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Best Credit Cards for Groceries in Canada

Best grocery credit cards in Canada

Tyler Wade Personal finance content strategist & writer

Updated Jan 13, 2025

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.

While we adhere to strict editorial guidelines, partners on this page may provide us earnings.

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. Here are our picks for the best grocery store credit cards in Canada. Once you're done, check out our comprehensive Best Credit Cards Canada list.

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

    +

    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.

Best grocery credit cards

Best grocery credit cards Best for Get started
BMO CashBack® World Elite® Mastercard®* Best Grocery credit card for 2024 Go to site
BMO CashBack® Mastercard®* Best no annual fee card Go to site
Scotia Momentum® Visa Infinite* Best credit card for maximizing cash back Go to site
PC Financial® World Elite Mastercard® Best no annual fee rewards card Go to site
MBNA Rewards World Elite® Mastercard® Best credit card for maximizing rewards Go to site
Rogers Red World Elite® Mastercard®
Best credit card for Costco Go to site
American Express Cobalt® Card Best credit card for food delivery Go to site

  • Conditions Apply. Visit here for the Scotiabank Momentum® Visa Infinite* Card to learn more.

Money.ca's pick for the best grocery credit card in Canada 2024

up to 10%

Welcome Bonus

$950

First Year Value

$690

Annual Value

Welcome Bonus: Get up to 10% cash back in your first 3 months and the $120 annual fee waived in the first anniversary* Expires Jun 01, 2025

Learn More Apply Now On BMO's Secure Site

After gathering over countless data points, pushing them through our proprietary formulas, and working together as an editorial team to weigh in on the "soft" values of a credit card, we picked the BMO CashBack World Elite credit card as our best grocery card for 2024. 

Here's why:

  • Earn 5% cash back on groceries
  • Get up to 10% cash back in your first 3 months and the $120 annual fee waived in the first anniversary*
  • Because it's a Mastercard, you can use it at Costco (but likely a reduced earn rate)
  • You can redeem your cash back any time you want. As little as $1 or set up recurring withdrawals every time you hit $25. 
@moneydotca Uncovering the Secrets: Are Credit Card Points Truly Rewarding or Just a Scam? A #creditcardpoints #personalfinance #fyp #tiktokfinance #creditcard #money ♬ this feeling - Øneheart

Best no annual fee grocery credit card in Canada

5% cash back

Welcome Bonus

$526

First Year Value

$401

Annual Value

Welcome Bonus: Get 5% cash back in your first 3 months* Expires Jun 01, 2025

Learn More Apply Now On BMO's Secure Site

Offer overview:

The BMO CashBack® Mastercard®* offers a very high 3% regular cashback rate on groceries*, which is quite impressive given that the card with a $0 annual fee. For cards with no annual fee, it offers the highest cash back rate on groceries in Canada.† As a Mastercard it’s also one of the top cards for Walmart Supercentres (which Mastercard categorizes as a grocer) but its relatively low ‘all purchases’ earn rate of 0.5%* makes it less ideal for stores that Mastercard does not categorize as grocers, like Costco.

Key features:

  • Annual fee: $0
  • Welcome bonus:
    Get up to 5% cash back in your first 3 months‡‡ and a 0.99% introductory interest rate on Balance Transfers for 9 months with a 2% transfer fee.§§

  • Grocery cashback rate: 3Earn 3% (up to a monthly max of $500) cash back on groceries.
  • Other cashback rates: Earn 1% (up to $500 per month) on any recurring bill payments*. and 0.50% cash back on all other purchases.
  • Additional features: Get 0.99% introductory interest rate on Balance Transfers for 9 months with a 2% transfer fee.§§

Our take:

There are other cards that earn more than a 3% return on groceries (see below), but they come with annual fees of $100+. If you won’t spend enough throughout the year to earn back the annual fee through cash back, or if you don’t meet the other cards’ higher income requirements, the BMO CashBack® Mastercard®* is a great option to pull out whenever you’re at the checkout counter.

  • *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.

