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Why trust us?: I’m done playing the game. My reviews have no affiliate links, and no cozying up to credit card companies. Just personal honesty. Every review, insight, and piece of advice comes from a place of integrity. I’m here to empower you, not pad my pockets by spreading lies.

What you’ll learn today:

• The credit cards that are best for your grocery and food purchases including;
  • Best for cash back on groceries
  • Best for wholesale groceries
  • Best for online groceries
  • Best for grocery shopping + delivery
• Potential earnings for each credit card
• Pitfalls to avoid that many don’t know about

Best Credit Cards for Groceries April 2024

Groceries represent a significant and essential expense, particularly for larger families.

Speaking from personal experience, growing up in a household of seven—five of whom were boys in their growing years—making food affordable was always a priority for us. I distinctly remember the summer months posing an even greater challenge.

With school out of session, we missed out on two provided meals five days a week. Multiply that by five children, and our grocery bill nearly doubled.

To mitigate the impact of these expenses, one strategy I've found particularly effective is leveraging credit card rewards. The USDA Food Plans for February 2024 estimates the average weekly spending on food per person.

My calculations, based on these estimates, suggest an annual food expenditure of approximately $15,750 (you'll find more details on how we arrived at this figure in our methodology section at the bottom of this article).

Taking into account these expenditures, as well as the annual fees, rewards, and benefits associated with various cards, I’ve identified the best credit cards for groceries.

Top 4 Credit Cards for Groceries

Here are the top credit cards that will make your grocery shopping more rewarding. Keep in mind these picks are based on the first year earnings on your grocery spend. You can find my calculations at the end of each section. 

• Best for cash back on groceries: American Express® Gold Card
• Best for wholesale groceries: U.S. Bank Shopper Cash Rewards® Visa Signature® Card
• Best for online grocery shopping: Capital One® Walmart Rewards™ Mastercard®
• Best for grocery shopping + delivery: Instacart Mastercard®

Best for cash back on groceries: American Express® Gold Card

• Annual fee: $250
• Welcome offer: Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after spending $6,000 on qualifying purchases within the first 6 months
• Rewards:
  • Earn 4x Membership Rewards points at restaurants, including takeout and delivery in the U.S.
  • Earn 4x Membership Rewards points at U.S. supermarkets on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases (then 1x)
  • Earn 3x Membership Rewards points on flights booked directly with airlines or via amextravel.com
  • Earn 1x Membership Rewards points on other purchases

Why I like it: After running it through the Google Sheet gauntlet to calculate the cashback it had the most bang for its buck in the first year. Plus (call it silly) but I truly love the fact that you can choose your card’s aesthetic (Gold vs. Rose Gold). All in all, if you're looking for the absolute highest cashback over the next 12 months, The Amex Gold card is the one. 

First-year earnings: $1,280 

Best for wholesale groceries: U.S. Bank Shopper Cash Rewards® Visa Signature® Card

• Annual Fee: $0 for the first year ($95 after)
• Welcome Offer: A one-time $250 bonus after you spend at least $2,000 on eligible purchases within the first 120 days.
• Rewards:
  • 6% cash back on up to $1,500 quarterly in combined spending at two retailers of your choice, including big names like Target, Walmart, Amazon, Home Depot, Best Buy, and several department stores.
    
    
  • 3% cash back on up to $1,500 per quarter in another chosen category, which includes wholesale clubs like Costco and Sam's Club.
    
    
  • A solid 1.5% cash back on all other purchases outside of the bonus categories.

Why I like it: I know what you’re thinking, but yes The U.S. Bank card is better than the wholesale retail cards like Costco or Sams Club for wholesale groceries. This is mainly because they have a unique advantage. Typically rewards cards do not allow wholesale clubs to count as groceries (silly, I know). But somehow U.S. Bank figured out a way around this because very clearly state they allow this in their small print. (See the image I screenshot below).

First-year earnings: ~$756 (Read my details below). 

Now you can look at this one of two ways, I did the calculations by hand and only came up with $684 in cash-back rewards, but I also used their online calculator as you can see I imputed $15,750 /12 for a monthly spend of $1,312 and they showed $756. The only way I can see that being possible is if they gave you double cash back (6% + 1.5% combined).

Either way, it’s still a great card for wholesale groceries. And for those of you who see the $1 I imputed into the second 6% retailer– they wouldn’t let me put $0 so chill out.

Best for online grocery shopping: Capital One® Walmart Rewards™ Mastercard®

• Annual fee: $0
• Welcome offer: 5% cash back on Walmart store purchases for 12 months
• Rewards:
  • 5% cash back at Walmart.com
  • 2% cash back at Walmart stores and fuel stations
  • 2% cash back at Murphy USA
  • 2% cash back at restaurants
  • 2% cash back on travel
  • 1% cash back on everything else (where Mastercard is accepted)

Why I like it: For frequent Walmart shoppers this is a no-brainer. 

It’s like the equivalent of Amazon’s Prime card for frequent Amazon shoppers. Plus, I’m loving the gas station cash back as well. 

Just make note – That Walmart.com and Walmart stores are separate categories. So currently the incentive is 5% in-store for 12 months and then back down to 2% (which is still pretty good in comparison to many cash back rewards cards). The 5% cash back for Walmart.com is essentially set in stone. 

First-year earnings: $788

Taking the 5% cash back, the math gets fairly simple from here. 

5% multiplied by the average for a family of four ($15,750) and you get $788. But if you spend more no biggie, because there seems to be no cap to their 5% earnings. Just remember that this is only for the first 12 months. Then you drop into the separate categories with in-store only earning 2% and online continuing to earn 5%. 

