topic Re: Grocery Spend AMEX and Discover in Credit Cards

Grocery Spend AMEX and Discover

dudley — Sun, 18 Jan 2026 16:45:55 GMT

Hello!

I have Amex blue cash preferred for groceries. I just make the$6000 cap each year and maybe go over a few hundred dollars (put it on Citi DC).

I am considering getting Discover. If I do so I would use it for the grocery quarter for sure.

I am having a problem, in that scenario, upon whether to downgrade to Amex bce for groceries or leave it as BCP.

We are only talking about groceries here and not any other categories on BCP. Also we are factoring out the first year Discover double match in the first year. I am talking about real world scenarios after the first year.

We are also not talking about applying for other cards, just Amex and Discover.

Any opinions?

Re: Grocery Spend AMEX and Discover

pizzadude — Sun, 18 Jan 2026 17:15:04 GMT

@dudley wrote:
Hello!
I have Amex blue cash preferred for groceries. I just make the$6000 cap each year and maybe go over a few hundred dollars (put it on Citi DC).

I am considering getting Discover. If I do so I would use it for the grocery quarter for sure.
I am having a problem, in that scenario, upon whether to downgrade to Amex bce for groceries or leave it as BCP.

We are only talking about groceries here and not any other categories on BCP. Also we are factoring out the first year Discover double match in the first year. I am talking about real world scenarios after the first year.

We are also not talking about applying for other cards, just Amex and Discover.

Any opinions?

Assuming you'd get 1% Cashback for 3 quarters, and 5% cashback for 1 quarter, and an even spend per quarter of $1,500 then you'd net $45 plus $75, which is $120 and would double to $240 for your first year.

AMEX BCP would net you $360 with a $95 AF, so $265 for the year.

Anyone else feel free to jump in here if my math is wrong

Re: Grocery Spend AMEX and Discover

dudley — Sun, 18 Jan 2026 17:52:59 GMT

With all due respect to pizzadude, what I was asking is: is one quarter for groceries with discovercard and three quarters with AMEX bcp more cash back than one quarter with Discovercard and three quarters with downgraded amex bce?

Which option will yield more cash back?

Is amex bcp worth the annual fee if it is used for groceries for only three quarters annually at my $6500-7000 annual grocery spend?

Factor OUT discover first year cash back double and other categories that amex bcp or bce might offer.

This is strictly a GROCERY question.

Re: Grocery Spend AMEX and Discover

Varsity_Lu — Sun, 18 Jan 2026 18:27:34 GMT

@dudley wrote:
With all due respect to pizzadude, what I was asking is: is one quarter for groceries with discovercard and three quarters with AMEX bcp more cash back than one quarter with Discovercard and three quarters with downgraded amex bce?

Which option will yield more cash back?

Is amex bcp worth the annual fee if it is used for groceries for only three quarters annually at my $6500-7000 annual grocery spend?

Factor OUT discover first year cash back double and other categories that amex bcp or bce might offer.

This is strictly a GROCERY question.

If you max out the BCP grocery category, you net about 4.4% even with the $95 AF. You will only ever get 3% with BCE. To me it's a no brainer to keep the BCP, assuming of course that you max out the grocery category.

$4,583 spend on grocery is the point at which BCP beats BCE.

Re: Grocery Spend AMEX and Discover

Vinjints — Sun, 18 Jan 2026 18:47:46 GMT

Assuming Lu is correct, which I don't doubt, then using the discover for a single quarter would break you even (1.5 + 4.5). Anything over 6k annual Spend would increase the BCP closer to the 4.4% actual return.

Might be worth juggling an extra card if you wanted the Disco or value any other benefits they offer.

