Groceries are one of the easiest categories to earn on, because a handful of cards pay 3 to 6 percent or more at supermarkets. The right pick depends on how much you spend, whether you want cash back or transferable points, and whether an annual fee is worth it. This guide ranks the best grocery credit cards for 2026 by earn rate and annual fee.
Quick answer: For most households the Blue Cash Preferred from American Express is the best grocery card, at 6 percent back at US supermarkets on up to 6,000 dollars a year, then 1 percent. If you want no annual fee, the Blue Cash Everyday pays 3 percent. If you value transferable points over cash back, the American Express Gold earns 4 points per dollar at US supermarkets. Figures are as of July 2026; confirm current terms at the issuer.
The best grocery cards, compared
| Card | Groceries | Annual fee | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blue Cash Preferred (Amex) | 6% at US supermarkets, up to 6,000 dollars a year, then 1% | 0 dollars first year, then 95 dollars | Most households |
| Blue Cash Everyday (Amex) | 3% at US supermarkets, up to 6,000 dollars a year, then 1% | 0 dollars | No annual fee |
| American Express Gold | 4x points at US supermarkets, up to 25,000 dollars a year, then 1x | 325 dollars | Transferable points |
| Prime Visa | 5% at Whole Foods and Amazon Fresh | 0 dollars, Prime membership required | Whole Foods shoppers |
| Citi Strata Premier | 3x points at supermarkets, no cap | 95 dollars | Uncapped earning |
Earn rates and annual fees are as of July 2026, from each issuer. Welcome offers change often and are not listed here; confirm the current offer at the issuer before you apply.
Top pick: Blue Cash Preferred (Amex)
Best for most households that spend heavily at U.S. supermarkets. Earn rate and annual fee are current as of July 2026. Confirm the current welcome offer at the issuer before you apply.
Which card fits you
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Blue Cash Preferred is the default. At 6 percent on up to 6,000 dollars a year, the 95 dollar fee pays for itself once you spend about 32 dollars a week on groceries. It also earns 6 percent on select US streaming and 3 percent on US gas and transit.
Blue Cash Everyday is the no-fee version, at 3 percent on supermarkets, gas, and US online retail, each on up to 6,000 dollars a year. Choose it if you would rather not track a fee.
American Express Gold makes sense if you collect Membership Rewards points and can use the dining and Uber credits. 4 points per dollar at supermarkets is strong, but the 325 dollar fee only works if the credits and the points value fit your travel. Every destination and ratio is in Amex transfer partners.
Prime Visa is the pick if Whole Foods or Amazon Fresh is your main store, at 5 percent with no card fee, though it needs a Prime membership.
Citi Strata Premier earns 3 points per dollar at supermarkets with no cap, so it suits very high grocery spenders who also want points on gas, dining, flights, and hotels.
Who it fits and who it does not
A grocery card fits you if supermarkets are a real line in your budget and you pay the balance in full each month. If you carry a balance, the interest costs more than any grocery reward, so a low rate matters more than the earn rate. Warehouse-club shoppers should note that Costco and some superstores do not code as supermarkets, so a flat-rate card can beat a grocery card there.
Risk and eligibility
These rewards only help if you pay in full. Chase, American Express, and Citi each have application rules that can block approval regardless of income: Chase uses the 5/24 rule, American Express limits many cards to once per lifetime for the welcome bonus, and Citi has its own timing rules. Check your standing before you apply. Grocery rewards are also capped on several of these cards, so heavy spenders may want a second card to cover the year. The figures above are current as of July 2026; card terms change, so confirm at the issuer.
More best-card guides
- All best cards, by category
- Best credit cards for gas
- Best cards for airport lounge access
- How transfer partners work
- Which card should I get next
FAQ
Do warehouse clubs like Costco count as groceries?
Usually no. Costco and many superstores code as warehouse clubs or department stores, not supermarkets, so grocery bonus rates do not apply. A flat-rate card or a store card is often better there.
Is a cash-back or a points card better for groceries?
Cash back is simpler and its value is fixed. Transferable points like Membership Rewards can be worth more per point for travel, but only if you transfer and book well. If you are not sure, cash back is the safer default.
Are there spending caps on grocery rewards?
Often yes. The Blue Cash cards cap the bonus at 6,000 dollars a year at supermarkets, and the Amex Gold caps at 25,000 dollars a year. Above the cap you earn the base rate, so plan for a second card if you spend more.
Do these cards work at Target and Walmart?
Not for the grocery bonus. Target and Walmart usually code as superstores, not supermarkets, so purchases there earn the base rate on most of these cards.
What is the best grocery credit card?
For most households the best grocery credit card is the Blue Cash Preferred at 6 percent back at U.S. supermarkets, on up to 6,000 dollars a year. The no-fee Blue Cash Everyday pays 3 percent, and the Amex Gold earns 4x if you prefer transferable points. See the comparison above.
Last reviewed October 2026. We verify every rule, ratio, and figure against issuer terms and current reporting, and date each one. See our editorial standards for how we research and correct guides.
We re-check these guides as issuer rules and award charts change. 2 ways to follow along, no account needed.