The Best Credit Cards for Gas and Groceries

Best Credit Card for Gas and Groceries Comparisons

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What is a Gas and Grocery Card?

A gas and grocery credit card isn't necessarily a separate card you can use only for those items. The best credit card for gas and groceries is the one that earns you the most rewards points on everyday spending on things like gas, groceries, entertainment, and other miscellaneous expenses. You won't find the words gas and groceries emblazoned on the card. Instead, the card's benefits will be in the details.

The best credit card for gas and groceries features benefits important to consumers who spend a significant portion of their monthly budget on basic needs, like gas, groceries, and sometimes entertainment, transit, and travel. Gas and grocery cards make spending, earning points, and redeeming those points for valuable returns simple.

Features of the Best Credit Card for Gas and Groceries

The best credit card for gas and groceries is the one that fits your spending lifestyle and budget best. Features of these types of credit cards include a high potential for earning rewards on everyday items. These cards also make it easy to redeem the rewards you earn for cash-back or other incentives that put money back in your pocket one way or another.

While some gas and grocery cards carry higher rewards on either gas, groceries, or even another spending category, like travel, all of them in our review provide a generous helping of rewards for typical daily spending, whether or not other benefits of card ownership exist.

Some common features of high-quality gas and grocery cards include the following items.

• Low interest rates

• High reward returns of 1.5% or higher

• Additional rewards for other spending category purchase

• Ease and usefulness of rewards redemptions

• Low or manageable interest rates

• Robust and useful introductory offers that are attainable if spending money to receive them is necessary

• Low introductory APR on balance transfers and purchases

How We Chose the Best Cards for Gas and Groceries

When choosing the best credit card for gas and groceries and the runner-up contenders, we examined a multitude of factors that impact the usefulness of the cards themselves and the rewards associated with each one.

The factors with the most significance in our review were interest rates, reward amounts and limitations, annual fees, additional perks outside of gas and grocery reward benefits, customer and expert review ratings, and introductory offer details—including benefits, easy use, and intro durations.

How to Choose the Best Credit Card for Gas and Groceries for You

Determining which gas and grocery card is best to carry for you comes down to how you spend and which rewards matter most to you. Look for the following features when choosing your gas and grocery card.

• High rewards earning potential, generally above 1% cash-back or an equivalent

• Easy access to reward redemption

• Rewards that are available for the items you purchase and the vendors you shop at most often

• A low or manageable annual fee and interest rate

• Approval requirements that meet your financial and credit score standing

• A strong and achievable introductory offer—Although this should a secondary reason for choosing a credit card that you intend to keep long-term

• Other benefits, such as travel, entertainment, or other rewards categories if desired

What's the Best Credit Card for Gas and Groceries?

Our choice for the best credit card for gas and groceries is the Chase Freedom Unlimted® card. After evaluating numerous credit cards in the category, the Unlimited® proved to feature the best rewards for the largest number of consumers.

Additionally, we like the no annual fee aspect of the card as well as the $200 introductory bonus that's relatively easy to achieve by spending $500 on eligible purchases within the first three months to attain.

However, our choice of the best credit card for gas and groceries may not be the one that suits your needs best. We encourage you to check out the details of each selection below to learn more about what rewards and spending strategies best fit your lifestyle and budget.

Amex Blue Cash Preferred

Trusted Company Reviews Rating Score for Amex Blue Cash Preferred: 9.8

About the Card

The Blue Cash Preferred credit card from American Express provides excellent points rewards that consumers can cash in for cash-back and other benefits. Also included for new applicants is a $250 bonus for early eligible spending. The Amex card offers up to 6% rewards on everyday spending on gas, groceries, transit services, streaming, and more. Current Amex cards are upgradable to the Blue Cash Preferred to take advantage of a potential $150 bonus and additional benefits.

Features and Benefits

• Variable APR 19.74% to 28.74%

• 0% Intro APR for 12 months

• $95 annual fee after 12 months $0 intro offer

• 0% APR for 12 months on balance transfers

• 2.7% foreign transaction fees apply

• 6% cash-back on groceries

• 3% cash-back on gas

• 6% cash-back on select streaming services

• 3% cash-back on local transportation services

• 1% cash-back on all other purchases

• Cash-back points redeemable for statement credits

• Instant card number access for approved applications

• Monthly $10 statement credit for Equinox+ enrollment

• Send & Split® Venmo and PayPal access

• Robust mobile app

• Balance transfer fees of 3% after intro offer

• $10 or 5% cash advance fee

• Best for Good to Exceptional credit score above 700

• Cash advance APR of 29.99%

Why We Chose Amex Blue Cash Preferred

The Amex Blue Cash Preferred credit card offers the highest returns on grocery purchases in our review and solid returns on gas purchases. We chose this card primarily for those reasons. However, the Blue Cash Preferred card also rewards other daily spending with 3% cash-back on transit services and 1% on almost everything else. We like the $250 cash-back bonus, but the $3,000 spending requirement in six months to attain it may be steep for some consumers.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• $250 cash-back offer after $3,000 of eligible spending in the first 6 months