Re: Grocery Spend AMEX and Discover

Varsity_Lu — Sun, 18 Jan 2026 19:27:36 GMT

((6,000x6%)-95)+(1,000x5%) = $315

315/7,000 = 4.5%

(6,000x3%)+(1,000x5%) = $230

230/7,000 = 3.3%

Now, let's see what happens if you use the Disco for more than $1k. 7,000 ÷ 4 = 1,750. That's roughly what you would spend in a quarter with Disco.

((5,250x6%)-95)+(1,750x5%) = $307.50

307.50/7,000 = 4.4%

(5,250x3%)+(1,750x5%) = $245

245/7000 = 3.5%

Your best option is to max out BCP and then fill in with Disco. Of course, a lot of people are going to say you should just get a 5% card like Citi Custom Cash or AAA Daily Advantage. But, your original question was referencing BCP vs BCE.

Re: Grocery Spend AMEX and Discover

ptatohed — Sun, 18 Jan 2026 23:57:11 GMT

@Varsity_Lu wrote:
((6,000x6%)-95)+(1,000x5%) = $315

315/7,000 = 4.5%

(6,000x3%)+(1,000x5%) = $230

230/7,000 = 3.3%

Now, let's see what happens if you use the Disco for more than $1k. 7,000 ÷ 4 = 1,750. That's roughly what you would spend in a quarter with Disco.

((5,250x6%)-95)+(1,750x5%) = $307.50

307.50/7,000 = 4.4%

(5,250x3%)+(1,750x5%) = $245

245/7000 = 3.5%

Your best option is to max out BCP and then fill in with Disco. Of course, a lot of people are going to say you should just get a 5% card like Citi Custom Cash or AAA Daily Advantage. But, your original question was referencing BCP vs BCE.

This is exactly what I would say (unless you're doing the avoid-the-AF thing and/or are a huge streamer).

Re: Grocery Spend AMEX and Discover

AndrewF — Mon, 19 Jan 2026 06:00:15 GMT

@pizzadude wrote:
@dudley wrote:
Hello!
I have Amex blue cash preferred for groceries. I just make the$6000 cap each year and maybe go over a few hundred dollars (put it on Citi DC).

I am considering getting Discover. If I do so I would use it for the grocery quarter for sure.
I am having a problem, in that scenario, upon whether to downgrade to Amex bce for groceries or leave it as BCP.

We are only talking about groceries here and not any other categories on BCP. Also we are factoring out the first year Discover double match in the first year. I am talking about real world scenarios after the first year.

We are also not talking about applying for other cards, just Amex and Discover.

Any opinions?
Assuming you'd get 1% Cashback for 3 quarters, and 5% cashback for 1 quarter, and an even spend per quarter of $1,500 then you'd net $45 plus $75, which is $120 and would double to $240 for your first year.

AMEX BCP would net you $360 with a $95 AF, so $265 for the year.

Anyone else feel free to jump in here if my math is wrong

Walmart sometimes ends up in the 5% quarter and they sell groceries.

Typically the only thing that sells groceries, codes as groceries, and beats Walmart (thus making the grocery category worthwhile for BCP), is Aldi. Also, it's worth going to the supermarket pharmacy here because they're cheaper and it still codes as Grocery.

I fill enough prescriptions to use 10% of the Grocery cap, just at the Jewel Osco pharmacy.

Re: Grocery Spend AMEX and Discover

DoppelgangerD — Tue, 20 Jan 2026 04:07:20 GMT

There's a lot of good feedback here so far but one question I would pose...

If your interest in the Discover card is for all categories across four quarters, that can be beneficial. However if you're only interest in it is for groceries, why not go for a card that gives 5% cash back on groceries every month?

Something like the Citi Custom Cash card.

Not only does it give 5% cash back every month, but the months you don't use it for groceries, it can be used for a different category.

Another option is also the Paypal DEBIT card.

It'll give you 5% cash back when choosing the grocery category, and their grocery category includes Walmart, Target, and wholesale clubs too.

I don't mean to discredit your efforts or anything like that, just saying there are lots of options when it comes to groceries.

Food for thought...

