Wells Fargo Active Cash Card holds a clear lead as a simple flat-rate cash-back card for everyday spending. For recent college graduates seeking a strong first-year bonus, Discover it Cash Back is the usual answer.
Wells Fargo Active Cash Card Gap between platforms: The platform gap for Wells Fargo Active Cash Card in Rewards Credit Cards widened to 25.6 points, Google AI Mode ahead
Capital One Savor Gap between platforms: The platform gap for Capital One Savor in Rewards Credit Cards widened to 26.1 points, ChatGPT Search ahead
Capital One Savor Slipping: Capital One Savor's mention rate decreased to 39.2% in Rewards Credit Cards, from 47.2% the week before
Capital One Savor Gaining: Capital One Savor moved ahead of Discover it Cash Back in Rewards Credit Cards
Citi Double Cash® Card Gap between platforms: Google AI Mode now names Citi Double Cash® Card 5.1 points more often than ChatGPT Search in Rewards Credit Cards, a narrowed gap
19% of citations point at the ranked brands’ own sites. nerdwallet.com, bankrate.com, forbes.com are the most-cited sites outside the ranked brands’ own domains.
For U.S. cards, these stand out as of October 2026:
Amex Blue Cash Preferred — 6% at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000/year) and 6% on eligible streaming; $95 annual fee after year one.
Capital One Savor — 3% unlimited cash back at grocery stores and on popular streaming services; $0 annual fee.
Amex Blue Cash Everyday — 3% at U.S. supermarkets up to $6,000/year; $0 annual fee, but no comparable streaming bonus.
Citi Custom Cash — 5% on your top eligible category up to $500 per billing cycle, potentially including groceries or streaming. However, current reporting says it closed to new applicants in May 2026.
I need to get a new credit card. What's the best one for cash-back rewards?
For a high-income professional already holding a premium travel card, which secondary cashback card pairs best to maximize everyday rewards?
What is the best cash-back credit card?
For a recent college graduate with average credit, which cashback credit card offers the best first-year bonus and no annual fee for everyday spending?
Cash back or points? Which credit card strategy is better for someone who doesn't fly often?
I want to travel to Europe for free. What is the best travel rewards credit card for beginners?
I want to start travel hacking. What is the best travel rewards credit card to start with?
Simple takeaway: If you spend heavily on both groceries and streaming, the Blue Cash Preferred has the highest combined rates; if you want no annual fee and simplicity, Capital One Savor covers both at 3%.
TheBlue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express is the top overall credit card for combining high-tier rewards on both U.S. supermarkets and select streaming services, offering 6% cash back on groceries (up to $6,000 per year, then 1%) and 6% cash back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions.
If you want to compare other top cards that hit both of these everyday spending categories, several strong alternatives offer varying fee structures and reward types:
Up to 5% cash back (on your highest spend category each billing cycle, including groceries or streaming up to $500 spend)
Up to 5% cash back (if chosen as top spend category)
Top Recommendations Breakdown
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express: The gold standard if your household budget centers heavily on traditional supermarkets and major streaming platforms (like Netflix, Hulu, and Disney+). Note that the 6% grocery rate resets annually at a $6,000 spending cap ($500/month).
Citi Custom Cash® Card: Automatically awards 5% cash back on your highest eligible spend category each billing cycle (up to $500 spent per cycle). You can target grocery stores one month or dedicate it to streaming and transit, though you must juggle categories or keep spending isolated to maximize it.
To help narrow down the ideal choice, let me know:
What is your approximate monthly spend on groceries?
Do you prefer straight cash back or travel reward points?
If your biggest recurring expenses are groceries + streaming, there are a few standout cards in the U.S. right now. I’d focus on the ongoing rewards, not just the welcome bonus.
