5 reliable ways to get more value from grocery purchases

The featured cards in this story come from partners that may compensate us if you’re approved through our site. That can affect where and how these products appear. We do not review every credit card on the market, but our analysis, opinions and reviews are produced independently by our editorial team. Terms apply to the offers mentioned here. See our advertising policy and product review methodology for more details.

Editorial note: This recurring article is updated regularly with new details and offers.

Editorial disclaimer: The views expressed are the author’s own and not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain. They have not been reviewed, approved or endorsed by any of these entities.

It’s easy to drop $200 on groceries and feel like it vanished by the end of the week. When grocery costs keep climbing, the right mix of store discounts, a smartly chosen credit card and stackable offers can help stretch your budget and boost rewards at the same time.

Here’s how to get more value from every grocery trip and leave a little more money for everything else.

Reduce the total before focusing on rewards

A 5% grocery bonus won’t help much if you’re paying 10% more for the same basket. Walmart, Target and warehouse clubs often don’t code as grocery stores or supermarkets for credit-card rewards. That doesn’t mean you should avoid them. If their prices are lower than what a rewards card would net you, take the savings and move on.

When it comes to rewards, issuers look at the merchant category, not the specific items in your cart. If you’re unsure whether a store qualifies for bonus earnings, try a small test purchase and see how it posts.

Choose the card that fits your spending

I once assumed the best grocery card was simply the one with the highest earning rate. In reality, the biggest headline number doesn’t always win once annual fees, spending limits and unused perks enter the picture.

The right card depends on what your household actually spends and what you want back in return. The three cards below represent three different approaches: transferable points, strong cash back within a cap, or unlimited cash back with no annual fee.

The best choice is the one that rewards the way you already shop.

American Express Gold Card: Best for households that want transferable points

The American Express® Gold Card earns 4 Membership Rewards points per dollar spent at U.S. supermarkets on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar after that.

That generous ceiling makes it a strong pick for households with heavy grocery bills, especially if you value Membership Rewards points and plan to transfer them to airline or hotel partners.

Even so, earning 4 points per dollar may not be enough on its own to justify the card’s $325 annual fee. It tends to make the most sense if you can also use its dining rewards and food-related statement credits. Those perks should fit your routine, not feel like a monthly scavenger hunt.

For more details, see our full review of the Amex Gold Card.

Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express: Best for moderate spending

The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express earns 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 in eligible purchases per calendar year, then 1% after that.

Hitting the $6,000 annual supermarket cap would generate $360 in cash back before the annual fee is considered. Rewards come as Reward Dollars, which can be redeemed as a statement credit or used at Amazon.com checkout.

The card has a $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then a $95 annual fee.

I once had this card and liked it until my household began reaching the $6,000 cap well before year-end. Families that spend $500 or less a month at supermarkets may never run into that issue.

Larger spenders should be ready with another card once earnings drop to 1%, or they may prefer a different all-in-one option.

For more details, read our full review of the American Express Blue Cash Preferred Card.

Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card: Best for simple, unlimited cash back

The Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card earns unlimited 3% cash back at grocery stores, excluding superstores such as Walmart and Target. It also earns 3% back on dining, entertainment and select streaming services, all with no annual fee.

The main appeal is the lack of a spending cap, which lets you earn at a solid rate without tracking your annual total or changing cards midway through the year. That can be especially useful for anyone whose grocery spending regularly exceeds the limits on higher-earning cards. It may not have the flashiest rate, but it removes the need to calculate or second-guess your choice at checkout.

Use temporary grocery bonuses wisely

Rotating grocery bonuses can be worth adjusting your wallet for, but they shouldn’t force you to rewrite your entire shopping list.

For example, the Chase Freedom Flex® earns 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases across its activated quarterly categories, then 1%. When grocery stores show up as a quarterly category, that’s a good time to use the card at checkout. Just remember to activate the bonus category and keep track of when the promotional period ends.

If your usual grocery bill won’t fully use the quarterly cap, it can be a smart time to stock up on essentials. Fill your pantry and freezer with long-lasting items you know you’ll use later, as long as your budget allows.

Once the bonus period ends, or after you hit the spending cap, switch back to another card so your grocery purchases earn better than 1%.

Shop online when the rewards are better

Sometimes the most rewarding grocery aisle is the one you never step into.

The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card earns 3 points per dollar on online grocery purchases, excluding Target, Walmart and warehouse clubs. I’ve found that curbside pickup from my preferred grocer can qualify for the bonus without adding delivery fees, tips or price markups.

Some Instacart orders may still code as groceries even when the underlying retailer is a warehouse club such as Costco. But merchant coding can vary, so it’s smart to test a small order before counting on the bonus.

It’s also worth checking whether service fees, delivery charges or inflated prices cancel out the value of the higher rewards rate — unless you were already planning to pay for that convenience.

Amazon Fresh works differently. Purchases generally code as Amazon rather than as grocery transactions. With an eligible Prime membership, the Prime Visa earns 5% back on Amazon Fresh orders, which may beat your usual grocery card.

The information for the Prime Visa was collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page were not reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Stack savings before checkout

The card you use is only one part of the savings strategy.

Start with the store’s loyalty program or app to load digital coupons and unlock member pricing. That’s often the quickest way to lower the total, especially if you plan meals around that week’s deals.

Next, check your card issuer’s app or online account for targeted offers such as Amex Offers, Chase Offers or Citi Merchant Offers. I often see deals for several of my local grocery stores, which means the right card can add savings at Natural Grocers, Sprouts Farmers Market or King Soopers. These offers usually need to be activated before you buy, but doing so is usually simple.

Receipt and rebate apps such as Ibotta, Fetch and CoinOut can squeeze out even more value after you upload your receipt. I also like using Aisle to find freebies or smaller discounts on brands I already buy.

Some supermarket loyalty programs add another layer by awarding points that can be redeemed for fuel discounts. Before you let fuel points guide where you shop, check expiration rules, redemption limits and participating gas stations.

When buying groceries recently, I chose items that were already on weekly sale, clipped digital coupons in my store loyalty account, used a Chase merchant offer for 5% back, paid with my Freedom Flex for another 5% this quarter and earned fuel points on the full purchase amount. On a $151 cart before discounts, I saved about $23 through sales and coupons and earned another $11 through the Chase Offer and card rewards.

The bottom line

Groceries are not getting cheaper, and no rewards plan will make a $200 checkout feel exciting.

Still, a single trip can include sale prices, digital coupons, a card-linked statement credit, a rebate, fuel discounts and regular credit card rewards.

You don’t need to turn grocery shopping into a second job, but you should be able to layer a few easy wins each time you shop. The key is combining offers that match your normal habits without spending more just to earn rewards.

For rates and fees of the Amex Gold Card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Amex Blue Cash Preferred Card, click here.