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Home Credit Cards

Everything You Need To Know About Dining Programs As A Rewards Strategy

Diana Mason by Diana Mason
October 26, 2022 1:12 am CDT
in Credit Cards
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Most people overlook dining programs as a rewards strategy, but they’re a great way to earn extra points and miles every time you eat out. If you have a card like American Expressยฎ Gold Card, Chase Sapphire Reserveยฎ or Chase Sapphire Preferredยฎ Card, you can easily boost your earnings by participating in an airline or hotel dining program and paying with your dining rewards card. In fact, it’s one of our favorite ways to double dip.

See the best credit card sign-up bonuses here

Some dining programs offer a welcome bonus for new members, and we’ve seen ongoing rewards as high as 8x points, in addition to your credit card earnings.

Most dining programs are operated by the same company, Rewards Network, so they tend to have similar structures. To find a participating restaurant, go to the dining program website and use the search tool.

TIP: Some participating restaurants might not offer rewards every day of the week.
Make sure to check online before you go.

You can enroll in as many dining programs as you want, but you can only link one credit card to one dining program. So if you sign up for five programs, you’ll need to link five different cards to each one.

Click here for the best dining rewards cards.

Airline Dining Programs

ALASKA AIRLINESAMERICAN AIRLINESDELTA AIR LINESJETBLUESOUTHWEST AIRLINESSPIRIT AIRLINESUNITED AIRLINES

The Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan Dining program is offering 1,000 bonus miles when you spend at least $30 in your first 30 days as a member. To qualify, you must opt to receive emails from the program and complete an online review within 30 days of when you dine.

The Mileage Plan Dining earning rate depends on your membership tier:

MEMBERSHIP LEVELEARNING RATE
Basic
Don’t opt in for email notifications
1 mile per $2 spent
Select
Opt in for email notifications
3 miles per $1 spent
VIP
Opt in for email notifications +
Dine 11 or more times per year
5 miles per $1 spent

For more on Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan, read our post The Complete Guide To Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan.

*The above information is accurate at the time of publishing but subject to change. Click here for the latest information.

American Airlines AAdvantage Dining comes with 1,000 bonus miles when you spend $25 or more within your first 30 days. You need to opt to receive emails to qualify.

You’ll also earn American Airlines miles for spending at participating restaurants:

MEMBERSHIP LEVELEARNING RATE
Basic
Donโ€™t opt in for email notifications
1 mile per $1 spent
Select
Opt in for email notifications
3 miles per $1 spent
VIP
Opt in for email notifications +
Dine 11 or more times per year
5 miles per $1 spent

For more on American Airlines AAdvantage, read The Complete Guide To American Airlines AAdvantage.

*The above information is accurate at the time of publishing but subject to change. Click here for the latest information.

New members of Delta SkyMiles Dining can earn up to 3,000 bonus miles (up to 3,500 miles for SkyMiles Medallion members). You’ll need to create a dining profile, register a credit card and opt to receive emails to earn:

  • 500 bonus miles (1,000 bonus miles for SkyMiles Medallion members) when you spend at least $30 at any participating restaurant.
  • 1,000 bonus miles when you spend at least $30 on your second participating restaurant visit.
  • 1,500 bonus miles when you spend at least $30 on your third participating restaurant visit.

To qualify, you must complete these bonus requirements within your first 30 days as a member, and you must complete an online review within 30 days of each restaurant visit.

You’ll also earn SkyMiles every time you dine at a participating restaurant:

MEMBERSHIP LEVELEARNING RATE
Basic
Donโ€™t opt in for email notifications
1 mile per $2 spent
Select
Opt in for email notifications
3 miles per $1 spent
VIP
Opt in for email notifications +
Dine 11 or more times per year
5 miles per $1 spent

For more on Delta SkyMiles, see our post The Complete Guide To Delta SkyMiles.

*The above information is accurate at the time of publishing but subject to change. Click here for the latest information.

The JetBlue TrueBlue Dining program does not have a sign-up bonus and there’s no tiered membership. After you register with an email address and your TrueBlue account number, you’ll earn 3x TrueBlue points at participating restaurants when you pay with your linked credit card.

For more on JetBlue TrueBlue, click here.

*The above information is accurate at the time of publishing but subject to change. Click here for the latest information.

Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards Dining offers a 1,000-point welcome bonus when you opt to receive emails, link a card, and spend $25 or more at a participating restaurant within your first 30 days. You also have to complete an online review within 30 days of the restaurant visit to qualify.

You’ll get even more bonuses when you hit these milestones:

BONUS NAMEDETAILS
First Step Bonus500 bonus points the first time you accrue 1,500 points by dining.
Thank You Bonus300 bonus points every time you accrue 1,000 points by dining.
Review Bonus10 bonus points every time you complete a review.

