Last updated: August 2026
Disclaimer: CardRankr is a credit card comparison website, not a bank, financial institution, or licensed financial advisor. This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, or tax advice. Credit card terms, rewards rates, welcome offers, and annual fees are set by the card issuers and may change at any time without notice. Always confirm current terms and conditions on the issuer’s official website before applying for any credit card. Consider your own financial situation carefully before making any credit decision.
Groceries are the largest recurring household expense for most American families — and one of the most rewarding spending categories if you have the right card. The average U.S. household spends just over $5,700 per year on groceries. At a 6% cash back rate, that is $342 in annual rewards from a single spending category. At 1% — the default rate on most generic cards — it is $57. The difference compounds every month without any extra work: you are buying groceries anyway.
The 2026 grocery card landscape has a few important updates. The Citi Custom Cash was discontinued for new applicants on May 28, 2026 (existing cardholders keep all benefits). The Capital One SavorOne was rebranded as simply Capital One Savor. The Chase Sapphire Preferred’s June 2026 refresh added 3x on online groceries — a new and distinct category covering Instacart, Amazon Fresh, and similar platforms. And the Amex Blue Cash Preferred’s Disney Streaming Credit was upgraded to $120 per year effective August 2025, making the card’s first-year net cost negative for most households that subscribe to Disney+, Hulu, or ESPN+.
The right grocery card depends on one question most comparison guides skip: where do you actually shop? Traditional supermarkets (Kroger, Whole Foods, Publix, Aldi, Trader Joe’s, Stop and Shop) earn top rates on every card below. Walmart, Target, Costco, and wholesale clubs are excluded from grocery bonus categories on virtually every card. Online grocery platforms like Instacart and Amazon Fresh have their own earn rates. This guide maps all of it, with rates verified against issuer websites as of August 2026.
Best Grocery Credit Cards of 2026 — At a Glance
| Card | Best For | Annual Fee | Grocery Rate | Grocery Cap |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blue Cash Preferred (Amex) | Highest cash back at supermarkets | $0 yr 1, then $95 | 6% at U.S. supermarkets | $6,000/yr (then 1%) |
| American Express Gold Card | Heavy diners + grocery spenders wanting travel points | $325 | 4x MR pts at U.S. supermarkets | $25,000/yr (then 1x) |
| Capital One Savor | No annual fee, uncapped grocery + dining | $0 | 3% at grocery stores | Unlimited |
| Blue Cash Everyday (Amex) | No annual fee at U.S. supermarkets | $0 | 3% at U.S. supermarkets | $6,000/yr (then 1%) |
| Chase Sapphire Preferred | Online grocery delivery + travel rewards | $95 | 3x UR pts (online groceries only) | Unlimited (online only) |
| Citi Strata Premier | Uncapped 3x transferable points at supermarkets | $95 | 3x TY pts at supermarkets | Unlimited |
How We Ranked These Cards
CardRankr’s editorial team evaluated each card using five objective criteria. No card issuer paid for placement or influenced our rankings.
- Grocery earn rate: The headline rate at U.S. supermarkets and/or online grocery platforms, including spending caps and what happens after the cap is hit.
- Annual fee math: Whether the card’s grocery rewards realistically cover its annual fee for a household spending $300 to $500 per month on food.
- Category exclusions: Exactly which stores qualify — the single most common source of disappointment with grocery cards.
- Companion categories: Bonus rates on dining, gas, and streaming that make the card useful beyond groceries alone.
- Long-term value: Whether the card remains worth keeping year over year, not just in year one with the welcome offer.
The 6 Best Credit Cards for Groceries: Full Reviews
1. Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express — Best Overall for Supermarket Shoppers
| Annual fee | $0 intro (first year), then $95 |
| Welcome offer (Aug 2026) | Up to $300 cash back after $3,000 spend in 6 months (offers vary by applicant) |
| Top rewards | 6% at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000/yr, then 1%) · 6% select U.S. streaming subscriptions · 3% U.S. gas stations and transit · 1% all else |
The Blue Cash Preferred earns the highest grocery cash back rate of any mainstream U.S. credit card — 6% at qualifying supermarkets on the first $6,000 per year in purchases. A household spending $500 per month at traditional supermarkets maxes the annual cap and earns exactly $360 in grocery cash back. Against the $95 annual fee (free in year one), that is a net annual grocery benefit of $265 before touching any other category. Add the 6% on streaming subscriptions and the $120 Disney Streaming Credit ($10 per month for Disney+, Hulu, or ESPN+, with no minimum purchase required as of August 2025), and the card pays for its fee multiple times over for most U.S. households.