Best credit card for maximizing cash back on groceries

10% back

Welcome Bonus

$620

First Year Value

$420

Annual Value

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. Expires Oct 31, 2025

Learn More Apply Now On Scotiabank's Secure Site

Offer overview:

The Scotia Momentum Visa Infinite offers one of the best earn rates for groceries in Canada: a whopping 4%. This rate for groceries is accompanied by other accelerated rates of 4% for recurring bill payments, 2% for gas and daily transit, and 1% on everything else. The emphasis on rewarding your day-to-day spending will allow you to accrue cash back at a much faster rate than other Canadian credit cards. Keep in mind, however, that there are annual spending caps: Once you hit $25,000 in spending on groceries and recurring bills, the usual 4% rate will drop to 1% until the new year starts. The same applies to the 2% rate for gas and transit spend.

Key features:

  • Annual fee: $120
  • Welcome offer: 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.¹ 
  • Grocery cash back rate: 4%
  • Other cash back rates: 4% on recurring bills and subscription purchases.; 2% on gas and daily transit; 1% on everything else

Our take:

Earning 4% as a non-promo rate on groceries is a huge benefit. The spending cap is a bit of a bummer, but even large families are unlikely to reach $25,000 in annual spending on groceries and recurring bills combined.

  • Conditions Apply. Visit here for the Scotiabank Momentum® Visa Infinite* Card to learn more.

Best no annual fee grocery rewards credit card

$0

First Year Value

$0

Annual Value

Learn More Apply Now On PC Financial's Secure Site

Offer overview:

The PC Financial® World Elite Mastercard® is a great credit card for those who shop frequently at Loblaw banner grocery stores, which make up one of the largest grocery store networks in Canada and include Loblaws, No Frills, Real Canadian Superstore, and other participating stores where President’s Choice® products are sold. Buying groceries in Loblaw banner stores with the PC Financial® World Elite Mastercard® will earn 30 points per $1 spent, which works out to a 3% rate of return (10,000 PC Optimum™ points are worth $10 in rewards). These points earned per $1 are in addition to the extra points you may earn via the PC Optimum™ points weekly personalized offers and in-store offers.

Key features:

  • Annual fee: $0 
  • Points earned on groceries: 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.)
  • Points earned elsewhere: Earn 45 points per $1 spent at Shoppers Drug Mart/Pharmaprix; Earn 30 points per litre for gas purchased at Esso™ or Mobil™ stations; Earn 30 points per $1 spent on PC Travel services; and Earn 10 points per $1 spent everywhere else
  • Insurance: Travel medical insurance for those under age 65 and car rental insurance

Our take:

This is a great option for those who:

  1. 1.

    Do the majority of their grocery shopping at Loblaw banner stores;

  2. 2.

    Are averse to paying an annual fee for their credit card; and

  3. 3.

    Meet this card’s income requirements

But keep in mind that there are other credit cards outside the PC Optimum program that earn higher levels of cash back or rewards, provided you spend enough on groceries each year to make up for their annual fee. We recommend looking at the CIBC Dividend® Visa Infinite* Card and the American Express Cobalt® Card for those who spend at least $3,000-$3,500 on groceries annually and who regularly shop outside Loblaw banner stores.

Best credit card for maximizing rewards on groceries

up to 30,000 pts

Welcome Bonus

$900

First Year Value

$655

Annual Value

Welcome Bonus: Earn up to 30,000 bonus MBNA Rewards Points†† for cash back, gift cards and more. Conditions Apply.

Learn More Apply Now On MBNA Credit Cards' Secure Site

Offer overview:

The MBNA Rewards World Elite® Mastercard® earns 5 points‡ per $1 spent on not only groceries, but also on restaurants, digital media, memberships, and household utilities. When it comes time to redeem those rewards, travel redemptions get the most value, at 100 points for $1. But the redemption rate for cash is also quite respectable, at 120 points per $1—that flexibility is very useful.

