Best Grocery Credit Cards in Canada for 2026
Credit cards that earn the most rewards on your grocery shopping.
The best grocery credit card in Canada is the American Express Cobalt® Card. The MBNA Rewards World Elite® Mastercard® and National Bank World Elite Mastercard are also excellent options that give you the best rates of return in this category.
| Credit cards | Annual fee | Average earn rate | Welcome offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| American Express Cobalt Card | $191.88 | 4.5% | Up to 15,000 bonus points (terms) |
| MBNA Rewards World Elite Mastercard | $120 | 2.86% |  $20 GeniusCash + 30,000 bonus points (terms) |
| National Bank World Elite Mastercard | $150 | 1.55% | Up to 40,000 bonus points (terms) |
Especially if grocery shopping is your biggest spending category, you want a credit card that provides maximum rewards for these purchases. In fact, the best cards are the ones with increased rewards specifically for grocery store purchases, with a few extras like bonus birthday points and travel perks too.
The article below reviews the top grocery credit cards for Canadians in detail, offers detailed information on how to choose the right grocery card for your needs, and provides tips on how to use your card to its max potential.
Key Takeaways
- The best grocery credit card in Canada is the American Express Cobalt Card..
- Grocery credit cards reward your food purchases but may include high annual fees and low earning rates in other spending categories.
- When choosing a credit card for groceries, consider which are accepted at your local stores and which will give you the best earn rate on your spending habits.
- You can save on groceries by shopping at the right stores, using grocery apps to find sales and promos, and taking advantage of price match policies.
The best grocery credit cards in Canada
Our Gold award for the #1 grocery credit card in Canada goes to the American Express Cobalt Card for its fantastic grocery earn rate, plus the ability to transfer and/or redeem points for high value.
Our Silver award goes to the MBNA Rewards World Elite Mastercard, largely thanks to its competitive grocery rewards rate and well-rounded travel insurance.
And our Bronze award goes to the National Bank World Elite Mastercard for its excellent grocery rewards and various perks.
However, loyal PC shoppers will love the PC World Elite Mastercard or the PC Insiders World Elite Mastercard, two cards that allow you to maximize PC Optimum rewards. Sobeys shoppers should consider the Scotiabank Gold American Express Card, which earns Scene+ points.
The #1 grocery credit card in Canada: American Express Cobalt® Card
The American Express Cobalt® Card isn’t just the best grocery credit card in Canada, it’s also the best overall credit card in Canada, period. This card has the highest earn rates, the most flexible high-value redemption options, and some of the most valuable perks of all the cards on this list, and then some.
With this card, grocery shoppers earn 5x points on their supermarket purchases – plus the same rate on restaurant and food delivery spending. You can even use it for Loblaws and Costco shopping – two places that infamously don't accept Amex – if you shop through Instacart. Really, using the American Express Cobalt Card for all of your food-related spending is the way to go.
Aside from rewards on food, cardholders also enjoy 10 types of insurance coverage, plus exclusive perks through Amex Offers and Amex Front of the Line. All of this is available for a reasonable $191.88 annual fee that's broken down into easy-to-swallow $15.99 monthly installments.
The silver award grocery credit card in Canada: MBNA Rewards World Elite® Mastercard®
×7 Award winner 
GC: $20
7x Award winner 
Technically, the MBNA Rewards World Elite® Mastercard® has the same earn rate for groceries as the American Express Cobalt Card: 5 points for each $1 spent. You'll also earn 1 point per $1 on all other spending. MBNA is very generous with its rewards and doesn't enforce a monthly spending cap, just an annual limit of $50,000 for groceries.
The MBNA Rewards program is one of the few that assigns high value to more than just travel-related redemptions. Gift cards have almost the same value as travel redemptions, with cash back and merchandise not far behind.
Other top features include birthday bonus points each year and exciting travel perks like savings at Avis and Budget car rentals, airport lounge access and more. It comes with 12 types of insurance coverage, too. Considering these details, it's no wonder the MBNA Rewards World Elite Mastercard is also one of the best travel cards in Canada.
