Last updated: October 2026
Best Credit Cards for Groceries in Canada (2026)
Groceries are most Canadians’ biggest flexible expense — a family of four is expected to spend about $17,572 on food in 2026, per Canada’s Food Price Report 2026. That also makes the grocery till the single best place to earn credit card rewards: the right card effectively gives you a permanent discount on food.
But grocery rewards in Canada have a catch: where you shop determines which card wins, because not every store accepts every card network. Match the card to your store first, then chase the rate.
Know your store’s accepted cards
- Loblaws, Real Canadian Superstore, No Frills, Shoppers Drug Mart: no American Express. Bring a Visa or Mastercard.
- Sobeys, Metro, Safeway, Save-On-Foods, Whole Foods: Amex accepted.
- Costco: Mastercard only in-warehouse (see our Costco credit card guide) — and Costco codes as wholesale, not grocery, so grocery multipliers don’t apply there.
The best grocery credit cards
1. BMO CashBack World Elite Mastercard — highest cash back rate
- Grocery earn: 5% cash back on the first $500 in grocery spending each month, then 1% beyond that. The highest grocery cash back rate in Canada.
- Annual fee: $139, waived in the first year for new applicants under BMO’s current welcome offer (applications through October 31, 2027, as of October 2026).
- Also earns: accelerated rates on transit, gas, and recurring bills, stepping down after quarterly caps.
A household spending $500/month on groceries earns $300/year at the 5% rate — well above the fee even without the first-year waiver. If you spend less than ~$250/month on groceries, a no-fee card may net you more.
Learn more about BMO CashBack World Elite Mastercard on the provider’s website.
2. American Express Cobalt — best for Amex-friendly stores
- Grocery earn: 5 Membership Rewards points per $1 on groceries (where Amex is accepted).
- Annual fee: $191.88/year.
- Why it’s special: points transfer to airline and hotel programs, where savvy redemptions can beat cash back value. Even redeemed simply, 5 points per dollar is elite earning.
The limitation is acceptance: useless at Loblaws-banner stores and Costco warehouses. If you shop at Sobeys, Metro, or Save-On-Foods, it’s arguably the best grocery card in Canada.
Learn more about Amex Cobalt Card on the provider’s website.
3. Scotia Momentum Visa Infinite — best flat grocery rate (Visa)
- Grocery earn: 4% cash back on groceries and recurring bill payments, with no low monthly cap.
- Annual fee: $120 (first year waived under the current offer; 15% cash back on the first $2,000 spent in the first 3 months — worth up to $300 — plus an introductory 0% balance transfer rate; offer valid Jul 2 – Nov 1, 2026).
- Why it wins: it’s a Visa, so it works at Loblaws stores where Amex cards don’t, and the 4% has no $500/month ceiling like BMO’s 5%.
For big grocery spenders who shop at Loblaws-family stores, the uncapped 4% often beats BMO’s capped 5%.
4. CIBC Dividend Visa Infinite — best pure cash simplicity
- Grocery earn: 4% cash back on groceries and gas.
- Annual fee: $120 (first year rebated under the current offer, as of October 2026).
- Redemption: cash back redeemable any time once you hit $10.
Same 4% grocery rate as Scotia’s card with a different fee structure and perks — compare the two welcome offers head-to-head before choosing.
5. PC Financial World Elite Mastercard — best for Loblaws loyalists, no fee
- Grocery earn: PC Optimum points worth 3% back at participating Loblaw-banner grocery stores (4.5% at Shoppers Drug Mart/Pharmaprix), as of October 2026.
- Annual fee: $0.
- Income requirement: $80,000 personal or $150,000 household.
If nearly all your grocery money goes to Superstore, No Frills, or Shoppers, this free card is extremely hard to beat.
6. Tangerine Money-Back — best no-fee flexible pick
- Grocery earn: 2% if you set groceries as one of your chosen categories.
- Annual fee: $0.
Half the rate of the premium cards, but zero cost and zero income requirement. A fine starter grocery card.
Side-by-side comparison
| Card | Grocery earn rate | Cap | Annual fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| BMO CashBack World Elite MC | 5% | $500/month, then 1% | $139 |
| Amex Cobalt | 5 pts/$1 | None stated | $191.88/year |
| Scotia Momentum Visa Infinite | 4% | None (groceries + recurring bills) | $120 |
| CIBC Dividend Visa Infinite | 4% (groceries + gas) | None stated | $120 |
| PC Financial World Elite MC | 3% in PC points at Loblaw banners; 4.5% at Shoppers Drug Mart | None stated | $0 |
| Tangerine Money-Back | 2% (chosen category) | None | $0 |
The math: does an annual fee pay off?
Take a household spending $600/month ($7,200/year) on groceries:
- BMO at 5% on first $500/mo: $300/year on the capped portion, minus the $139 fee = ~$161 net (plus earnings on other categories).
- Scotia at 4% uncapped: $288/year minus $120 = ~$168 net.
- Tangerine at 2%, no fee: $144 net.
At high grocery spending, the fee cards win. Below ~$300/month, no-fee cards usually come out ahead. Run your own numbers — and remember rewards only count if you pay the balance in full each month. At ~20%+ interest, carrying a balance erases any rewards instantly. For bigger credit decisions, consider speaking with a licensed advisor. Confirm all rates, caps, fees, and welcome offers with the official provider before applying.
Disclosure: Next Level Canada may earn a commission if you apply through links in this article, at no extra cost to you. See our Affiliate Disclosure page for details.