Best Credit Cards for Groceries in Canada

Best grocery credit cards in Canada

Fact checked by Scott Birke

Updated Jul 8, 2025

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Our 3 top grocery credit card picks

A grocery credit card is like having a coupon-clipping fairy godmother in your wallet, magically transforming your everyday food hauls into a feast of rewards. Here's our top 3 best grocery credit cards and some great great store-specific picks.

We all need to buy food, so why not maximize your savings with a grocery credit card?

Blowing the budget on groceries? You’re not alone. A Money.ca study1 confirms that food prices are continuing to rise and a majority of Canadians believe that rising food prices are outpacing their income. In 2025, a family of four in Canada is expected to spend around $16,833.67 on food,.

The fastest change, the one least disruptive to your current lifestyle, you can make is to switch to a credit card that rewards you for your lengthy grocery bills. To see all our best cards, check out our comprehensive best credit cards in Canada list or try out our credit card comparison tool.

  • Why you can trust Money.ca's best groceries credit cards in Canada list

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    Money.ca rates all credit cards on a numeric scale of 1 to 5 stars, with 1 being the lowest and 5 the highest rating, respectively. Money.ca’s proprietary scoring formulas break down the confusing language, complex points, rewards and earn rates to give you the real data that caters to your needs first, not ours.

    Our partnerships have no impact on our ratings, which are solely determined by the merits of each card. To learn more about how we researched and ranked these cards, read our full credit card review methodology.

🏆Gold: BMO CashBack® World Elite Mastercard®*

Welcome Bonus: Get up to $335 in additional cash back including 10% cash back in your first 3 months.† Plus, the $120 annual fee is waived in the first year.† Expires Jan 31, 2026

On BMO'sSecure Site

Get this card if you...

  • are a high-earner looking to earn cash back
  • want great perks like travel insurance and concierge services
  • value a great welcome offer

Our top pick for grocery purchases retains its crown from last year, and with good reason:

  • Leading cash back on groceries: Cardholders earn 5% cash back on groceries. This market-leading earn rate means you'll get $5 back for every $100 you spend at the supermarket, making it one of the most rewarding grocery cards in Canada.
  • Impressive welcome bonus: New cardholders can earn $200 cash back thanks to up to 10% cash back† for the first 3 months, giving you an immediate return on your grocery spending.
  • Unmatched grocery store acceptance: Mastercard scores an impressive 0.92 in our proprietary Grocery Score, meaning you'll earn bonus rewards at virtually every grocery store in Canada.
  • Exceptional insurance coverage: Unlike many cash back cards, this one comes with comprehensive purchase protection, extended warranty, and travel insurance benefits typically reserved for premium travel cards.

Disclosures:

  • *Terms and conditions apply.
  • BMO is not responsible for maintaining the content on this site. Please click on the Apply now link for the most up to date information.

🥈 Silver: SimplyCash® Preferred Card from American Express

Welcome Bonus: Earn a bonus 10% cash back on purchases in your first 3 months (up to $2,000 in purchases).

On American Express'Secure Site

Get this card if you...

  • want to earn cash back faster
  • need comprehensive insurance benefits
  • want a generous welcome offer to maximize rewards

A strong contender with a unique fee structure that makes it appealing for many Canadians:

  • Innovative monthly fee: Rather than paying a large annual fee upfront, this card spreads the cost throughout the year, making it more accessible for budget-conscious shoppers.
  • Generous cash back welcome bonus: New cardholders can earn up to $200 in bonus cash back during their first few months, one of the most competitive welcome offers in its category.
  • Solid cash back on groceries and gas: While not quite matching our winner's 5% grocery rate, this card offers more balanced rewards across both groceries and gas stations.
  • Limited grocery store acceptance: In our analysis, American Express scored lowest in our grocery store acceptance rating, meaning you might miss out on bonus rewards at some smaller grocery chains and independent stores.
  • Flexible redemption options: Cash back can be applied as a statement credit whenever your balance reaches $25, giving you more control over your rewards.

Disclosures:

  • Contact American Express for the most up-to-date referral bonus figures.