Key features:

  • Annual fee: $120
  • Points earned on groceries: 5 points‡ per $1 spent (also applies to spending on restaurants, digital media, memberships, and household utilities)
  • Base earn rate: 1 point‡ per $1 spent
  • Welcome bonus: 

    Earn up to 30,000 bonus MBNA Rewards Points†† for cash back, gift cards and more. Conditions Apply. 

    • 20,000 bonus points†† (approximately $165 in cash back value) after you make $2,000 or more in eligible purchases within the first 90 days of your account opening.

    • 10,000 bonus points††(approximately $80 in cash back value) once enrolled for paperless e-statements within the first 90 days of account opening.

    This offer is not available for residents of Quebec. For residents of Quebec, please click here.


Our take:

Compared to rewards cards, most cash back cards typically have slightly lower earn rates on groceries and lower annual spending limits as well. So if you like to travel, it might be worthwhile to go with a travel rewards card like the MBNA Rewards World Elite® Mastercard®, which pumps out rewards points for your grocery trips and has a crazy-high annual limit for earning at its 5 points‡ per $1 rate.

  •  ††, ‡, ✪, ***, ††††, Terms and Conditions apply. 

    This offer is not available for residents of Quebec. For residents of Quebec, please click here. 

    Sponsored advertising. MBNA is a division of The Toronto-Dominion Bank (TD) and TD is not responsible for the contents of this site including any editorials or reviews that may appear on this site. For complete information on this MBNA credit card, please click on the “Apply Now” button.

    The Toronto-Dominion Bank is the issuer of this credit card. MBNA is a division of The Toronto-Dominion Bank. ®MBNA and other-trademarks are the property of The Toronto-Dominion Bank.

Best credit card for Costco groceries

$349

First Year Value

$289

Annual Value

Learn More Apply Now On Rogers Bank's Secure Site

Offer overview:

Costco in Canada accepts Mastercard only; no Visa or Amex. Unfortunately Mastercard does not categorize Costco as a grocery store, so Mastercards with particularly high earn rates for groceries aren’t advantageous for Costo junkies. The most remunerative cards for Costco are instead Mastercards with high ‘base’ earn rates, i.e. high earn rates on all eligible spending regardless of its purchase category. Although Costco does have its own CIBC Costco Mastercard®, it is, bafflingly enough, not a great card for saving at Costco: Its base earn rate is disappointingly low and does not offer a special cashback rate for Costco purchases. In our estimation the best card for saving at Costco is instead the Rogers™ World Elite® Mastercard®, because it earns up to 2% cash back rewards on all eligible purchases in Canadian dollars and has no annual fee.

Key features:

  • Annual fee: $0
  • Regular cashback rewards: 2%
  • USD cashback rewards: 3%
  • Additional features: Free LoungeKey airport lounge membership; global Wi-Fi access; some travel insurance

Our take:

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. 

Best credit card for food delivery in Canada (when you run out of groceries)

up to 15k pts

Welcome Bonus

$679.02

First Year Value

$529.02

Annual Value

Welcome Bonus: Earn up to 15,000 Membership Rewards® points* by earning 1,250 Membership Rewards® points for each monthly billing period in which you spend $750 on your Card in your first year as a new Cardmember. This could add up to 15,000 points in a year.*

Learn More Apply Now On American Express' Secure Site

Offer overview:

The American Express Cobalt® Card has emerged as one of the most lucrative credit cards thanks to its rewards structure, earning 5 Amex Membership Rewards® points per $1 spent on businesses that deliver food and groceries as their primary service.

This delivery earning hack can also be used to circumvent the usual limitations in using Amex at some grocery stores in person; for instance, you can earn 5 points per $1 when using Instacart to deliver groceries from Loblaws banner stores, though an Amex won’t be accepted at a Loblaws counter itself. The 5 points per $1 rate also applies to eligible stand-alone grocery stores, restaurants, coffee shops, bars and food delivery purchases via Uber Eats or DoorDash.

