Americans eat out a lot, especially those who travel frequently. And just like you should be using the card that offers you the most rewards for airline tickets or hotel stays, it’s important to maximize your dining purchases as well. The right credit card for eating out will offer you the most valuable points, miles or cash back without having a limit on the rewards you can earn in a quarter or a year.
Take a look at these top cards for dining purchases, and decide which one is right for you:
This newly referred card is generating a lot of buzz for offering 4x Membership Rewards points on all dining purchases at US restaurants, with no limits. You also get 4x points for up to $25,000 spent each year at US Supermarkets and 3X points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com. New applicants receive 25,000 points after spending $2,000 on purchases within three months of account opening. You also get 20% back as a statement credit at U.S. restaurants within the first 3 months, up to $100 back, for those who apply by January 9, 2019. Benefits include a $100 annual airline fee credit and $10 per month in statement credits at participating dining partners (enrollment required). There’s a $250 annual fee for this card, and no foreign transaction fees.
This card offers you 2x points on all dining and entertainment purchases, and one point per dollar spent elsewhere. New applicants can receive 15 months of 0% APR (with regular APR of 15.49% - 25.49% variable), financing on new purchases and balance transfers, with a 3% balance transfer fee (either $5 or 3% of the amount transferred, whichever is greater). There’s no annual fee for this card.
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
This popular rewards card offers you double miles on all dining and travel purchases, and one mile per dollar spent elsewhere. New applicants earn 50,000 points after spending $4,000 on their card within three months of account opening. Points are earned in the Chase Ultimate Rewards program which can be redeemed for 1.25 cents towards travel, or transferred to airline miles or hotel points. This card also comes with a robust range of travel insurance and purchase protection policies. There’s a $95 annual fee for this card that’s waived the first year, and no foreign transaction fees.
Starwood Preferred Guest® Business Credit Card from American Express
This card offers 4x points at US restaurants as well as at US gas stations, and wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers. You also earn 6x points at SPG and Marriott Rewards hotels and 2x points elsewhere. New applicants can earn 100,000 bonus points after using the card to make $5,000 in new purchases within three months of account opening (offer ends October 31, 2018). Other benefits include complimentary Silver Elite status and Gold Elite status when you spend $35,000 on eligible purchases in a calendar year. There’s a $95 annual fee for this card that’s waived the first year, and no foreign transaction fees.
Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite™ Mastercard®
This card offers you double miles at restaurants, gas stations, and on eligible American Airlines purchases. New applicants can earn up to 50,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles: 40,000 AAdvantage® miles after making $2,000 in purchases within your account’s first three months and another 10,000 miles after making a total of $6,000 in purchases within the first 12 months of account opening. Other benefits include a first checked bag is free on domestic American Airlines itineraries for you and up to four companions, a $100 American Airlines Flight Discount after you spend $20,000 or more in purchases during your cardmembership year and renew your card and preferred boarding on American Airlines flights. There’s a $99 annual fee for this card that’s waived the first year, and no foreign transaction fees.
Above image by Isamare via Shutterstock