• $150 cash-back upgrade offer after $1,000 of eligible spending in first 6 months

• High cash-back returns on groceries, gas, streaming, and more

• No additional annual fee for additional cardholders

• Monthly $7 statement credit for select streaming service purchases

• Amex Early Access for select events

Cons

• A 700+ credit score is necessary for most approvals

• $95 annual fee after intro offer

• $6,000 supermarket spending rewards limit

• 2.7% foreign transaction fees

Read Full Review

Other Credit Card Products From American Express

• Delta SkyMiles, Sky Miles Platinum, SkyMiles Reserve Business

• Hilton Honors Surpass

• Platinum

• Business Platinum

• Business Gold

• Blue Business Cash

• Blue Business Plus

• Plum

• Business Green Rewards

• Hilton Honors Business

• Marriot Bonvoy Business

• Amazon Business

• Many More

Citi Premier

Trusted Company Reviews Rating Score for Citi Premier: 9.3

About the Card

The Citi Premier credit card is one of two Citi entries on our list. The highly-rated travel rewards card just happens to offer excellent gas and grocery purchasing benefits in addition to several other perks. The card offers 3% points earnings on purchases made in daily spending categories like gas and groceries while also proving lucrative for rewards earnings on airline tickets and hotels.

Features and Benefits

• 19.99% - 27.99%

• $95 annual fee

• 60,000 bonus points intro offer worth $600

• 3x ThankYou® points rewards on select purchases

• 1x ThankYou® points rewards on other purchases

• $5 or 5% balance transfer fee

• $100 annual hotel discounts available

• Robust mobile app

• Transferrable rewards points

• No introductory balance transfer offers

• Balance transfer fees of 5% after intro offer

• No foreign transaction fees

• $10 or 5% cash advance fee

• Cash advance APR equals 29.99%

• Best for Good to Exceptional credit score above 700

Why We Chose Citi Premier

We chose the Citi Premier card as excellent for gas and grocery spending rewards despite its primary intention to reward travelers for things like hotel stays and airline tickets. By offering great travel rewards and benefits as well as rewarding everyday spending, the card proves itself a well-rounded financial tool.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• 60,000 bonus points after spending $4k in first 3 months

• High returns on gas, groceries, travel, and more

• Annual hotel stay benefit

• No foreign transaction fees

• Transferable points

Cons

• A 700+ credit score is necessary for most approvals

• $95 annual fee with no intro offer

• Relatively high low-end interest rate

Read Full Review

Other Credit Card Products From Citi

• Simplicity

• Diamond Preferred

• Double Cash

• AAdvantage

• AAdvantage Platinum Select

• AAdvantage World Elite

• AAdvantage Executive World Elite

• AAdvantage MileUp

• Custom Cash

• Rewards+

• Costco Anywhere

• Costco Anywhere Business

• Many More

Citi Custom Cash

Trusted Company Reviews Rating Score for Citi Custom Cash: 8.7

About the Card

The Citi Custom Cash credit card is best for consumers looking for solid cash-back rewards without a bunch of hassle or an annual fee. The card provides up to $25 monthly or $300 per year in 5% rewards plus unlimited rewards earnings at 1% on all other qualified purchases.

While those limitations make the card somewhat less lucrative than others on our list, the Custom Cash card can be a good tool for casual cardholders who just want a few dollars back in their pocket for things they normally buy.

Features and Benefits

• APR 17.99% – 27.99%

• 0% APR for 15 months

• No annual fee

• 5% cash-back on the highest monthly spending category

• 5% cash-back applies to the first $500 spent in the top category

• 1% cash-back rewards on all other qualified purchases

• Balance transfer fees of $5 or 5% of each transfer

• $200 cash-back after $1,500 spending in the first six months

• 3% foreign transaction fee

• $10 or 5% cash advance fee

• Cash advance interest rate equals 29.99%

• Late payment fees up to $41

• Highest spend category automatically determined

• Best for Good to Exceptional credit score above 670

Why We Chose Citi Custom Cash

We chose the Citi Custom cash mainly for its ease of use when maximizing reward earnings. The card automatically identifies the highest earning potential each month for cardholders, so there's no guessing which spending category will reap the best benefits. While the total available rewards at the highest earning potential are lower than others, the card is still worthwhile, especially considering its lack of an annual fee.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Your best cash-back option chosen for you

• No annual fee

• Long, 15-month 0% interest intro APR

• Broad 1% cash-back categories

• Cash-back or several other reward redemption options

Cons

• 3% foreign transaction fees

• Can't choose your highest spending category

• 5% cash-back limited to $25 per month

Read Full Review

Other Credit Card Products From Citi

• Simplicity

• Diamond Preferred

• Double Cash

• AAdvantage

• AAdvantage Platinum Select

• AAdvantage World Elite

• AAdvantage Executive World Elite

• AAdvantage MileUp

• Premier

• Rewards+

• Costco Anywhere

• Costco Anywhere Business

• Many More

Discover it Cash Back

Trusted Company Reviews Rating Score for Discover it Cash Back: 8.1

About the Card

The Discover it Cash Back card takes its spot among our top choices for the best gas and grocery credit cards by offering a high rewards rate for quarterly designated category spending. However, despite the apparent limitations that fact could cause, Discover provides 2% reward returns on all other qualified purchases, including for purchases over the $1,500 spending cap in the quarterly selections.

