Best credit cards for grocery shopping in 2023

Americans spend an average of $4,942 on groceries every year, according to 2021 data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — up 6.4 percent from 2019 to 2020. Since shopping for groceries is one of the main weekly expenses in every American household, it makes sense why more credit cards are offering rewards tied to grocery shopping.

However, because the number of cards — and their grocery offers — has increased due to competition, it may be hard to decide which is best for you. We’ve compiled a list of the best credit cards for groceries in 2022, so keep reading to learn about these cards’ offerings, as well as tips for narrowing down your options.

American Express Gold Card: Best for earning Membership Rewards points on groceries

Why we picked it: The American Express® Gold Card is a premium grocery card option that offers unprecedented rewards rates whether you’re dining in or out. Cardholders earn 4X Membership Rewards points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points) for a $250 annual fee. The card also offers rewards on restaurant purchases and flights booked directly with airlines or through American Express Travel, making it a great overall choice for foodies and travelers.

Pros

• 60,000-point welcome bonus after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first six months
• Up to $120 in annual dining credits
• Up to $120 in Uber Cash annually ($10 per month)
• Up to $100 hotel credit for purchases in The Hotel Collection
• No foreign transaction fees

Cons

• High annual fee
• Lack of more premium travel benefits
• Only able to redeem travel directly through airlines or AmexTravel.com

Who should apply: Since the Amex Gold has one of the highest combined rewards rates on both U.S. supermarket and restaurant purchases, it’s a good option for those who typically spend the most each month on food or grocery shopping. Additionally, if you’re a frequent traveler, those earned points can mean big savings on your next vacation.

Who should skip: If you’re unsure whether or not you’ll be able to maximize the value of this card, you may want to consider other options, considering the Amex Gold has a high annual fee. Again, you may want a card with more straightforward rewards — in which case, you should skip out on the Amex Gold.

Citi Custom Cash Card: Best for customized rewards options

Why we picked it: The Citi Custom Cash℠ Card is a great option for flexible rewards options and can prove to be a valuable card for grocery shopping — especially if it’s where you spend the most money. With the Custom Cash, you’ll earn 5 percent cash back in your top eligible spend category each billing cycle. However, this is only good for up to $500 that you spend, after which you’ll earn 1 percent cash back (which is something to keep in mind if you easily spend over $500 per month at the supermarket).

Pros

• Welcome bonus of 20,000 ThankYou points (worth $200 in cash back) after spending $1,500 on purchases in the first six months
• 0 percent intro APR on both purchases and balance transfers for 15 months (18.49 percent to 28.49 percent variable APR after)
• Cellphone protection
• DoorDash and Lyft benefits
• No annual fee

Cons

• $500 spending cap on the 5 percent cash back category each billing cycle (then 1 percent)
• 3 percent foreign transaction fee

Who should apply: If your highest spending category is groceries and you typically spend about $500 per month on those purchases, this card’s rate puts it on par with the most lucrative grocery credit cards. It could also be a good option if you’re looking to pay off debt or have a large purchase on the horizon.

Who should skip: For those looking for a primary card to do most of their spending, you should skip the Citi Custom Cash for a flat-rate cash back card with no spending cap. Further, if you can easily spend more than $500 per month on groceries, you might look for a grocery card option with a much higher yearly cap — such as the Amex Gold.

Capital One Walmart Rewards Mastercard: Best for earning cash back on Walmart purchases

Why we picked it: Why go to a standard grocery store when superstores allow you to get the grocery shopping done all in one shot? For those who prefer one-stop shopping (specifically at Walmart), the Capital One Walmart Rewards® Mastercard® may be a good fit. This card offers 5 percent cash back on Walmart purchases online, including grocery pickup and delivery orders, 5 percent back on in-store purchases during your first 12 months (when you pay using the Walmart Pay digital wallet) and 2 percent back on purchases in Walmart stores and fuel stations. You can also earn rewards outside of Walmart purchases, including at restaurants and on travel.

Pros

• Heightened cash back on in-store Walmart purchases for the first 12 months
• No annual fee or foreign transaction fees
• Easy application via text message or the Walmart App

Cons

• Need to use Walmart Pay for your in-store purchases to earn heightened cash back during the first 12 months
• Lower ongoing rewards rate on in-store Walmart purchases after the first 12 months

Who should apply: Obviously, this card is geared toward frequent Walmart shoppers. Cardholders who specifically do most of their shopping online at Walmart.com are best suited to fully maximize the value of this card.

