Updated 30 March 2026
Best Amex Card for Grocery Spending
The right Amex grocery card depends on how much you spend per month and whether you prefer cash back or transferable points. Here are all four options ranked for three family spending profiles.
Light grocery spender: $200/mo
Winner: Blue Cash Everyday
At $200/mo ($2,400/yr), BCE earns $72 in cash back with no fee. BCP earns $144 minus $95 fee = $49. BCE wins by $23. The fee-free option is better for lighter grocery budgets.
Moderate grocery spender: $300-$500/mo
Winner: Blue Cash Preferred
At $400/mo ($4,800/yr), BCP earns $288 minus $95 fee = $193. BCE earns $144 with no fee. BCP wins by $49. The $95 fee pays for itself easily at this spending level.
Heavy spender with international travel: $500+/mo
Winner: Everyday Preferred (conditionally)
At $500/mo with 30+ transactions, Everyday Preferred earns 27,000 MR points on groceries alone (3x with 50% bonus = 4.5x effective). At 2+ cents per point via airline transfers, that is $540+ in value minus $95 fee = $445+. Beats BCP's $265 net, but only if you redeem points at 2+ cents.
Annual Grocery Rewards Comparison
| Monthly groceries | Everyday (2x MR, $0 fee) | Everyday Preferred (3x MR, $95) | BCE (3%, $0 fee) | BCP (6%, $95 fee) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $200/mo | $72 | $13 | $72 | $49 |
| $300/mo | $108 | $67 | $108 | $121 |
| $400/mo | $144 | $121 | $144 | $193 |
| $500/mo | $180 | $175 | $180 | $265 |
MR point values assume 1.5 cents per point redemption. Higher-value redemptions (airline transfers) increase Everyday card values.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Amex card earns the most on groceries?
Blue Cash Preferred earns 6% cash back at US supermarkets on the first $6,000 per year. This is the highest flat grocery rate of any major credit card. After the $6,000 cap, it drops to 1%. For families spending $500 per month or less on groceries, the full 6% applies to every dollar all year.
Does Walmart count as a supermarket for Amex grocery bonuses?
No. Walmart, Target, Costco, Sam's Club, and most superstores are coded as superstores or warehouse clubs, not supermarkets. The grocery bonus only applies at stores coded as US supermarkets. Whole Foods, Kroger, Publix, Safeway, and similar grocery-focused stores typically qualify.
What happens after I hit the $6,000 grocery cap on BCP?
After $6,000 in annual supermarket spending (reached at $500/mo by December), Blue Cash Preferred drops to 1% on additional grocery purchases. For families spending over $500/mo, consider using a second card for groceries after hitting the cap, such as the Citi Custom Cash (5% on top category up to $500/mo) or a flat-rate 2% card.