Best for grocery shopping and delivery: Instacart Mastercard®

• Annual fee: $0
• Welcome offer: $100 Instacart Credit and one-year membership of Instacart+
• Rewards:
  • 5% cash back on the Instacart app
  • 5% cash back in Instacart.com
  • 5% cash back on travel (purchased through Chase Travel Center)
  • 2% cash back at restaurants
  • 2% cash back on streaming services (hello Netflix)
  • 1% cash back on everything else

Why I like it: Instacart is beautifully convenient. 

And the price increase for convenience is well worth it if you’re on a time crunch or your week got away from you. 

Plus the platform now has so many affiliations and store access that you’re bound to find what you’re looking for. 

Let’s talk the cash back. 5% uncapped is nothing to scoff at, and if you use the card for all of your main grocery purchases then there are no major downsides to this card –assuming you don’t hold a balance (because that APY is steep.)

Then I love how you can use instacart pretty much anywhere, not just your home base. I’ve seen people use it for grocery delivery on vacations or to send food/provisions to loved ones who don’t live close by. 

First-year earnings: $888

The Instacard throws up some strong numbers and this doesn’t even include the $100 statement credit and the free year of Instacart+ membership. Just be sure you have a reminder set if you want to cancel (because that baby will auto-renew at $99/year)

Understanding Grocery Rewards

It's not just about the rewards rate; it's about how those rewards fit into your lifestyle and budget.

What to Look for in a Grocery Credit Card

Not all grocery rewards cards are created equal. 

Some offer flat-rate rewards on all purchases, while others might give you a hefty percentage back on groceries specifically. Then there are those that have rotating categories or require you to shop at specific stores to get the best rates. Here's what you should consider:

• Rewards Rate: Obviously, the higher, the better. But be wary of cards that offer high rates for a limited time or have caps on how much you can earn.
• Annual Fee: A high rewards rate doesn't do much good if it's eaten up by an annual fee. Sometimes, though, the rewards can justify the fee.
• Bonus Categories: Some cards offer extra rewards on grocery purchases. Make sure these categories align with where you actually shop.
• Sign-up Bonuses: These can be a nice perk, but don't let them be the deciding factor. Look at the long-term value of the card.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

While hunting for the best grocery credit card, it's easy to get sidetracked by flashy offers or to overlook crucial details. Here are a few traps to steer clear of:

• Ignoring the Fine Print: Those reward limits, category restrictions, and expiration dates matter. Read carefully.
• Chasing Bonuses: A big sign-up bonus is great, but not if the card doesn't fit your spending habits in the long run.
• Forgetting About the Annual Fee: Calculate whether you'll earn enough in rewards to offset any fees. Sometimes a no-fee card is the better deal.

Maximizing Your Grocery Rewards

Choosing the right card is just the first step. To truly maximize your grocery rewards, you'll need to use your card wisely. Here are some tips to get the most out of your grocery credit card.

3 Strategies for Maximizing Rewards

Getting the most out of your grocery credit card requires a bit of strategy. Here are some effective tactics:

1. Use It for All Grocery Purchases: Make your grocery credit card the default payment method for all your food shopping.
2. Pay Attention to Bonus Categories: If your card offers extra rewards on groceries during certain periods, plan your shopping accordingly.
3. Combine with Store Loyalty Programs: Many grocery stores offer their own loyalty programs. Use them in conjunction with your credit card to stack rewards.

3 Mistakes to Avoid

Even with the best card, there are pitfalls that can diminish your rewards. Keep these in mind:

1. Carrying a Balance: Interest charges can quickly wipe out any rewards you earn. Pay off your balance in full each month.
2. Forgetting to Pay on Time: Late fees not only hurt your wallet but can also damage your credit score. Set up automatic payments if you're prone to forgetting.
3. Overlooking Caps and Limits: Be aware of any caps on rewards earnings and plan your spending to avoid hitting them too early in the year.

Methodology: How I found the best credit cards for groceries

I've been on a personal mission to uncover the best credit card for saving on groceries, and I'm excited to share my journey with you. My approach is all about staying true and unbiased. I never let credit card companies sway my opinion with payments for positive reviews. Also, if you notice there are no affiliate links to any cards I write about. This means you're getting the honest truth from me about which cards can really help you cut down on your grocery expenses.

So, how do I determine which card takes the top spot? I dive into details like the cash back you earn on groceries, the points up for grabs, the annual cost of the card, and any sweet sign-up bonuses available.

My calculations are grounded in what a typical family of four spends on groceries annually, according to the USDA's February 2024 Moderate Food Plan. Here's a quick look at their monthly grocery spending breakdown:

• $287.10 for a child aged 6-8
• $330.00 for a child aged 9-11
• $376.90 for a male adult aged 19-50
• $318.50 for a female adult aged 19-50

Using these figures, I work out how much you might earn back over a year with different credit cards, factoring in the specific grocery rewards, annual fees, and any introductory offers.

Keep in mind, that these are ballpark figures. Your actual rewards will depend on your specific spending habits and the card's terms, which are set by the credit card companies themselves. And just because I recommend a card doesn't guarantee you'll be approved—that's up to the credit card issuer.

In essence, I do all the heavy lifting to ensure I'm recommending the best grocery credit card, all while keeping our exchange straightforward and trustworthy. I'm here to help you make informed decisions and boost your financial well-being by choosing a card that aligns with your grocery shopping habits.