Card
Groceries
Streaming
Annual fee
Best for
Amex Blue Cash Preferred
6% up to $6,000/yr
6% on eligible services
$95
🏆 Best overall for both
Capital One Savor
3%
3%
$0
Best no-fee all-rounder
AAA Daily Advantage
5%
3%
$0
Best no-fee grocery rate
Citi Custom Cash
5% on your top category, up to $500/billing cycle
5% if streaming is your top category
$0
Best for concentrating spend
🥇 Best overall: Amex Blue Cash Preferred
American Express's Blue Cash Preferred is particularly strong if you spend a meaningful amount at supermarkets and on streaming.
6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets, up to $6,000 per calendar year, then 1%.
6% on eligible U.S. streaming subscriptions.
3% on gas and transit.
$95 annual fee after the introductory first year.
It also currently has a $10/month Disney Streaming Credit—up to $120/year—for eligible Disney+, Hulu and ESPN subscriptions when enrolled.
So if you spend, say, $500/month on groceries, you'd hit the $6,000 grocery cap and earn $360/year from groceries alone. Add $100/month of qualifying streaming and that's another $72, before considering the Disney credit.
Important: the 6% streaming category has eligibility rules, and grocery rewards are based on merchant coding. Warehouse clubs and some superstores aren't treated as U.S. supermarkets.
💰 Best $0-fee option: Capital One Savor
Capital One's Savor is simpler:
3% unlimited cash back at grocery stores
3% on popular streaming services
3% on dining and entertainment
$0 annual fee
Currently a $200 bonus after $500 in purchases in the first 3 months for eligible new applicants.
The big advantage is that there's no annual grocery cap. One caveat: grocery rewards exclude superstores such as Walmart and Target.
🛒 Best for heavy grocery spending: AAA Daily Advantage
The AAA Daily Advantage Visa Signature is surprisingly compelling if groceries are your priority:
5% grocery
3% streaming
3% gas/EV charging, wholesale clubs and pharmacy
$0 annual fee
The 5% grocery rate is combined with the wholesale-club/gas category within a $10,000 annual spending limit, after which those purchases earn 1%.
That makes it particularly interesting if your grocery bill is high but you don't want to pay an annual fee.
🎯 Interesting niche option: Citi Custom Cash
The Citi Custom Cash automatically gives you 5% back on your highest eligible spending category each billing cycle, up to $500, with grocery stores and select streaming among the eligible categories.
That works beautifully if, for example, you spend $400–$500/month on groceries and don't need a high rewards rate beyond that amount. But it's less attractive for someone with substantial spending in both groceries and streaming because only the highest category gets the 5%.
My ranking for your situation
If you want one card: 1. Amex Blue Cash Preferred — strongest combination of groceries + streaming.
If you refuse annual fees: 2. Capital One Savor — very easy 3%/3% setup.
If groceries dominate your budget: 3. AAA Daily Advantage — 5% grocery with no annual fee.
If you want to optimize with multiple cards:
A particularly effective setup could be Amex Blue Cash Preferred for groceries + eligible streaming, then use a different card for categories where it beats 1%. The BCP's $95 fee becomes much easier to justify as your grocery/streaming spend rises.
If you tell me roughly how much you spend per month on groceries, streaming, dining, gas, and online shopping, I can calculate the actual annual cash-back difference between these cards and tell you which one would put the most money back in your pocket.
Maximizing rewards on both groceries and streaming services at the same time is a great strategy since a couple of top-tier cards explicitly bundle these exact categories together.[](https://thepointsguy.com/credit-cards/best/grocery/)
The top credit cards to consider depend on whether you prefer straightforward cash back or flexible travel points:
Groceries:6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%).
Streaming:6% cash back on select U.S. streaming services.
Other Perks: 3% cash back on transit and U.S. gas stations.
Annual Fee: $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95.
Streaming:3% cash back on popular streaming services.
Other Perks: 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, and popular streaming services with a $0 annual fee.
Annual Fee: $0.
Why consider it: If you don't want to worry about an annual fee or if you routinely spend more than $6,000 a year on groceries (where the Amex Blue Cash Preferred caps out), this is a consistent, hassle-free earner.[](https://www.nerdwallet.com/credit-cards/best/groceries)
Groceries:4x Membership Rewards points at U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000 per calendar year, then 1x).
