Canada’s best credit cards for groceries
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The best credit cards for grocery purchases in Canada
Everybody needs to put food on the table, so you might as well earn rewards while doing so. Considering that in 2022 the price of food in Canada has risen at the fastest pace in decades, with the annual rate of food inflation sitting above 10% in recent months, there’s no better time to earn useful rewards and cash back on this essential household expense.
Whether you’re looking for cash back, to rack up points or simply to find the best grocery credit card in Canada, we’ve gathered the information you need to maximize your spending. Take stock of your shopping habits, and get ready to cash in on the rewards.
| Card | Best for | Details | Annual fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| BMO CashBack Mastercard* | No fee | • 3% cash back on groceries, up to $500 per month • 1% on recurring bills; • 20.99% APR | $0 |
| Scotia Momentum Visa Infinite* | Cash back | • 4% cash back on groceries • 4% cash back on recurring bill payments, 2% on gas, public transit, taxis and rideshares • 20.99% APR | $120 (waived for the first year) |
| CIBC Dividend Visa Infinite | Groceries and gas (tie) | • 4% cash back on groceries and gas • 2% on dining, daily transit and recurring bills • 20.99% APR | $120 (waived for the first year) |
| Meridian Visa Infinite Cash Back Card | Groceries and gas (tie) | • 4% cash back on groceries and gas • 2% cash back on drug stores and recurring bills • 19.50% APR | $99 (waived for the first year) |
| PC Financial World Elite Mastercard* | Loblaw banner stores | • 30 PC points per $1 at Loblaw banner grocery stores • 45 points per $1 at Shoppers Drug Mart, 30 points per litre at Esso/Mobil; 30 points per $1 at PC Travel • 20.97% APR | $0 |
| American Express Cobalt* | Points | • 5 points per $1 on groceries • 5 points per $1 on dining, food delivery and bars; 2 points per $1 on transportation including taxis, public transit and rideshares • 20.99% APR | $155.88 ($12.99 monthly) |
Best no-fee credit card for groceries
BMO CashBack Mastercard*
If you’re looking for the best no-fee grocery credit card, look no further. The 3% cash back on grocery purchases, no annual fee, and solid earn rates in other categories have made this card is a standout in the category. Keep in mind, though, that earnings are capped at $500 spent per statement period, so if you spend more than $500 per month on groceries, you’ll want to consider another card in order to reap the full benefits.
In addition to earning cash back on groceries, this card earns you 1% on recurring bill payments and an unlimited 0.5% on other spending. You can choose when to redeem cash back, in increments as little as $1; you can also set up automatic recurring redemptions of $25 or more.
- Annual fee: $0
- Interest rate: 20.99% on purchases, 22.99% on cash advances (21.99% for residents of Quebec)
- Earn rate on groceries: 3% cash back on groceries, up to $500 per month
- Rewards on other purchases: 1% on recurring bills; 0.5% on everything else
- Welcome bonus: You can earn 5% cash back on all purchases for the first 3 months up to $2,500, including up to $500 spend on grocery, up to $500 spend in recurring bill payments, and up to $1,500 qualified spend on all other purchases. Get an introductory interest rate of 0.99% on balance transfers for the first nine months. A 2% fee applies to balance amounts transferred.
- Additional perks: Purchase protection and extended warranty; discounts at Avis and National Car Rentals; discount Cirque du Soleil performances; add authorized cardholders at no charge
- Income required: None
Honourable mention: Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card*
Every cardholder is given a 2% return on spending in two categories of their choice, of which groceries is one. (There are 10 categories in total, including drug store, gas, hotel and motel accommodations, restaurants, furniture, recurring bill payments, home improvement, entertainment, and public transportation and parking.) Plus, you can earn 2% on a third category of your choice just by having your rewards deposited into your Tangerine Savings Account.
In addition to being a no-fee card, this is a stand-out because your cash-back earnings are unlimited, meaning that your regular 2% earnings don’t have a cap. While this card doesn’t offer too much in the way of perks, like the card above, it currently has an attractive welcome offer.
- Annual fee: $0
- Interest rate: 19.95% on purchases, 19.95% on cash advances, 19.95% on balance transfers
- Earn rate on groceries: 2% cash back
- Rewards on other purchases: 2% in up to two other spending categories of your choice and 0.5% cash back on everything else
- Welcome bonus: Earn 15% cash back (up to $150) when you spend $1,000 on everyday purchases within the first two months of having the card. Transfer your balance from another credit card to receive a low interest rate of 1.95% for the first six months (1% balance transfer fee applies). Must apply by December 29, 2022.
