Top Credit Cards for Restaurant Spending Table of Contents
Dining out and ordering takeout are integral parts of many people’s routines, whether it’s for entertainment or managing a hectic schedule. If you frequently enjoy meals at restaurants, it’s essential to use a credit card that offers more than the standard 1 point per dollar on dining purchases. By selecting the right card, you can earn significant rewards, enjoy flexible redemption options, and make the most of your spending. As for the right card, this post focuses on cards that earn more than 1x per $1 on dining while also earning FLEXIBLE REWARDS!
Why Choose Flexible Rewards Over Loyalty Rewards?
Flexible rewards programs offer versatility that traditional loyalty programs often lack. Here’s why flexible rewards are advantageous:
- Diverse Redemption Options – Flexible rewards points can be redeemed for travel, cash back, gift cards, or merchandise, allowing you to choose what best fits your needs.
- Transferable Points – Many flexible rewards programs allow you to transfer points to multiple airline or hotel partners, providing opportunities to maximize value and find the best deals.
- Avoiding Devaluation – Loyalty programs can change their redemption rates, leading to point devaluation. Flexible rewards programs offer protection against such changes by providing multiple redemption avenues.
Benefits of Using Cards That Earn More Than 1x Points on Dining
Using credit cards that offer higher rewards rates on dining purchases can significantly enhance your earnings. Here’s why it’s beneficial:
- Accelerated Earnings – Earning 2x, 3x, or even 4x points per dollar on dining means your rewards accumulate faster, leading to quicker access to free travel, cash back, or other perks.
- Enhanced Benefits – Cards with higher dining rewards often come with additional perks such as travel insurance, purchase protection, and exclusive access to events, adding more value to your spending.
- Optimized Spending – By aligning your spending habits with a card that rewards dining, you ensure that a significant portion of your expenses is working harder for you, maximizing the return on your everyday purchases.
Top Credit Cards for Restaurant Spending Offering Bonus Points
Here are some noteworthy credit cards that provide exceptional rewards for dining purchases:
Capital One
This featured card earns cash back on dining but, the cash back can be transferred to other Capital One cards that earn FLEXIBLE REWARDS!
Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card – Earn unlimited 3% cash back at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®), on dining, entertainment and popular streaming services, plus 1% on all other purchases
Chase Credit Cards (Chase Ultimate Rewards®)
These cards earn Chase Ultimate Rewards®, which can be transferred to airline and hotel partners or redeemed for travel, cash back, or gift cards.
- Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card and the Chase Sapphire Reserve® –Earn 3x points per dollar on dining.
- Chase Freedom Unlimited® and Chase Freedom Flex℠– Earn 3% cash back on dining (or 3x points if you have a Sapphire or an Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card).
- Chase Ink Business Cash® – Earn 2% cash back on dining (on the first $25,000 spent annually in combined bonus categories).
American Express Credit Cards (American Express Membership Rewards®)
These cards earn Membership Rewards points, which can be transferred to travel partners or used for travel bookings, statement credits, and more.
- American Express® Gold Card – Earn 4x points per dollar spent on dining worldwide.
- American Express® Green Card – Earn 3x points per dollar spent on dining worldwide.
- American Express® Business Gold Card – Earn 4x points per dollar spent on dining (U.S. restaurants only) if it is one of your two top spending categories for the month.
Citi Credit Cards (ThankYou Points)
These cards earn Citi ThankYou points, which can be transferred to airline partners or redeemed for travel, gift cards, and more.
- Citi Strata Premier℠ Card – Earn 3x ThankYou points per dollar spent on dining.
- Citi ThankYou® Preferred Card (not available to new cardmembers) – Earn 2x ThankYou points per dollar spent on dining.
Bank of America Credit Cards
- Bank of America® Premium Rewards® Credit Card – Earn 2x points per dollar spent on dining.
- Bank of America® Premium Rewards® Elite Credit Card – Earn 2x points per dollar spent on dining.
U.S. Bank Credit Cards
- U.S. Bank Altitude® Go Visa Signature® Card – Earn 4x points per dollar spent on dining, takeout, and food delivery on your first $2,000 each quarter.
- U.S. Bank Altitude ® Connect Visa Signature® Card – Earn 2x points per dollar spent on dining, takeout, and food delivery.
By choosing a credit card that aligns with your dining habits and offers flexible rewards, you can make the most of your spending, enjoy a variety of redemption options, and maximize the benefits received from your everyday expenses.
