Grocery prices are through the roof and show no signs of slowing down. With inflation driving up costs across the board, most people are looking for ways to save money before they even walk inside grocery stores. We've already covered several money-saving tips for saving on groceries with things like coupons and apps, but now it's time to address how credit cards for groceries can help you save (and earn) on necessary purchases.

With a grocery store credit card, you stand to gain rewards just for buying the basics. You'll be spending the money either way, but what cards offer reward dollars or points for doing it? Let's dive into the best grocery store credit options out there, and hopefully, you'll find one that suits your household needs.

Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express

If you tend to have a big grocery bill each month, the Blue Cash Preferred card is one of the best choices out there. You'll earn an impressive 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets for the first $6000 spent. After that $6000 threshold, you'll still earn 1% each time you shop. That 6% cash back makes this one of the best and highest-yield grocery store credit card choices out there.

Additionally, you get 3% cash back for gas stations and transit purchases (bus tickets, tolls, parking, and so on) and 6% back for U.S. streaming subscriptions! For all other purchases, you'll earn 1% back. Overall, the Blue Preferred card is an excellent cash rewards credit card for everyday purchases.

It does come with an annual fee of $95 after the first year, however, while several other top-performing charge nothing. You'll also need to pay foreign transaction fees if you take it abroad, meaning it's not the best choice for frequent travelers.

Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card

The Capital One SavorOne Cash card is an excellent rewards card. Whether grocery shopping or dining out, you're covered with this one. This card has several impressive rewards, including the following.

  • 3% cash back on grocery store purchases
  • 10% back on Uber or Uber Eats
  • 8% back on Capital One Entertainment purchases
  • 3% back on streaming and entertainment
  • 5% back on certain Capital One travel purchases
  • 1% back on all other purchases

The SavorOne Cash card has no annual fee, giving it a slight boost above the Blue Cash Preferred card listed above. It covers every major category of eligible purchases, so it's a solid grocery credit card that's also excellent for dining out, entertainment, and travel. It's easier to qualify for this card than several others, too, so it's perfect for beginners. That's hard to beat!

American Express Gold Card

Since most people won't get a credit card exclusively for grocery purchases, it's best to find something versatile. The American Express Gold Card certainly qualifies. It earns its keep on any grocery rewards credit cards list, offering 4X reward points for the first $25,000 spent in supermarkets (and 1X points after that).

In addition to grocery rewards, you'll earn 3X bonus rewards points for travel booked through AmEx Travel and 4X rewards points for restaurants, takeout, and delivery. There's even an annual dining credit and credit for Uber and Uber Eats. It doesn't offer incentives for all everyday purchases (like gas), but it's a solid credit card for groceries, dining, and travel.

Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express

The Blue Cash Everyday card has a few things in common with the earlier Blue Cash Preferred card, but there are some improvements. There is no annual fee with this card, for instance, though you'll still pay those foreign transaction fees abroad. You'll earn 3% at U.S. supermarkets, 3% back at U.S. gas stations, and 3% back on U.S. online retail purchases, too, giving this card a broad spread of rewards. The 3% rule only applies to the first $6000 in purchases, however, so keep that in mind! All other eligible purchases get 1% cash back.

Citi Custom Cash Card

The Citi Custom Cash card has an interesting take on rewards. It tailors the highest reward (5% cashback) to your top spending category. That means that if your grocery store spending outweighs your entertainment, travel, or anything else, you'll receive 5% cashback on your grocery spending that billing cycle. These terms apply for the first $500 spent, and then you'll receive a blanket 1% cash back for all bonus categories.

With this card, you can redeem your points for statement credit, actual cash as a direct deposit or check, gift cards, and more. It may not take you long to spend $500 on groceries, but you'll continue to earn 1% on everything even after you've hit the cap.

How to Choose the Best Card for You

Now that we've explored a few of the best grocery credit cards out there, how do you know which card is right for you? Here's a look at the major factors in picking a card.

  • Do you qualify? - Each credit card has a sweet spot in terms of credit score and history. You'll have to meet the minimum requirements to qualify. Most of the cards on this list have a minimum score of around 670, so if your score is less than that you may want to check out secured or credit-building cards instead.
  • How much do you spend? - This article focuses on groceries, so take a look at your grocery budget. If you spend major money, the American Express Gold Card might be your best choice. It rewards the first $25,000 in grocery purchases. On the other hand, if you have a smaller grocery budget, take advantage of the 6% cash back from the Blue Preferred card.
  • What else do you buy? - If you're looking for versatility and plan to use your card for more than groceries, find something with a broad range of rewards. The SavorOne Cash Rewards card offers rewards for all major spending categories. While it doesn't reach the heights of 6% cash back on groceries, you can count on that solid 3% back all year long.
  • Additional fees - Before making your final choice, look for any additional fees (like an annual fee) and determine how much that cuts into your rewards.

Several factors determine the right credit card for you, but the list above is a great place to start. Whether you're a credit pro or just starting, it's always a good time to start earning while you shop.

Conclusion

From supermarket purchases to filling the tank with gas, credit cards are a great way to put away extra money and rewards for making basic purchases. Everyone needs to eat, after all, and chances are you'll go traveling, see a movie, or hit up a local restaurant at some point. Don't just spend when you could earn, too.

Stretch those rewards even further by signing up for a Comrade account! You'll get cashback just for interacting with brands and relevant ads. It's safe, free to sign up, and easy to use. Just install the browser extension and you're ready to go! Brands pay you for your attention when you use Comrade, and it's a great way to earn a little extra. Combine that with the rewards from your credit card to have some sweet savings in no time.