Learn more about our picks for best grocery credit cards
Should you get a credit card for groceries?
Between weekly hauls, restocks, and the occasional pitstop on the way home from work, grocery shopping is likely one of your biggest monthly expenses. In fact, the average cost Americans incur for food at home is $5,703 per year — nearly $500 per month. With regular grocery bills that high, it pays — a lot — to have a grocery rewards credit card in your wallet.
Keeping multiple credit cards in your wallet can be useful for earning the best rewards and taking advantage of the best benefits on almost every purchase. So if, like many Americans, supermarket spending is among your most common monthly expenses — a credit card for groceries can make a lot of sense.
There are a few reasons you may want to hold off. For one, if opening a new credit card encourages you to spend more than you can afford just to earn rewards, it might be more costly than budget-friendly. Many of the best grocery credit cards also require a great credit score — so if you're still building a solid credit history, you may want to wait to apply.
Overall, comparing the potential value to your own grocery spending is the best way to decide. Here are a few more factors to consider:
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Where you shop most often:If you always do your grocery shopping at the same chain, or a rotation of a few different supermarkets, make sure you can earn rewards there with your grocery credit card. Read the card's terms before you apply to see whether any exclusions apply that may keep you from maximizing your spending.
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What type of rewards you want to earn:You can find grocery bonus categories among both cash-back credit cards and rewards credit cards that earn points and miles. Narrow down your options by deciding whether you prefer the simplicity of cash back or want to earn points that you can put toward a future travel purchase.
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How much you spend on groceries:Several of the best credit cards for groceries cap the amount you can spend before maxing out top rewards for the month, quarter, or year. Look back at your total supermarket spending over the past year to compare your totals with each card's spending cap to secure the most value for you over the long term.
Grocery reward limitations
As with any credit card bonus category, the details of your grocery rewards can vary across cards and card issuers.
Types of grocery stores
The language used by the issuer to refer to a card's grocery rewards can make a big difference in your potential earnings.
For example, many grocery credit cards earn rewards solely at "grocery stores" or "supermarkets" and specify that the same bonus rewards rate does not apply to large superstores like Walmart and Target or warehouse clubs like Costco and Sam's Club. If you prefer to complete all your shopping at your local Super Target or you're a loyal Costco member, you'll probably be better off with a card that earns rewards at those stores specifically.
This is also important if you use online grocery delivery. Whether you prefer Instacart, Amazon Fresh, or another grocery delivery service, you'll want to make sure you can earn your grocery rewards while using it.
Finally, look for any restrictions on where you spend. Some grocery credit cards only earn rewards at stores within the United States. If you plan to use the card to buy food while traveling abroad, you might forfeit some rewards.
Spending limits
Spending limits are likely one of the first things that stand out when you begin comparing credit cards for groceries. You'll often see a card offer something like 5% cash back on grocery store purchases up to the first $500 per month or 6% back on grocery store spending up to the first $1,500 per quarter.
While a spending cap can hurt your potential earnings, it's not a reason to rule out a card altogether. In fact, the cards we compared generally have spending limits well within the average American's annual at-home food spending.
What's more important is how each card's restrictions fit your specific grocery spending. If you have a large family, for example, and spend well beyond the limits each year, you might want to look for a card that doesn't have any annual limit on what you can earn — even if it does have a lower reward or cash-back rate. Or maybe your grocery spending tends to be much higher at certain times throughout the year when you eat at home more. Then you might prioritize a card with a more flexible annual limit over specific monthly or quarterly limits.
Frequently asked questions about grocery credit cards
Before you decide on the best credit card for the grocery stores and supermarkets where you shop most, find out more with these frequently asked questions:
What credit cards offer 6% cash back on groceries?
Right now, the Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express offers 6% cash back on the first $6,000 you spend at U.S. supermarkets each year (then 1%), along with other rewards categories.
Should I get a credit card for groceries?
When you're looking for a new rewards credit card, it's smart to start with your budget. Look back on past expenses over the past several months — if grocery stores and supermarkets make up a significant portion of your spending, a credit card for groceries can be a great way to save.
Many of the best credit cards with grocery rewards don't only earn rewards on groceries, though. Take time to evaluate the other rewards categories (along with the annual fee, welcome bonus, and other details) to make sure you choose the right one for your overall budget and everyday spending.
What is the best credit card for groceries with no annual fee?
There are several options for grocery rewards credit cards with no annual fee, especially if you're looking for cash-back rewards. You can find more information about each one via our full list of best grocery credit cards above:
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Chase Freedom Flex
What counts as groceries for credit cards?
Credit card issuers often have different parameters for "grocery stores" or "supermarkets," so it's always a good idea to read your card's rewards agreement to ensure you can maximize rewards where you shop most. Rewards categories also often rely on merchant category codes, which can vary by retailer.
An eligible U.S. supermarket as defined by American Express, for example, "offers a wide variety of food and household products such as meat, fresh produce, dairy, canned and packaged goods, household cleaners, pharmacy products and pet supplies." But it does not include superstores, convenience stores, warehouse clubs, or meal kit delivery services.
Capital One, on the other hand, specifies that purchases at a supermarket, meat locker, freezer, dairy product store, or specialty market can all earn grocery rewards, but explicitly states that superstores like Target and Walmart do not count toward the category bonus. It also clarifies that grocery purchases "made at gas stations, convenience stores, warehouse clubs, discount stores, and superstores (or at grocery stores associated with discount stores or superstores," will not earn bonus rewards for the grocery category.
While qualifying stores will often overlap, knowing exactly what counts for your specific card (and exclusions that may apply) can help you maximize your card's rewards.
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