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If your grocery or gas bills are getting more expensive every month, you're not alone. Across the country, Americans are paying more for everyday items.
On Oct. 13, the Labor Department reported a 0.4% rise in September's consumer price index (CPI), which measures the average change in consumer prices over time. This surge continues the upward price trend that we've seen play out all year, and it marks an increase from just the month before. In August, the CPI climbed 0.3%.
The rise in prices, driven in part by the pandemic's ongoing supply-chain issues, are seen mostly in the cost of food, rent and gasoline.
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There are dozens of small ways to make tweaks to your budget to help offset the rise in prices, and credit cards can help. Cardholders with rewards credit cards that offer cash back can redeem their rewards as a statement credit to lower their credit card balance. And certain credit cards are geared specifically toward spending on gas and groceries, so you can save with every swipe.
Cash-back credit cards that reward your grocery and gas purchases
Here are credit cards to consider using next time you shop for food or fuel up, so you can save more on those pricey grocery and gas purchases.
Highest cash-back rate on groceries, plus gas rewards: Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express cardholders can earn 6% cash back* at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in eligible purchases (then 1%) and 3% cash back* at eligible U.S. gas stations. Terms Apply.
Highest cash-back rate on gas, plus grocery rewards: PNC Cash Rewards® Visa® Credit Card cardholders earn 4% cash back at gas stations and 2% cash back at grocery stores on up to $8,000 per year in combined purchases in these categories.
Solid cash-back rate on groceries and gas and no annual fee: Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express cardholders can earn 3% cash back* at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in eligible purchases (then 1%) and 3% cash back* at U.S. gas stations, (on up to $6,000 per year in eligible purchases, then 1%). Terms Apply.
5% cash back for online grocery shopping, plus gas rewards: Prime Visa (see rates and fees) cardholders can earn 5% cash back at Amazon.com and Whole Foods Market and unlimited 2% back at gas stations, restaurants, and on local transit and commuting (including rideshare).
Looking for a more inclusive credit card?
Though there are credit cards on the market today offering lucrative rewards in specific categories like supermarket or fuel purchases, not everyone wants to worry about managing certain bonus categories.
If you want a card that offers a solid cash-back program for every type of purchase, consider the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card. It earns 2% unlimited cash-rewards on all eligible purchases and you won't have to pay an annual fee. Plus, the Active Cash Card comes with a welcome bonus of a $200 cash reward if you spend $500 in purchases within three months of opening the card.
The Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card is great if you want simplicity thanks to its flat-rate 2% unlimited cash rewards on purchases and $0 annual fee.
Highlights
Highlights shown here are provided by the issuer and have not been reviewed by CNBC Select's editorial staff.
- Apply Now to take advantage of this offer and learn more about product features, terms and conditions.
- Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months.
- Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases.
- 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers. 18.49%, 24.49%, or 28.49% variable APR thereafter; balance transfers made within 120 days qualify for the intro rate and fee of 3% then a BT fee of up to 5%, min: $5.
- $0 annual fee.
- No categories to track or remember and cash rewards don't expire as long as your account remains open.
- Find tickets to top sports and entertainment events, book travel, make dinner reservations and more with your complimentary 24/7 Visa Signature® Concierge.
- Up to $600 of cell phone protection against damage or theft. Subject to a $25 deductible.
Balance Transfer Fee
3% intro for 120 days from account opening, then up to 5%, min: $5
Foreign Transaction Fee
3%
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*For the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express and the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express, Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout.
For rates and fees of the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express, click here.
For rates and fees of the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express, click here.
Information about the PNC Cash Rewards® Visa® Credit Card has been collected independently by CNBC Select and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of the card prior to publication.
We may earn commissions from qualifying purchases made through Amazon links.
