Why I have 2 credit cards that I use for grocery purchases

I started my credit card rewards journey with the Discover it® Cash Back Credit Card over 10 years ago.

At the time, it was a perfect fit for my spending habits — until I realized I could be earning a higher reward rate for one of my biggest expenses: groceries.

The information for the Discover it Cash Back has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

This led me to pivot to the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express, which became my primary card for nearly all of my expenses for several years.

In 2024, I finally added the American Express® Gold Card to my rotation so that I could start earning points on U.S. supermarket purchases in addition to the cash back* I was getting from the Blue Cash Preferred.

*Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit and at Amazon.com checkout.

At present, both cards serve as my grocery store go-tos.

You might be questioning why I’d have more than one card for a single bonus category, but there’s a method to the madness here. Let’s get into it.

Related: Foolproof ways to maximize rewards on grocery shopping

2 cards, 2 different reward currencies

For many, cash-back cards feel more approachable than points and miles products. This was true for me, which is one of the reasons why I opted for the Discover it card as a college student.

Though I’ve graduated to more premium products, I still haven’t settled on just one grocery card.

I’ve considered downgrading my Blue Cash Preferred card to an Amex product with no annual fee, but the value I get from it, both in cash-back* rewards and statement credits, always stops me.

Alternatively, my Amex Gold earns Membership Rewards points, which I love because I can transfer them to partners like Delta SkyMiles, JetBlue TrueBlue and Virgin Atlantic Flying Club.

Both of these cards shine in different bonus categories, but their grocery earning rates are unbeatable:

When I used the Blue Cash Preferred as my main card, I easily earned more than $500 in cash-back* rewards each year.

Now that the majority of my grocery purchases get charged to my Amex Gold, I still earn at least $200 cash back* every year with my Blue Cash Preferred — more than double the card’s $95 annual fee (see rates and fees). Note that the card has an introductory $0 annual fee for the first year.

I’ve decided to spread my grocery shopping across two different cards because diversifying the reward currency you earn is the key to a strong card strategy.

*Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit and at Amazon.com checkout.

Related: The best time to apply for these popular American Express cards based on offer history

How I shop smart for food and points

As for how I divvy up my grocery shopping, my approach is simple.

I prioritize earning transferable points that I can redeem for travel. This means I use my Amex Gold for the majority of my grocery purchases because the high rewards rate is an 8% return (up to that $25,000 annual cap), according to TPG’s September 2025 valuations.

Because I’ve had my Blue Cash Preferred for so long, and 15% of your overall credit score is tied to the length of your credit history, I make sure to keep this account open and in good standing.

I typically hit the grocery store two to three times each month.

One trip is to stock up on pantry and fridge essentials like meat, produce, nuts, milk and eggs. The second and third trips are to restock smaller items like seasonings that are running low, and specific ingredients if I’m testing a new recipe.

My Amex Gold covers the more expensive items, like meat, produce and dairy products, while I use my Blue Cash Preferred for smaller purchases. This setup helps me use my spending to earn the card reward currency I value most, while still netting me cash back and helping me keep an old account open.

Related: The complete guide to American Express Membership Rewards

Both cards are workhorses for netting statement credits

In addition to generous reward rates on grocery purchases, both cards also feature statement credits I frequently use.

The Amex Gold and Blue Cash Preferred work overtime to net me statement credits and points and cash back.

We’ve gone over the grocery reward rates on each card, but both also offer various types of credits that I use regularly. These include:

The Blue Cash Preferred’s up-to-$120 streaming credit is enough to completely offset the card’s annual fee.

If you subscribe to any of the eligible streaming platforms covered by it, you essentially get access to the card and its perks at no cost — and that’s before you take advantage of other elevated earning rates featured on this card.

Bottom line

Having two cards that earn elevated reward rates in a specific category may not be ideal for everyone, but it works well for me.

Looking for a way to earn more than one type of reward currency on your biggest expenses? Consider my two-card approach.

If you prefer to stick with one card, there are a couple of great options, but my top recommendations are the Amex Gold and the Blue Cash Preferred. If you prefer a no-annual-fee option that earns elevated rewards on grocery store purchases, consider the Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card.

And remember, you can apply this method to any category you frequently spend in — whether it’s groceries, transit purchases, gas fill-ups or dining. Tailoring your card strategy to your individual spending patterns is a great way to accrue valuable credit card rewards.

To learn more, read our full review of the Amex Blue Cash Preferred and our full review of the Amex Gold Card.

Related: Earn rewards on a budget with these no-annual-fee card strategies

For rates and fees of the Amex Gold, click here.
For rates and fees of the Amex Blue Cash Preferred, click here.