Re: Grocery Spend AMEX and Discover

flash123 — Mon, 26 Jan 2026 08:44:02 GMT

I currently use the Discover grocery quarter and finish the year with BCP before switching to CCC/Verizon CCs. Usually I hit the $6,000/year limit in November. I see the AF on BCP negated from Amex offers. I still get some more rewards from streaming category since it rewards my Google FI cell service. The addition of transit (tolls, parking and rideshare) rounds out my yearly spend on this CC.

I easily hit both the Discover and BCP grocery limits just from grocery store gift cards sale each week for my organic spend. As example, the grocery store is currently running VISA, Mastercard and Amex gift card sale to get $20 grocery's gift card for each purchase. The 5% or 4.4% rewards from the CCs lessen the activation fee so I still see >15% return on spend. Aldi is running doordash 10% discount on $50 doordash gift card.
Occasionally, Amex offers streaming and grocery cashback so that is additional funds besides the category rewards on those spends.

Citibank Custom Card rarely have grocery or streaming offers to take advantage of the monthly selected category. I get rideshare, gas or dining offers.

Re: Grocery Spend AMEX and Discover

unsungivy — Mon, 26 Jan 2026 13:30:11 GMT

This is where I chime in and recommend the PayPal Debit, and choosing Groceries every month. No fee, no hard pull, double the monthly spend limit of the CCC, and covers far more "groceries" related MCCs than AmEx does which restricts to Supermarkets only.

And if you fund PayPal with a 1% cash back debit card, it's effectively 6% which matches the BCP.

Re: Grocery Spend AMEX and Discover

bs1234 — Mon, 26 Jan 2026 16:33:04 GMT

@Varsity_Lu wrote:

Now, let's see what happens if you use the Disco for more than $1k. 7,000 ÷ 4 = 1,750. That's roughly what you would spend in a quarter with Disco.

((5,250x6%)-95)+(1,750x5%) = $307.50

307.50/7,000 = 4.4%

(5,250x3%)+(1,750x5%) = $245

FWIW: with the OPs parameters, strictly groceries, you wouldn't be getting 5% on $1750 with discover, only $1,500

Re: Grocery Spend AMEX and Discover

Varsity_Lu — Mon, 26 Jan 2026 16:37:01 GMT

@bs1234 wrote

FWIW: with the OPs parameters, strictly groceries, you wouldn't be getting 5% on $1750 with discover, only $1,500

Guessing there is a quarterly cap? I don't have a Disco card, so I didn't realize that. I don't think it changes the maths much, though.

Re: Grocery Spend AMEX and Discover

DoppelgangerD — Mon, 26 Jan 2026 18:00:12 GMT

@unsungivy wrote:
...
And if you fund PayPal with a 1% cash back debit card, it's effectively 6% which matches the BCP.

Is it your Affinity account that gives 1%CB on PP funding?

Daily, weekly, monthly limit?

Re: Grocery Spend AMEX and Discover

unsungivy — Mon, 26 Jan 2026 18:18:27 GMT

@DoppelgangerD wrote:
@unsungivy wrote:
...
And if you fund PayPal with a 1% cash back debit card, it's effectively 6% which matches the BCP.
Is it your Affinity account that gives 1%CB on PP funding?
Daily, weekly, monthly limit?

Both Affinity and Quontic, actually. Affinity has a 1k/monthly limit for the 1%, which aligns with the PayPal Debit if that's all you use it for, limit wise. The Quontic has a much higher monthly limit, 10k I think. It's actually the one I use for this purpose. I think the daily transfer limit for the card is 2k.

Re: Grocery Spend AMEX and Discover

Follower — Mon, 26 Jan 2026 19:35:39 GMT

@flash123 wrote:
Citibank Custom Card rarely have grocery or streaming offers to take advantage of the monthly selected category. I get rideshare, gas or dining offers.