Cash back is received as Reward Dollars redeemable for statement credits or at Amazon.com checkout. The card also includes a 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 12 months from account opening (then a variable APR of 19.49 to 28.49%). The first year’s $0 intro annual fee allows you to evaluate fit for your spending at no cost before committing to the $95 ongoing fee. Verified against americanexpress.com August 2026.
Who it’s for: Households spending $133 or more per month at traditional U.S. supermarkets who want the highest possible cash back rate and also use streaming services. Above that monthly spend level, the Blue Cash Preferred nets more than the no-fee Blue Cash Everyday on every dollar.
Watch-outs: The 6% rate does NOT apply at Walmart, Target, Costco, Sam’s Club, BJ’s, or any other superstore or warehouse club — these code as discount stores, not supermarkets. The grocery rate drops to 1% after $6,000 per year — high-spending households should pair this card with a no-cap 3% card for grocery spending above the threshold. Cash back is a statement credit, not a direct bank deposit.
2. American Express Gold Card — Best for Heavy Diners Who Also Buy Groceries
| Annual fee | $325 |
| Welcome offer (Aug 2026) | Up to 100,000 Membership Rewards pts after $8,000 spend in 6 months |
| Top rewards | 4x MR pts at U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000/yr) · 4x at worldwide restaurants · 3x on flights (direct or Amex Travel) · 1x all else |
The Amex Gold earns 4x Membership Rewards points at U.S. supermarkets on up to $25,000 per year — a cap high enough to be irrelevant for virtually every household. While 4x points sounds lower than 6% cash back, the comparison is not direct: Membership Rewards points transfer to 20+ airline and hotel partners and can be worth 1.5 to 2.0 cents per point at peak redemptions, giving the Gold an effective grocery earn rate of 6 to 8 cents per dollar when points are redeemed for premium travel. For pure cash-back math, the Blue Cash Preferred wins below $14,000 in combined annual grocery and dining spend. Above that threshold — or for cardholders who actively redeem Amex points via airline transfers — the Gold’s 4x on both supermarkets and restaurants simultaneously pulls ahead.
The Gold’s credit portfolio (Uber Cash, Resy, dining partners, Dunkin’) can reduce the $325 annual fee significantly for active users. For a detailed comparison of the Gold’s full credit math and how it stacks up as a travel card, see our article Amex Gold vs. Chase Sapphire Preferred (2026): Which Card Wins? For those considering whether to upgrade to the Platinum tier, see our comparison Amex Gold vs. Amex Platinum (2026): Which Amex Card Should You Get?
Who it’s for: Households spending heavily at both supermarkets and restaurants who want transferable travel points. Strongest for cardholders who can capture at least $200 in annual Amex credits and have a clear redemption strategy for Membership Rewards points.
Watch-outs: Same superstore exclusions as all Amex cards. The $325 annual fee requires active credit management. Earn rate drops to 1x on all non-food, non-flight spending — a companion card is essential. The $8,000 welcome offer spending requirement is the highest of any card on this list.
3. Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card — Best No-Annual-Fee Grocery Card
| Annual fee | $0 |
| Welcome offer (Aug 2026) | $200 cash bonus after $500 spend in 3 months |
| Top rewards | 3% at grocery stores · 3% on dining · 3% on entertainment · 3% on popular streaming · 5% on hotels and rental cars via Capital One Travel · 1% all else |
The Capital One Savor is the strongest no-annual-fee grocery card for households that also spend on dining and entertainment. Its 3% on grocery stores is unlimited with no annual cap — and it earns that same 3% simultaneously on restaurants, entertainment, and streaming. For a household spending $400 per month on groceries and $300 per month on dining, that is $84 in grocery cash back and $72 in dining cash back per year — $156 total from two categories at zero annual cost. Unlike the Blue Cash cards, the Savor’s “grocery stores” category may include some specialty chains that Amex’s stricter “U.S. supermarkets” definition excludes, though Walmart, Target, and wholesale clubs are still excluded.