Key features:

  • Annual fee: $155.88 ($$12.99/month)
  • Food earn rates: Earn 5x points on eligible eats and drinks in Canada, including groceries and food delivery. Spend cap of $2,500. (up to $2,500)
  • Other accelerated earn rates: Earn 3x points on eligible streaming subscriptions in Canada; 2x points on eligible gas, transit and ride shares in Canada and 1x point on all other purchases. 1 additional Membership Rewards point on eligible hotel and car rental bookings via American Express Travel Online
  • Base earn rate: Earn 1x the points on everything else
  • Welcome bonus: Earn up to 15,000 Membership Rewards® points* by earning 1,250 Membership Rewards® points for each monthly billing period in which you spend $750 on your Card in your first year as a new Cardmember. This could add up to 15,000 points in a year.* (conditions apply).

Our take:

Amex credit cards historically haven’t been the best option for saving on groceries, as their acceptance rate has been lower than Mastercard and Visa. But that’s gradually changing, and you might be surprised by which stores accept Amex today. We recommend the American Express Cobalt® Card particularly to those who regularly utilize delivery service companies to meet their food needs.

  • 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 cards by store

  • Best credit card for Loblaws, No Frills, Independent, Freshmart, Fortinos, Provigo, Real Canadian Superstore, Shoppers Drug Mart, Super Valu, T&T, Valu-mart, Zehrs markets

    +

    PC Financial credit cards - Mostly no-fee credit cards (just higher income and credit score requirements for the World Elite). This selection of cards helps you reap the rewards at whatever store your shopping at under the Loblaw company umbrella. Now, if you're part of the #loblawsisoutofcontrol movement on reddit, it may be time to cash out your rewards in gift cards and stop using your credit card (don't cut it up yet, save your credit history until you apply for a new one).

  • Best credit card for Sobeys, FreshCo, IGA and Foodland

    +

    Scotiabank Gold Amex - If you can handle the annual fee, this card gives huge earn rates at Sobeys, FreshCo, IGA, Foodland and more, plus it has sweet travel insurance.

    If you're not a fan of Amex and need a card that still has travel perks, check out the Scotiabank Passport. It's a Visa, the earn rates are still good, and you get airport lounge access.

  • Best credit card for Metro, Food Basics and Super C

    +

    The CIBC Dividend® Visa Infinite* Card earns 4% cash back on groceries with a hard to beat spending cap of up to $$20,000.

    †Terms and Conditions Apply. This offer is not available for the residents of Quebec.

    The information for the CIBC Dividend® Visa Infinite* Card has been collected independently by Money.ca. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Tips for choosing the right grocery store card for your needs

Finding the right grocery card for your needs doesn't have to be challenging. When selecting a grocery store credit card in Canada, consider the following factors:

  1. 1.

    Rewards earn rates: Look for a card that offers the highest reward rate on your grocery purchases as this will have the biggest impact on your overall savings.

  2. 2.

    Evaluate redemption options: Evaluate the various redemption options available and choose a card that aligns with your preferences, whether that's cash back, statement credits, gift cards or travel.

  3. 3.

    Check for extra benefits: Consider the card's other perks, such as exclusive discounts, special offers and access to member-only programmes at the affiliated grocery stores.

  4. 4.

    Weigh the annual fee: Weigh the value of the rewards and benefits against the annual fee to determine if the card is worth the cost.

  5. 5.

    Consider your spending habits: Assess your typical monthly or annual grocery spending to ensure the card's reward structure matches your needs. Do you frequently shop at Loblaws or Costco? Finding a card that aligns with your regular shopping habits can help you maximize savings. 

The information for the CIBC Dividend® Visa Infinite* Card has been collected independently by Money.ca. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

This offer is not available for residents of Quebec.

†Terms and Conditions Apply

Best grocery credit card in Canada FAQs

  • Can you use a credit card to buy groceries?

    +

    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?

    +

    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.

  • Sources

    +

    1. https://money.ca/managing-money/debt/canadian-spending-habits-over-the-last-decade

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.

Disclaimer

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†Terms and Conditions apply.