Custom Cash doesn't have offers, or a category you select per se; your spend determines it. If you spend more on groceries than anything else, you get the 5% applied to all grocery purchases and 1% to everything else.

The dealbreaker for me, however, is that CCC is the only card I have with a monthly cap (rather than a quarterly or yearly one), and that cap is $500. I frequently exceed that if I make more than one grocery trip per month.

So I'll join the chorus to say that getting a new Discover card for one quarter per year of 5% grocery discount may not be the best plan, and second recommending the AAA Daily Advantage Visa (which I use exclusively for my own grocery spend).

Re: Grocery Spend AMEX and Discover

bs1234 — Mon, 26 Jan 2026 20:13:12 GMT

@Follower wrote:

So I'll join the chorus to say that getting a new Discover card for one quarter per year of 5% grocery discount may not be the best plan, and second recommending the AAA Daily Advantage Visa (which I use exclusively for my own grocery spend).

Right, if we go outside OPs parameters, I think there is some consensus among the numerate here (all 4 or what's that number that comes after 4?) that, with the growth of non-rotating 5% grocery cards the BCP has ceased to make sense when used purely for groceries, as it maxes out around 4.4% if you spend exactly $6K. If you use the 6% on streaming, it can be more productive.

The other use case is repeating the BCP/BCE upgrade/downgrade process as you get offers. This can be worthwhile if you can be bothered!

Re: Grocery Spend AMEX and Discover

ElvisCaprice — Mon, 26 Jan 2026 20:22:44 GMT

There are many answers to this question of best rewards on grocery spend and the answer best for your individual situation depends on many factors. Where do you spend? How much do you spend? Your tolerance level for setup?

Once these factors are answered you then can make an informed decision on the best CC or CC's that accomplish this for you particular needs.

Some other facts brought up here,

Your not limited to one Citi Custom Cash card, PC is an option for more. Many members here in the forum have multiple CCC's.

Adding on a cash back debit card return for bill pay/finance is deceiving. Since there are options to maximize and receive that CB debit card return without any bill pay/spend.

Re: Grocery Spend AMEX and Discover

DoppelgangerD — Mon, 26 Jan 2026 20:27:14 GMT

@bs1234 wrote:
@Follower wrote:

So I'll join the chorus to say that getting a new Discover card for one quarter per year of 5% grocery discount may not be the best plan, and second recommending the AAA Daily Advantage Visa (which I use exclusively for my own grocery spend).
Right, if we go outside OPs parameters, I think there is some consensus among the numerate here (all 4 or what's that number that comes after 4?) that, with the growth of non-rotating 5% grocery cards the BCP has ceased to make sense when used purely for groceries, as it maxes out around 4.4% if you spend exactly $6K. If you use the 6% on streaming, it can be more productive.
The other use case is repeating the BCP/BCE upgrade/downgrade process as you get offers. This can be worthwhile if you can be bothered!

There are the other perks/credits too, with the most popular being the Disney streaming credit.

The BCE has it too, but the BCP one is bigger.

BTW, speaking of BCP/BCE up/downgrades...

A couple of months ago I noticed that I qualified for the biggest upgrade offer they have which was $150 after meeting a spending threshold.

I was very excited to see that but, I was waiting until after the holidays to upgrade because I don't like having annual fees propagate during the holidays because I'm always so busy around that time and I don't want to forget to address any accounts with annual fees.

Anyway, this past week I looked at it again, and now it's been REDUCED to $75. 😭

I had no idea there was even a potential of the offer being reduced.

Re: Grocery Spend AMEX and Discover

FicoMike0 — Mon, 26 Jan 2026 20:31:35 GMT

A lot of good discussion here. I don't hit the $6000 in groceries, planning to downgrade bcp to bce. I guess I should consider a 5% card.

I do quite a bit of grocery shopping at meijers. They're a lot like a walmart, they sell most everything. I just realized that bcp counts everything from meijers at 6%.