Quick Summary
Best Overall
Amex Blue Cash Preferred
6% at US supermarkets (up to $6k/year)
Best for High Spenders
Amex Gold Card
4x points at US supermarkets (up to $25k/year)
Best No Annual Fee
Capital One SavorOne
3% cash back at grocery stores
Best for Flexibility
Citi Custom Cash
5% on top eligible spend category
Our Top Grocery Card Picks
American Express Blue Cash Preferred
The gold standard for grocery rewards with an industry-leading 6% cash back at US supermarkets.
Grocery Rate
6% back
Annual Fee
$95
Cap
$6,000/year
Welcome Bonus
$350
American Express Gold Card
Premium rewards card with exceptional earning on groceries and dining, plus valuable monthly credits.
Grocery Rate
4x points
Annual Fee
$325
Cap
$25,000/year
Welcome Bonus
60,000 pts
Capital One SavorOne
Solid no-fee option with 3% back on groceries, dining, and entertainment with no spending caps.
Grocery Rate
3% back
Annual Fee
$0
Cap
No cap
Welcome Bonus
$200
Citi Custom Cash
Automatically earns 5% back on your top eligible spend category each billing cycle, including grocery stores.
Grocery Rate
5% back*
Annual Fee
$0
Cap
$500/cycle
Welcome Bonus
$200
*When groceries are your top spend category
Chase Freedom Flex
Earn 5% on rotating quarterly categories that often include grocery stores, plus solid base rewards.
Grocery Rate
5% (quarterly)
Annual Fee
$0
Quarterly Cap
$1,500
Welcome Bonus
$200
American Express Blue Cash Everyday
No-annual-fee version of the Blue Cash Preferred with 3% back at US supermarkets.
Grocery Rate
3% back
Annual Fee
$0
Cap
$6,000/year
Welcome Bonus
$200
Important: Where You Shop Matters
Most grocery bonus categories have exclusions. Here's what you need to know:
- •Amex cards exclude superstores like Walmart and Target, as well as warehouse clubs like Costco
- •Capital One SavorOne includes Walmart grocery purchases but excludes Costco (Visa not accepted)
- •For Costco shoppers, the Citi Costco Anywhere Visa (2% at Costco) is your best bet
- •Grocery delivery may code differently - check if your service counts as grocery or online shopping
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Card | Grocery Rate | Cap | Annual Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blue Cash Preferred | 6% | $6,000/yr | $95 |
| Citi Custom Cash | 5%* | $500/mo | $0 |
| Amex Gold | 4x pts | $25,000/yr | $325 |
| SavorOne | 3% | No cap | $0 |
| Blue Cash Everyday | 3% | $6,000/yr | $0 |
| Freedom Flex | 5%** | $1,500/qtr | $0 |
The Bottom Line
For most people, the Amex Blue Cash Preferred offers the best value for grocery rewards. The 6% rate easily offsets the $95 annual fee if you spend more than $3,167/year on groceries at traditional supermarkets.
If you prefer no annual fee, the Capital One SavorOne is excellent - it includes Walmart and has no spending caps. The Citi Custom Cash is perfect as a companion card for dedicated grocery spend up to $500/month.
High spenders who want premium perks should consider the Amex Gold with its $25,000 annual cap and valuable dining credits.