Best Credit Cards for Groceries in Canada (2026)

The highest grocery cash-back rate in our data is 5% on the BMO CashBack World Elite Mastercard, capped at $500 per statement period. For uncapped 4% grocery cash back, see CIBC Dividend Visa Infinite and Amex SimplyCash Preferred.

Canadian households spend $10,000–$15,000 on groceries each year. Picking the right card can easily return $300–$600 in cash back or rewards annually. We compare the top grocery cards with real math at different spending levels.

Last updated October 8, 2026Source: BMO CashBack World Elite Mastercard issuer page

Key facts

Annual fee: $139
Purchase interest rate: 21.99%
Cash advance rate: 23.99%
Earn rates: 5% cash back on Groceries (Up to $500/statement period); 4% cash back on Transit (including rideshare) (Up to $300/statement period); 3% cash back on Gas & EV charging (Up to $300/statement period); 2% cash back on Recurring bill payments (Up to $500/statement period); 1% cash back on All other purchases
Welcome offer: $650
Foreign transaction fee: 2.5%
Income requirement: $80,000 personal, or $150,000 household

Which card earns me the most?

Enter monthly spend by category. We rank cards by estimated net annual value from the earn rates in our data.

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Affiliate disclosure: We may earn a commission if you apply for a card through our links. This doesn't affect our analysis. Learn more

Which grocery credit cards pay the most?

Card	Grocery Rate	Annual Fee	Cap/Limit	Best For
BMO CashBack World Elite	5%	$139 (waived Y1)	$500/month	Highest rate if under cap
Amex Cobalt	5X points (~5%)	$191.88/yr	No cap	Foodies who eat out + cook
CIBC Dividend Visa Infinite	4%	$120 (waived Y1)	No cap	High spenders wanting no cap
Scotia Momentum Visa Infinite	4%	$120 (waived Y1)	$25,000/yr	Groceries + recurring bills
Amex SimplyCash Preferred	4%	$119.88/yr	$30,000/yr	Cash back simplicity
Tangerine Money-Back	2%	$0	No cap	No fee, flexible categories
PC World Elite	3% (Loblaw stores)	$0	No cap	Loblaw/No Frills shoppers

The best grocery card depends on how much you spend and where you shop. Here's a quick comparison of the top contenders:

How much can you earn on groceries?

Let's calculate actual returns at different monthly grocery budgets. Assumptions: All spending at grocery-coded merchants, earning for 12 months.

$600/month grocery spend ($7,200/year): - BMO CashBack World Elite (5%): $360 cash back (under monthly cap) - Amex Cobalt (5X = ~5%): $360 in points value - CIBC Dividend Visa Infinite (4%): $288 cash back - Scotia Momentum Visa Infinite (4%): $288 cash back - Tangerine Money-Back (2%): $144 cash back

$1,000/month grocery spend ($12,000/year): - BMO CashBack World Elite: $500 at 5% (capped at $500/month) + $100 at 1% = $600 - Amex Cobalt: $600 in points value - CIBC Dividend Visa Infinite (4%): $480 cash back - Scotia Momentum Visa Infinite (4%): $480 cash back - Tangerine Money-Back (2%): $240 cash back

$1,600/month grocery spend ($19,200/year): - BMO CashBack World Elite: $500 at 5% (capped) + $220 at 1% = $720 - Amex Cobalt: $960 in points value — **clear winner at high spend** - CIBC Dividend Visa Infinite (4%): $768 cash back - Scotia Momentum Visa Infinite (4%): $768 cash back - Tangerine Money-Back (2%): $384 cash back

Verdict: The BMO CashBack World Elite offers the highest rate at 5%, but the $500/month cap limits big spenders. For families spending $1,000+ monthly on groceries, the uncapped Amex Cobalt or CIBC Dividend Visa Infinite pull ahead.

What's the best no-fee grocery card?

If you don't want to pay an annual fee, the Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card is the top choice. Select "Groceries" as one of your 2% categories (up to 3 categories with a Tangerine Savings Account) and you'll earn 2% unlimited cash back at supermarkets.

Why it wins for no-fee: Unlike the PC World Elite (which only earns at Loblaw-owned stores), Tangerine works at any grocery store coded by the payment network—Costco excluded since they only accept Mastercard at the warehouse and Tangerine is Mastercard.

Tip: Pair a no-fee Tangerine card with a fee card for your highest-spend categories to maximize overall returns without paying multiple annual fees.

What's the best card for Loblaw shoppers?

If you primarily shop at Loblaw-owned stores (Loblaws, No Frills, Real Canadian Superstore, Zehrs, Fortinos, Valu-mart), the PC World Elite Mastercard earns 3% (30 points/$1) on groceries with no annual fee and no cap.

Points redeem at 1 cent each at PC/Loblaw stores. On $12,000 annual grocery spend at Loblaw stores, you'd earn $360 in free groceries.

Catch: Points only redeem at PC/Loblaw ecosystem stores. If you value flexibility, a cash back card may be better.

Is Amex Cobalt good for groceries?

The Amex Cobalt earns 5X Membership Rewards points per dollar on "Eats & Drinks" in Canada—covering groceries, restaurants, bars, and food delivery. With no earning cap, it's ideal for households that spend heavily on food.

Points transfer 1:1 to Aeroplan (often worth 2+ cents each for travel redemptions) or can be redeemed for statement credits at ~0.7 cents. Conservative valuation at 1 cent/point makes the effective return 5%.

Downsides: $191.88 annual fee ($15.99/month), 2.5% foreign transaction fee, and American Express isn't accepted everywhere. If most of your grocery spend is at stores that don't take Amex, this card loses its advantage.

Which grocery card should you pick?

Pick BMO CashBack World Elite if: You spend under $500/month on groceries and want the highest straight cash back rate. First year fee waived.

Pick Amex Cobalt if: You're a foodie who spends on groceries AND dining/delivery, want transferable points, and shop at Amex-accepting stores.

Pick CIBC Dividend Visa Infinite if: You spend over $500/month on groceries and prefer unlimited earning with Visa acceptance everywhere.

Pick Tangerine Money-Back if: You refuse to pay annual fees and want flexibility across multiple spending categories.

Pick PC World Elite if: You do most grocery shopping at Loblaw stores and want no-fee simplicity with points that redeem for free groceries.

Pick Scotia Momentum Visa Infinite if: You want 4% on groceries AND recurring bills (subscriptions, utilities) in one card.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which credit card gives the highest cash back on groceries in Canada?

The BMO CashBack World Elite Mastercard offers 5% cash back on groceries, the highest rate in Canada. However, it's capped at $500 per statement period. For unlimited high earning, the CIBC Dividend Visa Infinite and Amex SimplyCash Preferred both offer 4% with higher or no caps.

Does Costco count as a grocery store for credit card rewards?

Costco warehouses are typically coded as 'Warehouse Clubs' not 'Grocery Stores' by payment networks. Most grocery bonus categories won't apply at Costco. Use the CIBC Costco Mastercard for the best returns at Costco specifically.

Is the Amex Cobalt good for groceries?

Yes. The Amex Cobalt earns 5X points on groceries (and dining) in Canada with no cap. If you value points at 1 cent each, that's effectively 5% back. The main limitation is Amex acceptance—some smaller grocers don't take American Express.

What's better: cash back or points for grocery spending?

Cash back is simpler—you know exactly what you're getting. Points can be worth more if you redeem for travel (Aeroplan points often worth 2+ cents each), but require more effort. For most Canadians, cash back is the easier choice unless you're optimizing for travel rewards.