If you stay opted in to receive emails, you’ll earn 3x Southwest points at participating restaurants. If not, you’ll earn one point for every two dollars spent.

For more on Southwest Rapid Rewards, click here.

*The above information is accurate at the time of publishing but subject to change. Click here for the latest information.

Spirit Airlines Free Spirit Dining is offering new members 1,000 bonus miles when you spend at least $30 at a participating restaurant within your first 30 days, and write an online review within 30 days of dining there. Like other dining programs, you have to opt to receive emails to qualify.

You’ll also earn Free Spirit miles for spending at participating restaurants:

MEMBERSHIP LEVELEARNING RATE
Members
Donโ€™t opt in for email notifications
1 mile per $2 spent
Online Members
Opt in for email notifications
3 miles per $1 spent
VIP
Opt in for email notifications +
Dine 11 or more times per year
5 miles per $1 spent

For more information, read our post The Complete Guide To Spirit Airlines Free Spirit.

*The above information is accurate at the time of publishing but subject to change. Click here for the latest information.

New United Airlines MileagePlus Dining members can earn up to 3,000 miles within the first 30 days of registering, linking a credit card and opting to receive emails. The bonus requirements are as follows:

  • 1,000 bonus miles (1,500 miles for MileagePlus Premier members) when you spend $25 or more at any participating restaurant within your first 30 days.
  • 500 bonus miles on each of your next 3 subsequent visits when you spend $25 or more at the participating restaurant, all within your first 30 days.

You’ll earn ongoing Mileageplus miles for spending at participating restaurants:

MEMBERSHIP LEVELEARNING RATE
Basic
Donโ€™t opt in for email notifications
1 mile per $2 spent
Select
Opt in for email notifications
3 miles per $1 spent
VIP
Opt in for email notifications +
Dine 11 or more times per year
5 miles per $1 spent

For more on United MileagePlus, click here.

*The above information is accurate at the time of publishing but subject to change. Click here for the latest information.

Airline Dining Programs Summary
DINING PROGRAMWELCOME BONUSEARNING RATE
Alaska Airlines
MileagePlan Dining
1,000 bonus milesUp to 5x miles
American Airlines
AAdvantage Dining
1,000 bonus milesUp to 5x miles
Delta Air Lines
SkyMiles Dining
Up to 3,500 milesUp to 5x miles
JetBlue
TrueBlue Dining
N/A3x points
Southwest Airlines
Rapid Rewards Dining
1,000 bonus points3x points
Spirit Airlines
Free Spirit Dining
1,000 bonus milesUp to 5x miles
United Airlines
MileagePlus Dining
Up to 3,000 bonus milesUp to 5x miles

*The above information was collected independently by MoneysMyLife and is subject to change. Please see the link to each dining program for the latest updates.


Hotel Dining Programs

HILTONIHGMARRIOTT

Hilton Honors Dining is currently offering 5,000 bonus points to new members who opt to receive emails and spend at least $25 at a participating restaurant within 30 days of joining. You also have to complete an online review within 30 days of dining to qualify.

Besides the welcome bonus, you’ll earn points for dining at participating restaurants:

REQUIREMENTSEARNING RATE
Don’t opt in for email notifications2x Hilton points
Opt in for email notifications5x Hilton points
Opt in for email notifications +
dine 11 or more times per year
8x Hilton points

For more about Hilton Honors, click here.

*The above information is accurate at the time of publishing but subject to change. Click here for the latest information.

New IHG Rewards Club Dining members who opt in to emails, spend $30 or more at a participating restaurant within their first 30 days, and complete an online review within 30 days of dining will earn 1,000 bonus points.

You’ll also earn points every time you dine at a participating restaurant:

MEMBERSHIP LEVELEARNING RATE
Basic
Don’t opt in for email notifications
1x IHG points
Select
Opt in for email notifications
5x IHG points
VIP
Opt in for email notifications +
Dine 11 or more times per year
8x IHG points

For more about IHG Rewards Club, click here.

*The above information is accurate at the time of publishing but subject to change. Click here for the latest information.

After registering for Marriott Bonvoy Eat Around Town, opting in to emails, and spending $30 at a participating restaurant within your first 30 days, you’ll earn 1,000 bonus points. To qualify, you have to complete an online review within 30 days of dining.

Marriott Bonvoy elite members will earn 6x points when they dine at participating restaurants. Regular members get 4x points.

For more about Marriott Bonvoy, check out The Complete Guide To Marriott Bonvoy.

*The above information is accurate at the time of publishing but subject to change. Click here for the latest information.

