The best grocery credit cards in Canada for 2024
Whether you’re looking for cash back or to rack up points, we’ve gathered the information you need to maximize your grocery spending.
Earn 4% cash back on groceries, plus 4% on recurring bills and 2% on transit.
Earn 3% cash back on groceries – up to $500 per month. Plus get a $25 cash bonus upon approval with Ratehub.ca.
Earn 5 times the points on groceries and restaurants. Redeem points for flights on any airline.
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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. And considering that grocery prices continue to grow quickly, there’s no better time to earn useful rewards and cash back on this essential household expense.
Take stock of your shopping habits, and get ready to cash in on the rewards.
| Card | Why we love it |
|---|---|
| Best cash back card Scotia Momentum Visa Infinite* Annual fee: $120 (waived for the first year) | 4% cash back on groceries and gas |
| Best no-fee cash back card BMO CashBack Mastercard Annual fee: $0 | 3% cash back on groceries, up to $500 per month |
| Best groceries and gas card (tie) CIBC Dividend Visa Infinite Annual fee: $120 | 4% cash back on groceries and gas |
| Best groceries and gas card (tie) Meridian Visa Infinite Cash Back Card Annual fee: $ | 4% cash back on groceries and gas |
| Best card for shopping at Loblaw-affiliated stores PC Financial World Elite Mastercard Annual fee: $0 | 30 PC points per $1 spent at Loblaw-affiliated stores |
| Best points card American Express Cobalt* Annual fee: $156 | 5 points per $1 on groceries |
| Best points card (runner up) Scotiabank Gold American Express* Annual fee: $120 | • 6 Scene+ points per $1 spent at Sobeys-affiliated stores • 5 points per $1 on groceries and dining |
Best cash back card for groceries
With the 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%.
Scotia Momentum Visa Infinite
- Annual fee: $120
- Earn rates: 4% cash back on groceries, recurring bill payments and subscription services; 2% on gas and public transit; and 1% on everything else
- Welcome bonus: earn 10% cash back on all purchases for the first 3 months (up to $2,000 in total purchases). No annual fee in the first year, including on additional cards. Offer ends October 31, 2024.
- Annual income requirement: Personal income of $60,000 or household income of $100,000
- Recommended credit score for approval: 660 or higher
- Interest rates: 20.99% on purchases, 22.99% on cash advances, 22.99% on balance transfers
Best no-fee cash back credit card for groceries
If you’re looking for the best no-fee cash back 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.
BMO CashBack Mastercard
- Annual fee: $0
- Earn rates: 3% cash back on groceries (on the first $500 per month), 1% on recurring bills; 0.5% on everything else
- Welcome bonus: earn up to 5% cash back in your first 3 months. Conditions apply.
- Annual income requirement: None
- Recommended credit score for approval: 660 or higher
- 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
- Interest rates: 20.99% on purchases, 22.99% on cash advances, (21.99% for residents of Quebec), 22.99% on balance transfers
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.
Honourable mention:
Every Tangerine Money-Backcardholder 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.
Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card
- Annual fee: $0
- Earn rates: 2% in up to 3 categories of your choice (including groceries, gas and dining) and 0.5% cash back on everything else
- Welcome bonus: You can earn an extra 10% back on up to $1,000 in everyday purchases within the first 2 months. Must apply by April 30, 2024.
- Annual income requirement: Personal or household income of $12,000
- Recommended credit score: 660 or higher
- Interest rates: 19.95% on purchases, 19.95% on cash advances and 19.95% on balance transfers
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.
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
- Annual fee: $120
- Earn rates: 4% cash back on eligible gas, EV charging and grocery purchases; 2% on dining, daily transit and recurring payments; and 1% on everything else
- Interest rates: 20.99% on purchases, 22.99% on cash advances, 22.99% on balance transfers
- Welcome bonus: You can earn 10% cash back welcome bonus of up to $250 (first 4 statements). Offer not available to QC residents. Terms and conditions apply.
- Recommended credit score for approval: 725 or higher
- Annual income requirement: Personal income of $60,000 or household income of $100,000
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.
Aside from 4% cash back on groceries and gas—two very popular spending categories—the Meridian Visa Infinite 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.