    American Express is not responsible for maintaining or monitoring the accuracy of information on this website. For full details and current product information, click the Apply Now link. If you apply and get approved for an American Express Card, (I/we) may receive compensation from American Express, which can be in the form of monetary payment.

🥉 Bronze: PC® Mastercard®

Welcome Bonus: Earn 20,000 bonus PC Optimum™ points†.

On PC Financial'sSecure Site

Get this card if you...

  • frequently shop at Loblaw stores
  • want to accelerate your PC Optimum points
  • want to avoid paying an annual fee

A no-fee powerhouse that's especially valuable for Loblaws shoppers:

  • No annual fee: This card costs nothing to carry, making it an excellent option for occasional grocery shoppers or those looking to complement their main credit card.
  • Highest score in our proprietary Grocery Score: Thanks to the exceptional points earning potential at Loblaws banner stores (including No Frills, Real Canadian Superstore, and Shoppers Drug Mart), this card outperforms many premium cards for dedicated Loblaws shoppers.
  • Tiered card options: The basic PC® Mastercard® is available to most applicants, while the World and World Elite versions offer enhanced earn rates for those with higher incomes or credit scores.
  • Points instead of cash back: Unlike our other top picks, this card earns PC Optimum points instead of cash back, providing excellent value but less flexibility in how you redeem your rewards.
  • Consistently popular choice: This card was a standout in our Most Popular Credit Cards study, confirming that Canadians love its straightforward value proposition.

Disclosures:

  • Sponsored advertising. President’s Choice Financial® Mastercard® is provided by President’s Choice Bank. The PC Optimum™ program is provided by President's Choice Services Inc. President’s Choice Bank is not responsible for the contents of this site, including any editorials or reviews that may appear on this site. For complete information regarding the PC® Mastercard®, PC® World Mastercard®, or PC® World Elite Mastercard®, please click on the “Apply Now” or other applicable button.

Best grocery card for Metro

Welcome Bonus: Earn up to 15,000 Welcome Bonus Membership Rewards® points* – that’s up to $150 in value.

On American Express'Secure Site

Get this card if you...

  • quickly rack up rewards on dining and grocery purchases
  • want a flexible rewards program with travel rewards
  • want access to exclusive events and robust travel insurance

The ultimate credit card for food lovers and grocery shoppers seeking premium rewards:

  • Industry-leading points on groceries and food: Earn 5x Membership Rewards points per dollar spent at grocery stores, restaurants, coffee shops, bars, and food delivery services—an effective return of up to 5% back.
  • Innovative food delivery workaround: Use services like Instacart to earn 5X points when shopping at grocery stores that don't normally accept Amex in-store, such as Loblaws banner stores.
  • Flexible monthly fee structure: Pay the $155.88 annual fee monthly rather than a large upfront fee, making this premium card more accessible for budget-conscious Canadians. (For non-Quebec residents, $12.99/month (Equals $155.88 annually). For Quebec residents, $150/year.)
  • Additional accelerated earn rates: Collect 3X points on eligible streaming subscriptions, 2X points on gas, transit and ride shares, and 1X point on all other purchases.
  • Travel booking bonus: Earn 1 additional point per dollar on eligible hotel and car rental bookings made through American Express Travel Online.
  • Monthly spending cap: The grocery earn rate applies to the first $2,500 spent each month, allowing you to earn up to 12,500 bonus points monthly.

Disclosures:

  • Contact American Express for the most up-to-date referral bonus figures.

    American Express is not responsible for maintaining or monitoring the accuracy of information on this website. For full details and current product information, click the Apply Now link. If you apply and get approved for an American Express Card, (I/we) may receive compensation from American Express, which can be in the form of monetary payment.

Best grocery credit card for Sobeys

Welcome Bonus: Earn up to $1,050* in value in the first 12 months, including up to 50,000 bonus Scene+ points. Expires Oct 31, 2025

On Scotiabank'sSecure Site

Get this card if you...

