Consumer’s Credit Union (CCU)Â has a credit card that offers 3% back on grocery and convenience stores with a max rewards amount of $6,000. This card is also popular because CCU offers a reward checking account with interest rates of 4.59% APY on balances up to $20,000. One of the requirements to trigger the 5.09% rate is to have a CCU credit card and spend $1,000 per month on the card.
Multiple readers report that as of January 1, 2016, the 3% category will be limited to just $6,000 in spend, or $180 in total cashback, versus the previous max of $6,000 in total cashback. (1, 2) I assume the CCU point-earning version of the card (3 points instead of 3%) will have the same limit put into effect.
Under the new rules, those who have the CCU rewards checking account will have just $6,000 in bonus spend to help toward their $1,000 per month requirement. Once crossing the $6,000 limit, the remaining months you’ll just have to do ordinary 1% spend or 2% gas spend to meet the $1,000 threshold.
Other remaining high-earning options for grocery stores include the Amex Blue Cash card, the Amex Everyday cards, and the Discover IT Miles which earns 3% for the first year only. There’s also the Golden 1 credit card that most closely resembles the CCU card. See also Best Credit Card For Grocery Store Purchases for more options.
Since Target stopped allowing prepaid cards to be loaded with credit cards, our ‘grocery’ bills have gone down a lot, and 3% cards for groceries are not as vital; us; the Blue Cash and Everyday cards can fill the grocery need for many.