The $200 welcome bonus after just $500 in spending — achievable in one or two grocery runs — is one of the lowest thresholds of any rewarding cash back card on the market. Cash back can optionally be converted to Capital One miles if you also hold a Venture X or Venture card, adding travel redemption flexibility at no extra cost.
Who it’s for: Households wanting uncapped 3% grocery and dining rewards at zero annual fee. Excellent as a primary card for moderate grocery spenders, or as a secondary card for grocery spending above the Blue Cash Preferred’s $6,000 annual cap.
Watch-outs: 3% trails the Blue Cash Preferred (6%) and Amex Gold (4x) at qualifying supermarkets. Default rewards are flat cash back — you need a Capital One travel card to access transferable miles. Superstores and wholesale clubs still excluded.
4. Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express — Best No-Annual-Fee Supermarket Card
| Annual fee | $0 |
| Welcome offer (Aug 2026) | Up to $200 cash back after $2,000 spend in 6 months (offers vary) |
| Top rewards | 3% at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000/yr) · 3% U.S. online retail · 3% U.S. gas stations · 1% all else · $84/yr Disney Streaming Credit ($7/month) |
The Blue Cash Everyday is the no-annual-fee sibling of the Blue Cash Preferred. It earns 3% at U.S. supermarkets on the same $6,000 per year cap, with the same superstore exclusions. The critical comparison: the Blue Cash Preferred beats the Everyday at any grocery spend above approximately $133 per month — at that level, the extra 3% earned covers the $95 annual fee exactly. At $300 per month in grocery spending, the Preferred nets $85 more per year than the Everyday after accounting for the $95 fee. Run your own monthly grocery spend through the math before deciding.
A distinct advantage the Blue Cash Everyday holds over the Preferred: it earns 3% on U.S. online retail — Amazon.com, Walmart.com, Target.com — a category where the Preferred earns only 1%. For households that order heavily from Amazon or other online retailers, the Everyday covers that spending at no annual cost.
Who it’s for: Households spending under $133 per month at traditional supermarkets, or those who want 3% on U.S. online retail purchases at no annual fee. Also a solid first card for grocery rewards before upgrading to the Preferred.
Watch-outs: Same $6,000 cap and superstore exclusions as the Blue Cash Preferred. No dining bonus — the Capital One Savor’s 3% on both groceries and dining at $0 annual fee is more versatile for restaurant spenders.
5. Chase Sapphire Preferred Card — Best for Online Grocery Delivery and Travel Points
| Annual fee | $95 |
| Welcome offer (Aug 2026) | 75,000 pts after $5,000 spend in 3 months |
| Top rewards | 5x Chase Travel · 3x dining · 3x online groceries (excl. Walmart.com, Target.com, wholesale clubs) · 3x gas, streaming, vacation rentals · 2x other travel · 1x all else |
The Chase Sapphire Preferred’s June 2026 refresh added 3x on online groceries — covering Instacart, Amazon Fresh, FreshDirect, and similar delivery and pickup platforms. This is a different category to Amex’s U.S. supermarkets bonus: the Preferred earns 3x on online grocery orders but only 1x on in-store supermarket purchases. If your household orders groceries online rather than shopping in-store, this card earns the most of any option on this list — 3x in transferable Chase Ultimate Rewards points with access to 14+ airline and hotel transfer partners.
The Sapphire Preferred is primarily a travel card whose grocery bonus is a meaningful addition to its existing strengths — not the other way around. Its 75,000-point welcome offer, $100 hotel credit, primary rental car coverage, and 3x on dining and gas make it valuable far beyond grocery spend. For households that order groceries online and also want a strong travel card, it is a natural fit that does not require a second card. For its full value as a travel card, see our comparison Chase Sapphire Preferred vs. Reserve (2026): Which Card Should You Get?
Who it’s for: Online grocery shoppers using Instacart, Amazon Fresh, or similar platforms who also want transferable travel rewards. Best for households already in the Chase ecosystem or wanting access to Hyatt, United, and Southwest transfer partners.
Watch-outs: The 3x online grocery bonus does NOT apply to in-store shopping — physical supermarket purchases earn 1x. Walmart.com and Target.com grocery orders are excluded. This card earns nothing meaningful on groceries for in-store shoppers.
