Do Meal Kits Earn a Grocery Bonus?

The short answer: Usually not. Meal-kit services like HelloFresh and Blue Apron typically code as their own subscription or direct-marketing merchant rather than as a grocery store, so a grocery bonus often does not apply and you earn the base rate. This is different from grocery delivery, which brings items from an actual supermarket.

Why meal kits often miss the grocery bonus

A meal-kit company ships ingredients directly and usually rings up under a direct-marketing or subscription category rather than a supermarket category, so a card’s grocery bonus frequently does not apply. That surprises people who assume food equals groceries. Coding varies by provider, so the only sure way to know is to check how a charge posts, using the logic in merchant category codes explained.

Meal kits versus grocery delivery

Grocery delivery services that shop an actual store can earn a grocery bonus in some cases, which is a different situation covered in do grocery delivery services earn a grocery bonus. A meal kit is a subscription product, not a store run, so it is less likely to code as grocery even though both deliver food.

The best card for meal kits

Because a grocery bonus is unreliable here, treat meal kits like a general subscription and put them on a strong flat-rate card, or a card that rewards subscriptions if you have one. Run your spending through the rewards calculator to see which card earns the most, and compare flat options in best cash back cards.

Frequently asked questions

Does HelloFresh code as groceries?
Usually not. Meal-kit services often code as a direct-marketing or subscription merchant rather than a grocery store, so a grocery bonus frequently does not apply.
Why don’t meal kits earn a grocery bonus?
Because they ship ingredients directly and code as their own subscription merchant, not as a supermarket. A card’s grocery category is tied to store codes, which meal kits usually do not carry.
What card is best for meal-kit subscriptions?
A strong flat-rate card, or a card that rewards subscriptions. Since the grocery bonus is unreliable, treat meal kits as a general recurring charge.

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Bryce Casson

Written by Bryce Casson, Founder of Cardocrat. About the author and how we rank cards.