Top Cash Back Cards for Grocery and Warehouse Club Shopping in New York

Best Cash Back Cards for Grocery Purchases and Warehouse Clubs in New York

New York shoppers split their spend between neighborhood grocers and large warehouse clubs. Because many issuers classify “grocery stores” and “warehouse clubs” differently, the right card (or pair of cards) can materially increase rewards. Another local nuance: in-store Costco locations in the city accept only Visa credit cards, while wholesale clubs are generally not coded as grocery stores for rewards. The picks below focus on strong grocery earnings, reliable warehouse club rewards, and practical choices for residents building credit.

What to look for in a New York grocery and warehouse card

• Strong earning rates at traditional grocery stores (think Trader Joe’s, Key Food, ShopRite, Stop & Shop) and clarity on exclusions for superstores.
• Warehouse club compatibility and rewards (Costco, BJ’s, and regional Sam’s Club locations), plus card network acceptance in-store.
• Caps and categories that match real spending patterns in the city, including delivery services and online orders.
• No annual fee options if keeping ongoing costs low is a priority.
• Solid fraud protections and simple account management tools.

Standout cards for grocery stores

• Capital One SavorOne: Competitive rewards at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart and Target) with no annual fee. Useful for shoppers frequenting Trader Joe’s, Morton Williams, or local markets across the boroughs. Terms apply.
• American Express Blue Cash Everyday: Strong rate at U.S. supermarkets, up to a monthly cap; wholesale clubs and superstores are excluded. Widely accepted at larger chains, though some smaller merchants may prefer other networks. Terms apply.
• Citi Custom Cash: Automatically earns a high rate in the top eligible category each billing cycle (grocery stores are eligible) on up to a set monthly amount; wholesale clubs are typically excluded. Good for households with fluctuating grocery spend. Terms apply.
• Prime Visa: Robust rewards at Whole Foods Market and Amazon with an eligible Prime membership. A practical pairing for New Yorkers who primarily shop Whole Foods and order essentials online. Terms apply.

Standout cards for warehouse clubs

• Costco Anywhere Visa by Citi: Rewards on Costco and Costco.com purchases, plus strong gas and dining categories; requires a paid Costco membership. Note: in-club Costco locations accept only Visa credit cards. Terms apply.
• BJ’s Mastercard (issuer varies by program): Elevated rewards in-club and online for members, with BJ’s locations throughout the metro area. Membership required; review tiered structures and redemption rules. Terms apply.
• Sam’s Club Mastercard: Relevant for members who shop nearby suburban locations; offers enhanced rewards on gas and dining and solid returns in-club. Membership required. Terms apply.

Building credit while earning on everyday purchases

For those establishing or rebuilding credit in New York, a secured cash back card can provide predictable rewards on groceries and general purchases while helping build a positive payment history. One option that mixes credit-building tools with flat-rate rewards is the Capital One Quicksilver Secured. Key features include:

• No annual or hidden fees, and you can earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase, every day. See if you’re approved in seconds
• Put down a refundable $200 security deposit to get at least a $200 initial credit line
• Building your credit? Using a card like this responsibly could help
• Enjoy peace of mind with $0 Fraud Liability so that you won’t be responsible for unauthorized charges
• You could earn back your security deposit as a statement credit when you use your card responsibly, like making payments on time
• Be automatically considered for a higher credit line in as little as 6 months with no additional deposit needed
• Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you’ll get Capital One’s best prices on thousands of trip options. Terms apply
• Monitor your credit score with CreditWise from Capital One. It’s free for everyone

Because it earns a flat rate on every purchase, it works predictably at a range of New York merchants, including bodegas and smaller markets that may not be categorized as traditional grocery stores.

New York specifics: coding, acceptance, and delivery

• Costco in-store accepts only Visa credit cards; Costco.com accepts additional networks. Many non-Costco warehouse club purchases are coded as wholesale clubs, not grocery stores.
• Grocery delivery platforms may code as grocery, delivery, or “online marketplace” depending on the provider and issuer. If maximizing grocery rewards via delivery is important, test a small order and review the category on your statement.
• Some issuers exclude superstores and wholesale clubs from grocery rewards. Check definitions to avoid surprises, especially for Walmart, Target, BJ’s, and Costco.
• Independent markets and specialty shops are common in the city; a flat-rate card can be useful when category coding is inconsistent.

How to decide

1. List your top stores by monthly spend (e.g., Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s, Key Food, Costco, BJ’s).
2. Match a primary grocery card to your largest category, watching for caps and exclusions.
3. Add a warehouse club card if you maintain an active membership, and confirm in-store network acceptance.
4. If building credit, consider starting with a secured cash back card and revisit options after several months of on-time payments.
5. Enable autopay and keep utilization low to protect credit while earning rewards.

Example pairings

• Whole Foods + Costco: Prime Visa for Whole Foods, Costco Anywhere Visa for in-club purchases.
• Trader Joe’s/Key Food + BJ’s: Blue Cash Everyday for supermarkets, BJ’s Mastercard for warehouse trips.
• Mixed stores + occasional clubs: Capital One SavorOne or Citi Custom Cash for groceries, plus a general Visa for Costco visits.

Bottom line

For most households, combining a high-earning grocery card with a warehouse club solution offers strong coverage across New York’s diverse merchants. Those building credit can start with a secured flat-rate card, then graduate to category cards as their profile improves. With a plan tailored to where you actually shop, it is straightforward to assemble the Best Cash Back Cards for Grocery Purchases and Warehouse Clubs in New York and keep rewards consistent throughout the year. Terms apply and merchant coding varies, so review issuer definitions before applying.

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