When you fill your cart with groceries, pump gas or pick up prescriptions, you can earn points and cash back through grocery rewards credit cards in Canada. By stacking those cards with Great Canadian Rebates’ cash back system, you can fund vacations or travel dreams faster than you think.
Everyday Spending Becomes Travel Potential
Purchasing everyday items like groceries, fuel and pharmacy essentials might feel routine. Yet, if you pay with the right credit card, each dollar becomes an opportunity. For example:
- A food-focused rewards card adds points or rebates on grocery spend.
- Many cards offer boosted rates on gas or pharmacy purchases.
- When you click through Great Canadian Rebates before shopping, you earn an additional rebate on top.
You benefit twice: first through your credit card rewards, then again through GCR’s cash back. After the holding period, you can withdraw your rebate or apply it toward gift cards or bookings. Over time, these small wins add up.
Why Grocery Rewards Credit Cards in Canada Matter
Cards that reward food spending offer strong value for everyday earners. The Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card, for example, offers accelerated points on grocery, dining and daily essentials. Paired with GCR’s rebate system, this card becomes a powerful everyday tool.
Another standout is the American Express Cobalt Card, with a high return on groceries and dining. Shopping at online grocery chains or pharmacy sites through GCR while using this card can build rewards quickly.
Some other strong picks include the Tangerine Cash Back Credit Card and the TD Infinite Cash Back Visa, both of which let you earn higher returns in common spending categories, including groceries and fuel.
These cards help you turn routine transactions into future flights or hotel nights.
How GCR Boosts Grocery Rewards
Great Canadian Rebates lets you earn a rebate when you click through their site before making purchases. On top of your card rewards, you gain an extra percentage back just for using their link.
For example, use the Amex Cobalt Card to buy groceries online after clicking through GCR. You earn 5x Membership Rewards points from Amex, plus an added 1-2% cash back rebate. That combined value makes your money go further.
You can apply the rebate toward a direct deposit, gift card, or even use it to help pay for travel expenses like accommodations or activities. Members can also use these rebates on GCR-partnered hotel or airline bookings, compounding their rewards.
Adding Gas and Pharmacy Spend
Many grocery trips include a stop at the pharmacy or gas station. Some cards reward these categories too.
The Tangerine Cash Back Credit Card lets you choose your 2% categories, including gas or pharmacy. The TD Cash Back Visa provides competitive rates in these areas as well. If you pay with one of these cards after clicking through GCR-partnered merchants, you gain additional return.
Online pharmacy or gift card purchases can qualify for GCR rebates. That rebate stacks with your card rewards. The result is a stronger return, even on routine purchases. These everyday expenses, when used smartly, can easily offset future vacation bookings.
Turning Everyday Purchases Into Hotel Stays
If you spend $500 each month on groceries and $500 on fuel, the returns add up.
- Using the Amex Cobalt Card for groceries at 5% earns about $25 in points
- Paying for fuel with a Tangerine Cash Back Credit Card at 2% adds $10 cash back
- Shopping online through Great Canadian Rebates with select partners can return up to 1.5%, worth $15 if the full amount is eligible.
Together, that’s around $50 in monthly value. Over a year, you could collect $600+ in rewards, enough to cover hotel nights or flights through GCR partners like Expedia Canada or Priceline Canada.
Best GCR-Compatible Credit Cards for Food and Fuel

These credit cards work well with Great Canadian Rebates:
Amex SimplyCash Card
The Amex SimplyCash Card offers 2% cash back on groceries and gas in Canada, plus 1.25% on other eligible purchases. It does not have an annual fee. GCR offers a $30 rebate on approval.
American Express Cobalt Card
Earn 5x points on groceries, food delivery, and eligible eats in Canada. Redeem for travel, transfer to loyalty programs, or apply as a statement credit. GCR offers a $100 rebate upon approval.
Amex Gold Credit Card
Earn 2x points on groceries, gas, and pharmacies with the Amex Gold Credit Card. Comes with lounge access, annual travel credits, and up to 110,000 points in welcome bonuses. Get $125 back after approval.
American Express Business Platinum Card
Earn 1.25x points on most business purchases with the American Express Business Platinum Card, plus enjoy premium travel perks like lounge access and annual credits. GCR offers a $150 rebate upon approval.
Tangerine Cash Back Credit Card
Choose groceries as one of three categories for 2% back. No annual fee. GCR gives $100 back when you apply and get approved.
TD Cash Back Visa Infinite Card
Earn 3% on groceries, gas, and public transit. Get up to 10% back during the welcome period. GCR offers $100 cash back on approval.
Rogers Red World Elite Mastercard
Earn 2% back on all non-U.S. purchases with the Rogers Red World Elite Mastercard, including groceries, for Rogers, Fido, or Shaw customers. GCR provides a $50 rebate after approval. A flat-rate card for consistent earners.
Cards such as the Marriott Bonvoy Credit Cards Canada are also ideal for redemptions, particularly when paired with purchases made through GCR travel merchants. These cards make it easier to turn regular spending into free or discounted travel.
Some cards offer welcome bonuses, others focus on monthly cash back. GCR gives you the ability to earn more by combining everyday use with rebate-eligible purchases.
Maximise Your Monthly Spending
Each category, groceries, pharmacy, fuel, and even travel, can work in your favour.
Spend strategically. Choose one credit card for food and dining (like Amex Cobalt), another for pharmacy or gas (like Tangerine Cash Back). Then always click through GCR before visiting the merchant.
You can boost returns further with active merchant offers. Some of the most relevant include:
- Canadian Tire
- Staples Canada for office or home supplies
- Team Town Sports for household athletic gear
- Dell Canada for home gadgets
Apply your credit card, collect the rebates, and bank the results toward your travel. By focusing on food and home essentials, you keep your spending tight and your rewards on track.
Travel Bookings Stack Too
Use rewards from your grocery spending to book travel through platforms like Expedia Canada or Priceline Canada. Since both are available on Great Canadian Rebates, you can earn cash back by clicking through GCR before making your reservation. This adds another layer of value on top of the points or rewards you earned while buying groceries, gas, or pharmacy items.
Let’s say you earn points through the American Express Cobalt Card on your weekly grocery shopping. Later, you redeem those points toward hotel bookings. If you access Expedia through GCR, you not only redeem those points but also receive a rebate from GCR for the same booking. That’s a double benefit, and neither step requires extra spend or effort.
Even if you use gift cards earned through GCR rebates to book travel, you’re extending the value of your regular purchases. It’s a strategic way to fund trips without budgeting separately for flights or hotels. You can also apply this approach when booking packages, accommodations, or rental cars.
This full-circle benefit, by earning rewards at the time of purchase and again at redemption, makes GCR a smart and practical tool for turning everyday spending into travel opportunities.
Stay Consistent and Watch Your Rewards Grow
The strategy works if you stay consistent:
- Use a strong grocery rewards credit card in Canada
- Click through GCR for every purchase
- Avoid third-party coupon sites that might cancel tracking
- Let your rebates build over time
- Redeem for travel or apply to your next big spend
Routine spending becomes powerful when paired with smart card selection and the GCR platform.
Fuel Your Travel Plans with Everyday Grocery Spending
When you use grocery rewards credit cards in Canada, like the American Express Cobalt Card, Tangerine Cash Back Credit Card, and TD Infinite Cash Back Visa, and pair them with Great Canadian Rebates, you turn everyday expenditures into travel opportunities.
When combined with platforms like Expedia Canada, Priceline Canada, and Marriott sites that accept Scene+ points, your food and fuel costs can directly contribute to your next vacation. Great Canadian Rebates features some of the highest-rated credit cards.