Only a few credit cards are worth considering if you want maximum cash back on groceries without annual fees. A 2021 CNBC article said the average American household spends $5,174 per year on groceries. To optimize cash back rewards without annual fees, this page showcases the best options. Anything not on this page is likely worse.
As always, do your research to see which credit card is best for you. Everyone has different habits and lifestyles, so there isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. If you do find something that should be on this list, feel free to contact us for updates.
Note: cash back for the “grocery” category typically excludes large wholesale clubs (Costco, Sam’s Club, Target, Wal-Mart). Some smaller shops also don’t count as grocery stores, although it’s pretty hit-or-miss.
1. Citi Custom Cash
The Custom Cash (CCCC) earns 5% cash back in one category, and few categories are better than groceries. There’s a $500 spending limit per billing period, which should be comfortable enough for most people, even families.
If you max out the $6,000 per year limit, you’d earn $300 cash back. If you spend the average of $5,174, then 5% cash back nets you $258.70 annually. With the Citi Rewards+ card too, your cash back is worth 10% more.
The CCCC also has Mastercard World Elite perks, including cell phone insurance and a Doordash discount.
Click here to read our full Custom Cash review.
2. Capital One SavorOne
This card earns unlimited 3% cash back for groceries, dining, entertainment, and streaming. No foreign transaction fees is another plus. Although when it comes to travel, most people eat out instead of buying groceries. Overall, SavorOne is a strong credit card which covers popular spending categories.
If you spend more than $6,000 a year on groceries, your best bet is probably the SavorOne, or even American Express Gold card. Or use the Custom Cash for the first $6,000 spent, then switch to the SavorOne for the rest of the year.
3% back on $5,174 of spending is $155.22 in cash back.
Click here to read our full review.
3. Navy Federal Credit Union More Rewards
This card earns unlimited 3% cash back for groceries, gas, dining, and transit. Like the SavorOne and Altitude cards, it doesn’t have foreign transaction fees. However, this is American Express, which isn’t as widely accepted overseas.
The other downside is that it requires Navy Federal credit union membership. This is limited to military members (current or former) and their families, plus Department of Defense employees (civilian or military). A lot of people aren’t able to get the Navy Federal card.
Click here to read our full More Rewards review.
4. UMB Simply Rewards
This card earns unlimited 3% cash back for groceries, gas, dining, and discount stores. In some cases, this could be better than More Rewards or the SavorOne cards. It just depends on your spending, and which network you prefer. UMB is Visa instead of American Express or Mastercard.
There are two downsides for this UMB card: a 2% foreign transaction fee, and points expire after 5 years. The expiration shouldn’t be a problem because it’s rarely a good idea to hoard points anyway. It’s just an added restriction that many other card issuers don’t have.
5. Venmo
This earns unlimited 3% cash back on your top spending category (automatically calculated) just like the CCCC in #1. The difference is (1) Venmo is unlimited 3% instead of limited 5% (2) Venmo can earn 2% cash back in a second category instead of CCCC’s 1%. However, since everyone should have an everyday card which earns 2% or better already, a card advertising 2% cash back for one category doesn’t mean anything. (3) Venmo doesn’t have foreign transaction fees, unlike CCCC.
Interestingly, their “grocery” category specifically includes wholesale clubs. Cards rarely do that. If you like Costco or Sam’s Club, take a close look at the terms and conditions for your credit cards. For that reason alone, we have to include this card in the top 5.
Click here to read our full Venmo review.
Honorable mentions (without fees)
- Discover It – 5% back (Jan/Feb/March 2019-2021)
- Chase Freedom Flex – 5% back (July/August/Sept 2021)
- Note: Chase Freedom cards sometimes give one year of 5% back on groceries, as part of the sign-up bonus for new cardmembers
- Nusenda – 5% back (Jan/Feb/March 2016-2021)
- American Express Blue Cash Everyday – 3% on groceries, limited to $6,000 per year
- Andrews FCU Titanium Rewards – 3% on groceries and gas then 1.5% back on everything else, with zero annual fee or foreign transaction fees.
- Bank of the West Cash Back World – 3% on groceries, dining, and gas (very similar to the UMB Simply Rewards card above)
- Consumers Credit Union Cash Rebate – 3% on groceries and convenience store purchases (limited to $6,000 per year)
- Huntington Voice – 3% on groceries or another category of your choice, limited to $8,000 per year ($2,000 per quarter)
- Kroger Family of Companies – 5% cash back on mobile wallet transactions, limited to $3,000 per year (not supported at every grocery store)
- NIH Federal Credit Union Cash Rewards – 3% on groceries, wholesale clubs, utilities, streaming, gas, rideshare, and EV charging
- AOD Federal Credit Union – 3% cash back on everything, possibly limited to Alabama only (YMMV)
- Coinbase Debit can potentially earn up to 4% cash back on everything, but has tax implications
- UNFCU Azure – 3% back on dining and groceries
Honorable mentions (with fees or hurdles)
- American Express Gold – 4% back on dining and groceries
- American Express Blue Cash Preferred – 6% back on groceries, and more benefits
- Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards – Limited 3-3.5% cash back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs if Platinum tier or higher ($2,500 quarterly spending limit, combined with spending from your chosen category)
- U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve – earns up to 4.5% cash back when using mobile wallets (not supported at every grocery store)
- Capital One Venture X Visa Infinite – can potentially earn more than 3% cash back on everything (with good utilization of their transfer partners)
- PCMCU Platinum Rewards Mastercard – 5% cash back on everything ($1000 monthly spending limit), waivable annual fee, limited to Wisconsin (Marinette or Green Bay only)