Double Duty: The Best Credit Card for Gas AND Groceries [2023]

There are credit cards that can help you earn cash back and travel rewards for your purchases at gas stations and grocery stores, allowing you to easily save hundreds of dollars every year or put that money toward something special.

And you don’t need to juggle multiple cards to accomplish these savings — we’ve put together a short list of single credit cards that are good credit cards for gas and groceries. Our primary goal when selecting these cards was to find the ones with the highest reward rates in both categories.

Key takeaways

• Several credit cards can help you earn a welcome offer while also benefiting from elevated rewards rates on gas and groceries.
• Our favorite credit card for gas and groceries is the Blue Cash Preferred^® Card from American Express because it helps you earn 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (for first $6,000 per year, after that 1%) and on select U.S. streaming services, 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations and on eligible transit, and 1% cash back on other eligible purchases. This card has an annual fee of $0 intro annual fee for the first year, $95 per year thereafter. Terms apply.
• The Blue Cash Preferred^® Card from American Express also helps you earn a $250 statement credit after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 6 months.
• You could also consider the Blue Cash Everyday^® Card from American Express. This card helps you earn 3% cash back at U.S. supermarkets, U.S. gas stations, and U.S. online retail purchases (up to $6,000 per year on purchases in each category, then 1%); and 1% cash back on other eligible purchases. It has an annual fee of $0. Terms apply.
• Costco lovers might like the Costco Anywhere Visa^® Card by Citi since it helps them earn 4% cash back on eligible gas and EV charging purchases (up to $7,000, then 1% thereafter); 3% on restaurants and eligible travel purchases; 2% on all other purchases from Costco and Costco.com; and 1% on all other purchases. This credit card has an annual fee of $0.

The best credit cards for gas and groceries

• Blue Cash Preferred^® Card from American Express: Our overall winner
• Blue Cash Everyday^® Card from American Express: Best for no annual fee
• Bank of America^® Customized Cash Rewards credit card: Best for flexible rewards
• Wells Fargo Active Cash^® Card(Rates and fees): Best for easy rewards
• Citi Double Cash^® Card: Best for easy rewards
• Citi Premier^® Card: Best for elevated rewards
  
• Citi Custom Cash^® Card: Best for flexible rewards
  
• Costco Anywhere Visa^® Card by Citi: Best for Costco members
  
• Prime Visa: Best for Whole Foods
  

Compare the best credit card for gas and groceries

Blue Cash Preferred^® Card from American Express: Our overall winner

Welcome bonus: Earn a $250 statement credit after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 6 months

Annual fee: $0 intro annual fee for the first year, $95 per year thereafter

Rewards rate: Earn 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (for first $6,000 per year, after that 1%) and on select U.S. streaming services, 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations and on eligible transit, and 1% cash back on other eligible purchases

Why we like it: Because of its high earning potential, the Blue Cash Preferred is one of the best cards for both gas and groceries.

You can easily offset the $0 intro annual fee for the first year, $95 per year thereafter annual fee on this card if you spend at least $1,583 on groceries every year. This card is a good choice for anyone who spends a lot on groceries and gas, especially people who also use rideshare services. In addition, this card offers a generous welcome bonus.

Apply now or for more information, read our Amex Blue Cash Preferred Card review.

Blue Cash Everyday^® Card from American Express: Best for no annual fee

Welcome bonus: Earn a $200 statement credit after spending $2,000 in purchases in the first 6 months

Annual fee: $0

Rewards rate: Earn 3% cash back at U.S. supermarkets, U.S. gas stations, and U.S. online retail purchases (up to $6,000 per year on purchases in each category, then 1%); and 1% cash back on other eligible purchases

Why we like it: For those who want a $0-annual-fee card that still has a high rewards rate for groceries and gas, the Blue Cash Everyday^® Card from American Express is a great option. 

This Amex card is also a good choice for someone that needs to finance a larger purchase or do a balance transfer. It offers 0% intro APR on purchases for 15 months, then 19.24% - 29.99% Variable and 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 15 months, then 19.24% - 29.99% Variable.

Apply now or for more information, read our Amex Blue Cash Everyday Card review.

Bank of America^® Customized Cash Rewards credit card: Best for flexible rewards

Welcome bonus: Earn a $200 online cash rewards bonus after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening

Annual fee: $0

Rewards rate: Earn 3% cash back on the category of your choice - now with expanded categories; 2% cash back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs (on the first $2,500 spent each quarter in the 2% and 3% categories combined); and 1% cash back on all other purchases

Why we like it: The Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards credit card is a good choice for cardholders who want a $0 annual fee, while still earning competitive rewards on their everyday purchases. This card is best suited for those whose spending may fluctuate throughout the year since you're able to pick your highest earning reward category.

Additionally, this card is a good choice for anyone interested in 0% interest on purchases, balance transfers, or both. That’s because the Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards card offers an introductory 0% APR on all purchases made in the first 15 billing cycles of account ownership, then 18.24% - 28.24% Variable APR.