Hotel Dining Programs Summary
DINING PROGRAMWELCOME BONUSEARNING RATE
Hilton Honors Dining5,000 bonus pointsUp to 8x points
IHG Rewards Club Dining1,000 bonus pointsUp to 8x points
Marriott Bonvoy Eat Around Town1,000 bonus pointsUp to 6x points

*The above information was collected independently by MoneysMyLife and is subject to change. Please see the link to each dining program for the latest updates.


Other Dining Programs

Rewards Network is the mastermind behind loads of other dining programs that aren’t affiliated with airlines or hotel chains. Some of our favorites include:

  • Caesars Rewards Dining
  • Fuel Rewards
  • iDine
  • Orbitz Rewards Dining
  • Rakuten Dining
  • Upromise Dining
  • Visa Local Offers

Look for our future reviews on these dining programs.


The Best Credit Cards For Dining

AMERICAN EXPRESSยฎ GOLD CARDCHASE SAPPHIRE PREFERREDยฎ CARDCHASE SAPPHIRE RESERVEยฎ

The American Expressยฎ Gold Card features generous returns and strong perks for foodies. You will be highly rewarded with this card. Read more to see why.

AMERICAN EXPRESSยฎ GOLD CARD

Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.

The American Expressยฎ Gold Card has a welcome bonus for 60,000 Membership Rewards Points when you spend $4,000 within 6 months.

Membership Rewards Points have great flexibility. We value each point to be worth up to an average 2 cents per point. At this value, 60k Membership Rewards Points can be worth up to $1,200.

The Amex Gold Card has plentiful perks. You’ll get:

  • Choice between Gold or Rose Gold.
  • 4X points at restaurants, including takeouts and deliveries in the U.S.
  • 4X points at U.S. supermarkets on up to $25,000 per year in purchases (1X thereafter)
  • 3X points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com
  • Up to $120 in annual dining credits (get up to $10 monthly statement credits)
  • No foreign transaction fees

The annual fee is $250. See Rates & Fees, Terms Apply.

Card Review

The Chase Sapphire Preferred Cardยฎ earns extra points for every dollar spent at restaurants, including eligible delivery services, takeout, and dining out. You will be earning the highly sought after Ultimate Rewards points.

CHASE SAPPHIRE PREFERREDยฎ CARD

The Chase Sapphire Preferredยฎ Card currently has an offer for 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

Redeeming the 60,000 bonus points through the Chase Ultimate Rewards program, which is praised by users, will get you $750 in value towards travel. The 60K bonus points are worth $750 because you get 25% more value whenever you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Ultimate Rewards.

Even better, strategize with Chase Ultimate Rewards points transfer partners to potentially get even more value. Each point can be worth up to 2 cents apiece (60k points = ~$1,200). Read more on this here.

Card Review

The Chase Sapphire Reserveยฎ card earns extra points for every dollar spent at restaurants worldwide. While the steep annual fee makes it a less ideal choice for many, diners willing to pay price will be rewarded with many generous perks and benefits.

CHASE SAPPHIRE RESERVEยฎ

The Chase Sapphire Reserveยฎ card is offering 80,000 bonus points (worth up to $1,600 in travel per our valuations). You’ll need to spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening to qualify for the bonus. These 80k points are redeemable for $1,200 toward travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards.

This is a premium travel card with a premium annual fee of $550. But, you’ll receive premium benefits such as 5X points on air travel, 10x points spent on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Ultimate Rewardsยฎ immediately after earning your $300 annual travel credit, 3X points on all other travel and dining, and 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases.

The card also features an application fee credit (up to $100) for Global Entry or TSA Preโœ“ยฎ, access to 1,300+ airport lounges with Priority Pass Select, and 50% more in travel redemption through Chase Ultimate Rewards. With Pay Yourself BackSM, your points are worth 50% more for existing purchases in select, rotating categories.

Card Review


Bottom Line

Dining programs are a great way to earn points and miles on purchases you’re going to make anyway. Combine it with a dining rewards card, and you’ll be racking up loads of rewards with very little effort.

But unless you dine out for all your meals, you probably won’t earn enough miles from restaurant purchases for your next dream award vacation. That said, every drop in the bucket counts. And if you’re not taking part in a dining program, then you’re leaving quite a bit of money on the table.

TIP: Online shopping portals are another great way to double dip.

READ MORE: SEE THE BEST BANK BONUSES HERE AND THE BEST INVESTING BONUSES HERE.

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Diana Mason

Diana Mason

My passion for travel eventually led me away from the 9 to 5 office life and into the embrace of freelance work. Born in Cali and raised in Philly, I am a creative professional with a delightful knack for words. When I'm not gallivanting across the globe, you can find me writing (of course), teaching yoga, and dreaming of my next big adventure.

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