I use 2 credit cards to get the most cash back from groceries

My husband and I have 26 credit cards between us and our businesses, which seems a lot. The reality, however, is that each card has a different purpose, whether it comes with free travel benefits or insurance products or that it helps us earn valuable travel reward points that we use to see the world.

That's why I use different cards at different times. For example, I could use a card to pay for a plane ticket and an entirely different card to pay for a restaurant meal or Amazon purchases. It's all about the rewards – or at least the benefits I can get back. And why not use different credit cards that give you more for certain types of purchases?

Since my family spends at least $ 600 a month on food at the grocery store, this is one of our largest categories of expenses. So, of course, I pay attention to the credit card that I use every month for grocery shopping.

Here are the two main cards I use at the supermarket, month after month:

While the American Express Blue Cash Preferred Card charges an annual fee of $ 95, not renounced The first year, I gladly pay these fees and I renew them every 12 months. This card is an absolute game changer for families as it allows you to earn 6% on up to $ 6,000 in US supermarkets each year, then 1%.

And this is in addition to the 3% you receive at US gas stations and the 1% you receive on all other purchases. You also get 6% on some US streaming subscriptions and 3% on all transit traffic.

The Blue Cash Preferred account also has a $ 250 credit on account statements after spending $ 1,000 in the first three months after opening the account, although I have had this bonus for a long time. However, every year, spending at least $ 500 a month in the supermarket category earns me at least $ 360 in cash, far more than I would earn with a regular credit card.

Another card that I use for groceries is the Chase Freedom, but I only use it when grocery expenses are part of its bonuses. Fortunately, it is the present moment. For the months of April, May and June of this year, you get back 5% on an expense of up to $ 1,500 per quarter activated in alternate quarterly categories, which include grocery stores and DIY stores.

Chase Freedom offers a $ 150 signup bonus after spending $ 500 within three months of opening the account. Better yet, the points you earn belong to the Chase Ultimate Rewards program, which means you can redeem them for gift cards, products, statement credits or travel. If you have a Premier Travel credit card such as the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card or Chase Sapphire Reserve, you can consolidate your points into this account for superior travel points and 1: 1 transfers to airline and hotel partners.

If your goal is to make money in grocery stores, one or the other cards that I use can work well. However, there are many other cash back credit cards that offer strong rewards for grocery expenses. Some points to look at more closely include the American Express Blue Cash Everyday® Card and the Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card.

Compare these cards and other cards to see which ones fit your expenses, then choose the one that will help you earn more money over time.

Curious to know which credit cards I use the most and why? Here are some of my favorites:

• Chase Sapphire Reserve, because I earn three times more points in travel and food.
• Ink Business Preferred credit card, because I earn three times more points on the first $ 150,000 each year anniversary in categories such as social media advertising and mailings.
• Hilton Honors Aspire card from American Express, mainly for Hilton Diamond status and travel benefits.
• Discover it® Miles, because Discover is every mile you earned in the first year.
• American Express Blue Cash Preferred Card because I get a 6% cash back on up to $ 6,000 in US supermarkets each year, then 1%.
• Delta SkyMiles® Gold Credit Card from American Express because I prefer to use Delta when I can.
• American Express's Blue Business® Plus credit card, because I earn double American Express Membership Rewards points, up to $ 50,000 a year, and once with no annual fee.
• Barclaycard Arrival Plus World Elite Mastercard, because I earn twice as many miles for every dollar spent.
• Chase Freedom, because I always get the most out of the five quarterly bonus categories (up to $ 1,500, activation is required).
• Mastercard Elite Citi AAdvantage Platinum World, because I am strengthening my AA miles reserve.
• CitiBusiness Platinum AAdvantage Select World Mastercard, to be able to earn American AAdvantage miles on my business purchases.
• Elite Mastercard AAdvantage Red World Aviator, because I have earned the signup bonus with a single purchase.
• Card Citi Premier, because I like the flexibility of the awards Citi ThankYou.