Credit Cards for Grocery Shopping: Top Options Smart Buyers Use
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Back when I got my first credit card, I didn’t care about categories. Fuel, groceries, rent: it was all the same swipe. But slowly, I realised grocery spending was the most predictable way to get some extra cash.
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A few months ago, I walked out of D-Mart with 3 bags of groceries and a flat wallet. A week later, my friend bought groceries online and got ₹437 cashback on almost the same products. That was the day I realised I might be shopping smart, but not spending smart on groceries.
Back when I got my first credit card, I didn’t care about categories. Fuel, groceries, rent: it was all the same swipe. But slowly, I realised grocery spending was the most predictable way to get some extra cash.
With the right credit card, grocery spends, fuel transactions, and even utility bills can start giving you cashback and reward points every month.
How do grocery credit cards matter?
Over time, I've realised groceries are my quietest, most consistent expense, every month.
₹5,000 to ₹15,000 every month.So, ₹96,000 to ₹1,80,000 every year.
If a card or a payment method pays extra 3–10% for the same spending behaviour… why should I leave money on the table?
UPI rewards feel like a lottery, if you get something, great; if not, tough luck. But with credit cards, your returns compound quietly without changing your habits.
Quick wins that grocery Credit Cards bring you:
- 5-10% cashback with grocery credit cards VS 0% with UPI (or just ₹1-2 'rare gem' cashback on Google Pay)
- Use it everywhere, from Dmart and kiranas to BlinkIt and BigBasket
- Auto-tracked spend categories (you actually understand where money went)
- Builds your credit score through regular monthly transactions
Every month you delay getting a grocery credit card, you're leaving money on the table. If you don’t earn on it, someone else will.
Best Cards for Grocery Shopping - Quick Comparison
From how they work and how to choose the right one based on your preferences to how you spend and shop, we’ll cover it all.
Let's look at these cards in detail.
1. HDFC Bank MoneyBack Credit Card
- Issued by: HDFC Bank
- Annual / Joining fee: ₹500 + taxes (waived with ₹50K yearly spend)
- Card Network: Visa / Mastercard
- Category: Rewards / Cashback
- Income Eligibility: Salaried: ₹25K/month; Self-employed: ITR > ₹6L/year
A straightforward credit card for new-to-credit users. You earn 2 reward points per ₹150 spent (4 points for online), and you can convert rewards into cashback. It also offers quarterly gift vouchers thats great for everyday grocery purchases.
Why HDFC MoneyBack for groceries?
- 4X rewards on online groceries
- Quarterly vouchers (very useful during Diwali or winter stock-up months)
- Easy fee waiver
Also Read: How to Request Annual Fee Waiver on Credit Card?
2. Amazon Pay ICICI Credit Card
- Issued by: ICICI Bank (partnered with Amazon Pay)
- Annual / Joining fee: ₹0 (Life-time free)
- Card Network: Visa
- Category: Cashback, Shopping, Utilities
- Income Eligibility: Salaried: ₹25K (ICICI customers) or ₹35K (others), Self‑employed: good credit score
I always say this: If you shop on Amazon at least twice a month, don’t overthink. Just get this card.
It’s lifetime free, the rewards convert automatically (no mental gymnastics), and it works at Amazon Pay partner stores, including grocery merchants. You get up to 5% cashback on Amazon (Prime), 2% at Amazon Pay partner merchants, and 1% on all other spends. You also get a 1% fuel surcharge waiver and dining discounts.
Why Amazon Pay ICICI for groceries?
- Lifetime free, no annual fee to worry about.
- Auto-convert rewards into Amazon Pay, no redemption hassle.
- Works at Amazon Pantry and even gives 1% on offline grocery spends.
3. HSBC Live+ Credit Card
- Issued by: HSBC India
- Annual / Joining fee: ₹999 (waived with ₹2L annual spend)
- Card Network: Visa
- Category: Cashback, Utilities
- Income Eligibility: Salaried (specific to select cities)
When I saw the first reviews for this card, I thought they were exaggerating. 10% cashback felt too generous for a mainstream bank.
Then I talked to a friend whose cousin uses this card for BigBasket, Blinkit, and other online grocery and even food orders. He said yes, it gives a cashback, but with a cap of ₹1,000. His cashback lands cleanly, every month without drama. It also offers 1.5% cashback on everything else. You also get 4 complimentary domestic lounge visits per year.
Why HSBC Live+ for groceries?