6. Citi Strata Premier Card — Best Uncapped Transferable Points at Supermarkets
| Annual fee | $95 |
| Welcome offer (Aug 2026) | 70,000 ThankYou pts after $4,000 spend in 3 months |
| Top rewards | 3x TY pts at supermarkets · 3x at restaurants · 3x on gas · 3x on air travel · 3x on hotels · 1x all else |
The Citi Strata Premier earns 3x Citi ThankYou points at supermarkets with no annual cap — and simultaneously earns 3x on restaurants, gas, flights, and hotels. No other $95 card covers all five of those everyday categories at the same bonus rate in a single card. For a household that spends meaningfully across groceries, dining, gas, and travel, the Strata Premier generates more total points per dollar than any other single mid-range card. ThankYou points transfer to 17+ airline partners including Air France/KLM Flying Blue, Turkish Airlines, and Singapore Airlines, with redemption values that can exceed 1.5 cents per point for flights.
The Strata Premier’s supermarket category may be slightly broader than Amex’s strict U.S. supermarket definition — verify your specific stores with a test purchase. The card earns 3x globally on grocery spending, not limited to U.S. supermarkets, which is useful for international shoppers or travelers.
Who it’s for: Households wanting uncapped 3x transferable points on groceries, dining, gas, and travel all in one $95 card. Strong for Citi ThankYou collectors and travelers who value Air France/KLM or Turkish Airlines transfer partners.
Watch-outs: ThankYou points require learning the transfer partner programs to extract maximum value — cash redemption rates are modest. The card has no major annual credits to offset the $95 fee. Confirm current product availability at citi.com following the discontinuation of the Citi Custom Cash in May 2026.
Full Comparison Table
| Card | Annual Fee | Grocery Rate | Cap | Dining Rate | Gas Rate | Excluded Stores | Reward Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blue Cash Preferred | $95 (yr 2+) | 6% | $6,000/yr | 1% | 3% | Walmart, Target, Costco, wholesale clubs | Cash back |
| Amex Gold | $325 | 4x MR pts | $25,000/yr | 4x MR pts | 1x | Walmart, Target, Costco, wholesale clubs | Transferable pts |
| Capital One Savor | $0 | 3% | None | 3% | — | Walmart, Target, wholesale clubs | Cash back (or miles) |
| Blue Cash Everyday | $0 | 3% | $6,000/yr | 1% | 3% | Walmart, Target, Costco, wholesale clubs | Cash back |
| Chase Sapphire Preferred | $95 | 3x UR pts (online only) | None (online) | 3x UR pts | 3x UR pts | In-store = 1x; Walmart.com/Target.com excluded | Transferable pts |
| Citi Strata Premier | $95 | 3x TY pts | None | 3x TY pts | 3x TY pts | Most superstores (verify) | Transferable pts |
How to Choose the Right Grocery Card for You
Start with where you actually shop
Before comparing earn rates, answer one question: where does your grocery budget actually go? Traditional supermarkets — Kroger, Whole Foods, Publix, Aldi, Trader Joe’s, Sprouts, Stop and Shop — qualify for the Amex and Capital One bonus categories. Walmart, Target, Costco, and Sam’s Club do not. For those stores, a flat-rate 2% card like the Wells Fargo Active Cash or Citi Double Cash earns more than any specialized grocery card. Online grocery orders through Instacart or Amazon Fresh are covered by the Chase Sapphire Preferred’s 3x online grocery bonus but not by Amex’s U.S. supermarket bonus. Know your shopping patterns before picking a card.
Run your monthly grocery spend through the math
The Blue Cash Preferred ($95/yr) beats the Blue Cash Everyday ($0/yr) at any monthly spend above approximately $133 at qualifying supermarkets — at that spend level, the extra 3% earned covers the $95 annual fee exactly. At $500 per month (the cap), you earn $360 and pay $95, netting $265. High-spending households hitting the $6,000 annual cap should pair the Blue Cash Preferred with a no-cap 3% card like the Capital One Savor for grocery spending above the threshold — avoiding the drop to 1% on overages.
Decide between cash back and transferable travel points
Cash back cards (Blue Cash Preferred, Blue Cash Everyday, Capital One Savor) deliver simple, predictable value — a statement credit you can use for anything. Points cards (Amex Gold, Chase Sapphire Preferred, Citi Strata Premier) earn transferable currencies worth potentially 1.5 to 2x the face value when redeemed for flights or hotels through transfer partners. If you have a clear travel redemption strategy, points add real value. If you prefer simplicity and direct dollar value, cash back wins every time.
