Ranked at $400/month grocery spend ($4,800/year). Annual return shown after fees. Supermarket restrictions noted — Walmart, Target, and wholesale clubs are excluded from grocery earn at many issuers. Based on published card terms as of June 2026.
Updated: June 2026 · 8 options ranked
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#1 Best Grocery Card Overall
9.3
Blue Cash Preferred (Amex) Mid-Range
Annual fee: $95 (waived year 1) [as of June 2026 — verify with issuer] · 6% at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6k/year), 6% streaming, 3% transit & gas
At $400/month groceries (under the $6k cap): $288/year at 6%. Minus $95 fee = $193 net in grocery rewards alone. Add streaming (6%) and transit (3%) and the fee is easily justified. Best grocery card in the market. Note: excludes Walmart, Target, Costco, Sam's Club.
Annual fee: $325 [as of June 2026 — verify with issuer] · 4x at U.S. supermarkets (up to $25k/year), 4x dining, 3x flights
At $400/month groceries: 19,200 MR points/year in grocery spend alone. At 1.8¢/point via transfer: $346/year. Add the $120 dining credit + $120 Uber Cash = effective fee ~-$174/year for Amex ecosystem users. Best for high spenders maximizing both grocery AND dining.
Annual fee: $0 [as of June 2026 — verify with issuer] · 3% at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6k/year), 3% online retail, 3% gas
At $400/month groceries: $144/year. $6k cap means $500/month hits the ceiling — fine for most households. No fee makes it a solid daily driver. Best no-fee Amex grocery card.
Annual fee: $0 [as of June 2026 — verify with issuer] · 5% rotating categories (incl. grocery quarters), up to $1,500/quarter
When groceries are the 5% quarter: $1,500 spend × 5% = $75 in that quarter. Typically 1-2 grocery quarters per year. Max grocery-quarter earn: $150/year. Not reliable year-round but excellent in-quarter.
Annual fee: $95 [as of June 2026 — verify with issuer] · 3x at supermarkets
At $400/month groceries: 14,400 ThankYou points/year. Via Turkish Airlines: potentially 2¢+ per point = $288/year. Points work harder than cash here — for active redeemers. Plus 3x dining, 3x hotels, 3x gas.
Annual fee: $0 [as of June 2026 — verify with issuer] · 2% at grocery stores and wholesale clubs (includes BJ's and Costco)
2% at grocery AND wholesale clubs is rare — most grocery cards exclude warehouse stores. At $400/month: $96/year. Preferred Rewards members earn up to 3.5% = $168/year. Best if you shop at Costco or Sam's Club.
This content is for informational purposes only and is not financial advice. Credit card terms, rates, and offers change frequently. Verify all details with the card issuer before applying. [as of June 2026]
Frequently Asked Questions
Which card earns the most on groceries?
Amex Blue Cash Preferred at 6% on U.S. supermarkets — the highest grocery earn rate available. At $400/month grocery spend, it returns $288/year in cash back before the $95 fee. Net: $193/year in grocery rewards alone.
Does the Amex grocery category include Walmart and Costco?
No. Amex's 6% grocery category applies to U.S. supermarkets only. Walmart, Target, wholesale clubs (Costco, Sam's, BJ's), and superstores are coded differently and earn at the base 1% rate. If you primarily shop at warehouse clubs, BofA Customized Cash (2% at grocery + wholesale) is a better fit.
Is the Blue Cash Preferred worth the $95 fee?
At $400/month groceries: yes, clearly. You earn $288/year at 6% — covering the fee and leaving $193. The breakeven is about $133/month in grocery spend. Above that, it beats every no-fee grocery card on this list.