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Our “must read” on credit cards: The Pros and Cons of Credit Cards
A recent survey indicated that 100% of people need to eat to live (and almost as many live to eat). So if you’re going to eat, you might as well pick up some bonus points dining out.
Bonus Points Dining Out: No Effort Required
Restaurants, particularly new ones, frequently have trouble generating loyal clients. One way that some attempt to do so is by partnering with a third-party and offering an incentive to go there.
Earning points for eating at participating restaurants is easy. Just link your favorite credit card to a dining program and the rewards will automatically credit to your account when you use it. You’re limited to one bonus per card, although you can have a bonus attached to every card you own.
And finally, be sure to read to the end of this article. I’ll tell you which credit card you should use to maximize your rewards.
Related: TAKING SURVEYS TO EARN POINTS AND MILES
Airline and Hotel Dining Programs
Airline Miles For Dining Out
Most airlines use the 1/3/5 model. You start with one mile per dollar spent. Agree to receive an email newsletter and you’ll get three miles per dollar. Hit the VIP level, which is usually after 11 qualifying transactions for the year, and they’ll bump you to five miles per dollar.
There’s usually a sign-up bonus, as well, if you spend a certain amount. They change frequently, but the ones listed below are accurate as of the date of this article.
American Airlines: Operates on the 1/3/5 model as mentioned above, with VIP status starting on your 12th visit in a calendar year. You’ll earn 1,000 bonus miles if you spend $25 in the first 30 days.
Delta Airlines: Operates on the 1/3/5 model, with VIP status starting on your 12th visit in a calendar year. You can earn up the 3,000 in the first 30 days as a sign-up bonus: 500 miles for your first restaurant visit (minimum $30 spend), 1,000 for the second and 1,500 for the third.
JetBlue: Earn three TrueBlue points per dollar that you spend. There’s no VIP program and you must agree to accept the newsletter. Currently, there’s no sign-up bonus.
Southwest: Accept the newsletter and you’ll earn three Rapid Rewards points per dollar spent. Otherwise, you’ll get 1.5 points per dollar. Southwest has a number of bonuses. You’ll earn 1,000 bonus points dining out if you dine (minimum $25 spend) within the first 30 days and write a review. They’ll then give you 500 points after you earn your first 1,500, and 300 bonus points for each additional 1,000 points that you earn. Fancy yourself a restaurant critic? They’ll give you 10 points per review that you write.
United: United Airlines also plays in restaurant rewards. Like American and Delta, they operate on the 1/3/5 model and give you VIP status on your 12th visit in a calendar year. Visit a participating restaurant in your first 30 days and they’ll give you 1,000 bonus miles ($25 minimum spend).
Hotels Points and Casino Points for Dining Out
Hilton Honors: Hilton gives you two points per dollars for the basic membership, five if you get the newsletter and eight if you earn VIP status, which starts on the 11th visit. Keep in mind that one Hilton point is worth significantly less than one airline mile. Hilton is offering a 1,000 point bonus for your first visit in the first 30 days ($25 minimum spend).
IHG Rewards: IHG, parent of InterContinental, Holiday Inn and several others, offers eight points to VIPs (starting with your 12th visit), five if you get the newsletter and one if you don’t. The bonus is 1,000 point in your first 30 days (minimum spend $30)
Total Rewards: Last, and possibly least, is Caesars Rewards (Total Rewards) from Caesars Entertainment. Pick up a point per dollar that you spend, with an additional point if you use the Total Rewards Visa Card.
Be sure to also check out: Our favorite credit cards
The Best Credit Card For Dining Is…
There’s one card that offers the best rewards for restaurants and entertainment, a whopping 4% cash rebate. We are actually not going to tell you (everyone likes “A Travel Game,” right?), but it won’t be hard to find on the list of our favorite credit cards. The benefits include:
- A $300 sign-up bonus when you spend $3,000 in the first three months
- 4% cash back on dining and entertainment, 2% on grocery stores and 1% on other purchases. You’ll also get 8% from Vivid Seats through May, 2020.
- Free Postmates Unlimited through the end of 2019.
- No annual fee for the first year. It’s $95 per year afterward.
Bottom line: A permanent 4% cash back for restaurants and entertainment is the best deal that we’ve seen for the category. Combine that with the bonus points dining out (airline and hotel dining programs) and a $300 sign-up bonus and eating out will become a lot more affordable!