- Additional perks: Purchase protection and extended warranty
- Annual income required: Personal or household income of $12,000
Best cash back card for groceries
Everybody likes flexible rewards, and cash is the most flexible around. This card offers 4% cash back on groceries and is part of the Visa Infinite family, which means cardholders receive perks including concierge service, and wine and dining experiences.
Scotia Momentum Visa Infinite*
You’ll earn a healthy 4% on groceries, as well as subscription services like Netflix and recurring bill payments, while transportation costs (including Uber) and gas earn at 2% (up to an annual total spend of $25,000; after that the earn rate drops to 1%). All other purchases earn at 1%, so if you’re carrying this card you’ve got a lot of cash back to earn in a broad group of spending categories.
- Annual fee: $120 (waived for first year)
- Interest rate: 20.99% on purchases, 22.99% on cash advances, 22.99% on balance transfers
- Welcome bonus: Earn 10% cash back on all eligible purchases for the first three months (up to $2,000). Pay no annual fee for the first year. Offer ends April 30, 2023.
- Earn rate on groceries: 4% cash back
- Rewards on other purchases: 4% cash back on recurring bill payments, 2% on gas, public transit, taxis and rideshares, and 1% on everything else
- Additional perks: Travel emergency medical coverage, travel accident, trip cancellation, trip interruption, and flight delay insurance, and delayed or lost baggage protection; car rental loss or damage insurance; mobile device insurance
- Annual income required: Personal income of $60,000 or household income of $100,000
Best credit card for groceries and gas (tie)
When it comes to can’t-avoid-it expenses, gas and groceries top the list. Our pick for the best gas and grocery credit card in Canada was a draw, with each card boasting 4% cash back on both filling your tank and your fridge, as well as some pretty decent earn rates in other categories and perks. Which card you choose will really depend on where you tend to spend more, and what perks are most useful to you.
CIBC Dividend Visa Infinite
This credit card offers compelling earn rates on all types of food purchases—with 4% cash back on groceries and 2% on dining (including take out and food deliveries). And you will earn 4% on gas as well helping you earn at the pump while on your way to earn at the grocery store. Plus, save up to $0.10 per litre at participating Chevron, Ultramar and Pioneer gas stations when you link your card with Journie Rewards.
- Annual fee: $120 (rebated for the first year)
- Interest rate: 20.99% on purchases, 22.99% on cash advances (21.99% for Quebec residents)
- Earn rate on groceries: 4% cash back
- Rewards on other purchases: 4% cash back on gas; 2% on dining, daily transit and recurring bills; 1% on everything else
- Welcome bonus: Earn 10% cash back on all purchases (up to $250 in value) for the first four statements (up to a maximum of $2,500 in purchases), plus an annual fee rebate for the first year. To be eligible, you must apply online.
- Additional perks: Emergency medical travel insurance, mobile device insurance, car rental loss and collision coverage
- Annual income required: Personal income of $60,000 or household income of $100,000
Meridian Visa Infinite Cash Back Card
Aside from 4% cash back on groceries and gas—two very popular spending categories—the Meridian remains strong by offering 2% back on drug store purchases and recurring bills. The 1% regular rate on everything else is pretty standard but the annual fee of $99 is fairly accessible (and it’s waived for the first year). The Meridian has some good included insurance and carries the increasingly popular mobile device coverage.
- Annual fee: $99 (waived for first year)
- Interest rate: 19.50% on purchases, 21.99% on cash advances
- Earn rate on groceries: 4% cash back
- Rewards on other purchases: 4% cash back on gas; 2% on drug stores and recurring bills; 1% on everything else
- Welcome bonus: None
- Additional perks: Emergency health care, trip cancellation or interruption, and baggage insurance; car rental loss or collision coverage; mobile device insurance
- Annual income required: Personal income of $60,000 or household income of $100,000
Best credit card for Loblaw banner grocery stores
PC Financial World Elite Mastercard*
With about 2,500 stores operating under the Loblaw company banner, including the economy brand No-Frills, the big-box Real Canadian Superstore and the market-style Fortinos, it’s safe to say this is a useful card for many Canadians. The PC Financial World Elite Mastercard is the country’s first no-fee elite-level card. Shoppers who pay with this card will earn a whopping 30 PC Optimum points per $1 on grocery purchases (equivalent to 3.0%) at any Loblaw banner store and at PC Travel; 45 points per $1 at Shoppers Drug Mart; and 10 points per $1 everywhere else. Gas purchases at Esso and Mobil earn at least 30 points per litre, making this an all-around valuable card for everyday living expenses. PC Optimum points are easily redeemed at the checkout counter starting at 10,000 points (which is equal to $10) and can be used on any products in participating stores.