The bronze award grocery credit card in Canada: National Bank World Elite Mastercard
At first glance, the National Bank World Elite Mastercard seems like a travel credit, and really, it is. However, you’ll earn the same high reward rates for groceries as other flexible rewards credit cards – you’ll get 5 A La Carte Reward points per $1 spent on up to $2,500 spent on groceries each month and 2 points per $1 thereafter.
This card's insurance package includes a solid 10 types. You'll get the standard extended warranty and purchase protection, plus travel-focused coverage like trip cancellation and stolen baggage. It even includes emergency medical coverage for 60 days, with a very impressive max of $5 million.
As for its travel benefits, this National Bank card offers a $150 travel credit each year, to be used however you like. In addition to the impressive insurance package, you’ll also get a Mastercard Travel Pass membership and enjoy access to DragonPass lounges
The best grocery credit card for PC shoppers: PC World Elite Mastercard and PC Insiders World Elite Mastercard
Grocery shoppers who prefer Loblaws-run supermarkets can get surprising value from using a PC-branded credit card. We like the PC World Elite Mastercard best, which doesn't charge an annual fee and earns 30 PC Optimum points per $1 spent at Loblaw banner stores. Users get a free PC Express pass, too.
Still, the PC Insiders World Elite Mastercard shouldn't be ignored. Yes, there is an annual fee, but it’s waived for the first year, and the earn rate is boosted to 40 PC Optimum points per $1 spent at Loblaws stores. The free PC Express Pass is still included, and users have access to World Elite Mastercard perks, like 24/7 concierge service.
The best grocery credit card for Sobeys: Scotiabank Gold American Express Card
×3 Award winner GC: $100
3x Award winner The Scotiabank Gold American Express® Card earns 6 Scene+ points per $1 spent at partners like FreshCo, Sobeys, Cineplex, etc. Shopping at other grocery stores will get you 5 points per $1, even when you shop online. Save up enough points, and you can trade 1,000 Scene points for a $10 in-store credit or enjoy travel through the Scene+ or Expedia website.
If you do travel, don’t leave this card behind. It's the best foreign exchange card in Canada, which means you don't have to worry about the annoying extra fees tacked on to purchases made outside Canada (or even online, in non-Canadian dollars). Plus, Scotiabank Gold American Express Card cardholders are offered a significant discount on an exclusive Priority Pass airport lounge membership.
Compare all top grocery credit cards by Genius Rating
We used our data-driven Genius Rating to identify the best credit cards through its refined, math-based algorithm. This system generates a score out of 5 for all
When reviewing credit cards, the Genius Rating algorithm considers rewards in general, but we wanted to focus specifically on grocery-earning rewards for this specific list of cards.
Therefore, the following shows the top grocery credit cards ranked according to Genius Rating, but you'll notice that a few of our chosen cards aren't on this list.
×7 Award winner GC: $20 7x Award winner ×2 Award winner GC: $20
2x Award winner ×1 Award winner Join and earn up to $400 in value including a first-year annual fee rebate.†
1x Award winner Join and earn up to $400 in value including a first-year annual fee rebate.†
The Genius Rating methodology
To come up with each card’s Genius Rating, we analyzed over 126 features of each card and broke them into seven main categories:
- Rewards
- Fees
- Perks
- Insurance
- Interest
- Approval
- Acceptance
However, grocery cards are weighted a bit differently. There are really only two categories that matter for this type of card:
- Rewards: 50%
- Acceptance: 50%
Learn more about our Genius Rating methodology
How to choose the right grocery credit card
Choosing the right grocery card requires analyzing your spending habits and deciding which rewards program is most useful for you.
Rewards
Our top grocery reward cards participate in several different reward programs, and you'll want to choose a card that earns the most rewards at your preferred grocery stores. It should also offer redemption options that suit your needs.
