This year's best rewards credit cards for groceries

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Whether you’re single or have a family of kids, you probably know how easy it is to overspend at the grocery store, especially with the stubbornly high cost of food.

Statistics Canada found that almost half of Canadians (45%) said rising prices made it hard to cover daily expenses in spring 2024, up from 33% two years ago.

With food inflation still significantly higher than pre-pandemic levels, 23% of Canadians are likely to seek help from community organizations for food in the next six months, slightly up from 20% two years ago.

These numbers highlight how rising food costs are making it harder for Canadians to manage their finances. But what if you could get a portion of that money back? That’s where a cash-back or rewards credit card can be helpful.

How to save money with rewards credit cards

A good rewards credit card gives you benefits based on how you spend, especially on staples like groceries, travel, and gas. These cards usually offer points, cash back, or other rewards for purchases in these areas.

You can then use these rewards for different financial perks. The best credit cards have high earning rates, low annual fees, and flexible ways to use your rewards.

And though there are many reward credit cards on the market, if you’re looking to save on your grocery bills and make the most out of your spending in general, just a few options will get you the most bang for your buck.

Related: How to break down the value of a credit card

The best credit cards for groceries in Canada

To make the decision-making process easier, RATESDOTCA has identified three cards that stand out for offering the highest cash value, and they are as follows:

BMO CashBack® World Elite®* Mastercard®*

The BMO CashBack® World Elite®* Mastercard®* offers cardmembers the highest cash back earn rate on groceries in Canada. Over a 12-month period, you can earn $920 in cash back, with a net monetary worth of $795 after the annual fee.

Cash back cards are the most straightforward and flexible type of rewards card, making it easy to understand and redeem your earnings.

Regular features and benefits of this card include:

• Grocery: 5% cash back.
• Transit – including ride sharing, taxis, and public transportation: 4% cash back.
• Gas: 3% cash back.
• Recurring bill payments – including streaming services: 2% cash back.
• All other purchases: 1% cash back.

Scotiabank®* Gold American Express® Card

The Scotiabank®* Gold American Express® Card is best for those who want to maximize their savings on everyday expenses, offering Canadians who regularly shop at grocery store chains like Safeway and FreshCo the highest rewards points.

Over a 12-month period, the earning potential includes 119,400 Scotia Scene+ points, with a net monetary worth of $1,074 after the annual fee.

Regular features and benefits of this card include:

• Grocery: 6x Scotia Scene+ points for every $1 you spend at Sobeys, IGA, Safeway, Foodland, FreshCo, Voilà by Sobeys, Voilà by IGA, Voilà by Safeway, Chalo! FreshCo, Thrifty Foods, IGA West, Les Marchés Tradition, Rachelle Béry and Co-Op.
• Dining and entertainment: 5 Scotia Scene+ points for every $1 you spend.
• Gas, daily transit and select streaming services: 3 Scotia Scene+ points for every $1 you spend.
• All other purchases: including streaming services: 1 Scotia Scene+ points for every $1 you spend.

President’s Choice Financial® World Elite Mastercard®

The President’s Choice Financial® World Elite Mastercard® is a great choice for shoppers who frequent President’s Choice banner brands like Loblaws, No Frills, Real Canadian Superstore, and Shoppers Drug Mart.

This card not only allows you to earn and redeem points on your grocery purchases but also offers several other benefits that make everyday spending more rewarding.

Over a 12-month period, the earning potential includes 476,000 PC Optimum™ points, worth $476.

Regular features and benefits of this card include:

• Grocery: 30 PC OptimumTM points per $1 spent on groceries
• Pharmacy: Up to 45 PC OptimumTM points per $1 spent at Shoppers Drug Mart stores where President’s Choice products are sold.
• Gas: At least 30 OptimumTM points per litre at EssoTM and MobilTM stations in Canada.
• Travel: 30 OptimumTM points per $1 on travel booked through pctravel.ca.
• Other: 10 OptimumTM points per $1 spent on all other purchases.

Tips for maximizing rewards on groceries

To get the most out of your rewards credit card, especially for grocery shopping, try these simple tips:

• Pick the right card: Choose a card that gives you the most cash back on groceries. Some stores, like PC Optimum, have their own cards, while others, like FreshCo, partner with programs like Scene+.
• Watch for bonus offers: Some cards give extra rewards in certain categories that change over time. Check your rewards portal for these offers to earn more points or cash back. For example, RBC Rewards might offer more points for shopping at specific stores for a limited time.
• Check for gift card promos: Your rewards portal might have gift card promo deals that give you more value than cash back. Checking often helps you catch these deals.
• Set up automatic payments: Use your rewards card to pay for regular bills and subscriptions automatically. This way, you earn rewards on your everyday expenses without extra effort.
• Avoid statement credit: Some cards let you redeem your points through statement credit, but these usually give you less value for your points. It’s often better to redeem your rewards for gift cards or other options that offer more value.
• Pay off your balance: Always pay your credit card bill in full each month to avoid high interest rates that can cancel out your cash back.

Picking the right rewards credit card can help you save money, especially with rising costs for groceries. The top three cards offer great rewards for your spending, but to get the most out of them, look at your spending habits and choose one the best suits your lifestyle.