A drawback to this card is the $80,000 minimum annual income requirement (or $150,000 for the household), which will put it out of reach for some. However, there are related PC Financial credit cards with slightly lower earn rates for those who can’t meet the threshold.
- Annual fee: $0
- Interest rate: 20.97% on purchases, 22.97% on cash advances (21.97% for residents of Quebec)
- Earn rate on groceries: 30 PC points per $1 at Loblaw banner grocery stores (including No Frills, Fortinos, and The Independent Grocer)
- Rewards on other purchases: 45 points per $1 at Shoppers Drug Mart, 30 points per litre at Esso/Mobil; 30 points per $1 at PC Travel; and 10 points per $1 on everything else
- Welcome bonus: Get 20,000 PC Optimum points (a $20 value).
- Additional perks: Travel emergency medical insurance; car rental loss or damage coverage; concierge service; identity theft assistance service
- Annual income required: Personal income of $80,000 or household income of $150,000
Best points cards for groceries
American Express Cobalt*
For those who want to turn their grocery purchases into world travel, the American Express Cobalt is here to help. There are a few standout elements of this card, starting with the unique payment structure that bills the annual fee in monthly installments of $12.99. Next is the welcome bonus, encouraging new cardholders to spend by rewarding 2,500 points when you make $500 in purchases each month for the first year. If you hit that target every month, you’ll have a cool 30,000 points accumulated by the end of the year. The earn rate on groceries as well as dining out and food delivery services is a very competitive 5 points per $1 (to a maximum spend of $30,000; thereafter, the earn is 1 point per $1); plus you get 2 points per $1 on transportation. Everything else earns at a rate of 1 point per $1.
Because this is a travel-based card, it should come as no surprise that there are some sweet perks geared toward frequent flyers and drivers, like emergency medical coverage and car rental theft and damage coverage. Cardholders are also eligible for a credit on amenities at participating hotels.
It does bear mentioning that because this is an American Express card, it is not accepted at every store—but if you’re a shopper at Food Basics, Longo’s, McEwan, Metro, Pusateri’s, Rabba, Safeway, Sobeys or Whole Foods, you’re golden. Loblaw banner stores, including No-Frills, do not accept Amex.
- Annual fee: $155.88 ($12.99 monthly)
- Interest rate: 20.99% on purchases, 21.99% on cash advances
- Earn rate on groceries: 5 points per $1
- Rewards on other purchases: 5 points per $1 on dining, food delivery and bars; 2 points per $1 on transportation including taxis, public transit and rideshares; and 1 point per $1 on everything else
- Welcome bonus: In the first year, you can earn 2,500 points when you spend $500 per month on eligible purchases—earning you up to 30,000 points. That’s up to $300 towards a weekend getaway or concert tickets.
- Additional perks: Emergency travel medical coverage, travel accident, flight and baggage delay, hotel or motel burglary and lost or stolen baggage insurance; car rental theft and damage protection; hotel credit up to $100 USD on amenities like spa or dining at participating hotels; Amex Invites and Front-of-the-Line Access
- Annual income required: None
Honourable mention: Scotiabank Gold American Express*
Want to earn points toward next year’s vacation while you cover this week’s grocery haul? Here’s how it works: For every point you earn, you get $0.01 redeemable toward travel, which is easy to figure out and calculate. Just think of it like a cash-back credit card with 1% earn rate toward travel savings. Plus, the welcome offer is pretty sweet. Earn up to 45,000 bonus Scotia Rewards points your first year, too—that’s about $450 towards your next trip.
While we’re comparing the two, it’s worth noting that the American Express Cobalt has an edge on the Scotiabank Gold American Express card since the former lets you get 15% to 75% more value out of your points through Amex’s fixed points travel chart or by transferring points to hotel loyalty programs. Neither are available with the Scotiabank Gold. That said, the Scotiabank Gold American Express is still a great card. Plus, the Scotiabank Gold American Express has some great perks that the Cobalt doesn’t, like no foreign transaction fees and additional points on entertainment and streaming services.
