topic Re: What is the Best Groceries Cash Back Card? in Credit Cards

What is the Best Groceries Cash Back Card?

Anonymous — Wed, 07 Aug 2019 12:53:02 GMT

I noticed A LOT of cards have bonus categories for restaurants but what about those of us who don't spend much on eating out but would rather cook??? I looked at the AMEX BCP and noticed they said groceries exclude Walmart and Target which sucks as most times, you'll find either before you find an actual supermarket. So are there any hidden gems out there for people who like to grocery shop? And those who shop at Walmart?

Re: What is the Best Groceries Cash Back Card?

Anonymous — Wed, 07 Aug 2019 02:04:12 GMT

UMB Simply Rewards. It’s 3% back at grocery stores as well as discount stores, dining, and on gas.

Its one of the few cards that specifically includes Walmart and Target (they’re discount stores).

Re: What is the Best Groceries Cash Back Card?

Anonymous — Wed, 07 Aug 2019 02:07:27 GMT

Thanks so much! You are a lifesaver!

@Anonymous wrote:
UMB Simply Rewards. It’s 3% back at grocery stores as well as discount stores, dining, and on gas.

Its one of the few cards that specifically includes Walmart and Target (they’re discount stores).

Re: What is the Best Groceries Cash Back Card?

Anonymous — Wed, 07 Aug 2019 02:14:18 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
Thanks so much! You are a lifesaver!

@Anonymous wrote:
UMB Simply Rewards. It’s 3% back at grocery stores as well as discount stores, dining, and on gas.

Its one of the few cards that specifically includes Walmart and Target (they’re discount stores).

You’re welcome!

They can be a bit particular though - what are your scores, how many inquiries do you have, and how many new accounts have you opened?

They seem to prefer customers who have 750+ FICO scores and no more than 5-6 inquiries (they pull TU). I have it as a goal card but if I can’t keep my credit seeking under control, I may never be able to get it.

I have heard of approvals in the low 700s but they’re rare.

Re: What is the Best Groceries Cash Back Card?

kilroy8 — Wed, 07 Aug 2019 02:16:44 GMT

Aw, man ... why did you have to show me this.

Re: What is the Best Groceries Cash Back Card?

Anonymous — Wed, 07 Aug 2019 02:19:18 GMT

@kilroy8 wrote:
Aw, man ... why did you have to show me this.

Cause you have that shiny spade. 😛

Re: What is the Best Groceries Cash Back Card?

Aim_High — Wed, 07 Aug 2019 02:24:42 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
UMB Simply Rewards. It’s 3% back at grocery stores as well as discount stores, dining, and on gas.
Its one of the few cards that specifically includes Walmart and Target (they’re discount stores).

I have this card, although I got it through my military-affiliation with AFBA (Armed Forces Benefit Association) over 20 years ago. They partnered with Five-Star Bank in Colorado Springs which changed hands a few years ago. After the change in management, AFBA/Five-Star Bank's Visa is actually managed by UMB! A few years ago, I had it converted from basic Visa to a lesser rewards program and then about a year ago I inquired again and got it changed over the "Simply Rewards" plan. New applicants get approved for Simply Rewards by default, I believe.

Anyway, going through AFBA if you are military or Five-Star bank are other ways to this card besides a direct app with UMB. I have heard UMB may geofence applications if you're not in their territory but not sure about Five-Star bank. While I believe Five-Star bank may have started as a military-affiliated bank, I think membership is open to everyone now.

Re: What is the Best Groceries Cash Back Card?

Anonymous — Wed, 07 Aug 2019 02:34:10 GMT

@Aim_High wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
UMB Simply Rewards. It’s 3% back at grocery stores as well as discount stores, dining, and on gas.
Its one of the few cards that specifically includes Walmart and Target (they’re discount stores).
I have this card, although I got it through my military-affiliation with AFBA (Armed Forces Benefit Association) over 20 years ago. They partnered with Five-Star Bank in Colorado Springs which changed hands a few years ago. After the change in management, AFBA/Five-Star Bank's Visa is actually managed by UMB! A few years ago, I had it converted from basic Visa to a lesser rewards program and then about a year ago I inquired again and got it changed over the "Simply Rewards" plan. New applicants get approved for Simply Rewards by default, I believe.

Anyway, going through AFBA if you are military or Five-Star bank are other ways to this card besides a direct app with UMB. I have heard UMB may geofence applications if you're not in their territory but not sure about Five-Star bank. While I believe Five-Star bank may have started as a military-affiliated bank, I think membership is open to everyone now.

Interesting. I knew about a lot of the other affinities but not that one. I went ahead and looked and it actually sends the application to UMB through an affinity portal. I wonder if affinity cards have higher approval rates. I’ve got this one on my radar for February of next year when I get TU to EE my BK, maybe I’ll go through 5Star and see where it lands. Thanks for the tip!

Re: What is the Best Groceries Cash Back Card?

Anonymous — Wed, 07 Aug 2019 03:53:56 GMT

In a thread from March, people noticed that statement credit redemption seems even better, $25 for 1666 points, which turns this into a cashback 4.5% on those categories. Was that confirmed?

Re: What is the Best Groceries Cash Back Card?

