Top Cashback Credit Cards for Groceries and Gas (2025)

Top Cashback Credit Cards for Groceries and Gas (2025)

By Elliot Grey

For households managing recurring expenses such as groceries and fuel, cashback credit cards remain one of the most effective tools for reducing cost. Unlike points-based travel cards, cashback cards offer immediate, quantifiable value and require minimal effort to optimize.

In 2025, inflationary pressures have kept grocery and gas prices elevated, making strategic card selection even more essential. This article provides a detailed evaluation of the top cashback credit cards tailored for these categories—prioritizing high returns, minimal fees, and practical benefits.

Why Focus on Groceries and Gas?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average American household spent approximately $7,000 on groceries and $3,500 on gas in 2024. A credit card offering 5% cashback on both categories would yield a return of $525 annually—more than covering most annual fees.

Key selection criteria for this review:

• Cashback rate (base + category-specific)
• Annual fee and net ROI
• Redemption flexibility
• Category caps and limits
• Issuer acceptance

1. Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express

• Annual Fee: $95 (waived for Year 1)
• Welcome Offer: $250 statement credit after $3,000 spend in 6 months
• Cashback Structure:
  • 6% at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000/year, then 1%)
  • 6% on select U.S. streaming services
  • 3% at U.S. gas stations and transit
  • 1% on other purchases

Analysis:

• A standout in the grocery category. $6,000 cap equates to $360 maximum annual cashback at 6%.
• Strong supplementary categories (streaming, transit) add relevance for urban users.
• Watch for international acceptance issues—Amex has limited utility abroad.

Best For: Families and high-volume grocery shoppers spending <$6,000/year.

2. Citi Custom Cash℠ Card

• Annual Fee: $0
• Welcome Offer: $200 after $1,500 spend in 6 months
• Cashback Structure:
  • 5% on top eligible category (up to $500 spend/month)
  • 1% on other purchases
  • Grocery stores and gas stations are eligible categories

Analysis:

• Auto-adjusting reward structure maximizes value without needing to track categories.
• Monthly cap of $500 = $25/month cashback at 5%, or $300/year.
• Works well as a secondary card dedicated to either groceries or gas.

Best For: Users with consistent spend in one category per month, seeking flexibility and no annual fee.

3. American Express Blue Cash Everyday® Card

• Annual Fee: $0
• Welcome Offer: $200 after $2,000 spend in 6 months
• Cashback Structure:
  • 3% at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000/year)
  • 3% at U.S. gas stations and online retail
  • 1% on all other purchases

Analysis:

• No annual fee while still delivering 3% in two critical categories.
• Works as a solid fallback card for those who want a no-fee option with stable benefits.
• Value diminishes after hitting $6,000 grocery cap (~$180 max per year at 3%).

Best For: Cost-conscious individuals or those new to cashback strategies.

4. Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Card

• Annual Fee: $0
• Welcome Offer: $200 after $1,000 spend in 90 days
• Cashback Structure:
  • 3% in category of choice (gas and online shopping included)
  • 2% at grocery stores and wholesale clubs
  • 1% on all other purchases
  • Combined 3%/2% categories capped at $2,500/quarter

Analysis:

• With Preferred Rewards status (Platinum Honors or higher), cashback boosts to 5.25% in 3% category.
• Grocery and gas can't both be selected as 3% simultaneously—choose based on primary need.
• Pair with other cards to cover both categories efficiently.

Best For: Bank of America or Merrill clients seeking to leverage Preferred Rewards multiplier.

5. Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card

• Annual Fee: $0
• Welcome Offer: 20,000 points (worth ~$200) after $1,000 spend in 3 months
• Cashback Structure:
  • 3x points on gas, transit, dining, travel, streaming, and phone plans
  • 1x on all other purchases

Analysis:

• Strong multi-category coverage makes it ideal for users who value simplicity.
• Gas at 3% consistently outperforms general-purpose 1.5% cards.
• Points redeemable for travel, gift cards, or statement credit at a 1:1 ratio.

Best For: Users with moderate spend across multiple lifestyle categories including gas.

6. Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi

• Annual Fee: $0 (requires Costco membership, $60/year)
• Welcome Offer: None
• Cashback Structure:
  • 5% on gas at Costco, 4% on other eligible gas and EV charging (first $7,000/year, then 1%)
  • 3% on restaurants and travel
  • 2% at Costco and Costco.com
  • 1% on everything else

Analysis:

• Exceptional gas rebate, especially for drivers spending heavily at the pump.
• Rewards issued as an annual check (once per year), reducing liquidity.
• No bonus for grocery unless shopping at Costco.

Best For: Costco members who spend heavily on fuel.

Choosing the Right Card Strategy

Selecting the best card depends on your monthly spend patterns and existing financial ecosystem. Here are three suggested strategies:

1. Single-Card Strategy (Simplified)
   • Use Blue Cash Preferred or Blue Cash Everyday for all grocery and gas purchases.
   • Ideal for those who prefer minimal card juggling.
2. Dual-Card Optimization
   • Use Citi Custom Cash for whichever category (grocery or gas) you spend more in monthly.
   • Pair with Wells Fargo Autograph or BofA Customized Cash for secondary category.
3. Bank Loyalty Leverage
   • If you’re a Bank of America or Merrill client with $100K+ in assets, BofA Customized Cash becomes top-tier due to Preferred Rewards.

Closing Note

Whether your goal is to reduce household expenses or strategically accumulate cash rewards, the right cashback card can generate significant value. Evaluate your annual spend, consider reward caps, and choose a combination that aligns with your lifestyle.

For a personalized card recommendation based on your actual spending profile, visit PerfectCard.ai. The platform uses intelligent matching to help you find the highest-value credit cards—saving you time and maximizing cashback.