Best credit cards for groceries in Canada – by grocery store

What does your grocery run look like? Do you hop into a car to hunt for bargains at discount grocers, opt for convenience by shopping from the store located closest to home, or actively seek out premium outlets for their better food selection and brighter-lit aisles? Regardless of how (and where) you choose to restock your fridge, you have likely noticed that your grocery bill is more expensive lately.

Even though overall inflation has cooled, food inflation remains stubbornly high, which means that saving on groceries is still top of mind for Canadians. In addition to shopping flyer deals and asking for price matching on your purchases, you can amplify your savings on your grocery bill by using a rewards credit card that offers points or cash back. Since not all credit cards are accepted at every grocery store, we’ve broken down our list of the best credit cards in Canada for groceries by store – so you can maximize your savings without having to compromise on where you shop.

Below are the best credit cards for grocery shopping in Canada, organized by retailer.

Best credit card for groceries at Loblaws (No Frills, Real Canadian Superstore, Fortinos, Independent, and more)

The CIBC Dividend® Visa Infinite* is one of the best credit cards for groceries at Loblaws, No Frills, Fortinos etc., because of its impressive rewards on everyday essentials. On top of the 1% earn rate for all purchases, this card earns an industry-leading 4% cash back on both groceries and gas purchases – two of the most common spending categories for Canadian households. Thanks to CIBC’s Cash Back on demand feature, cardholders can choose to redeem rewards at any time as a statement credit starting from a minimum of $10. 

The card offers a significantly higher earn rate on groceries and gas than most other cards at 4% cash back. Plus, redemption options are extremely flexible, allowing users to redeem their cash back at any time from a minimum of $10. A notable perk is access to the Visa Infinite Program, entitling you to attend special dining events and hotel perks at participating hotels and restaurants. You’ll also get travel insurance and rental car coverage, which is impressive for a cash back card.

And, as a Visa credit card, it’s also widely accepted at No Frills, which does not take American Express, making this a strong pick for shoppers visiting discount Loblaws banners.

Also consider

The PC World Mastercard is best for earning PC Optimum points at Loblaws-owned grocery stores like Superstore and Shoppers Drug Mart, especially if you’re also shopping for non-food essentials. The card charges no annual fee, while the abundance of stores under its banner means there’s no shortage of opportunities to earn and redeem points for your next grocery run. The PC Optimum program is straightforward and you can double dip any PC Financial credit card with your member deals to earn more points.

The card offers purchase assurance, so your purchases are covered for theft, loss or damage in the first 90 days. You’ll also get an extended warranty. And because PC Optimum is one of the most valuable and easy-to-use store loyalty programs in Canada, this card remains one of the strongest no-fee grocery cards available in 2025.

Best credit card for groceries at Sobeys (Sobeys, Safeway, Foodland, FreshCo, Thrifty Foods, and more)

The American Express Cobalt has been Ratehub’s pick for best overall rewards credit card for the sixth year running – and one reason for this is the unbeatable 5 points per $1 spent on grocery purchases. The card offers a flexible point redemption system, a strong travel insurance policy, and a generous welcome bonus. With its top-notch rewards system, cardholders earn 5x the points on eligible restaurants, groceries, and food delivery purchases (spend cap applies), 3x the points on eligible streaming services, and 2x the points on ride shares, transit, and gas.

While acceptance is strong at Sobeys-owned banners (including Safeway and Thrifty Foods), note that Amex is still not accepted at many discount chains such as FreshCo and Loblaws-owned stores.

Also consider

The Scotiabank Gold American Express Card is best for grocery and dining due to its 5 times multiplier for every $1 spent on groceries, restaurants, food delivery and entertainment and 3 times multiplier on gas and transit. This adds up to a ton of points on your everyday purchases. On top of that, cardholders will not have to pay a foreign transaction fee on foreign currency purchases and have access to a cohesive travel insurance package. 

A caveat of both these above mentioned cards is that – as American Express Cards – they’re not as universally accepted at all grocery chains including most discount grocers and all Loblaw-owned stores. However, if you make your food runs at groceries where American Express is accepted, the Cobalt or Scotiabank Gold should be your top consideration.

