those who want an uncomplicated travel option that can fit easily into their budget, particularly those who value Citi's transfer partners or want to realize more value within the Citi ecosystem. Notably, the card’s points are flexible and can be transferred to multiple partners, including American Airlines (itself a rare transfer partner) and JetBlue. Plus, you can pair it with other Citi cards and pool your points. On the downside, the card lacks some of the benefits offered by similarly priced cards, and if you ever need to redeem your points for cash back, you'll get subpar value. Additionally, with the exception of JetBlue and American, its airline transfer partners skew toward international carriers, and its hotel partners don't include some of the biggest names, which can be limiting. Read our review of the Citi Strata Premier® Card.

» For an alternative with more domestic transfer options: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card.

American Express® Gold Card

Our pick for: Travel perks

The annual fee on the American Express® Gold Card is high enough to push it into "premium card" territory. But unlike some other premium cards — including options that are twice as expensive — it rewards you handsomely for actually spending money with the card, rather than tying up the bulk of its value in coupon-style credits that might be worthless to you. The card earns strong rewards at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets and also offers bonus points on flights and hotel stays booked direct or through AmEx. Yes, there are "coupons," too, although these credits are broad enough that many cardholders may be able to earn back a meaningful chunk of the annual fee without needing to rearrange their lives. (It all comes down to the individual.) The $325 fee means this isn't a card for small spenders, and caps on spending eligible for 4X rewards also might limit its value for super-high spenders. But there are a lot of people in the middle who will find that it's right in their wheelhouse. Terms apply. Read our review of the American Express® Gold Card.

» For restaurant and grocery rewards without a big fee: Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card

Instacart Mastercard®

Our pick for: Grocery delivery

If you do all your grocery shopping through Instacart, the Instacart Mastercard® makes perfect sense. The 5% cash back rate on Instacart orders is about as high as you can get for groceries without paying an annual fee, and the card earns bonus rewards in a few other useful categories. However, the amount of spending eligible for the 5% rewards is capped at $6,000 a year. That's in line with limits on other cards that cap bonus grocery rewards, but the 5% used to be uncapped. So this card, while still valuable, isn't the superstar it once was. For a lot of households, though, $6,000 a year is plenty. Read our review of the Instacart Mastercard®.

» For more flexible 5% rewards: Citi Custom Cash® Card

Prime Visa

Our pick for: Amazon and Whole Foods

If you're already a member of Amazon Prime — meaning you spend enough with the mega-retailer to justify paying for a Prime subscription — there aren't a lot of reasons not to get the Prime Visa. The card earns 5% back on purchases at Amazon and at Amazon-owned Whole Foods Market. With the sheer breadth of product offerings from those stores, that means you could get 5% back on the bulk of your everyday spending. You also get 2% at restaurants and gas stations and on transit and commuting, so there's a compelling case for making it your one card for everything. There are a few ways to redeem rewards, but you can put them toward Amazon purchases as soon as you earn them. The card has no annual fee. However, you must be a Prime member to get it, which carries a subscription cost that's higher than most credit card annual fees. In the end, the question of whether this card makes financial sense for you might actually be a question of whether a Prime membership makes financial sense for you. Read our review of the Prime Visa. ( The information related to Prime Visa credit card has been collected by NerdWallet and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card.)

» For rewards for all online shopping, not just Amazon: Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express

The information related to the Citi Custom Cash® Card and the Prime Visa has been collected by NerdWallet and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuers or providers of these product.

_To view rates and fees of the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express, see this page.__To view rates and fees of the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express, see this page._To view rates and fees of the American Express® Gold Card, see this page.

Ask our credit card experts

BACK TO TOP

Paul Soucy

WHAT CARD DO YOU USE FOR GROCERIES?

Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express. No one offers better rewards on my supermarket spending — even after taking into account the annual fee.

[Paul Soucy](/content/author/paul-soucy "Learn more about Paul Soucy"/index.html)

Director of Content

Kenley Young

WHAT CARD DO YOU USE FOR GROCERIES?

I've been using the Citi Custom Cash® Card for grocery runs. It offers a reliable 5% back there, but the problem is that we routinely spend beyond the card's monthly cap. Taking suggestions!

[Kenley Young](/content/author/kenley-young "Learn more about Kenley Young"/index.html)

Managing Editor

Melissa Lambarena

WHAT CARD DO YOU USE FOR GROCERIES?

I use the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express. Some AmEx offers have also helped me save in this category as well.

