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Dining rewards programs have been around for a long time, yet they still aren't taken seriously as an easy way to earn points and miles. I don't know about you, but I'm spending a lot of time in cooking, butchering and ordering food to support myself. During the Pandemic, it was a convenient option and helped sustain my favorites.
You can too, if you earn first-dine bonuses alone. Which dining rewards program is the best? I summarized each program and gave a ranking based on earn rate, first-dine bonus and value of points earned.
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The major airline and hotel dining reward programs are all part of the same network. All you have to do is sign up with one of these programs and use it at participating restaurants. If you opt-in to receive email notifications and work your way up to elite status, you will earn more points than if you don't.
You will earn a first-dine bonus and additional bonus points. The first-dine bonuses require you to spend a certain amount and submit a review. Within a calendar year, you can achieve the highest level of status with all of these programs. You will get access to a broader network of restaurants where you can earn points when you earn more points.
Popular chains and independent eateries are included. If you enter your zip code into the location field, you can find out what is available in your area.
While you can join all of the dining rewards programs listed below, you can't register the same card with more than one program at a time If you don't have account activity for 36 months, your membership ends.
Let's figure out which option gives the most rewards.
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You will get the highest return on your spending through airline-affiliated programs. Airline miles are more valuable than hotel points.
Members who don't opt in for email notifications still earn 1 mile per dollar spent, which is great. Earnings are limited to one mile per $2 in these cases. You will earn a return of 2% on your spending if you use AAdvantage miles. You can earn 2x miles with the Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard.
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If you opt-in for email notifications, you will earn 3 miles per dollar spent, and if you complete 11 transactions in a year, you will be upgraded to the highest tier of membership. You will be able to earn 5 AAdvantage miles per dollar spent at a wider network of restaurants. It is possible to earn AAdvantage miles by focusing your restaurant spending on the AAdvantage dining program.
Alaskan miles are the most valuable airline currency. The program has sweet spots and generous stopover policies. Marriott Bonvoy is the only transfer partnership other than Alaska's. The Alaska dining program is a great option due to the fact that Alaska miles aren't as easy to get as other airline rewards.
3 miles are earned by members who opt in to receive notifications. The 5 miles per dollar will be earned by those who complete 11 transactions.
Those who don't want to opt in for notifications are offered a higher earning rate in American's dining program. If you want to earn more Alaska miles, this is one of the few ways you can do it.
The most generous first-dine bonus of any airline is offered by Delta. There are only three programs that offer second and third visits.
If you choose to go for the bonus miles, you will get closer to the status that requires 11 transactions a year. You will earn 5 miles per dollar spent. You can give your earning rate a boost by opting in to receive email notifications from SkyMiles Dining.
It's not easy to beat the low fares of Spirit Airlines. The first-dine bonus from Free Spirit Dining can go a long way if you're flying for free. You will earn 1 mile per $2 spent if you opt out of email communications or 3 miles per $1 if you don't. During your first year, you'll get enough dining charges to get you enough miles for a free flight.
You will earn 5 miles for every $1 you spend if you hit 11 transactions. The dining program of the airline has low redemption rates.
3 points are offered for every $1 spent by all members. The program doesn't currently offer a first-dine bonus or elite status If you opt in for notifications, your return on spending isn't as high as with the legacy carriers.
Transfer partnerships make it easy to earn JetBlue points. If you want to earn TrueBlue points without thinking about it, it is a good idea to spend a limited amount of money at restaurants.
Southwest has a unique dining program that gives additional points for reviews. The 10 bonus points add up. Rapid Reward points can be earned by opting out of email communications. Considering how cheap Southwest award flights can be, opting in will get you 3 points per $1.
Rapid rewards points count towards the Southwest Companion pass. Southwest Rapid rewards is more valuable and worth looking at.
A bigger first-dine bonus is offered by the MileagePlus Dining program. Five miles per dollar spent is earned by elites and co branded credit card holders. You need to be an elite member or United card holder to be eligible for the perks. The United Explorer Card is an eligible card.
Dining rewards programs are offered by three major hotel programs. Currency values are lower than airline miles, so keep that in mind. If you need a way to top off your account for a high-value redemption or keep your points from expiring, I wouldn't recommend earning hotel points over airline miles.
You won't get a huge return on your dining rewards spending if you're a VIP member. Signing up for Alaska MileagePlan Dining would be a good idea. Register your American Express card for the best of both worlds.
The Aspire card earns 7x points at U.S. restaurants and the surpass card earns 6x if you meet spending requirements. After spending $15,000 in a year, an annual free weekend night is required for surpass card holders. You can use the card at restaurants.
The Points Guy did not collect the information for the hotelier's card. The card issuer did not review or provide the card details on this page.
The first-dine bonus isn't the best return on your spending, but it shouldn't stop you from taking it. The first-dine bonus will give you 20% of the way to a free night. After a year of being inactive, you can keep your account active by earning rewards from the dining program.
If you want to maximize restaurant spending, I wouldn't recommend using IHG rewards club dining as your main program. You will get a higher rate of return when you use airline programs.
Marriott has a number of ways to earn Bonvoy points. You can earn Marriott points on autopilot if you sign up for Eat Around Town.
Dining rewards programs allow you to register as many cards as you like. Bonus points on dining at restaurants are what you should focus on.
The Points Guy did not collect the information for the Capital One Savor. The card issuer did not review or provide the card details on this page.
The Amex Gold Card gives you 4x points for dining at restaurants and comes with up to 120 dining credits per year. While these apply to food delivery apps, you can also use them at other chain restaurants. It's necessary to enroll.
Every month, Amex will give $20 back at U.S. restaurants. The Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express Card is one of the cards that qualify.
Currency is the most important factor in determining the best dining rewards card. During uncertain times, I think it's a good idea to choose a card with points that can be redeemed for things. When it comes time to redeem them, you won't be tied down to a single currency.
There are loyalty programs that are worth joining.
Extra points and miles can be earned through dining rewards programs. Between the first-dine bonus and the ease of earning points, it makes sense to sign up. If you use a credit card that earns bonus points on dining and time your registration, you will be in a position to earn the first-dine bonus.
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