Nov 8, 18, 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?
May 7, 20, 9:51 am
#106
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 2,010
Is there a way to tell if these would earn additional rewards before I get the amex cash preferred card? Or if somebody is gracious enough to do a test order with their Amex card and then immediately cancel, that'll be really nice!
https://www.baldorfood.com/
https://www.dartagnan.com/
https://www.baldorfood.com/
https://www.dartagnan.com/
May 14, 20, 2:22 pm
#107
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: ORD
Programs: AA EXP, UA GM (2013 Gold, 2014 Silver), Hyatt Diamond, SPG Gold, IHG Platinum, Marriott Silver
Posts: 430
Does anyone know of a grocery store that I can purchase gift cards online & have it coded as a grocery store? I have some Amazon purchases to make & don't want to venture out. Thanks
Jun 23, 20, 7:01 pm
#109
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: BDL, BOS
Programs: Marriott Lifetime Titanium, AA PP , IHG Diamond Ambassador
Posts: 534
Amazon Prime Now purchase from Whole Foods code as grocery?
I couldn’t find any data points on FlyerTalk on this. Can anyone confirm that “Amazon Prime Now” purchases from Whole Foods (delivery or pickup) code as grocery spend on MR-earning cards?
Jun 23, 20, 8:26 pm
#110
Join Date: Jul 2017
Posts: 95
Not MR earning but I have tested it quite a few different ways with my BCP, through Whole Foods, through Amazon Fresh, through Prime Now, and through Pantry, and none of them earned 6%.
And I have read many others reporting positive DPs, so it seems very much a YMMV scenario and you might want to test with small amounts first no matter what DPs say.
And I have read many others reporting positive DPs, so it seems very much a YMMV scenario and you might want to test with small amounts first no matter what DPs say.
Jun 24, 20, 7:33 am
#111
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend; Moderator: American Express, Capital One, Citi, Chase, Credit Card Programs, Diners Club, Signatures
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 47,217
Jun 27, 20, 3:04 am
#112
Join Date: Jul 2017
Posts: 95
Based on THIS thread in the Chase forum it appears that Amazon may use different merchant accounts for seemingly identical transactions in various geographical markets. Amazon's relationship with American Express is not necessarily the same as with VISA, but I agree that test transactions are probably the only reliable way to know.
I give up on trying to decipher the Amex Amazon relation.
Jun 28, 20, 6:56 am
#113
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: NYC
Programs: HH Diamond, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Bonvoy Gold
Posts: 683
I have the Amex Gold and I order through Amazon Prime Now/Whole Foods. I can confirm that I earn 4x and it codes as groceries. I've been using this for almost a year now.
Jul 6, 20, 1:50 am
#115
Join Date: Jul 2017
Posts: 95
So I went to Whole Foods and bought $3000 Amazon gift cards to be used for Amazon groceries. It’s not like I will need extended warranty on milk and eggs.
I figure that way everyone is at least somewhat happy. Amex gets swipe fees, Whole Foods gets to sell cards, Amazon the parent company gets the final spend, and I get my 6% that I should have earned in the place if the three of them could code properly.
Now the wait for the RAT team. I hear they are busy clawing back Hilton points right now.
Apr 3, 21, 3:11 pm
#116
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: RSW
Programs: Delta - Silver; UA - Silver; HHonors - Diamond; IHG - Spire Ambassador; Marriott Bonvoy - Titanium
Posts: 14,107
Sorry if I missed it, but any data points regarding Publix liquor stores coding as supermarkets?
May 27, 22, 1:25 pm
#117
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: SJC
Posts: 424
Safeway is not a "supermarket" per American Express.
Hi All,
I received a "Spend $100 or more, get $10 back. Up to 3 times (total of $30)." Two grocery shopping trips within two days of each other, one to Safeway and one to Kmarket (local Asian market). Got my $10 from Kmarket after 2 days. Two weeks later still no credit from Safeway. Chat with AMEX and was told by agent "Merchant not qualify". Anyone has the same issue?
I received a "Spend $100 or more, get $10 back. Up to 3 times (total of $30)." Two grocery shopping trips within two days of each other, one to Safeway and one to Kmarket (local Asian market). Got my $10 from Kmarket after 2 days. Two weeks later still no credit from Safeway. Chat with AMEX and was told by agent "Merchant not qualify". Anyone has the same issue?
May 27, 22, 2:13 pm
#118
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend; Moderator: American Express, Capital One, Citi, Chase, Credit Card Programs, Diners Club, Signatures
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 47,217
Every credit card issuer has this problem. The merchant's credit card transaction processor chooses the category. When you expand the transaction to view details on americanexpress.com you may be able to see how that specific store is classified. (This won't work with the American Express app, use a browser.)
May 27, 22, 4:22 pm
#120
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2006
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