10 years ago, I started my credit card reward journey with DiscoverIt®Cash Return Credit Cards.
At the time, it was perfect for my spending habits – until I realized I might get a higher bonus rate for one of my biggest expenses: groceries.
Discover IT cashing information has been collected independently by Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
This makes me pivotal Blue CashPreferred® Card for American ExpressOver the years, this has become the main card for almost all my expenses.
In 2024, I finally added American Express® Gold Card In addition to cash back, I can earn points from our supermarket purchase points so that I can earn points from blue cash.
*Cashback or receipt in the form of a reward dollar can be redeemed for a stated credit and received at Amazon.com checkout.
Currently, both cards are my grocery store Go-Tos.
You might question why I would offer multiple cards for a single reward category, but here is a crazy way. Let’s get into it.
Related: A foolproof way to maximize grocery store rewards
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2 cards, 2 different reward currencies
For many, cash folding cards are easier to access than dot and mileage products. It’s right for me, and that’s one of the reasons why I chose Discover It Card as a college student.
Even though I graduated from more quality products, I still haven’t used just one grocery card.
I’ve considered downgrading mine Blue Cash First There is no annual fee for cards to Amex products, but the value I get from cash rewards and description points always stops me.
Or, mine Amex Gold Earn membership reward points, I like that because I can transfer them to partners like Delta Skymiles, JetBlue TrueBlue and Virgin Atlantic Flying Club.
Both cards shine in different bonus categories, but their grocery revenue rates are unparalleled:
| Amex Gold | Blue Cash First |
|---|---|
|
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When I use Blue Cash Preferred as my main card, I can easily get over $500 in cash rewards* bonuses per year.
Now, most of my grocery store purchases charge my Amex Gold, and I still get at least $200 in cash back every year with my blue cash*, which is the $95-year fee for the card (see Fees & Fees). Please note that the card is introductory for the first year of $0.
I decided to sprinkle grocery shopping on two different cards, because diversifying the reward currency you earn is key to a strong card strategy.
*Cashback or receipt in the form of a reward dollar can be redeemed for a stated credit and received at Amazon.com checkout.
Related: The best time to apply for these popular US Express cards based on quote history
How do I buy smart food and points
As for how I allocate grocery shopping, my approach is simple.
I prioritize transferable points that can be redeemed for travel. This means I use mine Amex Gold According to TPG’s September 2025 valuation, most of my grocery stores bought an 8% return (up to $25,000 in annual salary).
Because I have mine Blue Cash First For so long, 15% of your overall credit score is related to the length of your credit history and I make sure to keep the account open and in good credibility.
I usually call two to three times a month at the grocery store.
A trip is to stock up on pantry and refrigerator essentials such as meat, produce, nuts, milk and eggs. The second and third trips were supplementing with smaller items such as seasonings, which would require lower ingredients and specific ingredients if I were to test new recipes.
My Amex Gold covers more expensive items like meat, produce and dairy products, while I use blue cash to prefer smaller purchases. This setup helped me use my expenses to earn the card reward currency that I value most, while still being able to recycle cash and help keep my old account open.
Related: Complete Guide to Quick Member Rewards in the United States
Both cards are used for workplaces for online statement credit
In addition to the generous reward rate of grocery purchases, these two cards also have statement credits I often use.
this Amex Gold and Blue Cash First Work overtime to purify my statement credits and Points and cash back.
We’ve exceeded the grocery reward rate on each card, but both offer a variety of credits that I often use. These include:
| Amex Gold | Blue Cash First |
|---|---|
Selected benefits require registration. |
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Blue Cash Preferred’s up to $120 stream credit is enough to completely offset the card’s annual fee.
If you subscribe to any qualified streaming platforms it covers, you can actually get the card and its privileges for free – this is before taking advantage of other increased revenue rates on this card.
Bottom line
Having two cards with an elevated reward rate in a specific category may not be ideal for everyone, but it works well for me.
Looking for a way to earn multiple types of reward currency on the biggest fees? Consider my two-card method.
If you want to stick with a card, there are a few good options, but my best advice is Amex Gold and Blue Cash First. If you are looking for a high-priced, grade-free fee option on your grocery store purchase, consider using the Capital One Exavor Cash Rewards credit card.
Remember that you can apply this method to any category you often spend – whether it’s groceries, transit purchases, gas or dining. Tailoring your card strategy to your personal spending model is a great way to get valuable credit card rewards.
To learn more, read our full review of Amex Blue Cash Preferred, and our full review of Amex Gold Card.
Related: Earn Budget Rewards with These Unfamiliar Card Strategies
For Amex Gold rates and fees, click here.
For Amex Blue Cash preferred rates and fees, click here.