Streaming: No direct category multiplier, however , you can use the card to buy streaming service gift cards at U.S. supermarkets to rack up 4x points.
Other Perks: 4x points on dining worldwide (including takeout/delivery in the U.S.) and strong travel booking multipliers.
Why consider it: If you prefer flexible travel rewards over cash back and spend heavily on food (groceries + dining), the Amex Gold turns routine trips to the supermarket into airline or hotel miles.
Groceries:5% back at Whole Foods Market and Amazon Fresh (requires an eligible Amazon Prime membership).
Streaming: Includes access to Amazon Prime Video if you maintain your Prime membership.
Annual Fee: $0 (with Prime membership).
Why consider it: If your primary "grocery" destination is Whole Foods and you already use Prime Video, this card delivers a stellar 5% return on those food hauls.
If you want the absolute highest immediate return, pairing the Amex Blue Cash Preferred for your capped $6,000 grocery/streaming spend and using a flat 2% cash back card like the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card for everything else will yield a high return without overcomplicating your wallet.[](https://www.nerdwallet.com/credit-cards/best/groceries)
If you want to maximize credit card rewards on groceries and streaming services, I’d focus on cards that offer high category bonuses on supermarket purchases, recurring streaming subscriptions, and possibly a strong cash-back rate on everything else.
The best choice depends on whether you prefer straightforward cash back or travel points, and whether you’re willing to pay an annual fee. Assuming you’re looking at U.S. credit cards, here are the options I’d compare first.
The top credit cards to consider
1. Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
(Best for maximum rewards)
6% cash back
Annual fee: $0 first year, then $95
6% at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 in annual purchases, then 1%.
6% on eligible U.S. streaming subscriptions.
3% at U.S. gas stations and on transit.
Up to $120 annually in eligible Disney+, Hulu and ESPN streaming statement credits, with enrollment and other terms.
Streaming Rewards
Key Extra Perk
American Express Blue Cash Preferred
$95 (waived first year)
6% (up to $6,000/yr)
6%
Up to $84/yr Disney/Hulu bundle credit
Capital One Savor Cash Rewards
$0
3%
3%
No annual fee + dining/entertainment cash back
Citi Custom Cash Card
$0
5% (top category up to $500/mo)
Varies (1%)
Flexible 5% top spend category shift
Detailed Breakdown of Top Choices
American Express Blue Cash Preferred Card: Delivers an industry-leading 6% cash back on U.S. supermarkets (on up to $6,000 per year, then 1%) and 6% cash back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions. It also features a select monthly statement credit for Disney/Hulu/ESPN bundles, making it ideal if your grocery and streaming totals maximize the caps.[](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KIIRU1ZExEI)
Here's an illustrative comparison assuming $500 per month in qualifying supermarket purchases and $50 per month in qualifying streaming subscriptions.
Card
Grocery rewards/year
Streaming rewards/year
Annual fee after intro year
Amex Blue Cash Preferred
$360
$36
$95
Capital One Savor
$180
$18
$0
Amex Blue Cash Everyday
$180
$0*
$0
*Streaming earnings for Blue Cash Everyday are shown as zero because no general streaming bonus is listed in its standard rewards structure. Calculations exclude welcome bonuses and special offers. Grocery spending assumes all $6,000 qualifies for the supermarket bonus.
Under these assumptions, the Blue Cash Preferred earns $198 more in grocery and streaming rewards than Savor before the annual fee, or $103 more after its $95 fee. Any eligible streaming credits would improve its value further. Actual results depend on merchant eligibility and the terms in effect when you apply.
My recommendation
Maximum cash back: Amex Blue Cash Preferred.
Best simple, fee-free setup: Capital One Savor.
Lower spending or no annual fee: Amex Blue Cash Everyday.
One important catch: supermarket bonuses typically exclude warehouse clubs and superstores such as Costco, Walmart and Target. If you buy most of your groceries there, the best card could be different.