[Melissa Lambarena](/content/author/melissa-lambarena "Learn more about Melissa Lambarena"/index.html)

Senior Writer & Content Strategist

Caitlin Mims

WHAT CARD DO YOU USE FOR GROCERIES?

I normally use my Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card for groceries. Yes, its 3% back is half what you’ll get with Blue Cash Preferred. But it’s worth it to be able to transfer rewards to my Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card and take advantage of better redemption options.

[Caitlin Mims](/content/author/caitlin-mims "Learn more about Caitlin Mims"/index.html)

Editor & Content Strategist

Sara Rathner

WHAT CARD DO YOU USE FOR GROCERIES?

If I'm working on a sign-up bonus, groceries go on that card (along with every other purchase). If not, I have the no-longer-available Capital One Savor card (an older version that earns 4%), and usually I just put groceries on that. It's not the highest cash-back rate one can get for groceries, but none of us are at our best 100% of the time, OK?

[Sara Rathner](/content/author/sara-rathner "Learn more about Sara Rathner"/index.html)

Senior Writer/Spokesperson

WHAT CARD DO YOU USE FOR GROCERIES?

Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express. No one offers better rewards on my supermarket spending — even after taking into account the annual fee.

[Paul Soucy](/content/author/paul-soucy "Learn more about Paul Soucy"/index.html)

Director of Content

WHAT CARD DO YOU USE FOR GROCERIES?

[Kenley Young](/content/author/kenley-young "Learn more about Kenley Young"/index.html)

Managing Editor

WHAT CARD DO YOU USE FOR GROCERIES?

I use the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express. Some AmEx offers have also helped me save in this category as well.

[Melissa Lambarena](/content/author/melissa-lambarena "Learn more about Melissa Lambarena"/index.html)

Senior Writer & Content Strategist

WHAT CARD DO YOU USE FOR GROCERIES?

[Caitlin Mims](/content/author/caitlin-mims "Learn more about Caitlin Mims"/index.html)

Editor & Content Strategist

WHAT CARD DO YOU USE FOR GROCERIES?

[Sara Rathner](/content/author/sara-rathner "Learn more about Sara Rathner"/index.html)

Senior Writer/Spokesperson

Other options worth a look

BACK TO TOP

Flat-rate cash-back cards

Some people like to juggle multiple credit cards, with a specific card for every major category of spending. Others prefer the simplicity of having one card for everything. If that's you, consider one of these cards that pay a solid rate on everything:

Branded credit cards

Most of the cards identified above can earn elevated rewards regardless of which supermarket or grocery store you shop at. If your grocery runs are always taking you to a specific store, though, you might be interested in that retailer's card. Some store-branded cards offer fairly pedestrian rewards, but some can be a valuable addition to your wallet. Below are a few more popular options.

Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi

If you buy your groceries wholesale-club-style, the Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi earns 2% cash back at Costco and Costco.com. It also earns 5% cash back on gas at Costco and 4% cash back on othereligible gas and EV charging purchases (both at Costco and at other gas stations) on the first $7,000 per year (1% thereafter). You'll also earn 3% cash back on restaurants and eligible travel purchases. All other spending earns 1% back. The annual fee is $0, although you have to be a Costco member to apply, and membership starts at $65 a year.

Target Circle™ Credit Card

The Target Circle™ Credit Card doesn't offer rewards in the form of cash back or points, but you could argue that it gives you something even better: an immediate 5% discount on nearly everything you buy at Target, either in-store or online. You also get free shipping on most items at Target.com. If your grocery runs take you to a full-service Super Target — or just to the food aisles at a regular Target — this $0-annual-fee card is mighty attractive.

Walmart OnePay CashRewards Card

The OnePay CashRewards Card earns 3% cash back at Walmart and Walmart.com. That rises to 5% cash back if you're a member of the Walmart+ subscription program, which costs $98 a year when paid annually. (If you pay monthly, it's considerably more expensive at $12.95 a month or $155.40 a year). Walmart+ membership includes free grocery delivery, free shipping, in-store scan-and-go and more. The card itself has an annual fee of $0.

5% rotating category cards

The other cards featured on this page offer elevated grocery rewards year-round. The Chase Freedom Flex® and select Discover cards like the Discover it® Cash Back pay a higher rate on groceries for only one quarter per year when you activate rewards categories — but what a rate it is.