Features and Benefits

• APR 17.99% - 26.99%

• 0% APR for 15 months

• No annual fee

• Cash-back matching after the first year

• 5% cash-back on quarterly-featured spending categories

• 5% cash-back rewards up to $1,500 quarterly spending maximum

• 1% cash-back rewards on all other qualified purchases

• Free FICO credit score access

• Intro balance transfer fees of 3% of each transfer

• Balance transfer fees of 5% after intro offer

• No foreign transaction fees

• $10 or 5% cash advance fee

• Cash advance interest rate equals 29.99%

• Late payment fees of up to $41 after the first occurrence

• Best for Good to Exceptional credit score above 700

• Points rewards as Cashback Bonus®

• Discover® Identity alerts available

Why We Chose Discover it Cash Back

The Discover it Cash Back card makes our list despite consumers' need to pay attention to quarterly spending category changes to earn the maximum rewards benefits. The card's 2% returns on everything else helped it make our list simply for that convenience. The $0 annual fee and unlimited cash-back matching program for first-year spending didn't hurt its chances either.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Pre-approval won't affect your credit score

• Unlimited cash-back matching after the first year

• No annual fee

• Long, 15-month 0% intro APR

• No foreign transaction fees

• Free identity fraud alerts are available

Cons

• A 700+ credit score is required for approval

• 5% rewards are limited to quarterly categories

• 5% rewards are limited to the first $1,500 spent per quarter

Read Full Review

Other Credit Card Products From Discover

• Student Cash Back

• Secured

• Travel

• Gas & Restaurants

• Student Gas & Restaurants

• Student Chrome

• Miles

• Chrome Gas & Restaurant

• NHL

• Balance Transfer

Chase Freedom Unlimited

Trusted Company Reviews Rating Score for Chase Freedom Unlimited: 7.8

About the Card

The Chase Freedom Unlimited credit card is a rewards card featuring 1.5% cash-back at gas and grocery stores after an introductory period of 5% rewards for the same purposes. After the introductory period, the card continues supplying benefits in the form of 5% cash-back for travel purchases and 3% cash-back for drug store, dining, and take-out service purchases. The card also features a $200 cash-back offer after spending $500 in the first three months.

Features and Benefits

• APR 18.74% - 28.24%

• 0% APR for 15 months

• No annual fee

• $200 cash-back for spending $500 in the first 3 months

• Complimentary service vendor bonuses

• 5% cash-back at gas and grocery stores for the first 12 months or $12k

• 1.5% cash-back at gas and grocery stores after the intro offer

• 5% cash-back on travel purchases

• 3% cash-back on drugstore, dining, and take-out services

• Robust mobile app

• Free VantageScore 3.0 credit score access

• Intro balance transfer fees of $5 or 3% of each transfer

• Balance transfer fees of $5 or 5% after the intro offer

• 3% foreign transaction fees

• $10 or 5% cash advance fee

• Cash advance interest rate equals 29.99%

• Late payment fees of up to $40

• Best for Good to Exceptional credit score above 700

Why We Chose Chase Freedom Unlimited

While other cards on our list offer higher reward returns than the Chase Freedom Unlimited card, its additional benefits and long-term usefulness power sets it above the rest according to our metrics. We chose the card for its $0 annual fee, robust rewards on everyday purchases, generous travel and drugstore purchase rewards, and the fact that the card is simple to use and rewards are easy to redeem in the customer's chosen method.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Unlimited 1.5% cash back on all qualified purchases

• $200 cash-back for spending $500 in the first 3 months

• Potential for high reward returns, especially during the first year

• No annual fee

• Long, 15-month 0% intro APR

Cons

• A 700+ credit score is necessary for approval

• 5% gas and groceries rewards limited to first 12  months or $12k

• 3% foreign transaction fees

Read Full Review

Other Credit Card Products From Chase

• Sapphire Preferred

• Freedom Flex

• Freedom Rise

• Slate Edge

• Sapphire Reserve

• Southwest Rapid Rewards, Rapid Reward Priority, and Rapid Rewards Premier

• Ink Business

• Ink Business Premier

• United Business, United Explorer, United Quest, United Gateway

• United Club Infinte

• Prime Visa

• Amazon Visa

• Many More