Earn $100+ While You Eat: Best Dining Credit Cards of the Year
Turn your dining expenses into travel rewards, cash back, and more.
Did you know the average person in the U.S. spends around $3,500 a year on dining and takeout? With the right credit card, even a modest 3% cashback means saving over $100 annually. If you choose premium cards with higher rewards (up to 8%), your savings could soar to $300 or more. This guide will help you turn dining expenses into hundreds—or even thousands—of dollars in rewards!
Top No-Annual-Fee Dining Cards
Rewards: 3x Ultimate Rewards (UR) points on dining, plus rotating 5x categories (up to $1,500 per quarter).
Why It’s Great: Perfect for beginners and seasoned users. Pair it with premium Chase cards (like the CSP or CSR) to unlock ~4.8% value on dining points.
Rewards: 3x UR points on dining, 1.5x points on all other purchases.
Why It’s Great: Great for consistent rewards across all spending, not just dining.
Rewards: 4% cashback on dining, including takeout and delivery.
Why It’s Great: Among the highest no-annual-fee dining cashback rates available.
Rewards: 3% cashback on dining.
Why It’s Great: A solid no-annual-fee choice. For a higher signup bonus, start with the Capital One Savor® and downgrade later.
Rewards: 5% cashback on rotating categories, often including dining (up to $1,500 per quarter).
Why It’s Great: An excellent option for budget-conscious foodies.
Rewards: 3% cashback on your chosen category, including dining.
Why It’s Great: Flexible reward categories make this card highly customizable.
Best Mid-Tier Dining Cards
Chase Sapphire Preferred® (CSP)
Rewards: 3x UR points on dining.
Annual Fee: $95.
Why It’s Great: Unlocks premium travel redemptions for frequent travelers.
Rewards: 3x ThankYou Points (TYP) on dining.
Annual Fee: $95.
Why It’s Great: Great for grocery and travel spend in addition to dining.
Rewards: 4% cashback on dining.
Annual Fee: $95.
Why It’s Great: One of the highest cashback rates for dining without restrictions.
Premium Dining Cards for Enthusiasts
Rewards: 5x TYP points (~8%).
Annual Fee: $495.
Why It’s Great: Includes $250 travel credits and exclusive perks like "4th Night Free."
Rewards: 4x Membership Rewards (MR) points on dining.
Annual Fee: $250.
Why It’s Great: Excellent for international dining and valuable MR points.
Rewards: 3x UR points on dining.
Annual Fee: $550.
Why It’s Great: Premium perks include a $300 travel credit and increased redemption values.
How Much Could You Save?
Let’s calculate based on the average $3,500 annual dining spend:
3% Cashback (e.g., Capital One SavorOne): Save $105/year.
4% Cashback (e.g., US Bank Altitude Go): Save $140/year.
5% Points (e.g., Citi Prestige): Save $280/year with travel redemptions.
Heavy Dining (e.g., $7,000/year): Save $560+ annually with premium cards like Citi Prestige.
How Much Will You Save?
Dining out is a part of life, but with the right card, it doesn’t have to be a financial drain. Whether you’re enjoying takeout or dining at Michelin-starred restaurants, there’s a credit card tailored to your needs. Start maximizing your rewards and watch your savings grow—every meal can be an investment in your wallet.
Let us know your go-to dining card in the comments or join our discord community for more tips!