Consider dining spend alongside groceries
The best grocery card for your household may be determined more by your dining habits than your supermarket spend. The Amex Gold’s 4x on both supermarkets and restaurants outperforms the Blue Cash Preferred’s 6% grocery plus 1% dining for households spending $14,000 or more combined on food annually. The Capital One Savor’s 3% on both groceries and dining at zero annual fee is the cleanest option for households that want a single no-fee card covering both food categories. Map your grocery and dining spend together before choosing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best credit card for groceries in 2026?
The Blue Cash Preferred from American Express is the best credit card for groceries in 2026 for most U.S. households that shop at traditional supermarkets. Its 6% cash back rate is the highest available, and the $95 annual fee (free in year one) is easily justified by any household spending $133 or more per month at qualifying stores. For households that also dine out heavily and want transferable travel points, the Amex Gold’s 4x on both supermarkets and restaurants is the stronger overall choice. The right answer depends on where you shop and whether you prefer cash back or travel rewards.
Do grocery credit cards work at Walmart and Target?
No. The grocery bonus categories on the Blue Cash Preferred, Amex Gold, Blue Cash Everyday, Capital One Savor, and Citi Strata Premier do NOT apply at Walmart, Target, Costco, Sam’s Club, or other superstores and warehouse clubs. These merchants code as discount stores or wholesale clubs, not supermarkets. If most of your grocery shopping happens at Walmart or Costco, a flat-rate 2% card earns more than any specialized grocery card at those stores. The Costco Anywhere Visa by Citi is the specific solution for Costco shoppers, earning 2% on all Costco purchases.
What credit score do I need for a grocery rewards card?
Requirements vary by card tier. The Capital One Savor and Blue Cash Everyday (no annual fee) generally approve applicants with good credit — FICO 670 or above. The Blue Cash Preferred, Chase Sapphire Preferred, and Citi Strata Premier typically require 700 or above. The Amex Gold generally requires 700 or above with stronger odds at 720+. If your score is below 670, start with a secured card or student card to build credit history. Most issuers also consider income, existing debt, and account history alongside credit score.
Is the Blue Cash Preferred worth the annual fee?
Yes, for households spending $133 per month or more at U.S. supermarkets. At that level, the extra 3% earned versus the free Blue Cash Everyday exactly covers the $95 annual fee. At $300 per month in grocery spend, the Preferred nets $85 more per year than the Everyday after fees. At $500 per month (maxing the cap), the advantage is $170 per year. The first year has no annual fee, making year-one math especially favorable. Add 6% on streaming subscriptions and the $120 Disney Streaming Credit, and the card justifies its fee below the grocery breakeven point for most streaming subscribers.
Are there no-annual-fee options for grocery rewards?
Yes — two strong options. The Blue Cash Everyday earns 3% at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 per year) and 3% at U.S. gas stations and online retail with no annual fee. The Capital One Savor earns unlimited 3% at grocery stores and 3% on dining, entertainment, and streaming — also with no annual fee. The Savor wins for households that also spend heavily on dining and want no cap on grocery rewards. The Everyday wins for dedicated supermarket shoppers who also want the gas station and U.S. online retail bonus categories.
What is the best grocery card for someone who shops at Costco?
The Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi is the best card specifically for Costco purchases — it earns 2% on all Costco purchases and 4% on gas (including Costco gas). None of the cards on this list earn a grocery bonus at Costco, which codes as a warehouse club rather than a supermarket. For households that split shopping between Costco and traditional supermarkets, consider the Costco Visa for Costco runs and a Blue Cash Preferred or Capital One Savor for traditional supermarket visits. For a broader view of the best cash back options across all spending, see our guide Best Cash Back Credit Cards of 2026: Top 7 Picks Compared.
Our Editorial Approach
CardRankr is an independent credit card comparison website. We are not affiliated with any card issuer, and no issuer paid for placement or ranking in this guide. All earn rates, annual fees, category definitions, and card terms were verified against issuer websites (americanexpress.com, capitalone.com, chase.com, citi.com) and leading financial media as of August 2026. The grocery card landscape changes regularly — always confirm current offers and category definitions directly with the issuer before applying.
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