On each card, you earn 5% cash back in rotating categories that you activate, on up to $1,500 per quarter in spending, and 1% cash back on all other purchases. In recent years, both cards have offered grocery stores as a 5% category. ( See current and past categories here.) Other bonus categories on both cards tend to be common expenses, meaning it's not hard to get great value out of them. Neither card charges an annual fee.

How we choose the best credit cards

Our team of credit card experts has developed a rigorous methodology to determine how much value a card delivers and how it stacks up against its competitors.

400+

Cards reviewed

NerdWallet’s experts have reviewed more than 400 cards, from the most popular options at the biggest banks to store cards to niche cards from startups and small issuers.

8

Categories scored

Credit cards are so diverse that properly rating them with a single formula is impossible. We’ve built eight rubrics, plus variations, so we can score each card on what matters.

50+

Data points analyzed

Our ratings consider not just a card’s rates, fees, rewards and perks, but also how easy or hard it is to get that card, manage it and enjoy its advertised benefits.

Star rating categories

What you want out of, say, a cash back credit card is fundamentally different from what you’re looking for in a balance transfer card or a card for building credit. That’s why we have different scoring models that put weight on different features.

Cash back cards

Cash back cards

Our formula looks at how much cash back you could expect to earn from typical household spending. We consider rewards rates and categories, bonus offers and the cash value of other benefits, as well as any annual fee. The rating is also influenced by the complexity of the rewards structure.

General travel cards

General travel cards

We consider how many points you could expect to earn from typical household spending, along with per-point values and redemption options. We add in the cash value of bonus offers and other benefits, subtract annual fees and other costs, and take into account the complexity of the rewards structure.

Balance transfer cards

Balance transfer cards

Our balance transfer rubric calculates how much money a card could save you with a low or 0% interest rate. Primary factors include the length and structure of the introductory APR period and the balance transfer fee. We also consider long-term value, such as whether the card offers rewards.

Branded airline cards

Branded airline cards

We calculate how many miles you could expect to earn from typical household spending and what those miles are worth based on our valuations. We add in the cash value of bonus offers and perks such as free checked bags and lounge access, and we subtract annual fees and other costs.

Branded hotel cards

Branded hotel cards

We calculate how many points you could expect to earn from typical household spending and what those points are worth based on our valuations. We add in the cash value of bonus offers and perks such as free nights and automatic elite status, and we subtract annual fees and other costs

Credit builder cards

Credit builder cards

Our rubric focuses on accessibility (such as whether a credit check is required), out-of-pocket costs (such as annual fees or minimum security deposits), credit-building features (such as bureau reporting and access to a free credit score) and upgrade options when you’re ready to move on.

College student cards

College student cards

Our formula calculates the rewards you could expect to earn on spending typical for a college student and takes into account the cash value of bonus offers and other benefits. Accessibility to students without established credit is a key consideration, as is the effort required to manage the card.

Small business cards

Small business cards

Our star ratings criteria for small business credit cards are similar to those for consumer cards, although they account for potentially higher spending levels and higher credit limits, as well as rewards structures and bonus categories tailored specifically to entrepreneurs and business operators.

Cash back cards

General travel cards

Balance transfer cards

Branded airline cards

Branded hotel cards

Credit builder cards

College student cards

Small business cards

NerdWallet's Credit Cards team selects the best credit cards in various categories based on overall consumer value, as evidenced by star ratings, as well as their suitability for specific kinds of consumers. Factors in our evaluations include fees, promotional and ongoing APRs, and sign-up bonuses; for rewards cards, we consider earning and redemption rates, redemption options and redemption difficulty. Because different consumers can have markedly different needs, preferences and spending habits, we recognize that there is rarely a single credit card that is "best" for everyone. That's why this page includes a variety of options to suit an array of circumstances. Also, a single card is eligible to be chosen as among the "best" in multiple categories.

Our star ratings provide a quick way to compare credit cards. We assess the features of a card, score those features according to how they compare with other options on the market, and assign the card a rating of 1 to 5 stars based on those features. In general, a card that rates 4.5 stars will be a better value for more people than a card that rates 4.0 stars. However, the 4.0 card might be better than the 4.5 card for an individual consumer depending on that person’s circumstances. Further, ratings are only comparable within categories. If you're looking for rewards, for example, a 3.5-star cash back card will be of greater value than a 5.0-star balance transfer card or a 4.5-star credit-builder card. Star ratings are an important consideration in which cards appear on our "best" pages, but they are not the sole determining factor. Learn how NerdWallet rates credit cards.

Show More