This chart offers another way to view and compare the average earn rates of the best grocery credit cards:
For a more detailed comparison, this table breaks down the redemption options and earning power of each of our top six cards:
| Credit card | Rewards program | Earning details | Redemption options and max CPP value | Average rate of return |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| American Express Cobalt Card | American Express Membership Rewards | * 5 points per $1 spent on eligible groceries and restaurants (up to $2,500 spent per month) * 3 points per $1 spent on eligible streaming services * 2 points per $1 spent on eligible gas, transit, and ride share purchases * 1 point per $1 spent on foreign currency purchases * 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases | * Transfer points to travel partners – 2 CPP (Aeroplan) * Fixed Points Travel Program – 2 CPP * Any travel – 1 CPP * Cash/statement credits – 1 CPP * Gift cards – 0.91 CPP * Merchandise – 1.1 CPP | 4.5% |
| MBNA Rewards World Elite Mastercard | MBNA Rewards | * 5 points for every $1 spent on restaurants, groceries, and select recurring bills (up to $50,000 spent annually per category) * 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases | * Travel – 1 CPP * Gift cards – 0.99 CPP * Merchandise – 1.81 CPP * Cash/statement credit or charitable donation – 0.83 CPP | 2.86% |
| National Bank World Elite Mastercard | A La Carte Rewards | * 5 points per $1 spent on groceries and restaurants, up to $2,500 in total spend per month (2 points after) * 2 points per $1 spent on gas, electric vehicle charging, recurring bills, and travel booked through À La Carte Rewards * 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases | * Travel through National Bank – 1 CPP * Any travel – 0.91 CPP * National Bank investments – 0.83 CPP * Merchandise – 0.81 CPP * Gift cards – 0.76 CPP * Cash/statement credit – 0.4 CPP | 1.55% |
| PC World Elite Mastercard | PC Optimum Rewards | * 30 points per $1 spent at PC stores * 10 points per $1 + 10 points per litre at Esso * 10 points per $1 spent on all other purchases | * Car wash – 0.21 CPP * Cash redemption on purchases (at Loblaws-owned stores) – 0.2 CPP * Fuel at Esso or Mobil – 0.1 CPP * Charitable donations – 0.1 CPP * Annual fee discount – 0.1 CPP | 1.1% |
| PC Insiders World Elite Mastercard | PC Optimum Rewards | * 40 points per $1 spent at PC stores * 10 points per $1 + 30 points per litre at Esso * 10 points per $1 spent on all other purchases | * Car wash – 0.21 CPP * Cash redemption on purchases (at Loblaws-owned stores) – 0.2 CPP * Fuel at Esso or Mobil – 0.1 CPP * Charitable donations – 0.1 CPP * Annual fee discount – 0.1 CPP | 1.15% |
| Scotiabank Gold American Express Card | Scene+ | * 6 Scene+ points per $1 spent at Sobeys, Safeway, FreshCo and more * 5 Scene+ points per $1 spent on groceries, dining, and entertainment * 3 Scene+ points per $1 spent on gas, select streaming services, and transit * 1 Scene+ point per $1 spent on foreign currency purchases * 1 Scene+ point per $1 spent on all other purchases | * In-store and online discounts – 1 CPP * Travel – 1 CPP * Gift cards – 1 CPP * Statement credits – 0.7 CPP | 2.45% |
If you want to determine the value of your own grocery rewards – whether they're Scene+, PC Optimum, A La Carte, or another type – try our points conversion calculator:
| Redemption Option | Point Value | Total Value |
|---|---|---|
| Cineplex theatres | 1 cent | $10 |
| Recipe Unlimited Restaurants | 1 cent | $10 |
| Any travel from Expedia Scene+ | 1 cent | $10 |
| Sobeys stores | 1 cent | $10 |
| Any travel (Scene+ credit and debit cardholders only) | 1 cent | $10 |
| Home Hardware | 1 cent | $10 |
| Statement credits | 0.8 cents | $8 |
| Apple & Best Buy Merchandise | 0.77 cents | $8 |
| Gift Cards | 0.74 cents | $7 |
Acceptance
Perhaps this goes without saying, but it's vital to choose a grocery credit card that earns rewards at your preferred supermarkets. If there aren't any Loblaws locations near your home and you never travel to find one, it's pointless to choose a PC-branded card.