Who should skip: If you don’t want to have your shopping restrained to one particular retailer, you can pass on the Walmart Rewards Mastercard. There are other rewards card options available that offer 5 percent back or more on grocery purchases, with less restrictions.

Instacart Mastercard: Best for online grocery delivery

Why we picked it: For those who prefer to steer clear of in-store grocery shopping or already regularly use Instacart, the Instacart Mastercard can help you earn big on groceries delivered right to your door. You’ll earn 5 percent cash back on Instacart app and Instacart.com purchases — plus a free year of Instacart+ membership and a $100 Instacart credit automatically upon approval. As a cardholder, you’ll also earn points on Chase Travel Center purchases, as well as purchases at restaurants, gas stations and on select streaming services.

Pros

• Free year of Instacart+, meaning no delivery fees on orders of $35 or more and reduced service fees
• No spending requirement needed to earn the welcome offer
• No annual fee
• Access to World Elite Mastercard benefits

Cons

• Instacart prices may vary compared to in-store prices
• Instacart includes various fees that may eat into your rewards earnings

Who should apply: For those who already use Instacart as their main method of grocery shopping, this card definitely makes sense for you. You’ll be able to earn an impressive rate of cash back on those purchases, without having to worry about offsetting an annual fee. Plus, the free Instacart+ membership will be a great benefit to faithful users of the app.

Who should skip: If you’re not already a loyal Instacart user, you’ll likely get more value out of a more flexible grocery card — especially considering the fees and occasional markups associated with Instacart.

Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express: Best for earning cash back on groceries

Why we picked it: The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express offers perhaps the highest cash back rate available on groceries: 6 percent cash back at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $6,000 in purchases per year, then 1 percent). There’s a $95 annual fee ($0 intro annual fee for the first year) associated with this card, but you’ll also earn rewards on select U.S. streaming subscriptions, U.S. gas station purchases and on transit — and can take advantage of a decent 0 percent intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 12 months (17.74 percent to 28.74 percent variable after).

Pros

• $250 statement credit welcome bonus when you spend $3,000 in the first six months
• Intro APR offer on purchases and balance transfers
• Free ShopRunner membership
• Up to $84 back on eligible streaming service subscriptions

Cons

• Yearly spending cap on the U.S. supermarket category
• Superstore purchases at places like Walmart and Target don’t count toward U.S. supermarket category
• $95 annual fee ($0 intro annual fee for the first year)

Who should apply: Those who spend a large chunk of their money at supermarkets should have no problem offsetting this card’s annual fee due to its impressive 6 percent cash back rate. But if you spend more than $6,000 a year on groceries, be sure to have a backup rewards card to utilize, as you’ll earn 1 percent cash back after hitting that cap.

Who should skip: More moderate spenders may find this card hard to maximize thanks to its $95 annual fee after the first year. Also, discount shoppers will be disappointed to know that the U.S. supermarket category does not apply to superstores like Walmart or Target.

Comparing the best credit cards for grocery shopping

There are many rewards credit cards that offer attractive features and benefits catered toward grocery shopping. When deciding on a credit card to apply for, it’s important to compare the details side by side to better determine which works best for you.

How to choose a card for grocery shopping

For most of us, using a credit card at a grocery store simply involves taking it out in the checkout line. But if you want to up your grocery shopping game and save some serious money with a grocery card, here are some tips to keep in mind:

• Flat-rate vs. premium bonus category cards: Do you prefer the flexibility of swiping your card and earning a flat rate of rewards on those purchases, or is tracking bonus categories and utilizing statement credit benefits more the name of your game? Make sure you have a solid idea of your spending style prior to applying so that you don’t end up with an annual fee you can’t justify or benefits you’ll never use.
• Redemption options: Keep an eye out for cards that offer multiple redemption options and allow rewards transfers between accounts — especially if you’re also interested in travel.
• Spending caps: Be aware of any limits on the amount of rewards you can earn. Higher spenders should be wary of lower monthly spending limits so that you don’t end up earning 1 percent on valuable purchases.
• Credit score requirements: This goes without saying, but before you apply for a card, be sure that your credit score falls within the qualifying range. For example, the Blue Cash Preferred requires good-to-excellent credit, whereas the Walmart Rewards Mastercard requires at least fair credit. If the card you’re interested in is slightly out of reach, know there are a few ways you can work to improve your credit score.

Bottom line

Shopping for groceries is one of the main weekly expenses in most American households, so it makes sense to open a credit card that will allow you to earn cash back or points on grocery purchases.

There are many different options on the market, so determining which one is right for you can prove to be daunting. However, by consulting our guide and following the tips above, you’re bound to find the best grocery credit card for you.