- Annual fee: $120
- Interest rate: 20.99% on purchases, 22.99% on cash advances, 22.99% on balance transfers
- Earn rate on groceries: 5 points per $1 on groceries
- Rewards on other purchases: 5 points per $1 on dining and entertainment purchases; 3 points per $1 on gas, transit and rideshare charges, as well as streaming services; 1 point per $1 on everything else
- Welcome bonus: Earn up to a total of 45,000 bonus Scene+ points ($450 value). First, earn 25,000 by spending $1,000 on eligible everyday purchases in your first three months. Earn another 20,000 points when you spend at least $7,500 in everyday purchases in your first year. Plus, pay no annual fee for the first year. Offer ends April 30, 2023.
- Additional perks: As an Amex cardholder, you get access to its Front of the Line Presale & Reserved program, including invites for entertainment ticket pre-sales and advanced movie screenings and more.
- Annual income required: Personal or household income of $12,000
Frequently asked questions
To answer this question, start by taking stock of your spending habits. How frequently you use your credit card for grocery purchases, where you choose to shop, and what secondary purchase categories you spend the most money on will determine the best card for you. For example, if you don’t use credit for groceries very often, you may be better off with a no-fee credit card—otherwise, any rewards you receive may be offset by the annual fee. On the other hand, if you shop frequently at a particular banner or grocery store, you’ll want the card that offers the most cash back or points at your chosen retailer. If you spend as much on groceries as you do on gas, look for a card that offers high earn rates on both spending categories.
Using your credit card for grocery purchases can help offset the rising costs of groceries in Canada. Since groceries are a necessary expense, it may be helpful to earn a return—in the form of cash back or points—by paying with credit. This can help reduce the overall cost of groceries, especially if you are strategic about where and how you shop.
As with other credit card purchases, however, make sure you have the money needed to pay off your credit card balance at the end of the month. Carrying a balance on your card may cost you more in interest than the rewards are worth.
The major grocery stores that accept American Express and let you earn bonus points for grocery purchases include: 88 Supermarket, Bownesian Grocer, Farm Boy, Federated Co-op, Longo’s, Metro, Safeway, Sobeys, Rabba, Pusateri’s Fine Foods, Whole Foods and Instacart.
The American Express Cobalt and Scotiabank Gold American Express* offer the most bonus points for grocery purchases on our list, but they aren’t as widely accepted as some other cards. For example, they aren’t accepted at No Frills and Costco.
Walmart may be synonymous with groceries for you, but not all credit cards recognize Walmart as a “grocery store.” While American Express and Visa are accepted at Walmart, neither credit card company categorizes Walmart on their merchant code system as a grocery store. For instance, while the TD CashBack Visa Infinite earns 3% cash back on groceries, it earns just the base 1% cash back rate at Walmart.
If you frequent the Walmart Supercentre, know that Mastercard does, however, recognize several Walmart Supercentre locations for grocery purchases—but not all. You will have to check with Mastercard to find out if the Walmart Supercentre near you qualifies. The best credit cards to use for groceries at Walmart Supercentres include the BMO CashBack Mastercard and Tangerine Money-Back Card.
If you prefer to “add to cart” at Walmart.ca for grocery pickup and grocery delivery, the Walmart World Mastercard is a good card to look at. It earns you 3% on online purchases from Walmart (and 1.25% when shopping in store and 1% at all other grocery stores).
Costco exclusively accepts Mastercard credit cards (sorry Visa users.) Costco isn’t recognized as a “grocery store” in credit card reward programs, either, but you can still earn rewards—it just won’t be as many rewards as you might get elsewhere for groceries.
For example, the BMO CashBack Mastercard earns 3% on groceries, but at Costco you earn the card’s base earn rate of 0.5% on your purchases. That’s why we categorized the MBNA Rewards World Elite Mastercard as the best credit card for use at Costco, since it earns double the points—regardless of the purchase category. Other great cards to use at Costco include the BMO CashBack World Elite Mastercard and the Rogers World Elite Mastercard.
While it used to be that No Frills only accepted Mastercard, like Costco, the grocery chain now accepts both Visa and Mastercard.