Unfortunately, our gold-winning grocery credit card, the American Express Cobalt Card, isn't accepted at Loblaws-owned stores or Costco. If you're a Costco-lover, you'll want to choose a Mastercard.
A few cards on our list earn rewards no matter where you shop. So if you're a maximizer who shops at any store with the best prices, the MBNA Rewards World Elite Mastercard and National Bank World Elite Mastercard are excellent choices.
Fees
If you know you’ll be spending a lot on groceries, you’re probably willing to pay a modest annual fee for a credit card that rewards you handsomely. Still, it’s a good idea to compare costs – you should be comfortable with a card’s fee before applying.
The PC World Elite Mastercard is the only option on our list with no annual fee. The American Express Cobalt Card, though, does things a bit differently and charges monthly installments instead of a once-per-year fee. This can make budgeting easier.
Perks
You might be surprised at the credit card perks available, even with grocery-specific cards. Especially if you know you'll use your chosen grocery card for other types of purchases, consider how the associated perks can benefit you.
There are a few common perks associated with grocery cards:
- Welcome bonuses: Cards might give you a nice cash or points boost to get started with using the card. For instance, the Scotiabank Gold American Express Card allows you to earn a welcome bonus worth up to $450.
- First-year free offer: Many cards waive your first annual fee, making it easy for you to try out the card for a year at no cost. The PC Insiders World Elite Mastercard and Scotiabank Gold American Express Card both offer this convenience.
- Personalized offers and event access: When you log into your credit card account, you might see personalized discounts or be able to book unique experiences. Amex Offers is a particular favourite, offering members exclusive concert access, reservations at hard-to-book restaurants, luxurious hotel stays, and much more.
Insurance
Insurance might not be the first thing on your mind when looking for a grocery credit card, but it can add significant value to a card. Coverage like purchase protection and extended warranty can be particularly helpful for grocery shoppers – because we all know that some of our grocery trips result in non-edible purchases.
The MBNA Rewards World Elite Mastercard and Scotiabank Gold American Express Card have the largest insurance packages on our list, each offering 12 different types of coverage.
Interest rates
There might be times when you need to carry a balance, in which case, having a card with a low interest rate is important. Grocery credit cards tend to have purchase interest rates of around 20%, but this can differ by a percentage or two.
There isn't much variation, but here's how the interest rates of our top grocery credit cards compare:
Approval
Check a card’s income and credit score requirements before you apply, so you don’t damage your credit score by applying for a card that you don’t qualify for.
Almost all of the grocery credit cards we featured have relatively high income requirements, but the American Express Cobalt Card and Scotiabank Gold American Express Card have no or low income requirements:
- American Express Cobalt Card: No income requirements, 660 - 724 credit score
- MBNA Rewards World Elite Mastercard: $80,000 personal or $150,000 household income, 725 - 759 credit score
- National Bank World Elite Mastercard: $80,000 personal or $150,000 household income, 760 - 900 credit score
- PC World Elite Mastercard: $80,000 personal or $150,000 household income, 760 - 900 credit score
- PC Insiders World Elite Mastercard: $80,000 personal or $150,000 household income, 760 - 900 credit score
- Scotiabank Gold American Express Card: $12,000 personal income (no household requirement), 660 - 724 credit score
What are grocery credit cards?
When we say grocery credit cards, we don’t mean cards issued by the stores themselves. Instead, we’re talking about credit cards that earn you increased rewards for your grocery purchases.
To count as a grocery store – and get those accelerated rates – the merchant has to be categorized as "Groceries." For instance, if you visit a Real Canadian Superstore to buy makeup and toiletries, the purchase still counts as groceries since Real Canadian Superstore is classified as a grocery store.
One important note: not only does Costco not accept Visa or Amex in its warehouses, but your purchases there aren’t categorized as "groceries."
How to maximize your grocery rewards
To make your grocery budget stretch as far as possible, you'll want to participate in your chosen store's loyalty program, shop the sales and promos, and, of course, use one of the top grocery credit cards.
