Last updated: September 2026. Card details below were verified against the issuers’ official pages as of this date. Credit card terms, fees, and welcome offers change frequently — always confirm current terms on the issuer’s official website before applying. This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice.
Best Credit Cards for Groceries (2026)
Groceries are one of the largest recurring expenses for most households, which makes them one of the best categories to earn rewards on. The right grocery card can turn everyday supermarket runs into meaningful cash back or points. But «best» depends on how much you spend, whether you prefer simple cash back or transferable points, and where you actually shop — because many cards exclude superstores like Walmart and Target and warehouse clubs like Costco.
Below, we compare the top grocery cards of 2026 and explain how to pick the one that fits your spending. If you want a card that also rewards eating out, see the Best Credit Cards for Dining (2026).
At a Glance
| Card | Grocery Rate | Annual Fee | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amex Blue Cash Preferred | 6% at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000/yr) | $0 first year, then $95 | Cash back maximizers |
| American Express Gold | 4x at U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000/yr) | $325 | Points/travel collectors |
| Capital One Savor | 3% at grocery stores | $0 | No-annual-fee simplicity |
How We Ranked These Cards
Every card here is judged on the same criteria: grocery earning rate, any spending caps, annual fee, how easily the rewards are redeemed, and which type of shopper it suits. We also flag which stores count as «supermarkets,» because that definition affects your real return more than the headline rate does.
1. Amex Blue Cash Preferred — Best for Cash Back
- Grocery rewards: 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in eligible purchases (then 1%)
- Other categories: 6% on select U.S. streaming; 3% at U.S. gas stations and on transit; 1% on everything else
- Annual fee: $0 intro for the first year, then $95
- Welcome bonus: Confirm the current offer on americanexpress.com when you apply
For pure cash back on groceries, the Blue Cash Preferred is hard to beat. Its 6% rate at U.S. supermarkets is among the highest available. The main limitation is the $6,000 annual cap — roughly $500 a month — after which the rate drops to 1%. For most households that’s plenty, but very large families who spend more than that on groceries may hit the ceiling.
Who it’s for: Households that want straightforward cash back and spend up to about $500 a month on supermarket purchases. If you’d rather have flat cash back across all spending instead of category caps, see the Best Cash Back Credit Cards (2026).
Watch-outs: The card charges a foreign transaction fee, so it’s not ideal abroad. The 6% rate applies only to U.S. supermarkets — not superstores or warehouse clubs.
2. American Express Gold — Best for Points and Travel
- Grocery rewards: 4x Membership Rewards points at U.S. supermarkets on up to $25,000 per year (then 1x)
- Other categories: 4x at restaurants worldwide (up to an annual cap); 3x on flights
- Annual fee: $325
- Welcome bonus: Varies by applicant — confirm on americanexpress.com
If you redeem points for travel rather than cash, the Amex Gold’s 4x at U.S. supermarkets can be worth more than a flat cash back card, because Membership Rewards points can be transferred to airline and hotel partners. Its much higher annual grocery cap ($25,000 vs. $6,000) also suits larger households. The trade-off is the $325 annual fee, which you need to offset with the card’s dining credits and rewards.
Who it’s for: People who value travel points over cash back and spend heavily on both groceries and dining. For a full head-to-head against a popular travel card, see Amex Gold vs. Chase Sapphire Preferred (2026).
Watch-outs: The $325 fee only makes sense if you use the card’s credits and redeem points well. For a cash-back-focused shopper, it’s usually overkill.
3. Capital One Savor — Best No-Annual-Fee Option
- Grocery rewards: 3% cash back at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart and Target)
- Other categories: 3% on dining, entertainment, and popular streaming services; 1% on everything else
- Annual fee: $0
- Welcome bonus: Confirm the current offer on capitalone.com when you apply
The Savor is the simplest of the three: no annual fee, a solid 3% on groceries, and the same 3% on dining, entertainment, and streaming. You won’t earn as much per dollar as the two cards above, but there’s no fee to offset and no cap to track — which makes it a low-commitment pick for moderate spenders.
Who it’s for: Shoppers who want decent grocery rewards without paying an annual fee. If you want to compare it against similar no-fee cards, see the Best No Annual Fee Credit Cards (2026).
Watch-outs: Like the others, it excludes superstores and warehouse clubs from the grocery category.
Full Comparison
| Feature | Blue Cash Preferred | Amex Gold | Capital One Savor |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grocery rate | 6% cash back | 4x points | 3% cash back |
| Annual cap on bonus | $6,000 | $25,000 | None stated |
| Annual fee | $0 then $95 | $325 | $0 |
| Reward type | Cash back | Transferable points | Cash back |
| Superstores included? | No | No | No |
How to Choose the Right Grocery Card
- Estimate your monthly grocery spend. If it’s around $500 or less, the Blue Cash Preferred’s 6% (up to $6,000/yr) is often the best value. If it’s much higher, the Amex Gold’s larger cap may suit you better.
- Decide: cash back or points? Cash back is simpler; points can be worth more if you redeem for travel. See Best Rewards vs. Cash Back Credit Cards (2026) for the trade-off.
- Check where you shop. If you buy groceries at Walmart, Target, or Costco, these cards usually won’t give bonus rewards there — a flat-rate card may earn more.
- Weigh the annual fee. A no-fee card like the Savor wins if your spending is moderate; a fee card only makes sense if the extra rewards clearly exceed the cost.
A Note on Using Rewards Cards Responsibly
Grocery rewards only benefit you if you pay your balance in full each month. Interest on a carried balance will quickly outweigh any cash back or points earned. These cards are generally aimed at applicants with good to excellent credit, and approval decisions are made solely by the issuing bank. If you’re still building credit, the Best Credit Cards to Build Credit (2026) is a better starting point.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do these cards give bonus rewards at Walmart and Target?
Usually not. Most grocery cards define «supermarkets» in a way that excludes superstores like Walmart and Target and warehouse clubs like Costco. Purchases there typically earn only the base 1% rate.
Is cash back or points better for groceries?
Cash back is simpler and has a guaranteed value. Points can be worth more if you redeem them for travel through transfer partners, but they require more effort. The right choice depends on how you like to use rewards.
What is the grocery spending cap?
It varies by card. The Blue Cash Preferred caps its 6% rate at $6,000 per year, while the Amex Gold caps its 4x rate at $25,000 per year. After the cap, the rate drops to the base level.
Which grocery card has no annual fee?
Among these three, the Capital One Savor has no annual fee. The Blue Cash Preferred waives its fee the first year, then charges $95.
Our Editorial Approach
Every card featured here is evaluated using the same criteria — grocery earning rate, caps, annual fee, redemption flexibility, and cardholder fit. Card details are verified against the issuers’ official pages at the time of writing, and this article shows a «last updated» date. We update our comparisons when issuers change their terms.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. We are not a licensed financial advisor, and card approval decisions are made solely by the issuing bank. Rates, fees, and offers are subject to change — always confirm current terms with the issuer before applying.