Anonymous — Wed, 07 Aug 2019 04:05:14 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
In a thread from March, people noticed that statement credit redemption seems even better, $25 for 1666 points, which turns this into a cashback 4.5% on those categories. Was that confirmed?

According to posts on DoC, it’s 2500 for $25 and the old portal doesn’t work for redemption anymore.

Re: What is the Best Groceries Cash Back Card?

bergrides — Wed, 07 Aug 2019 11:10:21 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
UMB Simply Rewards. It’s 3% back at grocery stores as well as discount stores, dining, and on gas.

Its one of the few cards that specifically includes Walmart and Target (they’re discount stores).

@Saeren - Isn't this a points card, not a cash back card? So it earns 3 points for groceries?

Re: What is the Best Groceries Cash Back Card?

Anonymous — Wed, 07 Aug 2019 11:11:30 GMT

@bergrides wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
UMB Simply Rewards. It’s 3% back at grocery stores as well as discount stores, dining, and on gas.

Its one of the few cards that specifically includes Walmart and Target (they’re discount stores).
@Saeren - Isn't this a points card, not a cash back card? So it earns 3 points for groceries?

It’s a points card but redemption for cash back is 1cpp so 3% at grocery stores, discount stores, restaurants, fast food, and gas stations.

Re: What is the Best Groceries Cash Back Card?

bergrides — Wed, 07 Aug 2019 11:35:32 GMT

OP - I think it also depends on how much of your grocery bill is Walmart and Target. I took a couple months worth of spending and did the math, and I still came out ahead with the BCP, probably due to spending at least 600 at the grocery store per month. I also spend about 200 a month at the meat market, which only gets 1%, so I am only earning 24 dollars. Currently looking at adding a general spend card (DC or Citizens World MC) to get more there and other places..

Re: What is the Best Groceries Cash Back Card?

Anonymous — Wed, 07 Aug 2019 12:11:40 GMT

I spend about $500 at Walmart and not even $100 at an actual grocery store. I was thinking about getting a flat 2% card though because it appears grocery spending is so rare.

Re: What is the Best Groceries Cash Back Card?

Anonymous — Wed, 07 Aug 2019 12:21:11 GMT

Ouch! With the last inquiry taking me down 14 pts, I'm hovering around 700. However, my BK falls off March 2020 ( asking for EE in January) and one inquiry falls off this September. I have another falling off in May. When I apply, I'll be EQ=0, TU=2 and EX=2. Wonder what will be of my score when the BK comes off 🤔

Re: What is the Best Groceries Cash Back Card?

bergrides — Wed, 07 Aug 2019 12:22:24 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
@bergrides wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
UMB Simply Rewards. It’s 3% back at grocery stores as well as discount stores, dining, and on gas.

Its one of the few cards that specifically includes Walmart and Target (they’re discount stores).
@Saeren - Isn't this a points card, not a cash back card? So it earns 3 points for groceries?
It’s a points card but redemption for cash back is 1cpp so 3% at grocery stores, discount stores, restaurants, fast food, and gas stations.

Ah, thanks for clarifying.

Re: What is the Best Groceries Cash Back Card?

HeavenOhio — Wed, 07 Aug 2019 12:35:02 GMT

@bergrides wrote:
OP - I think it also depends on how much of your grocery bill is Walmart and Target. I took a couple months worth of spending and did the math, and I still came out ahead with the BCP, probably due to spending at least 600 at the grocery store per month. I also spend about 200 a month at the meat market, which only gets 1%, so I am only earning 24 dollars. Currently looking at adding a general spend card (DC or Citizens World MC) to get more there and other places..

Shopping at the meat market would likely earn a grocery reward on a Visa or Mastercard.

Re: What is the Best Groceries Cash Back Card?

bergrides — Wed, 07 Aug 2019 12:39:04 GMT

@HeavenOhio - I think it depends on the card. I know the PNC Cash Back card grocery cash back does not - I am still looking at others

Re: What is the Best Groceries Cash Back Card?

kdm31091 — Wed, 07 Aug 2019 12:47:29 GMT

With such low monthly grocery spend I wouldn’t bother with a dedicated grocery card. Trying to over optimize just spreads out your rewards and makes it take forever to reach any meaningful redemption.

Note also to be slightly wary of points programs for cash back. The issuer is free to change the ratio at any time, so what is a 1 to 1 conversion today could be nerfed to a less favorable rate at any random time.

Re: What is the Best Groceries Cash Back Card?

Anonymous — Wed, 07 Aug 2019 12:48:39 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
Ouch! With the last inquiry taking me down 14 pts, I'm hovering around 700. However, my BK falls off March 2020 ( asking for EE in January) and one inquiry falls off this September. I have another falling off in May. When I apply, I'll be EQ=0, TU=2 and EX=2. Wonder what will be of my score when the BK comes off 🤔

I don’t want to throw numbers at you because every profile is different but BK is the worst derog you can have so think about the best score gain you got while rebuilding and getting a baddie off and you can expect at least that much usually - since the loss of a BK rebuckets you, it’s hard to pinpoint any exact numbers.

You will have a better chance than me when I app in February - even if my score ends up recovering from all of my credit seeking, I still have low income working against me and I’ll have all of the inquiries that will stick around for another year left... so I’ll have like 13 on my credit report even if only 3 are scoreable.