How to Use Amex at Grocery Stores in Canada

Introduction

When it comes to food, the only thing I find more rewarding than cooking and eating is earning points on grocery purchases I’d be making anyway.

With American Express Membership Rewards Cards like the Cobalt Card, you can earn flexible points that can be used towards travel, transferred to participating airline and hotel loyalty programs, or redeemed for statement credits.

One of the biggest hurdles with Amex in Canada is that acceptance still isn’t as universal as Visa or Mastercard, particularly at Costco and Loblaw grocery stores such as Real Canadian Superstore.

Thankfully, Amex is accepted at many major grocery chains across Canada. The Cobalt Card can be particularly rewarding for groceries, earning 5 Membership Rewards points per $1 on eligible food and drinks in Canada, including eligible stand-alone grocery stores and grocery delivery, on up to $2,500 in combined monthly purchases in the 5x category. After reaching the monthly limit, you’ll earn 1 point per $1.

Read more: Is Amex Worth It in Canada?

Below, we’ll look at where you can use Amex for groceries in Canada, plus your options at Costco, Walmart and Real Canadian Superstore.

How to Use Amex at Grocery Stores in Canada

How to Use Amex at Costco in Canada

Costco warehouses in Canada do not accept American Express. Costco warehouse payment options currently include Mastercard, debit, cash, Costco Shop Cards and select mobile payment methods.

One alternative is Costco Same-Day grocery delivery, which is powered by Instacart and accepts credit cards. Keep in mind that Costco Same-Day prices are higher than warehouse prices, and you shouldn’t automatically assume every Costco delivery transaction will earn the Cobalt Card’s 5x grocery rate. American Express determines accelerated earn rates based on how the merchant and transaction are categorized.

If you’re using the Cobalt Card, check how your first Costco Same-Day or Instacart transaction posts before relying on the 5x earn rate for future orders.

How to Use Amex at Walmart in Canada

Walmart Canada accepts American Express.

However, Walmart is generally categorized as a general merchandise retailer rather than a stand-alone grocery store. That means Walmart purchases generally do not qualify for the Cobalt Card’s 5x grocery earn rate, even when you’re buying groceries.

American Express determines bonus earn rates based on the merchant category rather than the individual products you purchase.

How to Use Amex at Real Canadian Superstore

Real Canadian Superstore does not accept American Express directly. This applies to regular store purchases, and Amex is also not currently listed as an accepted payment method for PC Express.

There are still a couple of alternatives.

Rakuten Canada currently sells Real Canadian Superstore gift cards and offers cash back on the purchase. Cash back rates can change, so check the current offer before buying.

Sign up for Rakuten and Get a $30 Cash Bonus When You Spend $30!

Rakuten also has frequent promotions so be sure to sign up for their newsletter and take advantage of extra savings.

However, I would not buy these gift cards specifically to earn Amex Membership Rewards points. American Express defines gift card purchases as cash-equivalent transactions, which do not qualify for Membership Rewards points under the program terms.

One useful change since this article was originally published is that Real Canadian Superstore now allows eligible digital gift cards to be used both in-store and online.

Another option is grocery delivery through Instacart, which accepts major Canadian credit cards, including Amex. Eligible grocery-delivery purchases can qualify for the Cobalt Card’s 5x food and drinks category, although the final earn rate depends on how the transaction is categorized by American Express.

Learn More: How to Use Your Amex Card at Superstore (Loblaws)

Using Amex for Grocery Delivery With Instacart

What is Instacart?

Instacart is a grocery delivery and pickup service that lets you order from participating retailers and pay through the Instacart platform.

Sign up for Instacart and Save $10!

Instacart accepts major Canadian credit cards, making it one way to pay with Amex when ordering groceries from some retailers that don’t accept American Express directly in-store.

The Cobalt Card earns 5 points per $1 on eligible grocery delivery purchases in Canada, subject to the card’s combined $2,500 monthly 5x food and drinks limit and merchant categorization.

Does Instacart Cost More?

It can.

Retailers set their own prices on Instacart. Some offer the same prices as in-store, while others charge different prices, and in-store sales or promotions may not always apply.

Delivery fees, service fees, taxes and tips can also apply depending on the retailer, order and your Instacart membership.

Before placing an order, check the retailer’s pricing policy in Instacart so you can compare the convenience and potential Amex rewards against the additional cost.

How Do You Order With Instacart?

Visit Instacart, choose a participating store in your area, add your groceries and select an available delivery or pickup time.

You can add your Amex Card as a payment method and receive updates about your order through the Instacart website or app.

Save With Instacart+

Instacart Express has been renamed Instacart+.

Instacart+ currently costs $99 per year at the regular annual rate and includes $0 delivery fees on eligible orders of $35 or more. Other fees, taxes and tips may still apply.

Costco members may also be eligible for a discounted $79 annual Instacart+ membership and, for eligible new members, a two-month free trial when their Costco membership is linked.

Membership pricing and promotions can change, so check the current Instacart+ offer before signing up.

Sign up for Instacart and Save $10!

What Grocery Stores Accept Amex in Canada?

Many Canadian grocery stores accept American Express, including major regional and national chains.

Examples include:

• 7-Eleven
• Co-op at participating locations
• Farm Boy
• Foodland
• FreshCo
• Giant Tiger
• IGA at participating locations
• Metro
• Safeway
• Save-On-Foods
• Sobeys
• Thrifty Foods
• Walmart
• Whole Foods Market

Real Canadian Superstore and other Loblaw grocery stores generally do not accept American Express directly.

Acceptance can vary by merchant and location, so check before shopping if you’re unsure.

View the American Express Merchant Map

Voilà Grocery Delivery and Curbside Pickup

Voilà offers grocery delivery and curbside pickup in select Canadian markets, including service connected with Safeway in parts of Western Canada.

Voilà currently accepts Canadian Mastercard, Visa and American Express cards.

Availability varies by location, so enter your postal code on Voilà to see which delivery or pickup options are available in your area.

How to Earn 5x the Points on Other Purchases

Before you shop at Home Depot, The Bay, Netflix, Amazon or any other company, check out your local grocery store, (like Safeway) and browse their gift card selection.

Buy a gift card from the grocery store for the store you want to shop at, and earn 5x the points with your Cobalt Card.

Best Amex Card for Grocery Stores in Canada

Amex Cobalt Card

The Amex Cobalt Card is one of the strongest American Express cards for grocery spending in Canada.

You’ll earn 5 Membership Rewards points per $1 on eligible food and drinks in Canada, including eligible stand-alone grocery stores, restaurants and food delivery services, on up to $2,500 in combined monthly purchases in the 5x category. After reaching the monthly limit, you’ll earn 1 point per $1.

If groceries, dining and food delivery make up a large portion of your monthly spending, the Cobalt Card can be a particularly strong everyday rewards card.

Conclusion

American Express is accepted at many grocery stores across Canada, but Costco and Loblaw stores remain two major exceptions.

If you shop somewhere that doesn’t accept Amex directly, grocery delivery services such as Instacart may provide another option. Just remember that 5x Cobalt earn rates depend on the merchant and transaction being categorized as eligible by American Express.

If grocery spending is one of your biggest monthly expenses, read our Amex Cobalt Card review to see how its 5x food and drinks category works.