Thread: Best credit card for groceries?

I was thinking a rewards credit card for groceries would be smart given the food prices we are seeing today. Which is the best card for this purpose? I am fully aware that the Amex Blue offers 5% at grocery stores after spending several thousand dollars annually but I need something more for the average spender. Are there any no annual fee or low fee credit cards that give 3% to 5% at grocery stores all year long?

You're right - Amex Blue is the best card for groceries. However, periodically (at least one quarter of the year) you can get 5% with Chase Freedom and Discover More in their rotating balance categories (which I believe we're currently wrapping up six months of 5% off groceries between the two of them). With a Cap One No Hassles Rewards Card, you can get 2% back in groceries anytime. I don't currently have one, but I think the best card (overall) is probably the Fidelity Amex. You get 2% on everything all the time. However, the catch is that you have to have an account with Fidelity and it costs $2500.00 minimum to open one. You're basically building your savings when you spend on the card.

I concur with Blue Moon. The best credit cards for groceries since each have their pros and cons that must be taken into account for your spending patterns.

For a comparison of several which offer higher grocery store rewards you may wish to check out this sponsored section: Best Cash Back Credit Cards

All the best,
CreditCardGuru

One thing I've noticed with my Chase Freedom Visa card is that all the places I shop at for groceries (Jewel, Wal-Mart) won't count towards the 5% quarterly cash back reward because they're labeled as category "other". Some have said Chase does this because these stores aren't specifically "grocery" stores, they're "superstores".

I researched online a bit and saw that Visa assigns Jewel with a Merchant Category Code of: GROCERY STORES/SUPERMARKETS/BAKERIES -5411

Nothing about it being a superstore.

When I shop at these stores and use my Discover More card, they show up as “Supermarkets” on my recent activity. Since they both have 5% cash back on groceries this month, I think I’ll be using my Discover card for grocery shopping and not Chase.

Relevant Links:
Visa USA | Corporate & Government | Visa Supplier Locator
Merchant categories on Chase Freedom statement at ProBargainHunter.com

I was wondering what the best card for groceries is that isn't AMEX Blue, as I am a college student who doesn't spend much more than $6000/year. Any recommendations? And I am looking for a card that doesn't cycle but gives a discount on groceries year round.

I have been using the Freedom card but I liked the days better when there was 3% offered year round. Today it gives 5% although it is only for 1/4 of the year.

Originally Posted by kaytaz

One thing I've noticed with my Chase Freedom Visa card is that all the places I shop at for groceries (Jewel, Wal-Mart) won't count towards the 5% quarterly cash back reward because they're labeled as category "other". Some have said Chase does this because these stores aren't specifically "grocery" stores, they're "superstores".

I researched online a bit and saw that Visa assigns Jewel with a Merchant Category Code of: GROCERY STORES/SUPERMARKETS/BAKERIES -5411

Nothing about it being a superstore.

When I shop at these stores and use my Discover More card, they show up as “Supermarkets” on my recent activity. Since they both have 5% cash back on groceries this month, I think I’ll be using my Discover card for grocery shopping and not Chase.

Relevant Links:
Visa USA | Corporate & Government | Visa Supplier Locator
Merchant categories on Chase Freedom statement at ProBargainHunter.com

Just because Discover has it coded as supermarket, it may still not recognize WalMart as a supermarket.

An example is I get 2x Points on my PR Gold Amex and when I went to Costco for Gas, it was coded as gasoline, but it did not qualify for bonus points since it was wholesale gas.

So just make sure/look further into Discover because even though a WalMart may be coded as supermarket, it may know not to apply bonus rewards to it.

If your talking solely about Walmart, whether the super Walmart or the average size walmart, they are not grocery stores or super markets.
they are discount stores. just like Bed bath and beyond are not department stores there home stores.
supermarkets would be shop-rite, A&p Walbaums , King kullen and Pathmark.
Department store would be like sears, Macy's, JCPenney, Lord & Taylor, Nordstroms and Neiman Marcus.
so if Chase is having a category of 5% back on groceries no walmarts would count. you would have to go to shoprite or something like that.
same if the are having a 5% back on department stores Target wouldn't count. where you people may live they might be part of a mall but they are not a department store. they are a discount store. same as walmart there not a grocery store. they are discount.