With the cost of food and gas going up, it’s more important than ever to make the most of your money. Some credit cards stand out for their value when it comes to getting the most out of gas and grocery store purchases. These cards offer cashback, bonus points, and other special deals. This new roundup has a carefully chosen list of the eight best credit cards that give you rewards for spending money on groceries and gas. We looked at the rewards structure, redemption options, annual fees, and other benefits of each card. There is an option on this list for everyone, no matter if they want to get the most cash back, earn travel points, or keep things simple with fixed-rate earnings.
Credit Card Comparison Table
Credit Card | Gas Rewards | Grocery Rewards | Annual Fee | Highlights |
---|---|---|---|---|
Chase Freedom Flex | 5% on rotating categories (up to $1,500 quarterly) | Often includes groceries | $0 | Rotating categories: Chase Ultimate Rewards® |
Blue Cash Preferred® (AmEx) | 3% at U.S. gas stations | 6% at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000/year) | $95 | High grocery cashback; travel perks |
Citi Custom Cash® | 5% on top spending category (up to $500/month) | 5% when groceries are top category | $0 | Automatically applies best category |
Bank of America® Cash Rewards | 3% in chosen category (e.g., gas or groceries) | 2% on second selected category | $0 | User-customizable rewards |
Discover it® Cash Back | 5% on rotating categories (up to $1,500 quarterly) | Often includes groceries | $0 | Cashback match at end of first year |
Wells Fargo Active Cash® | 2% on all purchases | 2% on all purchases | $0 | Flat-rate rewards; no tracking needed |
Costco Anywhere Visa® (Citi) | 4% on eligible gas (including Costco) | 1% at grocery stores | $0 (Costco membership required) | Great for Costco members; travel rewards |
Blue Cash Everyday® (AmEx) | 2% at gas stations | 3% at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000/year) | $0 | No annual fee; good for casual spenders |
PenFed Platinum Rewards Visa® | 5x points at gas stations | 5x points at grocery stores | $0 | Points-based system; Visa Signature perks |
U.S. Bank Cash+® | 5% on one chosen category | 2% on secondary category | $0 | Pick categories quarterly |
Featured Card Reviews
Chase Freedom Flex®
- Gas and Grocery Benefit: 5% cashback on up to $1,500 in combined quarterly spending in rotating categories (which often include gas and groceries)
- Other Features: Access to Chase Ultimate Rewards®; no annual fee
- Ideal For: Individuals who plan spending based on rotating reward calendars
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
- Gas and Grocery Benefit: 6% cashback at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 annually); 3% at U.S. gas stations
- Other Features: Introductory 0% APR for 12 months; no foreign transaction fees; cell phone protection
- Ideal For: Households with high grocery spending
Citi Custom Cash® Card
- Gas and Grocery Benefit: 5% cashback on the top spending category each billing cycle, up to $500 per month
- Other Features: No activation required; adapts to spending automatically
- Ideal For: Those with fluctuating monthly expenses across categories
Bank of America® Cash Rewards Credit Card
- Gas and Grocery Benefit: 3% cashback in one category of choice (e.g., gas or grocery), 2% on another, and 1% on all else
- Other Features: Flexible category selection; cash deposited into eligible BoA accounts
- Ideal For: Cardholders with consistent spending habits in a specific area
Discover it® Cash Back
- Gas and Grocery Benefit: 5% cashback on rotating quarterly categories (up to $1,500) including gas and groceries
- Other Features: Unlimited 1% on all other spending; cashback match at the end of the first year
- Ideal For: Consumers interested in maximizing rotating category returns
Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card
- Gas and Grocery Benefit: Flat 2% cashback on all purchases
- Other Features: 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers
- Ideal For: Users who prefer straightforward rewards with no tracking
Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi
- Gas and Grocery Benefit: 4% cashback on gas (including Costco stations); 1% on groceries
- Other Features: 3% on travel and dining; requires Costco membership
- Ideal For: Frequent Costco shoppers who value fuel savings
Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express
- Gas and Grocery Benefit: 3% at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000/year); 2% at gas stations
- Other Features: No annual fee; automatic cashback
- Ideal For: Budget-conscious consumers who want solid rewards without fees
PenFed Platinum Rewards Visa Signature®
- Gas and Grocery Benefit: 5x points on gas and groceries
- Other Features: Redemption options for travel, gift cards, or statement credit
- Ideal For: Rewards maximizers who prefer points to cashback
U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature®
- Gas and Grocery Benefit: 5% cashback on one chosen category; 2% on another
- Other Features: Ability to select categories quarterly; no annual fee
- Ideal For: Cardholders who want customizable rewards
Conclusion
Credit cards that give you points for gas and grocery purchases can help you save a lot of money every day. There are a lot of no-fee and premium options that fit different financial lifestyles, whether you want cashback simplicity, travel points, or the ability to change categories. The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express is the best card for families with high grocery bills. The Citi Custom Cash® Card, on the other hand, gives you rewards that change based on how you spend your money in reality. Flat-rate cards like the Wells Fargo Active Cash® make things easy and consistent. In the end, the best card for you will depend on how you spend, how you want to redeem points, and how much you can handle tracking categories. Looking at the potential for earnings along with promotional offers, point redemptions, and perks will make sure that the card you choose will be worth your time and money over time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which credit card is best for gas and groceries overall?
The best card depends on individual spending patterns. The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express offers the highest grocery cashback (6%), while the PenFed Platinum Rewards Visa provides strong point accumulation for both gas and groceries.
Are rotating category cards harder to manage?
Cards like Chase Freedom Flex® or Discover it® require activation and awareness of quarterly categories. While these can yield high returns, they demand more attention than flat-rate or adaptive cards.
Is a card with no annual fee better?
No annual fee cards such as Wells Fargo Active Cash® or Citi Custom Cash® are ideal for moderate spenders. However, higher-tier cards with annual fees may offer greater long-term value for high-volume users.
How do reward points compare to cashback?
Cashback is straightforward and typically credited as a statement reduction. Points may offer greater redemption value (e.g., travel, merchandise) but often require more management.
Can rewards be redeemed for groceries or gas directly?
Some cards allow redemption through merchant gift cards or direct statement credits. Others, such as Chase cards via Ultimate Rewards®, offer points that can be used for travel, products, or cash.
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