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I spend at least $600 a month on groceries, so I stick with 2 credit cards to get the most cash back
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- The author, Holly Johnson, has 26 credit cards , but she uses two main credit cards at the grocery store.
- The best card to use in US supermarkets is the Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express since it offers 6% back on up to $6,000 spent at US supermarkets each year (then 1%).
- The Chase Freedom is another good option for groceries, but mostly when grocery spending is one of the card's 5% rotating quarterly bonus categories (up to quarterly max).
My husband and I have 26 credit cards between us and our businesses, which sounds like a lot. The reality, though, is that each card serves a different purpose, whether it comes with travel perks or free insurance products or it helps us earn valuable travel rewards points we use to see the world.
That's why I use different cards at different times for example, I might use one card to pay for airfare and an entirely different one to pay for dining out or Amazon purchases. It's all about the rewards or at least the benefits I can get in return. And why not utilize different credit cards that give you more for certain types of purchases?
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Since my family spends at least $600 per month on food at the grocery store, this is one of our biggest spending categories. So, of course, I'm careful about which credit card I use for grocery purchases each month.
Here are the main two cards I use at the supermarket, month after month:
Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express
While the Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express charges a $95 annual fee that is not waived the first year, I happily pay this fee and renew it every 12 months. This card is an absolute game changer for families because it lets you earn 6% back on up to $6,000 in spending at US supermarkets each year, then 1%.
And that's in addition to the 3% you get back at US gas stations and the 1% return you receive on all other purchases. You also get 6% back on select US streaming subscriptions and 3% back on all transit.
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The Blue Cash Preferred also comes with a $250 statement credit after you spend $1,000 within the first three months of account opening, although I earned this bonus long ago. Each year though, maxing out the supermarket category by spending at least $500 per month nets me at least $360 in cash back much more than I would earn with a regular cash-back credit card.
Chase Freedom
Another card I use for groceries is the Chase Freedom , but I only use it when grocery spending is one of its bonus categories. Fortunately, that time is right now. For April, May, and June of this year, you get 5% back on up to $1,500 spent each quarter you activate in categories that rotate each quarter, which just so happen to include grocery stores and home improvement stores.
The Chase Freedom offers a $150 signup bonus after you spend $500 within three months of account opening. Even better, the points you earn belong in the Chase Ultimate Rewards program, meaning you can cash them in for gift cards, merchandise, statement credits, or travel. If you have a premier travel credit card like the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card or Chase Sapphire Reserve , you can pool your points in that account for superior travel redemptions and 1:1 transfers to airline and hotel partners.
If your goal is earning money back at grocery stores, either of the cards I use can work well. However, there are many other cash-back credit cards that offer strong rewards on grocery spending. Some to take a closer look at include the Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express , and the Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card .
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Compare these cards and others to see which ones align with your spending, then go with the one that will help you earn more cash back over time.
Curious which credit cards I use the most and why? Here are some of my favorites:
- Chase Sapphire Reserve , because I earn three times points on travel and dining.
- Ink Business Preferred Credit Card , because I earn three times points on the first $150,000 each anniversary year in business categories such as social-media advertising and shipping.
- Hilton Honors Aspire Card from American Express , mostly for the Hilton Diamond status and travel perks.
- Discover it Miles, because Discover matches all the miles you earn the first year.
- Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express , because I earn 6% cash back on up to $6,000 at US supermarkets each year, then 1%.
- Gold Delta SkyMiles Credit Card from American Express , because I prefer flying Delta when I can.
- The Blue Business Plus Credit Card from American Express , because I earn two times American Express Membership Rewards points, up to $50,000 per year, then one times with no annual fee.
- Barclaycard Arrival Plus World Elite Mastercard , because I earn two times miles on every dollar I spend.
- Chase Freedom , because I always max out the quarterly five times bonus categories (up to $1,500; activation is required).
- Citi AAdvantage Platinum World Elite Mastercard , because I've been beefing up my stash of AA miles.
- CitiBusiness AAdvantage Platinum Select World Mastercard , so I can earn American AAdvantage miles on my business purchases.
- AAdvantage Aviator Red World Elite Mastercard, because I earned the sign-up bonus with a single purchase.
- Citi Premier Card , because I love the flexibility of Citi ThankYou Rewards.
See Also:
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- My 4 favorite credit cards to earn points and miles on spending for my small business
- This is the first card to open if you want to get into credit card rewards
- I've always said the Chase Sapphire Reserve is the best overall rewards card, but right now I'd tell anyone to consider the Sapphire Preferred instead
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