Best credit card for groceries at Metro (Metro, Food Basics, Super C, and more)

If you’re a loyal Metro or Food Basics customer, the best grocery credit card to use is the moi RBC Visa. In fact, this card will net you 2 points per dollar not just at Metro’s grocery stores, but also at Jean Coutu and Brunet drugstores. You’ll also earn 2 points per dollar on dining and gas and EV charging, and 1 point per $1 on everything else. (Note that you’ll only earn 1 Moi point per dollar at Super C.)

Even though this card charges no annual fee, it comes with two years of mobile device insurance, 90-day purchase security, and one year of extended warranty on eligible products purchased with your card. This makes it one of the best no-fee credit cards tied directly to a major Canadian grocery loyalty program.

Also consider

The BMO Eclipse Visa Infinite Card is the best credit card for food and transit because of the impressive 5 points per $1 spent on groceries, making it a great choice for any grocery retailers that accept Visa credit cards. While there is a spending cap of $6,000 (dining and grocery) for the bonus earn rate, it still remains a competitive credit card for grocery shopping for higher-spend households.

BMO Rewards points are fairly flexible even for travel – the most valuable redemption category for most cards – thanks to the Pay with Points option. This card also comes with ample perks including travel, car rental, and mobile insurance, as well as a $50 annual lifestyle credit.

Best Costco credit card

The Rogers Red World Elite Mastercard is the best credit card for shopping at Costco Canada, since it offers unlimited 1.5% cash back (or 2% if you’re a Rogers, Shaw or Fido customer) on all purchases. This means that even though Costco isn’t recognized as a grocery store by Mastercard, you’ll still earn more rewards than with other Mastercard credit cards. (Remember – Costco Canada only accepts Mastercard.)

The card boasts a full suite of travel insurance options and airport lounge access, which are rare perks for a cash back credit card. You’ll also earn a generous 3% unlimited cash back on all eligible US dollar purchases. Furthermore, if you redeem your cash back rewards for purchases at Rogers, Fido or Shaw (including bill payments, new phones and accessories) your cash back rewards will be worth 1.5 times their regular value.

Also consider

The CIBC Costco Mastercard is a great credit card for grocery shopping if you’re a regular at Costco. You’ll earn 1% back on your in-store purchases, and earn at a higher rate for Costco gas and restaurant spending during the welcome bonus period. Keep in mind, though, that your cash back rewards can only be redeemed at Costco, and are given once per year. 

This card also offers some perks like installment plans on Costco purchases, offering you a lower interest rate over a longer period of time. It also offers mobile device insurance if you use your card to purchase a phone. However, the card doesn’t offer much else in the way of perks.

Best credit card for groceries at Walmart Supercentres

While the fact that the Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card is a no annual fee card is a big reason behind its popularity, what really sets this card apart is the customizability and flexibility. With this card, you can choose your own bonus categories (which will earn you a strong cash back rate of 2% per dollar spent). This is rare in the credit card market and means you can avoid being locked into a bonus category that you can’t take full advantage of or that doesn’t align with your spending habits. On top of that, your cash back is refunded on a monthly basis (instead of the standard annual reimbursement). 

The 2% cash back per dollar on bonus categories is one of the richest earn rates for a no-fee card, and cash back is paid monthly (instead of the standard annual reimbursement), allowing you to enjoy the benefits of your cash back faster. You also have the freedom to change up your bonus categories at any time (changes will take up to 90 days to come into effect). The card is widely accepted almost everywhere including No Frills and Costco as it is a Mastercard credit card, so you can earn where you shop the most.

Plus, because Walmart Supercentres code as “grocery” with many Mastercard products, this card is particularly useful for Walmart shoppers who want flexibility across multiple spending categories.

Also consider

If you are a frequent shopper at Walmart, the Walmart Rewards Mastercard lets you earn Walmart Rewards on purchases everywhere and use them to save when shopping at Walmart. With this card you can earn 1.25% back pre-tax in Walmart Rewards for all your Walmart purchases and 1% back in Walmart Rewards on all other purchases. While it is believed that the earn rate at Walmart doesn't stand out to competitors, the 1% cash back for all other purchases is quite competitive for a no fee credit card.

How grocery credit cards work in Canada

Grocery credit cards reward you with cash back or points when you use your card to make eligible purchases at grocery stores. However, the way these cards work can vary based on key factors:

How your grocery store is “coded”

Credit card networks (Visa, Mastercard, American Express) assign merchant category codes (MCCs) to businesses.

