Hands Down the Best Grocery Card for Most Families: Amex Blue Cash Preferred

The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express is the best grocery card for most families, hands down. The average household spends $519 per month on groceries, according to Motley Fool Money research. This card earns 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $6,000 per year in eligible purchases), the highest rate on any mainstream card. You just need to shop at regular grocery stores, not big-box chains or warehouse clubs.

And the rewards don't stop at the checkout line. The Amex Blue Cash Preferred also earns high cash back on streaming, gas, and transit, all of which we'll break down below.

The Amex Blue Cash Preferred earns 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets

The Amex Blue Cash Preferred's main superpower is cash back at grocery stores.

It earns 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $6,000 per year in eligible purchases). That top rate is why it earned our award for the Best Credit Card for Groceries for 2026. If you spend an average of $500 per month, you'll earn $360 in cash back each year.

After the $6,000 cap is hit, the grocery rate drops to just 1%. Still, you'd be hard pressed to find a card that beats this, even if you blow past the reward cap.

The card has a $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95. (See rates and fees.)

Cash back beyond groceries

The Amex Blue Cash Preferred isn't a one trick pony. It also earns 6% cash back on select U.S. streaming services, 3% at U.S. gas stations and transit (including taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses and more), and 1% on other purchases.

Transit counts rideshare, tolls, parking, trains, and buses, so commuters earn on more than fill-ups.

It also comes with a $120 Disney Streaming Credit, broken into $10 monthly statement credits throughout the year. After enrollment, just use your enrolled Blue Cash Preferred® Card for a subscription at DisneyPlus.com, Hulu.com, or Stream.ESPN.com U.S. websites (including a bundle subscription purchase). Terms apply.

Here's how a full year of rewards might look for the average household:

That's $528 back on everyday spending, and the Disney credit can add up to $120 more. For a full breakdown of card pros and cons, see our Amex Blue Cash Preferred review.

Amex Blue Cash Preferred welcome offer

Apply and find out if you are eligible for as high as $300 cash back after spending $3,000 in purchases on your new Card in the first 6 months. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Cash back is received as Reward Dollars, redeemable for statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout. Terms Apply.

To find out what you're eligible for, start an application (don't worry, just checking your offer won't affect your credit -- only accepting and proceeding will trigger a hard credit query.

Most families can meet that $3,000 spend over 6 months on grocery trips alone.

Who the Amex Blue Cash Preferred is best for

The Amex Blue Cash Preferred is best for families who spend most of their budget at the supermarket, on gas, and on streaming. If that's your household, the 6% grocery rate (on up to $6,000 per year in eligible purchases) returns more than almost any other card.

I don't carry this card myself, since my everyday card earns a flat rate on all spending. But the case here is about the math, not my wallet. When groceries are your biggest line item, a category card beats a flat-rate card most years.

If your spending leans more toward dining and travel, you may do better elsewhere. It's worth comparing the best credit cards before you apply. Match the card to how your family already spends, and the rewards take care of themselves.