  • want exclusive travel benefits like no foreign exchange fees
  • need comprehensive travel insurance benefits
  • want to access exclusive Amex offers

  • Exceptional points earn rate at Empire stores: At Sobeys, Safeway, FreshCo, Foodland, and other Empire-owned grocery stores, you'll earn an impressive 6x Scene+ points per dollar spent, translating to an effective 6% return— one of the highest grocery rewards rates in Canada.
  • Strong points at all other grocery stores: Even when shopping outside the Empire network, you'll still earn 5x Scene+ points per dollar at other supermarkets, maintaining category-leading returns regardless of where you shop.
  • Enhanced value through Scene+ partnerships: The Scene+ program has expanded significantly, allowing you to redeem points for groceries at Empire stores, effectively creating a closed-loop system where you earn and burn at the same locations.
  • Flexible redemption options: Unlike store-specific cards, Scene+ points can be used for travel bookings, statement credits, gift cards, and merchandise, giving you more choices than traditional grocery store credit cards.
  • No foreign transaction fees: Save the typical 2.5% foreign transaction fee on all purchases made in non-Canadian currencies, a rare feature among grocery-focused credit cards.
  • Comprehensive insurance package: Enjoy travel medical insurance, trip cancellation, lost baggage coverage, and purchase protection—benefits typically reserved for premium travel cards rather than grocery cards.
  • Reasonable annual fee: While not free, the $120 fee is easily offset through regular grocery shopping, especially when combined with the valuable welcome bonus offered to new cardholders.

Disclosures:

  • Conditions Apply. Visit here for the Scotiabank Gold American Express® Card to learn more.

    *See Card Provider's website and Card Application for complete card details, terms and current offers. Reasonable efforts are made to maintain accuracy of information.

Best grocery card for Loblaws

Welcome Bonus: Earn 20,000 PC Optimum™ points†.

On PC Financial'sSecure Site

Get this card if you...

  • want to quickly rack up PC Optimum points
  • want to avoid paying an annual fee
  • want basic insurance benefits

While the PC Mastercard is one of our top picks for best grocery card, the higher income PC® World Elite Mastercard® is the most lucrative earner at the Loblaws family of brands. 

  • Impressive PC Optimum points per dollar: Earn 30 points per $1 spent at Loblaw banner Grocery Stores (includes Loblaws, No Frills, Valu-Mart, Independent Grocers, Zehrs, Real Canadian Superstore, Fortinos, etc.). That’s a 3% return in PC Optimum points on all purchases at Loblaw banner grocery stores.
  • Enhanced points per dollar at Shoppers Drug Mart: Earn 45 points per $1 spent at Shoppers Drug Mart/Pharmaprix. That’s an exceptional 4.5% return when shopping at Canada's largest pharmacy chain, perfect for personal care items and everyday essentials.
  • Powerful fuel rewards: Earn 30 points per litre at Esso and Mobil gas stations, creating significant savings for drivers across Canada.
  • Additional bonus categories: Collect 30 points per dollar on PC Travel services and 10 points per dollar on all other purchases, ensuring you earn rewards on every transaction.
  • Stack with PC Optimum program: Combine credit card points with weekly personalized offers and in-store promotions for even greater savings on your grocery bill.
  • $0 annual fee: Unlike many premium rewards cards, this one costs absolutely nothing to carry, maximizing the value of every point you earn.
  • Valuable travel insurance: Includes travel medical insurance for cardholders under 65 and car rental collision/loss damage protection typically found on cards with annual fees.

Disclosures:

  • Sponsored advertising. President’s Choice Financial® Mastercard® is provided by President’s Choice Bank. The PC Optimum™ program is provided by President's Choice Services Inc. President’s Choice Bank is not responsible for the contents of this site, including any editorials or reviews that may appear on this site. For complete information regarding the PC® Mastercard®, PC® World Mastercard®, or PC® World Elite Mastercard®, please click on the “Apply Now” or other applicable button.

Best grocery credit card for Pattinson (Save On)

More Rewards RBC Visa Infinite

3.8

Welcome Bonus: Enjoy up to 50,000 bonus More Rewards points. That’s a value of $75 in groceries! Expires Sep 24, 2025

Get this card if you...

  • frequently shop at any of the 700+ partner locations.
  • do not want to pay an annual fee but still want to earn rewards for your purchases.
  • value insurance coverage for your purchases, including mobile devices.

