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Grocery shopping is a regular expense for most households, and with the right credit card, you can earn significant rewards. Whether you’re looking for flexible rewards, cashback, hotel points, or airline miles, there are plenty of options to suit your needs. Let’s break it down by category.
Flexible Rewards Cards
Flexible rewards cards are one of the most popular types of credit cards available, designed to offer rewards based on how much you spend and on what types of purchases you spend on. Flexible rewards points are the most valuable, as they can often be transferred to travel partners or redeemed in various ways. Here are some top picks for grocery spending if you want to earn flexible rewards points:
- American Express® Gold Card: Earn 4x Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000 annually, then 1x).
- Amex EveryDay® Preferred Credit Card: Earn 3x Membership Rewards points at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 annually, then 1x). Use the card 30 times per billing cycle for a 50% bonus on points. This card is no longer available for new applicants.
- American Express EveryDay® Card: Earn 2x Membership Rewards points at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 annually, then 1x). This card is no longer available for new applicants.
- Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card: Earn 3x Ultimate Rewards points on ONLINE grocery purchases (excludes Target, Walmart, and wholesale clubs).
- Citi Strata Premier℠ Card: Earn 3x ThankYou points on groceries.
- Citi Rewards+® Card: Earn 2x ThankYou points at supermarkets and round up every purchase to the nearest 10 points.
- U.S. Bank Altitude® Go Visa Signature® Card and U.S. Bank Altitude® Connect Visa Signature® Card: Earn 2x points at grocery stores and on grocery delivery services. Know that these cards do not offer transfer partners to airline or hotel loyalty programs. You can redeem your points at a fixed value through your online log in.
Why Flexible Rewards? These points can be transferred to airline and hotel partners for outsized value, making them a smart choice for maximizing travel opportunities.
Best Airline Card? Look no further
The Points Mom’s Got It!
Cash Back Cards
Cash back credit cards are straightforward cards that reward you with a percentage of your spending back in cash. These cards offer a flat rate of cash back on all purchases or higher rates on specific categories such as groceries. If you prefer this simplicity and cash back, consider these options:
- Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express: Earn 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 annually, then 1%).
- Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express: Earn 3% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 annually, then 1%).
- Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card: Earn 3% cash back at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®).
- Chase Freedom Flex® Card: Earn 5% cash back on groceries when it’s a quarterly bonus category (activation required, up to $1,500 in combined spending per quarter). I wish it was more than $1500 because it is very easy to go over and not know it like I did here!
- Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card: Earn 2% cash back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs (on the first $2,500 in combined grocery/wholesale club purchases PLUS your choice category purchases per quarter).
- Chase Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card: Earn 5% cash back at Whole Foods and Amazon.com with an eligible Prime membership.
Why Cash Back? Straightforward rewards with no need for transfer strategies or travel plans.
Hotel Rewards Cards
Hotel-branded credit cards are co-branded with specific hotel chains and offer rewards, perks, and discounts when you stay at hotels within the brand’s network. Like airline cards, these cards allow you to earn points with every purchase, like groceries, which can be redeemed for hotel stays, room upgrades, and other amenities. While not as versatile as flexible rewards or cash back, hotel points can still provide excellent value, especially if you’re loyal to a specific hotel brand or working towards hotel status.
- Hilton Honors American Express Card: Earn 5x Hilton Honors points at U.S. supermarkets.
- Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card: Earn 6x Hilton Honors points at U.S. supermarkets.
- Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card: Earn 3x Bonvoy points on the first $6,000 spent in combined purchases annually on gas stations, grocery stores and dining.
- Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ Amex® Card: Earn 4x Bonvoy points on up to $15,000 in combined purchases at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets per calendar year, then 2X points.
- Wyndham Rewards Earner Plus Card: Earn 4x Wyndham Rewards points on groceries.
- Wyndham Rewards Earner Card: Earn 2x Wyndham Rewards points on groceries.
Why Hotel Rewards? These cards can be beneficial for frequent travelers who prioritize specific hotel chains or are trying to spend towards hotel status.
Airline Rewards Cards
f you’re loyal to a specific airline and travel frequently, an airline-branded card can offer travel-related perks. However, if you fly different airlines or aren’t a frequent traveler, a general rewards or travel card may be more beneficial. If you’re working toward free flights or possible airline status, these cards can help you earn miles while grocery shopping:
- Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card: Earn 2x SkyMiles at U.S. supermarkets.
- Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card: Earn 2x SkyMiles at U.S. supermarkets.
- Chase Aeroplan® Credit Card: Earn 3x Aeroplan points at grocery stores.
- JetBlue Plus Card: Earn 2x TrueBlue points at grocery stores.
- JetBlue Card: Earn 2x TrueBlue points at grocery stores.
- American Airlines AAdvantage® MileUp® Card: Earn 2x AAdvantage miles at grocery stores.
- Hawaiian Airlines® World Elite Mastercard®: Earn 2x HawaiianMiles at grocery stores.
Why Airline Rewards? These cards can complement your travel strategy if you’re loyal to a particular airline or trying to reach status with that airline.
Store and Wholesale Club Strategies
Maybe you do not shop for your groceries in a typical supermarket. Where you shop also affects which card you should use. Here are specific strategies for common retailers:
- Target: Use the Target RedCard for 5% off all Target purchases, including groceries.
- Costco: Use the Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi, which earns 2% on Costco purchases.
- Wholesale Clubs (General):
- Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card: Earn 3% on gas and 2% at grocery stores and wholesale clubs on the first $2,500 in combined purchases per quarter.
- Chase Freedom Flex: If wholesale clubs are a quarterly bonus category, earn 5% cash back (up to $1,500 in combined spending). (activation is required). After maxing out the bonus, switch to your usual grocery or wholesale club card.
- Discover it Card: If wholesale clubs are a 5% quarterly bonus category, you can earn 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in purchases (activation required).
Why Retail-Specific Cards? These cards are optimized for specific stores, providing top-tier rewards or discounts you can’t get elsewhere.
Important Note About Supermarket Categories
Be careful using your supermarket cards when traveling overseas. Some cards only offer bonus points when you use them at U.S. supermarkets. It seems as if American Express rewards you for only food shopping in the good old USA.
The other cards will reward you with bonus points at any supermarket, including international ones.
Final Thoughts
The best card for grocery shopping depends on your spending habits and rewards goals. Flexible rewards cards offer the most versatility, allowing you to transfer points to travel partners for maximum value. Cash back cards are great for simplicity, while hotel and airline cards can help you reach specific travel goals.
For most people, starting with a flexible rewards card like the Amex Gold or Citi Premier will yield the best results. However, if cash back is your priority or you’re loyal to a particular travel brand, consider the other options listed above to maximize your grocery spending rewards.
