Gas and groceries are your two biggest recurring card expenses — and the right credit card can turn that spending into serious cash back. We’ve compared the top cards for everyday spending so you don’t have to.
Our Top Picks at a Glance
| Card | Gas Reward | Grocery Reward | Annual Fee | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blue Cash Preferred® from Amex | 3% | 6% (up to $6k/yr) | $95 | Big grocery spenders |
| Citi Custom Cash® | 5% (if top category) | 5% (if top category) | $0 | Flexible top-category bonus |
| Blue Cash Everyday® from Amex | 3% at U.S. gas stations | 3% at U.S. supermarkets | $0 | No-fee all-rounder |
| Capital One SavorOne | 1.5% (all purchases) | 3% grocery stores | $0 | Grocery + dining combo |
| Sam’s Club Mastercard | 5% | 3% (at Sam’s Club) | $0* | Sam’s Club members |
*Requires Sam’s Club membership ($50/yr)
Detailed Reviews
1. Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express — Best for Groceries
Why it stands out: 6% back at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000/year, then 1%) is the highest flat grocery rate on any card. If your household spends $500/month on groceries, that’s $360/year in cash back — more than covering the $95 annual fee.
Key benefits:
- 6% at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6k/year)
- 6% on select U.S. streaming subscriptions
- 3% at U.S. gas stations
- 3% on transit (including ride-share)
- 1% on everything else
The math: $500/month groceries ($360 back) + $200/month gas ($72 back) = $432/year – $95 fee = $337 net profit
Watch out for: The $6,000/year cap on grocery spending. After that, it drops to 1%. Also, Walmart and Target are NOT classified as supermarkets — they’re superstores.
2. Citi Custom Cash® Card — Best Flexible Option
Why it stands out: Automatically earns 5% back on your top spending category each billing cycle (up to $500 in purchases). If gas is your biggest expense one month and groceries the next, it adapts.
Key benefits:
- 5% on your top eligible spending category each cycle (up to $500)
- Eligible categories: restaurants, gas, groceries, travel, transit, streaming, drugstores, home improvement, fitness, entertainment
- 1% on all other purchases
- No annual fee
The math: If you consistently spend $500/month on groceries or gas, that’s $25/month or $300/year — with no annual fee.
Watch out for: The $500/cycle cap means heavy spenders won’t maximize the 5% rate. Best paired with another card for overflow spending.
3. Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express — Best No-Fee Option
Why it stands out: Solid 3% back at both U.S. supermarkets and U.S. gas stations with no annual fee. It’s the Blue Cash Preferred’s little sibling — less earning power but zero cost to hold.
Key benefits:
- 3% at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6k/year)
- 3% at U.S. gas stations (up to $6k/year)
- 3% on U.S. online retail purchases (up to $6k/year)
- 1% on everything else
- No annual fee
Best for: People who want solid everyday rewards without paying a fee. If you spend less than $300/month on groceries, this beats the Blue Cash Preferred (since you won’t earn enough to offset the $95 fee).
4. Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards — Best Grocery + Dining Combo
Why it stands out: 3% on groceries AND dining AND entertainment AND popular streaming. If you eat out as much as you cook, this card covers both.
Key benefits:
- 3% on dining
- 3% on entertainment
- 3% at grocery stores
- 3% on popular streaming
- 5% on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
- 1.5% on everything else
- No annual fee
Best for: People who split spending between groceries, restaurants, and entertainment. The 1.5% base rate on everything else is also above average.
For a detailed look at Capital One’s lineup, see our Capital One vs Discover comparison.
5. Sam’s Club® Mastercard® — Best for Warehouse Shoppers
Why it stands out: 5% back on gas (up to $6,000/year) is one of the highest non-rotating gas rates available.
Key benefits:
- 5% on gas (up to $6k/year, then 1%)
- 3% on dining and takeout
- 3% at Sam’s Club (online and in-club)
- 1% on everything else
- No annual fee (requires Sam’s Club membership)
The math: $300/month gas = $180/year back. Even accounting for the $50 Sam’s membership, that’s a strong return if you already shop there.
How to Choose the Right Card
The best card depends on your spending pattern:
- Heavy grocery spender ($500+/month) → Blue Cash Preferred (6% groceries crushes everything else)
- Flexible spender → Citi Custom Cash (5% on whatever you spend most on)
- Want simplicity, no fee → Blue Cash Everyday (3%/3% on groceries and gas)
- Eat out as much as cook → Capital One SavorOne (3% on both groceries and dining)
- Drive a lot + Sam’s member → Sam’s Club Mastercard (5% gas is hard to beat)
Pro Tip: The Two-Card Strategy
For maximum rewards, pair two cards:
- Blue Cash Preferred for all grocery spending (6%)
- Sam’s Club Mastercard or Citi Custom Cash for gas (5%)
This combo can easily return $500-$700/year on spending you’d do anyway.
Just remember: rewards only work if you’re paying in full each month. Carrying a balance at 20%+ APR wipes out any cash back you earn. Keep your utilization in check and never spend more than you can pay off.
FAQ
Does Walmart count as a grocery store for credit card rewards?
Usually no. Walmart and Target are classified as “superstores” or “discount stores” by payment networks, not supermarkets. Cards that earn bonus rates at “U.S. supermarkets” typically don’t include Walmart, Target, or Costco.
Can I use multiple cards for different categories?
Yes, and it’s the smartest approach. Use your best grocery card at the supermarket, your best gas card at the pump, and a flat-rate card for everything else.
Do gas station convenience store purchases count as “gas”?
It depends on how the merchant codes the transaction. Purchases at the pump almost always code as gas. Inside the convenience store, it may code as gas station or convenience store — both usually qualify, but check your card’s terms.
Is 2% cash back on everything better than category cards?
Only if you don’t want to think about it. The Citi Double Cash (2% on everything) earns $240/year on $1,000/month spending. A 5-6% category card on the same $1,000 earns $600-$720/year. Category cards win if you use them strategically.
The Bottom Line
You’re already spending money on gas and groceries — might as well get paid for it. The Blue Cash Preferred’s 6% grocery rate is the gold standard if you spend enough to offset the fee. For everyone else, the Citi Custom Cash or Blue Cash Everyday offer excellent no-fee alternatives.
Whatever card you choose, the fundamentals matter more than the rewards: pay in full, keep utilization low, and never carry a balance just to earn points.