The ultimate credit card for Western Canadians who shop at Save-On-Foods and other Pattison Food Group grocery stores:

  • Exceptional points per dollar at partner grocery stores: Earn an impressive 8 More Rewards points for every dollar spent at Save-On-Foods, Quality Foods, Buy-Low Foods, PriceSmart Foods, Urban Fare and other participating locations.
  • Additional point with loyalty card: Stack your rewards by swiping your More Rewards loyalty card to earn an extra point per dollar, plus qualify for additional in-store promotions and personalized offers.
  • Direct grocery redemption: Use your accumulated points directly at the checkout for grocery purchases, creating a closed-loop system where you earn and redeem at the same stores.
  • Broad Western Canada acceptance: Ideal for shoppers in British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Yukon where More Rewards partner locations are concentrated.
  • Comprehensive insurance package: Enjoy mobile device insurance, purchase security and extended warranty coverage typically reserved for premium travel cards.
  • Petro-Canada savings: Save 3¢ per litre on fuel and earn 20% more Petro-Points when linking your card to the Petro-Canada loyalty program.
  • Annual fee: While this card carries a standard premium card annual fee, the exceptional earn rate at partner grocery stores easily offsets this cost for regular shoppers.

Disclosures:

  • *Terms and conditions apply.

Best grocery card for Costco

On Rogers Bank'sSecure Site

Get this card if you...

  • want to earn cash back with no annual fee
  • are an existing Rogers or Fido customer
  • want complimentary lounge access

  • Superior cash back for Rogers customers: Rogers, Fido, and Shaw customers earn an impressive 2% cash back on all Costco purchases, outperforming the CIBC Costco Mastercard's 1% in-warehouse rate.
  • Strong base earn rate for non-Rogers customers: Even without Rogers services, this card delivers a competitive 1.5% unlimited cash back on all Costco purchases, still outperforming the co-branded Costco CIBC option.
  • No annual fee: Unlike many premium rewards cards that offer comparable grocery rewards, this card costs absolutely nothing to carry, maximizing the value of every dollar earned at Costco.
  • Bonus 50% value when redeeming for Rogers services: Rogers customers receive an additional 50% value when redeeming cash back toward Rogers, Fido, or Shaw bills or purchases, effectively boosting the return on Costco shopping to an unmatched 3%.
  • Enhanced cash back on USD purchases: Perfect for cross-border Costco shoppers or snowbirds, this card delivers an exceptional 3% back on all purchases made in US dollars.
  • Comprehensive insurance package: Enjoy travel medical insurance, trip cancellation/interruption, rental car collision/damage, and purchase protection—benefits rarely found on no-fee cash back cards.

We recommend the card to anyone who makes a substantial amount of purchases at Costco, and particularly to those who also travel with some frequency to the United States. 

Disclosures:

  • Terms and conditions apply. For full and up-to-date product information and applicable terms and conditions, visit Rogersbank.com. Rogers Bank is not responsible for maintaining or controlling the accuracy of the information published on this website.

Best grocery card for Walmart

Welcome Bonus: Earn up to $45 Reward Dollars when you spend $50 using the provided shopping pass†, make one purchase at Walmart and one purchase elsewhere†, and by going paperless†.

On Fairstone Bank of Canada'sSecure Site

Get this card if you...

  • want to earn cash back at Walmart
  • want to avoid paying an annual fee
  • value purchase protection and extended warranty coverage

The perfect everyday credit card for Canadians who regularly shop for groceries at Walmart:

  • Earn big grocery rewards at Walmart.ca: Maximize your rewards with 3X points (as  cash back) on all online Walmart purchases, including grocery pickup and delivery orders.
  • Solid rewards on in-store purchases: Earn 1.25% back in Walmart Rewards on all purchases made in-store at Walmart. Collect Walmart Rewards on all in-store shopping, including groceries, household items, electronics, and more.
  • No annual fee: Unlike many rewards cards, this one costs absolutely nothing to carry, maximizing the value of every point you earn without offsetting costs.
  • Simple redemption process: Use your Walmart Rewards in $5 increments directly at checkout in-store or online, with no minimum redemption threshold beyond the $5 increment requirement.
  • Stackable with rollback prices: Unlike some store cards, you'll still benefit from Walmart's everyday low prices and special rollbacks while earning rewards on every purchase.

