Buzz
Rewards credit cards used to offer basic perks like miles, hotel points, or cash back. However, the landscape has shifted as many now offer point-based rewards for various types of spending, including dining. Once a luxury for special occasions, dining out has become an everyday activity for many, offering an excellent opportunity to rack up valuable credit card points.
Now, let’s explore the top credit cards designed for dining rewards. As we’ve done for other categories like grocery shopping and cards for new grads, we’ve considered several important factors when curating this list:
How simple is it to accumulate points, and how straightforward is it to redeem them?
If there's an annual fee, are the benefits worth the cost?
Are there introductory bonuses that help kick-start your earnings?
Discover the top credit cards for earning rewards on dining, takeout, and food delivery services.
Best Credit Card for Beginners in the Rewards Program
Capital One SavorOne Rewards
Rewards: Get 3% cash back on dining and entertainment, 2% cash back on grocery store purchases, and 1% on all other spending. No limit on how much you can earn in rewards.
Sign-up bonus: Receive a $150 cash bonus after spending $500 in the first three months of account activation.
Bonus perks: Enjoy 0% introductory APR for the first 15 months after opening your account.
Why we like it: While the premium Savor card offers 4% back on dining, the SavorOne provides nearly the same rewards without the annual fee. Rewards never expire and cash-back can be redeemed in any amount. If you're looking for a dining-focused card without the temptation of a hefty sign-up bonus (the Savor card offers $300 cash back for $3,000 in spending within the first three months), this is a great choice to start with.
Ideal card for frequent ride-hail users
Uber Visa Card
Rewards: Earn 4% back on dining, takeout, bars, and Uber Eats orders. Receive 3% back on flights, hotels, and vacation rentals, 2% back on online purchases, including Uber rides, and 1% back on all other spending. Redeem your rewards for Uber Cash, cash back, or gift cards.
Sign-up bonus: Get a $100 bonus when you spend $500 within the first three months of opening your account.
Annual fee: None
Bonus perks: Receive mobile phone insurance coverage up to $600, including damage, theft, and even 'involuntary and accidental parting,' when you use the card to pay your phone bill.
Why we like it: Two Cents readers love this card for its adaptability. Frequent Uber rider? Use rewards for rides. Buying a car and not using Uber as much? Use rewards for a meal you drove to. With no annual fee and a low sign-up bonus requirement, it’s a great option for Uber fans and more.
Best card for frequent travelers
American Express Gold Card
Rewards: Earn 4 points per dollar spent at restaurants worldwide. Earn 4 points per dollar at U.S. supermarkets, up to a $25,000 annual limit. Earn 3 points per dollar on flights booked directly with airlines or through American Express’s travel portal, and 1 point per dollar on all other purchases. Signup bonus: Spend $2,000 in the first three months to earn 35,000 points. Annual fee: $250 Bonus perks: Get a $100 airline fee credit, which can be used for baggage, in-flight meals, or other incidentals (you need to select an airline each year). Also, earn a $10 monthly statement credit when you use your card at Grubhub, Seamless, Boxed, Shake Shack, and, for some reason, The Cheesecake Factory and Ruth’s Chris Steak House. Why we like it: Ideal for someone who wants to earn rewards while enjoying dining experiences and is already familiar with rewards cards. American Express points can be transferred to 19 airlines and three hotel programs (Choice, Hilton, and Marriott). Travel is the best redemption option for this card—cash back on your statement is worth just 0.6 cents per point, compared to 1:1 for travel. The airline incidental credits and dining perks almost offset the annual fee if used strategically.
Best card for bulk buyers
Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi
Rewards: Earn 4% on gas for the first $7,000 spent annually, 3% on dining and travel, 2% on Costco purchases, and 1% on all other purchases. Signup bonus: None Annual fee: $0, but you must have a Costco membership, which starts at $60 per year. Bonus perks: This is a store card accepted anywhere Visa is, meaning it comes with a variety of travel insurance benefits we appreciate in credit cards. Why we like it: The card rewards you in a unique way: each spring, you receive a reward based on your spending from the previous year, which can be redeemed at Costco for cash or purchases. While this card is perfect for Costco regulars, the flexibility of earning rewards offers a nice surprise later on.