You also get a 0% intro APR for 15 billing cycles for any qualifying balance transfers made in the first 60 days, and then the interest rate reaches 18.24% - 28.24% Variable APR. This gives you a little over a year to pay down your balance without incurring interest charges.

Apply now or for more information, go to our Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards review.

Wells Fargo Active Cash^® Card: Best for easy rewards

Welcome bonus: $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months

Annual fee: $0

Rewards rate: Earn 2% cash rewards on purchases

Why we like it: The Wells Fargo Active Cash Credit Card could be a good fit if you want a card that earns a flat, unlimited rate on eligible purchases. It’s simple to understand because there aren’t any spending categories to think about. For example, you don’t have to wonder what cash rewards rate you can earn from filling up your gas tank compared to buying groceries — you earn the same rate on each eligible purchase.

Apply now or for more details, check out our Wells Fargo Active Cash Card review.

Citi Double Cash^® Card: Best for easy rewards

Welcome bonus: Earn $200 in cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back

Annual fee: $0

Rewards rate: Earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases; plus, for a limited time, earn 5% total cash back on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked on the Citi Travel℠ portal through 12/31/24

Why we like it: For some people, this straightforward earnings rate on all categories might make the most sense. For example, if you find that your monthly spending is sometimes greater in categories other than groceries or gas at certain times of the year, but you still only want one credit card to keep track of, then it might be a good idea to get a card with an overall high rewards rate.

Plus, if you’re interested in doing a balance transfer you’ll have a 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 18 months (then 19.24% - 29.24% (Variable)). That makes the Citi Double Cash^® Card an awesome option for paying down debt.

Apply now or for more information, read our Citi Double Cash^® Card(Rates and fees) review.

Citi Premier^® Card: Best for elevated rewards

Welcome bonus: Earn 60,000 bonus ThankYou® Points after you spend $4,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening; Plus, for a limited time, earn a total of 10 ThankYou® Points per $1 spent on hotel, car rentals, and attractions (excluding air travel) booked on the Citi Travel℠ portal through June 30, 2024

Annual fee: Earn 60,000 bonus ThankYou® Points after you spend $4,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening; Plus, for a limited time, earn a total of 10 ThankYou® Points per $1 spent on hotel, car rentals, and attractions (excluding air travel) booked on the Citi Travel℠ portal through June 30, 2024

Rewards rate: Earn 3X points at restaurants, supermarkets, gas stations, air travel and hotels; and 1X points on all other purchases

Why we like it: Not many cards can compete with the Citi Premier rewards rate that provides bonus rewards on both grocery spending and gas station purchases.

That makes the Citi Premier Card one of the best grocery credit cards and also one of the best gas credit cards for earning travel rewards.

Apply now or for more information, read our Citi Premier^® Card(Rates and fees) review. 

Citi Custom Cash^® Card: Best for flexible rewards

Welcome bonus: Earn $200 in cash back after you spend $1500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back

Annual fee: 5% cash back in your top eligible spending category each billing cycle (up to the first $500 spent, then 1% cash back), plus unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases

Rewards rate: Earn 5% cash back in your top eligible spending category each billing cycle (up to the first $500 spent, then 1% cash back), plus unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases

Why we like it: The Citi Custom Cash makes it easy to earn cashback rewards on your grocery store purchases or gas spending when you fill up at a gas station. Just note you can only have one top eligible spending category per billing cycle.

Eligible categories include:

For flexibility with how you earn bonus cash back each month, the Citi Custom Cash Card makes sense with its high cashback rate and the opportunity to earn as a grocery rewards or gas rewards card.

Apply now or for more information, read our Citi Custom Cash^® Card(Rates and fees) review. 

Costco Anywhere Visa^® Card by Citi: Best for Costco members

Welcome bonus: Receive an annual credit card reward certificate, which is redeemable for cash or merchandise at U.S. Costco warehouses, including Puerto Rico

Annual fee: $0

Rewards rate: Earn 4% cash back on eligible gas and EV charging purchases (up to $7,000, then 1% thereafter); 3% on restaurants and eligible travel purchases; 2% on all other purchases from Costco and Costco.com; and 1% on all other purchases

Why we like it: You need a Costco membership to qualify for the Costco Anywhere Visa Card, but you can use this cash back card anywhere Visa cards are accepted. That gives you some extra leeway for earning at different gas and EV charging stations when there’s no Costco nearby.

For more information, read our Costco Anywhere Visa Card review. 

Prime Visa: Best for Whole Foods

Welcome bonus: $200 Amazon gift card upon approval

Annual fee: $0

Rewards rate: Earn 5% cash back at Amazon.com, Whole Foods Market, and on Chase Travel purchases; 2% cash back at restaurants and gas stations, and on local transit and commuting; 1% cash back on all other purchases

Why we like it: If you have an Amazon Prime membership and primarily shop at Whole Foods, the Prime Visa can be a good bet. You do need a valid Prime membership to get the premium rewards rates, but you'll also receive a $200 Amazon gift card upon approval upon approval, and there’s no minimum spend requirement.