Disclosures:

  • *Terms and conditions apply.

Why you need a credit card for groceries in Canada

In today's economic climate, where the average Canadian household spends over $13,000 annually on groceries, having the right credit card for your supermarket runs isn't just smart—it's essential. Food prices in Canada have outpaced general inflation over the past two years, with grocery costs rising nearly 11% in some categories since early 2023.

A well-chosen grocery credit card can effectively return 3-5% of your spending through cash back or points, potentially putting $400-650 back in your pocket each year. Unlike general rewards cards, grocery-specific credit cards are designed to maximize returns on these inevitable weekly expenses, often offering 2-3 times the rewards rate of standard cards.

Pros and cons of grocery cards

  • Rewards on groceries: The best grocery credit cards offer exceptional earn rates of 5% cash back or 5x points on grocery purchases or more
  • Welcome bonuses: Many grocery credit cards feature attractive sign-up offers that can put immediate cash back or points in your pocket
  • Consumer protections: Paying for groceries with a credit card provides additional security compared to cash or debit, often including purchase protection and extended warranty benefits on eligible items
  • Brand loyalty: Some grocery cards may earn points in loyalty programs, helping you save even more
  • Annual fees: Some grocery cards may charge an annual fee, meaning you'll need to pay for the privilege of points
  • Restrictions: Not all grocery purchases qualify for bonus rewards. Many cards exclude warehouse clubs (like Costco), discount stores, and superstores (like Walmart) from their grocery category
  • Spending caps: Grocery credit cards may feature a cap on the highest spending categories, limiting your total rewards potential

What's the best grocery credit card by chain?

Grocery chain
Number of locations
Top grocery card pick

Should you get a groceries credit card?

Grocery credit cards can save you significant money on your weekly expenses. If your household spends the national average of $250+ weekly on groceries, even a modest 3% return translates to over $390 annually in rewards—easily offsetting most annual fees.

The key is selecting a card that aligns with where you actually shop rather than chasing the highest advertised percentage. We recommend analyzing your last three months of grocery receipts to identify your primary stores, then choosing a card that maximizes returns at those specific locations.

For most Canadians, the right grocery credit card isn't just a nice-to-have; it's a practical financial tool that delivers consistent value on unavoidable spending, making it one of the simplest ways to combat rising food costs without changing your shopping habits.

Grocery credit card FAQs

  • Can you use a credit card to buy groceries?

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    Yes. Most Canadian grocers will accept Visa or Mastercard credit cards. Not all will accept Amex credit cards, but Amex’s acceptance rate has improved in recent years.

  • Is Costco considered a grocery store by credit cards?

    +

    Costco in Canada only accepts Mastercard, which unfortunately does not categorize Costco as a grocery store. To maximize cash back at Costco, it’s best to use a Mastercard with a high earn rate on all spending, regardless of its category.

  • Which Mastercard will consider Costco as Grocery category?

    +

    No credit card will consider Costco as a grocery category according to Merchant category codes (MCC). Grocery stores are MCC 5411. Costco is MCC 5300 for discount warehouse store.

  • Is it better to pay for groceries with a credit card or a debit card?

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    We recommend using a credit card whenever possible, as it’s safer to carry than cash and also comes with the added bonus of fraud protection. Plus, using a credit card for everyday purchases can earn you rewards that debit cards typically don’t offer.

Tyler Wade Personal finance content strategist & writer

Tyler Wade has worked in personal finance for over 5 years writing for brands like Ratehub, Forbes, KOHO, and now Money.ca.

Cory Santos Credit card editor

Cory Santos is a finance writer, editor and credit card expert with nearly a decade of experience in personal finance. Cory joined Wise Publishing from BestCards, with bylines in numerous print and digital publications across North America, including the Miami Herald, BlogTO, Debt.ca, AOL, MSN and Medium as well as financial podcasts like KOFE Talk. He's also the creator and author of the annual Money.ca Credit Card Awards.

Disclaimer

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†Terms and Conditions apply.