Everyone buys groceries. Some credit cards are better than others for food purchases, so we’ve compiled a list of the best credit cards for groceries.
We all have to eat. When it comes to things people buy most often, food has to be at the top of the list. So, it should come as no surprise that many credit cards offer incentives for grocery purchases, most in the form of cash back rewards. We researched the offers and assembled a list of the best credit cards for groceries.
Some great credit cards for groceries have come and gone. Many of you might have the old Sallie Mae Barclaycard MasterCard, an amazing card for all-around rewards with 5% back on gas and groceries and no annual fee. Unfortunately, that card is no longer available, but let’s look at some of the top cash back cards for grocery store shopping.
Cash Back Cards
American Express Blue Cash Preferred®
The Blue Cash Preferred® card is a front-runner for cash back at grocery stores. It clocks in at 6% cash back at grocery stores in the United States, up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then, it drops to 1%). It also offers 3% cash back at gas stations, for the first six months, 5% cash back on eligible travel purchases (up to $200 back), and 1% cash back on all other purchases.
The card carries a $95 annual fee, but you’d earn that back after $1,250 in groceries (just spending around $100/month). Furthermore, the current offer on the card gives you $150 back after $1,000 in purchases in the first three months. That would pay for the annual fee for the first two years.
You can learn more about the card here.
Discover it Card-Cashback Match
The Discover it Card-Cashback Match makes for an excellent grocery card for three reasons. First, you’ll earn 5% on categories that change every quarter, up to $1,500 in purchases. One quarter covers groceries. All other purchases earn 1%. Second, as the name suggests, Discover will match your cash back at the end of the first year. And finally, there is no annual fee.
You’ll also earn a 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 14 months!
American Express Blue Cash Everyday®
The Blue Cash Everyday® card is very similar to the Preferred, but with no annual fee. Instead of 6% cash back, it offers 3% cash back at grocery stores, again capped at $6,000 in spending per year. It also carries a similar cash back bonus of $100 back after $1,000 in purchases in the first three months, as well as 2% cash back at gas stations, for the first six months, 5% Cash Back on eligible travel purchases (up to $200 back), and 1% on all other purchases.
This is a great card if you don’t think you’ll spend enough money each year to cover the Preferred’s $95 annual fee.
You can learn more about this card here.
Chase Freedom
The Chase Freedom offers 5% cash back rotating quarterly on up to $1,500 in purchases in that three-month period. Chase changes the categories every three months, and right now, unfortunately, we already passed the grocery store bonus period (it ended on June 30th). This is a great card, though, as the quarterly rotations can really add up for other common purchases like restaurant meals, online shopping, and department stores. This card has no annual fee and earns 1% on all other purchases. It also has a sign-up bonus of $150 back when you spend $500 in the first three months.
You can learn more about this card here.
Premier Rewards Gold Card from American Express
The Premier Rewards Gold Card from American Express is a very flexible card that can earn you significant Membership Rewards points. When purchasing groceries, you’ll earn 2x Membership Rewards points. But it doesn’t stop there. You’ll also earn 2x points at restaurants and gas stations and 3x points on flights booked directly with airlines. That makes this card a great points earner, and it carries some additional benefits on top of that. The card offers a $100 airline fee credit for incidentals like baggage fees, and carries a hefty sign-up bonus: 25,000 MR points after spending $2,000 in three months.
The downside to this card is its $195 annual fee, though it’s waived for the first year. Consider this card if you want to use it for more than just groceries, as the sign-up bonus and 3x airline points are quite valuable.
Click here for more details and to learn how to apply.
My Picks
If I were choosing one of these, I’d have to go with either the Blue Cash Preferred®. A solid 6% cash back just can’t be beat. The Blue Cash Preferred® quickly earns back its annual fee and can net you significant cash back if you’re a big grocery buyer, to the tune of $295 annually if used to its capacity.
How to Pick the Best Credit Card for Groceries
Understanding the cash back rewards of various credit cards is a good start. But there are several factors to consider as you compare these offers.
Your Credit Score: Many of these cards require excellent credit. As a general rule, you’ll want a FICO score of 700 or more. That’s not the only factor card issuers consider, and you may qualify with a slightly lower score. But these offers require solid credit.
Reward Limits: Some credit cards place limits on the rewards you can earn. They may cap the spending that earns a higher reward rate. In other cases, they may pay bonus rewards on grocery purchases for a limited time. The key is to understand the terms and conditions before you apply for a card.
Signup Bonuses: Many cards today offer signup bonuses. Some of these bonus deals amount to hundreds of dollars. While this shouldn’t be your only consideration, it’s worth factoring into your decision.
Fees: In some cases an annual fee may well be worth it. If you’ll use the card enough and it offers excellent rewards, you may earn your money back quickly. Just do the math to make sure the card is worth the price of admission.
Happy shopping!
Topics: Credit CardsThe post We All Buy Groceries–Here are the Cards That Will Earn You the Most Cash Back appeared first on The Dough Roller.
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