Guide
Best credit card for groceries (2026)
For pure grocery spend, Blue Cash Preferred (6% cash back, $95 annual fee) is the headline winner at U.S. supermarkets. Amex Gold (4× Membership Rewards, $250 fee) makes sense if you also dine out and travel — the points can outpace cash back when transferred to partners.
Quick comparison
| Card | Best for | Earn rate | Annual fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blue Cash Preferred | U.S. supermarkets | 6% cash back | $95 |
| Amex Gold | Groceries + dining | 4× points | $250 |
| Chase Sapphire Preferred | Groceries via Chase Travel | 3× points | $95 |
Why most people pick the wrong card
Most people default to the same card at checkout — usually the one on top in their wallet. That habit quietly costs hundreds of dollars a year when another card in your stack earns 3×, 4×, or even 6× on the same purchase.
How Pikt routes smarter than guesswork
Pikt links the cards you already carry, weighs your offers and category earn rates, and tells you the best card to use — with a plain-English explanation and dollar estimate for every purchase. Online, the Pikt Checkout extension auto-fills that card at checkout; in-store, Pikt Nearby names it on your lock screen. At Kroger, Whole Foods, or Trader Joe's, Pikt compares your grocery multipliers and any live merchant offers before you tap.
Frequently asked questions
- Does Costco count as groceries?
- Costco usually codes as wholesale club, not grocery — see our Costco guide. Visa-only acceptance also limits which cards you can use.
- Is 6% cash back worth the annual fee?
- If you spend about $1,600+/year at U.S. supermarkets, 6% vs 2% on a no-fee card typically covers the $95 fee.
- Do grocery delivery apps qualify?
- It depends on the merchant code. Instacart and some delivery services may not code as grocery — Pikt routes based on the actual merchant.
$127 at Whole Foods → Blue Cash Preferred earns $7.62 (+$2.54 vs default card)
See your personal best cards
Generic advice assumes average spend. Your wallet is different. Take Pikt's 60-second quiz — pick your top spending areas and whether you prefer cash back, travel points, or simplicity.
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