Before you even apply for a grocery credit card, check that your grocery store of choice accepts it – American Express, we’re looking at you.
Once you've chosen the right card, consider these next steps:
- Sign up for your grocery store’s loyalty program. By getting store discounts and rewards on top of the rewards you get from your card, you can make a significant dent in your grocery bill. For instance, sign up for the PC Optimum program and use your PC World Elite Mastercard to earn the maximum rewards.
- Look for promos. As you make your grocery list, check for limited-time promotional offers, such as higher cash-back rates or bonus points on select items. That might be a good time to save money by stocking up.
- Watch for spending caps. Read your credit card’s terms and conditions to see if there are spending caps on grocery rewards. The American Express Cobalt Card, for example, has excellent earn rates for groceries but only to a max of $2,500 spent each month.
How to save more on groceries
Signing up for a grocery store credit card is an excellent first step to saving money, but there are several other things you can do:
- Choose a store with low prices: This sounds obvious, but it bears mentioning. The lower the prices, the further your dollars stretch.
- Use a grocery app: Mobile apps can make it easier to find sales and promos. Some apps allow you to make your grocery list in-app, and some offer extra cash back opportunities, on top of the rewards you're already earning with your credit card.
- Shop the sales: Buy bread, meat, or dairy on sale and freeze it for later.
- Compare per-serving prices: Compare the price per 100 grams or millilitres on the shelf tag to find the better deal.
- Take advantage of price matching: Many Canadian retailers have price match policies that can save you considerable amounts.
- Use the scanning code of practice (SCOP): If an item comes up with an incorrect price at checkout, many stores will honour the SCOP and either give you the item for free or at a $10 discount.
While small, these tips can help you adjust to inflation while you work on long-term solutions like demanding political action or investigating community-funded agriculture.
FAQ
What is the best credit card for groceries in Canada?
The American Express Cobalt Card is the best credit card for Canadians to use when buying groceries. This card earns 5x points on food purchases, including grocery stores, restaurants, and food delivery. Watch which stores you shop at, though, as Amex isn't accepted at Costco or Loblaws-owned stores.
Which credit card is best for food?
The best restaurant credit card is the American Express Cobalt Card. It's also the best card for groceries, including grocery delivery – you can even shop at Costco and Loblaws with this card if you use Instacart. And for those days when you just don't want to leave the house, this same card is your best choice for food delivery.
What credit card gives you 6% back on groceries?
We're not aware of any card with an earn rate this high on groceries. The American Express Cobalt Card comes closest, offering 5 points for every $1 spent at grocery stores. The MBNA Rewards World Elite Mastercard also earns 5 points per $1 spent on groceries, but MBNA Rewards' redemption options aren't quite as valuable as Amex Membership Rewards'.
Does No Frills accept Amex?
No, No Frills doesn't accept American Express credit cards. No Frills is part of the Loblaws family of stores, and none of them accept Amex as payment. You can get around this technicality by purchasing Loblaws store gift cards with your Amex, or by ordering through Instacart or another delivery service that accepts Amex.
What counts as grocery stores for credit cards?
Any store that has a merchant category code of "grocery" will earn you enhanced rewards on your grocery store purchases. It’s up to the credit card issuer to determine which stores are categorized this way. Always check before you shop as different credit card issuers can make different decisions even for the same retailer.
Are Walmart and Costco considered grocery stores?
Only Mastercard credit cards consider Walmart to be a grocery store (and earn increased cash back rates). Costco warehouses are usually classified as wholesale stores, so you won’t get increased rates. Some people get around this by purchasing Walmart gift cards at grocery stores in order to get the increased earn rate.
Editorial Disclaimer: The content here reflects the author's opinion alone. No bank, credit card issuer, rewards program, or other entity has reviewed, approved, or endorsed this content. For complete and updated product information please visit the product issuer's website. Our credit card scores and rankings are based on our Rating Methodology that takes into account 126+ features for each of 231 Canadian credit cards.
