If you want to make the most of your Amex points while shopping, you’re going to need to find grocery stores that accept Amex credit cards.
The perks of Amex cards are great, but using them can be tricky when it comes to grocery shopping, as many grocers don’t accept credit cards at all and others only accept select credit card companies.
This list of grocery stores that accept Amex includes many of the popular grocery store chains around the US and Canada as well as some independent shops too, meaning that with this list in hand you should have no problem making the most of your cash back and reward points with your Amex card.
Grocery Stores that Accept Amex Cards in the USA
As one of the most popular credit cards in the United States, American Express is accepted by many grocery stores. Below are grocery stores that accept American Express (Amex) cards:
- ALDI
- Fresh Direct
- Gelson’s
- Hy-Vee
- Kings Food Market
- Kroger
- Meijer
- Publix
- Safeway
- Sam’s Club
- ShopRite
- Smart and Final
- Sprouts
- Stop and Shop
- Target
- Tom Thumb
- Trader Joe’s
- Vons
- Walgreens
- Walmart
- Wegmans
- Whole Foods
- Winn-Dixie
Grocery Stores that Accept Amex Cards in Canada
American Express does not only operate in the US but also in Canada. Here is a list of some major grocery stores that accept Amex cards in the country:
- Farm Boy
- Food Basics
- Foodland
- FreshCo
- Giant Tiger (Tigre Géant in Quebec)
- IGA
- Longo’s
- Marché Richelieu (Quebec)
- Metro/Metro Plus
- Needs
- Pasuteri’s
- Rabba
- Safeway
- Save-On-Foods
- Sobeys
- Super C
- Thrifty Foods
- Whole Foods
Read Also: Complete List of Grocery Stores that Accept Apple Pay
FAQs on Grocery Stores and Amex Cards
Do All Grocery Stores Accept Amex?
Not every store in the US accepts Amex, but the majority of grocery stores accept Amex as a mode of payment. Costco is a major grocery store that does not support Amex cards.
Does Target Accept Amex?
Yes, Target is one of the grocery stores that accept American Express credit cards. Check to see if your local Target location accepts American Express and stop by the next time you are out shopping.
You can even use your American Express card at Target in-store or online! Contact their customer service line for more information if you have an issue with credit card payments at Target stores.
Related: Target vs Walmart: Which is Better and More Expensive?
Does Walmart Accept Amex?
Yes, Walmart accepts Amex. And even though you might be concerned about how to pay with a card at a grocery store, you can use Walmart Pay to send the payment straight from your phone.
So now the only thing to worry about is picking out the right food for your family’s dinner!
Which Stores Do Not Accept Amex?
Some stores that do not accept Amex are Loblaws group (except for Shoppers) and Costco Warehouses.
Stores with Limited American Express Coverage: A few grocery stores have limited coverage for American Express cards:
- Some grocery stores like Winn-Dixie, Food Lion, and Publix will let you pay with an Amex card if you use it as your debit card instead of a credit card.
- For example, suppose you want to buy $40 worth of groceries and have only $30 left on your Amex account. In that case, you can swipe your card at checkout without entering any additional payment info and make up the difference using cash or another form of payment.
- You may also use an Amex gift card or prepaid card to cover the rest. But when using this method, there’s always a chance that you’ll get hit with hefty fees from both banks.
Why Do Some Stores Not Take Amex?
Some stores do not take American Express because it is too expensive for them to accept. It costs the store more money to process an American Express card than a Visa or Mastercard, and they pass these costs on to their customers in the form of higher prices.
The cost increases the price for consumers and decreases profit margins for stores. Some other stores refuse to accept Amex because they are unhappy with their contract with American Express.
Other stores simply don’t want to deal with Amex’s strict rules about how credit cards can be used. For example, American Express will cancel your card if you fail to notify them if you travel outside the country, even if you travel only briefly and pay your bills promptly after returning home. They also impose high limits on what you can spend.
Finally, some stores have exclusivity clauses in their contracts with American Express which prevents them from accepting any other credit card company’s products at all.
Do Gas Stations Accept American Express?
Many gas stations do not accept American Express as a payment method because they do not have the proper equipment.
However, there are some gas stations, such as Shell and ExxonMobil, that do accept American Express. If you don’t know whether or not the gas station accepts American Express, it is best to call them before you go to find out.
One might want to also ask about other credit cards like MasterCard, Visa, and Discover. You may also want to inquire about debit cards since these can be used at most gas stations with or without an account.
Why Do People Like Amex?
Some people choose to use their American Express card for a number of reasons, from the generous return policy to the rewards system. But one reason might be the fact that it’s accepted at more places than just high-end stores.
Check out this list of grocery stores that accept American Express to see where you can shop with your Amex card next time you head to the supermarket.
You’ll find anything and everything you need here, from fresh produce to household staples.
Can You Buy Anything With an American Express Card?
It’s a common misconception that you can only use an American Express card to buy things like clothes, electronics, and other major purchases.
However, there are actually a number of grocery stores in the United States that accept American Express cards as payment.
If you’re looking for a place to spend your Amex, here is a list of stores that might work for you:
- Trader Joe’s (specialty grocer)
- Whole Foods Market (gourmet food store)
- Walmart (major retailer).
- Kroger (supermarket and grocery chain)
- Sam’s Club (wholesale membership-only club owned by Wal-Mart.
- Meijer: a chain of midwestern supercenters with groceries, apparel, and department stores
- Safeway: A supermarket chain found primarily in western states
- Tom Thumb: founded in Texas in 1957 as an independently owned grocery store.
Is American Express Worth it?
American Express is a credit card company that offers many perks. The benefits are worth it if you use the card every day, but it might not be worth it if you rarely use your card.
Amex also has an annual fee, so you need to consider how often you will actually use the card before deciding whether or not to get one.
Takeaway…
With this list, you can easily find a grocery store near you that accepts AMEX. Remember to call ahead and confirm they accept AMEX before heading out so you don’t waste your time.
