The Best No-Annual Fee Card for Groceries in February 2026
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Groceries are one of those unavoidable expenses. You buy them every week, prices stay stubbornly high, and the spending adds up faster than most people realize.
That's exactly why your grocery card matters more than almost any other card in your wallet.
If you want strong rewards without paying an annual fee, the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express (see rates and fees) is the best all-around option in February 2026.
Why this card wins for groceries
You earn 3% cash back at U.S. supermarkets, on up to $6,000 per year in purchases. After that, it drops to 1%.
For most households, that cap comfortably covers weekly grocery runs without forcing you to juggle rotating categories or quarterly activations.
And groceries are just the start.
Strong everyday categories beyond the grocery aisle
The Amex Blue Cash Everyday doesn't pigeonhole you into one type of spending.
You also earn:
- 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations, up to $6,000 per year in purchases
- 3% cash back on U.S. online retail purchases, up to $6,000 per year in purchases
- 1% cash back on other purchases
- Terms apply
Each 3% category has its own $6,000 annual cap, which makes this card feel unusually flexible for a no-annual-fee option.
If you shop online regularly or drive often, it's easy to pull real value out of this card without overthinking where each purchase goes.
On American Express' Secure Website.
Terms apply
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Good/Excellent
Intro APR
Purchases: 0% on purchases, 15 months
Balance Transfers: 0%, 15 months
APR
19.49%-28.49% Variable
Rewards Earn 3% cash back at U.S. supermarkets, 3% cash back on U.S. online retail purchases, 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations, on eligible purchases for each category on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1%). Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit and at Amazon.com checkout.
1%-3% cash back
Annual Fee
$0
Welcome Offer Earn a $200 statement credit after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months.
$200
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If gas and groceries are big line items in your budget, don't miss this card. You won't pay an annual fee, and you can earn a generous 3% cash back at U.S. supermarkets, U.S. online retail purchases, and U.S. gas stations, on each category up to $6,000 per year in purchases. A 0% APR intro offer lasting 15 months and a $200 welcome bonus for a $2,000 spend inside of 6 months (terms apply) round out the perks on this Amex.
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- U.S. supermarkets and online retail rewards
- U.S. gas stations cash back
- Big welcome offer
- No annual fee (see rates and fees)
- Foreign transaction fee
- High spend requirement for welcome offer
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- Earn a $200 statement credit after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months.
- No Annual Fee.
- Enjoy 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months from the date of account opening. After that, 19.49% to 28.49% variable APR.
- Plan It®: Buy now, pay later with Plan It. Split purchases of $100 or more into equal monthly installments with a fixed fee so you don’t have the pressure of paying all at once. Simply select the purchase in your online account or the American Express® App to see your plan options. Plus, you’ll still earn rewards on purchases the way you usually do.
- Earn 3% cash back at U.S. supermarkets, 3% cash back on U.S. online retail purchases, 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations, on eligible purchases for each category on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1%). Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit and at Amazon.com checkout.
- Get up to a $7 monthly statement credit after using your enrolled Blue Cash Everyday® Card for a subscription purchase, including a bundle subscription purchase, at Disneyplus.com, Hulu.com, or Plus.espn.com U.S. websites. Subject to auto-renewal.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
A no-annual-fee card that still offers a welcome bonus
For new cardholders: Earn a $200 statement credit after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months. Terms apply.
That's a solid return for a card you can realistically use for groceries, gas, and online orders you were already planning to make.
Because there's no annual fee, you come out ahead immediately.
0% intro APR adds practical flexibility
The Amex Blue Cash Everyday also includes a 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers. After that, a 19.49%-28.49% Variable APR applies.
That makes it useful beyond rewards. You can:
- Spread out a large grocery or household purchase
- Finance a short-term expense without interest
- Consolidate a smaller balance and focus on paying it down
It's a quiet benefit, but one that can matter when budgets get tight.
Statement credits that actually get used
This card also includes a couple of credits that are easy to ignore, but surprisingly useful if they line up with your habits.
You can earn:
- Up to $84 per year in Disney bundle credits, issued as up to $7 per month when you use the card for eligible Disney+, Hulu, or ESPN+ subscriptions
- Up to $180 per year in Home Chef statement credits
- Terms apply; enrollment may be required
These are not reasons to get the card on their own. But if you already pay for streaming or meal kits, they quietly boost the card's value.
Who this card is best for
The Amex Blue Cash Everyday works best if you:
- Spend consistently on groceries, gas, and online shopping
- Want simple cash back without tracking rotating categories
- Prefer a $0 annual fee with real everyday value
- Like having a 0% intro APR as a safety net
If that sounds like your spending profile, it's hard to find a cleaner no-annual-fee option right now. Read more about the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express and apply here.
Our Research Expert
Jake FitzGerald is a full-time Editorial Strategist and Personal Finance Writer at Motley Fool Money, leading content production and distribution while also writing about credit cards, bank accounts, and other financial products. He has more than a decade of experience editing and shaping financial content to give readers clear, trustworthy money advice. His work focuses on delivering practical insights that empower people to make smarter financial decisions. Off the clock, he’s a fan of college football tailgates and still loyal to his favorite putter -- despite what his short game suggests.
Editorial Note: This content is not provided by American Express. Any opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the author's alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by American Express.
Motley Fool Stock Disclosures
American Express is an advertising partner of Motley Fool Money. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Target. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.For rates and fees for Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express, click here