Hector Molina, WalletHub Analyst
@hectormolina
The stores that count as supermarkets for the Blue Cash Preferred card include Meijer, ShopRite, Stop & Shop, Vons, Whole Foods, and Winn-Dixie, among others. These U.S.-based supermarket chains all earn 6% cash back on the first $6,000 in combined purchases charged to the Blue Cash Preferred card each calendar year (1% after).
Online supermarkets such as FreshDirect also get 6% cash back, up to the combined limit. To qualify, purchases must be classified with the merchant category code for supermarkets and grocery stores.
Blue Cash Preferred Card Supermarkets List
- ALDI
- FreshDirect
- Gelson's
- Hy-Vee
- Kings Food Markets
- Meijer
- ShopRite
- Smart & Final
- Stop & Shop
- Trader Joe's
- Vons
- Whole Foods
- Winn-Dixie
According to Amex, the Blue Cash Preferred card's supermarkets list is not exhaustive. This means that similar supermarket chains located in the U.S. may also earn 6% cash back. Retailers such as Target and Walmart, however, are not considered supermarkets, making them ineligible for the bonus rewards. Other excluded merchants include warehouse clubs, specialty food stores, meal-kit delivery services, convenience stores, and more.
To find out if a store qualifies for 6% cash back, look up the merchant category code for the chain or even the specific location.
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
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read full answer by Tom Lipkis, WalletHub Credit Card ConsultantWhat are the best supermarket credit cards?
The best supermarket credit card is the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express. It gives you 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets, up to $6,000 spent per year, along with 1 - 6% cash back on other purchases. Blue Cash Preferred also gives you a $250 statement credit for spending $3,000 on eligible purchases in the first 6 months.
Best Supermarket Credit Cards in 2026
Ongoing Rewards: 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 spent per year), 6% back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions, 3% back at eligible U.S. gas stations and on transit, and 1% back on other eligible purchases, received as rewards dollars (which can be redeemed as a statement credit and at Amazon.com checkout)
Initial Bonus: $250 statement credit for spending $3,000 on eligible purchases in the first 6 months
Annual Fee: $0 intro 1st yr, $95 after
Credit Score: Good
Ongoing Rewards: 5% cash back in your top eligible spend category each billing cycle (up to $500 spent, 1% back thereafter), an additional 4% cash back on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked with Citi Travel, as well as 1% back on all other purchases
Initial Bonus: $200 for spending $1,500 in the first 6 months
Annual Fee: $0
Credit Score: Good
Ongoing Rewards: 3% and 2% back on your top spend category of choice, as well as 1% cash back on all other purchases
Initial Bonus: $200 cash back for spending $1,000 within the first 90 days
Annual Fee: $0
Credit Score: Good
Ongoing Rewards: 5% cash back on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, 3% cash back at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®), on dining, entertainment and popular streaming services, along with 1% back on all other purchases (except for 8% back on Capital One Entertainment purchases)
Initial Bonus: $200 for spending $500 on purchases in the first 3 months
Annual Fee: $0
Credit Score: Good
Ongoing Rewards: 10 points per $1 spent on hotels, car rentals and attractions booked on CitiTravel.com, 3 points per $1 spent on air travel, at hotels, restaurants, supermarkets, gas and EV charging stations, as well as 1 point per $1 on all other purchases
Initial Bonus: 60,000 points for spending $4,000 in the first 3 months
Annual Fee: $95
Credit Score: Good
Ongoing Rewards: 5% back at Amazon.com, Amazon Fresh, Whole Foods Market with an eligible Prime membership, 5% back on Chase Travel purchases, 2% back at gas stations, restaurants, and on local transit and commuting (including rideshare), as well as 1% back on all other purchases
Initial Bonus: $250 Amazon gift card instantly upon approval
Annual Fee: $0
Credit Score: Good
Ongoing Rewards: 5% cash back on two categories of your choice up to $2,000 each quarter, 5% back on prepaid air, hotel and car reservations booked in the Rewards Travel Center, 2% back on your choice of one everyday category like gas stations, EV charging stations, grocery stores or restaurants (discount stores/supercenters and wholesale clubs excluded) and 1% back on all other purchases
Initial Bonus: N/A
Annual Fee: $0
Credit Score: Bad
The best credit cards for groceries typically require good credit or better. If you’re not sure whether you’ll qualify, you can sign up for a free WalletHub account to check your credit score and get daily updates. You’ll also...
read full answer by Sarah Bilkins, WalletHub Credit Card AnalystCan you upgrade from Blue Cash Everyday to Preferred?
You can upgrade from the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express to the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express. However, keep in mind that your Amex Blue Cash Everyday account has to be open for at least 12 months to be eligible for an upgrade.
Here’s How the Blue Cash Preferred Upgrade Works
- When you request an upgrade from Amex Blue Cash Everyday to Blue Cash Preferred, there’s no hard inquiry on your credit report. So, there’s no effect on your credit score.
- Approval for an upgrade typically takes just a few...
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The Blue Cash Preferred card customer service team tells me that at my Trader Joe's in 10016 in nyc, I don't get 6% cash back because although Trader Joe's is listed as "Groceries" with American Express, they are listed as a "Grocery" Sub-Category under the category of "Merchandise and Supplies." The reps tell me that it's the same for my other nyc grocery store, Gristedes. That seems unfair, since both stores are grocery stores. I think that the 6% cash back is misleading. Valerie