- Flat 10% cashback on groceries + food delivery + dining
- Works online and offline
- Strong baseline 1.5% cashback on everything else
- Lounge access as a nice bonus
4. SBI Cashback Credit Card
- Issued by: SBI Bank
- Annual / Joining fee: ₹999 (waived on ₹2L annual spend)
- Card Network: RuPay (virtual + Physical)
- Category: Cashback, Utilities
- Income Eligibility: ₹20,000/month (approx. based on card issuance patterns)
The SBI Cashback Card gives 5% cashback on online spends, including D-Mart Ready, Blinkit, and online grocery shopping. It offers 1% on other purchases, excludes rent, wallet loads, and insurance. Simple, effective, and great for grocery savings.
Why SBI Cashback for Groceries?
- 5% cashback on D-Mart Ready, Blinkit, and other online grocery spends.
- 1% cashback on offline spends, including on grocery transactions.
- Fuel surcharge waiver and wide RuPay acceptance make it useful beyond groceries.
5. RBL Shoprite Credit Card
- Issued by: RBL Bank
- Annual / Joining fee: ₹500 (waived on ₹1L annual spend)
- Card Network: RuPay / MasterCard
- Category: Cashback, Utilities
- Income Eligibility: ₹25,000/month (approximately)
The RBL Shoprite Credit Card gives 5% cashback on groceries and fuel, making it a favorite for offline supermarket runs—especially D-Mart. You also earn 1 reward point per ₹100 on other retail spends. It's straightforward, and ideal for families shopping offline.
Why RBL Shoprite for Groceries?
- 5% cashback at grocery stores like D-Mart.
- Fuel surcharge waiver on petrol pumps across India.
- Low yearly spend to get fee waived—good for regular shoppers.
Which card wins the best Grocery Credit Card (Based on Real Users)?
Now, lets connect the dots between the real-life spending and what real users say works best for them, not something a bank ad promotes.
The focus here is on value from grocery purchases, not shiny welcome benefits that expire without being used.
With many users echoing the same sentiment calling HSBC Live+ credit card “efficient,” “practical,” and “perfect for grocery and food delivery spends” both online and offline, we have our clear winner.
🃏 Just got the HSBC Live+ Credit Card
byu/Human_Advance_4177 inCreditCardsIndia
Giving 10% cashback on groceries, it works on food delivery, dining, BlinkIt and Swiggy, D-Mart, literally everywhere.
RBL Shoprite and SBI Cashback credit cards being the runner up give 5% cashback on D-Mart + local grocery stores and online shopping for groceries from D-Mart and BlinkIt, respectively.
Grocery Shopping Habits and Best Credit Cards for Them
The way you shop for your groceries matter more than where you shop.
Choose cards that give more rewards and cashbacks on big spends when your grocery purchases are completed in once or twice a month.
Cards like HSBC Live Plus give strong returns when your grocery spends are regular and planned.However, if you shop for groceries more often and in smaller amounts, pick a bank credit card that gives flat reward points or cashback on every swipe.
The Amazon Pay ICICI Credit Card and SBI Cashback Card work well for this. These cards also help when you use them with Amazon Pay partner merchants, retail transactions like food delivery and even paying at petrol pumps.
To make the most of any card, try hitting the minimum spend needed for your annual fee waiver. Some cards also give extra welcome benefits when used for your everyday grocery shopping in India.
The best grocery card is the one that fits how you spend, not just what you buy.
Most Common Questions about Credit Cards for Groceries
Which is the best credit card for grocery shopping in India?
HDFC MoneyBack offers 5% on grocery purchases. HSBC Live+ gives 10% for ₹15K+ monthly grocery spends. Both are great for grocery shopping in India at grocery stores and departmental stores.
Do these credit cards work for online grocery shopping?
Yes they do. For ex., Amazon Pay ICICI is ideal for Amazon Pay partner merchants. Although bank credit cards may treat online grocery shopping as regular online shopping, which can affect reward points so always check your billing cycle.
Should I get multiple credit cards for grocery shopping?
Yes, you can. Alternating between grocery credit cards after reaching reward points limits helps. It increases returns over grocery spends, departmental stores, and retail transactions with different credit cards in India.
Any credit cards without annual fee for grocery purchases?
Amazon Pay ICICI is free and great for online. But some credit cards for grocery with an annual fee offer more reward points, welcome benefit, and annual fee waiver with minimum spend.
How do I maximize my grocery credit card rewards?
Check your billing cycle and how grocery stores are coded. Use the right card for each grocery purchase, and time big grocery shopping early in the cycle. Prioritize cards offering more on retail transactions or online shopping.
About the Author
Sakshi Dubey
Sakshi loves to shop and uses credit cards to understand how she can minimize her spending and maximize rewards. She writes posts about credit card rewards, best cards for everyday spends, and guides on optimizing credit card usage.