Meridian Visa Infinite Cash Back Card
- Annual fee: $
- Earn rates: 4% cash back on groceries and gas; 2% on drug stores and recurring bills; 1% on everything else
- Welcome bonus: This card does not have a welcome bonus at this time.
- Annual income requirement: Personal income of $60,000 or household income of $100,000
- Recommended credit score for approval: 725 or higher
- Additional perks: Emergency health care, trip cancellation or interruption, and baggage insurance; car rental loss or collision coverage; mobile device insurance
- Interest rates: % on purchases, % on cash advances, % on balance transfers
Best credit card for Loblaw banner grocery stores
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 the PC Financial World Elite is a useful card for many Canadians.
PC Financial World Elite Mastercard
- Annual fee: $0
- Earn rates: 45 PC Optimum points per $1 at Shoppers Drug Mart; 30 points per $1 at Loblaw banner grocery stores (including No Frills), and 10 points per $1 on everything else
- Welcome bonus: You can earn 20,000 PC Optimum points ($20 value).
- Annual income requirement: Personal income of $80,000 or household income of $150,000
- Point value: 10 PC points = $0.01 at Loblaws grocery network and Shoppers Drug Mart
- Recommended credit score for approval: 560 or higher
- Interest rates: 21.99% on purchases, 22.97% on cash advances (21.97% for residents of Quebec), 22.97% on balance transfers
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.
Best points cards for groceries
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. The earn rate on groceries as well as dining out and food delivery services is a very competitive 5 points per $1.
American Express Cobalt
- Annual fee: $156
- Earn rate: 5 points per $1 spent on dining and groceries; 2 points per $1 spent on transit and gas; and 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases
- Welcome offer: You can earn 1,250 points for each month you spend $750, up to a maximum of 15,000 points.
- Annual income requirement: None
- Point value: 1 Amex Membership Rewards point = $0.01 when redeemed with the Flexible Points Travel Program, $0.015 on average with the Fixed Points Travel Program, and up to $0.02 with airline points transfers
- Recommended credit score for approval: 725 or higher
- Interest rates: 21.99% on purchases, 21.99% on cash advances
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.
Honourable mention:
Want to earn points toward next year’s vacation while you cover this week’s grocery haul? Here’s how it works with the Scotiabank Gold: 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.
Scotiabank Gold American Express
- Annual fee: $120
- Earn rates: 6 points per $1 spent at Sobeys-affiliated stores; 5 points per $1 on dining, entertainment and groceries; 3 points per $1 on gas, transit and streaming; 1 point per $1 on everything else
- Welcome offer: You can earn up to $650 in value in the first 12 months, including up to 40,000 bonus Scene+ points. Must apply by July 1, 2024.
- Annual income requirement: $12,000
- Point value: 1 Scene+ point = $0.01 when redeemed for travel, store purchases and food and drink at Cineplex and Scene partners
- Recommended credit score for approval: 700 or higher
- Interest rates: 20.99% on purchases, 22.99% on cash advances, 22.99% on balance transfers
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.
Our methodology: How we determine the best cards
The MoneySense editorial team selects the best credit cards by assessing the value they provide to Canadians across various categories. Our best grocery credit cards ranking is based on an extensive list of card details and features, including annual fees, interest rates, welcome offers, rewards earn rates and redemption options and annual income requirements. Our rankings are an unbiased source of information for Canadians. The addition of links from affiliate partners has no bearing on the results. Read more about how MoneySense makes money.
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. As a grocery store under the Loblaw corporate banner, however, No Frills does not accept American Express.
More of Canada’s best credit cards:
- Canada’s best credit cards
- Canada’s best instant approval credit cards
- Canada’s best no fee credit cards
- Canada’s best no foreign transaction fee credit cards
- Canada’s best travel credit cards
- Canada’s best cash back credit cards
What does the * mean?
Affiliate (monetized) links can sometimes result in a payment to MoneySense (owned by Ratehub Inc.), which helps our website stay free to our users. If a link has an asterisk (*) or is labelled as “Featured,” it is an affiliate link. If a link is labelled as “Sponsored,” it is a paid placement, which may or may not have an affiliate link. Our editorial content will never be influenced by these links. We are committed to looking at all available products in the market. Where a product ranks in our article, and whether or not it’s included in the first place, is never driven by compensation. For more details, read our MoneySense Monetization policy.
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