Nov 8, 2018, 12:31 pm
Last edit by: rasheed
Unfortunately, AmEx's listed merchant categories on the posted transactions do not properly distinguish US Supermarkets from smaller grocery stores (which do not qualify for bonus rewards). Small stores that do not qualify will be listed the same, but will accrue the lower base rewards rate.
List of multi-location chains in the US that appear to qualify for bonus rewards (see at bottom for AmEx's rules on this subject):
Albertsons/Safeway family chains
Instacart
Kroger family chains (NOT Fred Meyer though - you need to purchase Kroger gift cards from another member supermarket in that case)
Meijer
Sprouts
Trader Joe's
Walmart - Neighborhood version
Whole Foods
Sometimes individual locations may not work.
At: https://www.americanexpress.com/us/c...fo/retail.html, AmEx says as follows:
List of multi-location chains in the US that appear to qualify for bonus rewards (see at bottom for AmEx's rules on this subject):
Albertsons/Safeway family chains
Instacart
Kroger family chains (NOT Fred Meyer though - you need to purchase Kroger gift cards from another member supermarket in that case)
Meijer
Sprouts
Trader Joe's
Walmart - Neighborhood version
Whole Foods
Sometimes individual locations may not work.
At: https://www.americanexpress.com/us/c...fo/retail.html, AmEx says as follows:
U.S. Supermarkets
To earn additional rewards on supermarket purchases, the supermarket must be located in the U.S.
A supermarket offers a wide variety of food and household products such as meat, fresh produce, dairy, canned and packaged goods, household cleaners, pharmacy products and pet supplies.
(Superstores, convenience stores and warehouse clubs are NOT considered supermarkets.)
Examples of merchants* that accept the Card and where you can earn additional rewards include:
• Gristedes
• Foodtown
• Meijer
• Shoprite
• Stop and Shop
• Vons
• Whole Foods
• Winn-Dixie
• Online supermarkets such as FreshDirect
*This is not a complete list.
Examples of merchants where you will NOT earn additional rewards include:
• Specialty stores (e.g., fish markets, cheese shops, wine shops, and other specialty food stores )
• Superstores (e.g. Amazon, Target and Wal-Mart)
• Warehouse clubs (e.g. BJ's Club)
What isn’t included in the U.S. Supermarket category?
Specialty food stores, small corner grocery stores, gourmet shops, natural food stores and large superstores including online superstores (e.g. Amazon), warehouses clubs (e.g. BJ's Club) and big box stores (e.g. Wal-Mart) are examples of merchants that are NOT eligible for additional rewards.
I think I should have earned additional rewards on a purchase, what should I do?
If you have questions about whether you should have received additional rewards, please call the number on the back of your Card.
How do you define a Supermarket where I earn additional rewards?
A supermarket offers a wide variety of food and household products such as meat, fresh produce, dairy, canned and packaged goods, household cleaners, pharmacy products and pet supplies.
To earn additional rewards on supermarket purchases, the supermarket must be located in the U.S.
A supermarket offers a wide variety of food and household products such as meat, fresh produce, dairy, canned and packaged goods, household cleaners, pharmacy products and pet supplies.
(Superstores, convenience stores and warehouse clubs are NOT considered supermarkets.)
Examples of merchants* that accept the Card and where you can earn additional rewards include:
• Gristedes
• Foodtown
• Meijer
• Shoprite
• Stop and Shop
• Vons
• Whole Foods
• Winn-Dixie
• Online supermarkets such as FreshDirect
*This is not a complete list.
Examples of merchants where you will NOT earn additional rewards include:
• Specialty stores (e.g., fish markets, cheese shops, wine shops, and other specialty food stores )
• Superstores (e.g. Amazon, Target and Wal-Mart)
• Warehouse clubs (e.g. BJ's Club)
Supermarket FAQs
What isn’t included in the U.S. Supermarket category?
Specialty food stores, small corner grocery stores, gourmet shops, natural food stores and large superstores including online superstores (e.g. Amazon), warehouses clubs (e.g. BJ's Club) and big box stores (e.g. Wal-Mart) are examples of merchants that are NOT eligible for additional rewards.
I think I should have earned additional rewards on a purchase, what should I do?
If you have questions about whether you should have received additional rewards, please call the number on the back of your Card.
How do you define a Supermarket where I earn additional rewards?
A supermarket offers a wide variety of food and household products such as meat, fresh produce, dairy, canned and packaged goods, household cleaners, pharmacy products and pet supplies.
What is (or not) included in the U.S. Supermarket category?
Jan 21, 2020, 4:32 pm
#92
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: San Francisco Bay Area (originally Melbourne Australia)
Posts: 9
Since I couldn't find any info on it, I just wanted to add that "Grocery Outlet Bargain Market" is considered a supermarket on the AmEx cards. I shopped at a few using an AmEx Blue Cash Preferred card and they all got the 6% cash back.
Jan 21, 2020, 6:23 pm
#93
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: San Diego, CA
Programs: GE, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 15,552
Is AmEx acceptance new for them? Last time I went to one around here (admittedly a while ago), they didn't accept it.
Jan 22, 2020, 1:06 am
#94
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: San Francisco Bay Area (originally Melbourne Australia)
Posts: 9
Jan 22, 2020, 1:29 am
#95
Moderator: Manufactured Spending
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 6,591
Jan 22, 2020, 4:30 pm
#96
Join Date: Oct 2007
Programs: AA, WN, UA, Bonvoy, Hertz
Posts: 2,509
Jan 22, 2020, 5:14 pm
#97
Moderator: Manufactured Spending
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 6,591
Jan 22, 2020, 9:45 pm
#98
Join Date: Oct 2007
Programs: AA, WN, UA, Bonvoy, Hertz
Posts: 2,509
Jan 23, 2020, 2:51 am
#99
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: San Francisco Bay Area (originally Melbourne Australia)
Posts: 9
For what it's worth, there's a local grocery store near me that's not a big chain (they just have two stores), and Amex classifies them as a supermarket and I get the 6% cash back there.
Jan 23, 2020, 10:50 am
#100
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Yellow Springs
Programs: AS 75k
Posts: 1,523
There's a small, one location, grocery store near where my mother lives that gets 4x.
Jan 24, 2020, 7:48 pm
#101
Join Date: Oct 2019
Programs: Flying Blue, Hilton Honors, Amtrak Guest Rewards
Posts: 2,586
There's a single-location liquor store with a deli and small convenience food selection down the street from me. Was pleasantly surprised to see my Macallan and Famous Grouse purchase code as supermarket.
Apr 9, 2020, 12:49 pm
#104
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Los Angeles
Programs: Hyatt, Hilton, Marriott // WN, AA, BA, UA, AS // Avis
Posts: 1,338
Does anyone know if Shipt is classified as Groceries? I'm using them a lot lately from Ralphs, Smart & Final and other grocery stores, similar to Instacart
Apr 9, 2020, 1:25 pm
#105
Flyertalk Posting Legend Moderator: Credit Card Programs, American Express, Capital One, Chase, Citi, Diners Club, Signatures.
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: HH & IHG Gold; Marriott & AA Perpetual Platinum
Posts: 49,216
No. See discussion here beginning at post 1335:
Premier Rewards Gold refresh: 4x USA dining, groceries, $10/mon dining credit. $250.
Premier Rewards Gold refresh: 4x USA dining, groceries, $10/mon dining credit. $250.