• Full-service grocers like Sobeys, Metro, and Loblaws usually code as “grocery”
• Discount grocers—such as No Frills, FreshCo, and Food Basics—sometimes code differently depending on location
• Costco does not code as grocery, meaning grocery bonus rates won’t apply. Because of this, reward rates differ depending on where you shop.

Card acceptance varies by grocery chain

This is especially important for grocery shopping in Canada:

• Costco accepts Mastercard only
• No Frills and FreshCo do not accept American Express
• Most Sobeys and Safeway locations accept Amex
• Metro stores vary by location

Grocery rewards usually have caps

High-earning cards often cap grocery earn rates (e.g., 5x points up to a certain monthly or annual amount). After you hit the cap, your earn rate may drop to 1x.

Understanding store coding, card acceptance and category caps can help you pick the best credit card for grocery shopping in Canada based on where you actually shop.

How to choose a credit card for groceries

Choosing the right grocery credit card can help you maximize your rewards and savings. Here are some factors to consider:

• Annual fees. Cards with annual fees tend to offer more perks, but you should consider whether you’ll actually use them. For instance, you may not need mobile device or travel insurance on a credit card that you’ll primarily use for groceries and dining.
  
  
• Spending habits and reward programs. Consider where, how often, and how much you spend on groceries. If you’re loyal to one grocery retailer, for instance, then it may be worth getting a credit card affiliated with that company. However, if you prefer to shop at various stores, a credit card with a generic rewards program could offer more versatile earn rates and redemption options.
  
  
• Card acceptance. Some grocery stores may only accept credit cards from a specific issuer, so make sure the credit card you want is accepted at the places where you shop the most.
  
  
• Welcome bonuses and spending caps. Some credit cards offer generous bonuses when you sign up, but often require you to spend a certain amount to qualify. Others offer high earn rates on groceries, but also have a spending cap to limit the rewards you earn. It’s worth reviewing your monthly or annual spending to ensure you don’t miss out.

Smart tips to maximize your credit card grocery rewards

Earning the highest cash back or points on groceries isn’t just about choosing the right credit card, it’s also about using it strategically. Here are some quick ways to stretch your savings further:

Use the right card at the right store

A card that earns 5x points at Sobeys may earn only 1% at No Frills, especially if the store doesn’t accept Amex. Pair cards with the stores where they earn the most.

Know your earn-rate caps

If your credit card limits how much you can earn in the grocery category, consider using a secondary grocery card once you hit the cap.

Stack rewards with loyalty programs

Stacking a grocery credit card on top of these programs can significantly boost your total yearly savings:

• PC Optimum at Loblaws banners
• Moi Rewards at Metro and Food Basics
• Scene+ at Sobeys/Safeway

Plan your spending categories

With customizable cards like Tangerine Money-Back, you can assign “grocery” as one of your bonus categories and change it seasonally if your spending shifts.

Use digital flyers and price-matching apps

Even the best credit card for groceries won’t beat savings from simple flyer matching. Combine both to get the lowest price and the highest rewards.

Alternatives to grocery credit cards

A grocery credit card may not always be the best fit depending on your shopping habits. Here are a few alternatives to consider:

Flat-rate cash-back cards

If you don’t shop at the same grocery chain regularly, or you want predictable rewards regardless of merchant coding, a flat-rate cash-back credit card may provide better value. These cards earn the same rate everywhere, including at big-box stores and discount grocers.

No-fee cash-back cards

For occasional grocery shoppers or those who prefer to avoid annual fees, a no-fee card like Tangerine Money-Back or PC Financial cards deliver solid earn rates without the extra cost.

Travel cards with strong everyday spending rewards

If your goal is to earn travel rewards rather than maximize grocery savings, a travel credit card with a high earn rate on general purchases may outperform a grocery-specific pick.

Multi-card strategy

Many Canadians use one dedicated card for groceries (e.g., CIBC Dividend Visa Infinite or Amex Cobalt) and a second card for categories like gas, dining or travel. This can boost total yearly rewards significantly.

Also read:

• The best cash back credit cards in Canada
• The best store credit cards in Canada
• 16 ways to save money on groceries
• 8 shopping tips to save money this holiday season