Nearly all of the temporary bonus point promotions that Chase and Amex offered for grocery store purchases expired a couple of days ago.
So which credit cards do we think are the best for grocery store spending this month?
Let’s take a look.
1. American Express Blue Cash Preferred Card
Why: Amex’s Blue Cash Preferred Card earns 6% cash back on grocery store purchases, up to $6,000 in annual spending. The cashback is awarded in the form of statement credits.
Welcome Offer: Receive a $250 statement credit after you spend $1,000 in purchases within three months of being approved.
Other Benefits: 6% cashback on select U.S. streaming subscriptions,
3% cash back at U.S. gas stations and on transit (including taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses, etc.), and 1% Cash Back on other purchases.
Annual Fee: $95
More Information: Learn more now about the American Express Blue Cash Preferred Card!
2. American Express Shop Small Cards
Some grocery stores and supermarkets qualify as small businesses under American Express’ Shop Small promotion. You can save $5 off a purchase of $10 or more. Frankly, I’d split up your transactions to max out the benefit.
Use this map to find eligible stores in your area.
3. NEW APPLICANTS ONLY: Chase Freedom and Chase Freedom Unlimited Cards
Why: Here’s the important part: this applies only to people who haven’t received a new cardmember bonus for the applicable credit card within the last 24 months.
If you don’t qualify, skip to the next card. But if you’re eligible, congratulations!
Both of these no annual fee cards offer 5% on grocery store spending (not including Target or Walmart purchases) on up to $12,000 spent in the first year you hold the card. After that, it drops down to 1.5% on the Chase Freedom Unlimited and 1% on the Chase Freedom.
Chase Freedom cardholders receive 5%/5X this quarter for Amazon and Whole Foods purchases. The earnings are capped at $75 cashback per quarter.
Welcome Offer: Both cards offer new members $200 (paid as 20,000 Ultimate Rewards points)
Other Benefits: The Chase Freedom card offers 5% bonus cash back categories that change each quarter. Activation is required each quarter.
Annual Fee: None!
More Information: Learn more now about the Chase Freedom Unlimited and Chase Freedom cards.
4. American Express Gold Card
Why: You earn 4X per dollar spent at supermarkets when paying with your American Express Gold Card. (The 4X benefit is capped at $25,000 per year in spending at supermarkets).
You can transfer your points at a 1:1 ratio to many participating Membership Rewards travel partners — or use them to purchase points/miles earning travel through Amex’s travel site. This benefit gets especially lucrative if you hold the Business Platinum Card from American Express: pool your points together and enjoy a 35% rebate on select airfares when you Pay with Points!
Welcome Offer: This is very important. –> Receive 35,000 bonus Membership Rewards points after you spend $4,000 in purchases on the card within three months of being approved. That’s worth at least $350 in travel.
If you don’t use private/Incognito browsing, the offer drops to 40,000. So there’s potentially a $100-ish difference when you use private browsing for this offer!
Other Benefits: 4X on dining purchases worldwide, 3X on airfare purchases made directly with airlines, $100 annual airline incidental credit, and monthly $10 food credit to use at participating vendors.
Annual Fee: $250
5. Amex EveryDay Preferred Credit Card
Why: You earn 3X per dollar spent at supermarkets when paying with your Everyday Preferred Card (The 3X, however, is capped at $6,000 in annual spending.)
Plus, you earn a 50% points bonus when you use your EveryDay Preferred Card 30 or more times in a billing period. That potentially makes each supermarket dollar worth 4.5 points.
Welcome Offer: Earn 15,000 Membership Rewards Points after spending $1,000 in purchases within three months of being approved.
Other Benefits: 2X at U.S. gas stations.
Annual Fee: $95
More Information: Learn more now about the American Express Blue Cash Preferred Card!
6. American Express Blue Cash Everyday Card
Why: The Blue Cash Everyday Card is the Blue Cash Preferred Card‘s no annual fee, lower-earning sibling. It earns 3% cashback on grocery store purchases on up to $6,000 in yearly grocery spending. The cashback is awarded in the form of statement credits.
Welcome Offer: Earn a $150 statement credit after you spend $1,000 in purchases within three months of being approved.
Other Benefits: 2% cashback at U.S. gas stations and select U.S. department stores.
Annual Fee: None.
7. Citi Premier Card
Why: The Citi Premier Card earns an uncapped 3X at supermarkets.
Other Benefits: 3X on travel, 3X at gas stations, 3X on dining, 2X on entertainment.
Welcome Bonus: 60,000 bonus Thank You points after you spend $4,000 within three months of being approved.
Annual Fee: $95
More Information: Learn more about rewards cards!
Thank you to readers who kindly reminded me.
8. Citi Double Cash Card (learn more about cashback cards)
Why: This no annual fee cash back card awards you 2% cashback on every purchase: 1% cashback when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases. But you must pay at least the minimum due on time each month. Otherwise, you won’t receive the cashback rewards.
Welcome Bonus: None.
Annual Fee: None!
More Information: Learn more about cashback cards!
9. Chase Sapphire Reserve
Why: If you haven’t spent all of your $300 statement credit usually reserved for travel, the Chase Sapphire Reserve could very well be worth your while.
Through the end of 2020, the Chase Sapphire Reserve ‘s $300 travel credit extends toward grocery store and gas station purchases.
Other Benefits: 10X on Lyft spending through March 2022. 3X on travel and dining purchases. Complimentary Priority Pass Select and DoorDash memberships.
Annual Fee: $550
— Chris
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