You can redeem your points for travel, gift cards, cash back, or Amazon purchases. There’s no minimum to redeem, so you can access your rewards whenever you want.

And the fact the 2% back category includes restaurants, gas stations, local transit and commuting is a nice perk that doesn’t come with all of the cards on our list. But if you don’t typically buy your groceries from Whole Foods, you’ll probably be better off with another option.

For more information, read our Prime Visa review.

How to choose the best credit card for gas and groceries

Rather than choose from the best credit cards for groceries or the best credit cards for gas, you can have the best of both worlds. While some credit cards occasionally feature gas and groceries as bonus categories, and others offer rewards on one category or the other, only a select few are great for both gas and groceries.

Some of these credit cards have higher rewards for gas than groceries or the other way around. This means you’ll need to:

• Consider a card's welcome offer and if you might be able to earn it within a few months of account opening
• Be aware of your monthly spending in these categories to choose the right card for you
• Make sure you spend enough to offset the annual fee if a card has one
• Consider rewards in other spending categories such as travel purchases or streaming subscriptions
  
• Think about the fine print details such as foreign transaction fees and spending caps, if any exist
• Research the typical credit score requirements for different cards to see if you might qualify
• Weigh the importance of other perks and benefits that could help you reach personal finance goals, such as 0% introductory APR offers (note that balance transfers typically have balance transfer fees)

Note that many credit card offers for grocery shopping could also earn bonus points on online shopping purchases for groceries. For example, you might be able to earn additional rewards points on grocery delivery services, such as Instacart. In many cases, buying groceries at superstores like Target and Walmart won't count for bonus rewards on grocery credit cards.

Gas and grocery Credit cards FAQ

Gas and grocery credit cards: bottom line

To choose the best cash back credit cards for you, analyze your annual spending habits and discover whether you’re spending the most on gas, groceries, or another category altogether. Consider your total spending when deciding whether or not you can offset an annual fee. And decide how you’ll want to use your rewards to meet your goals. 

Remember, the best gas credit card for someone else might not be the best option for you. But, ultimately, no matter what card you choose, you can end up with extra rewards to redeem. Enjoy those rewards — you deserve them!

Methodology

In choosing these cards, we focused on credit cards with the highest rewards rates on both gas and grocery purchases. We stayed away from cards that only offer high grocery or gas rewards, or high rewards on rotating categories. Instead, we focused on cards that allow high reward rates on both grocery and gas purchases throughout the year. All of these cards make it easy to earn rewards on your everyday spending.

But we also wanted to make sure there was something for everyone on our list, which is why we chose some cards with an annual fee and other credit cards without an annual fee. Some of these cards also have more flexible redemption offers than others, some have additional categories with high rewards rates included, and others are focused on specific retailers.

Cash Back at U.S. Supermarkets

Blue Cash Preferred^® Card from American Express

5.0

FinanceBuzz writers and editors score cards based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence how we rate products.

Blue Cash Preferred^® Card from American Express

Learn How to Apply

See rates and fees | Terms Apply

Current Offer

Earn a $250 statement credit after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 6 months

Annual Fee

$0 intro annual fee for the first year, $95 per year thereafter

Rewards Rate

6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (for first $6,000 per year, after that 1%) and on select U.S. streaming services, 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations and on eligible transit, and 1% cash back on other eligible purchases

Benefits and Drawbacks

Benefits

• Earn a $250 statement credit after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 6 months
• 6% cash back on U.S. supermarkets (for first $6,000 per year, after that 1%) and on select U.S. streaming services
• 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations and eligible transit
• Introductory APR for purchases and balance transfers
• Annual fee of $0 intro annual fee for the first year, $95 per year thereafter

Drawbacks

• Has foreign transaction fee

Card Details

• Earn a $250 statement credit after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 6 months
• 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (for first $6,000 per year, after that 1%) and on select U.S. streaming services, 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations and on eligible transit, and 1% cash back on other eligible purchases
• Intro purchase 0% APR offer: 0% for 12 months then 19.24% - 29.99% Variable
• Intro balance transfer 0% APR offer: 0% for 12 months then 19.24% - 29.99% Variable
• Terms apply

Author Details

Lindsay Frankel Lindsay Frankel is a Denver-based freelance writer who specializes in credit cards, travel, budgeting/saving, and shopping. She has been featured in several finance publications, including LendingTree. When she's not writing, you can find her enjoying the great outdoors, playing music, or cuddling with her rescue pup.

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Yahia Barakah Yahia Barakah is an Editor at FinanceBuzz and has created finance-focused content since 2011. He has a background in institutional investment and asset management, and he has a deep passion for financial literacy.

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