Everything You Need To Know About Dining Programs As A Rewards Strategy

The Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan Dining program is offering 1,000 bonus miles when you spend at least $30 in your first 30 days as a member. To qualify, you must opt to receive emails from the program and complete an online review within 30 days of when you dine.

The Mileage Plan Dining earning rate depends on your membership tier:

For more on Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan, read our post The Complete Guide To Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan.

*The above information is accurate at the time of publishing but subject to change. Click here for the latest information.

American Airlines AAdvantage Dining comes with 1,000 bonus miles when you spend $25 or more within your first 30 days. You need to opt to receive emails to qualify.

You’ll also earn American Airlines miles for spending at participating restaurants:

For more on American Airlines AAdvantage, read The Complete Guide To American Airlines AAdvantage.

*The above information is accurate at the time of publishing but subject to change. Click here for the latest information.

New members of Delta SkyMiles Dining can earn up to 3,000 bonus miles (up to 3,500 miles for SkyMiles Medallion members). You’ll need to create a dining profile, register a credit card and opt to receive emails to earn:

• 500 bonus miles (1,000 bonus miles for SkyMiles Medallion members) when you spend at least $30 at any participating restaurant.
• 1,000 bonus miles when you spend at least $30 on your second participating restaurant visit.
• 1,500 bonus miles when you spend at least $30 on your third participating restaurant visit.

To qualify, you must complete these bonus requirements within your first 30 days as a member, and you must complete an online review within 30 days of each restaurant visit.

You’ll also earn SkyMiles every time you dine at a participating restaurant:

For more on Delta SkyMiles, see our post The Complete Guide To Delta SkyMiles.

*The above information is accurate at the time of publishing but subject to change. Click here for the latest information.

The JetBlue TrueBlue Dining program does not have a sign-up bonus and there’s no tiered membership. After you register with an email address and your TrueBlue account number, you’ll earn 3x TrueBlue points at participating restaurants when you pay with your linked credit card.

For more on JetBlue TrueBlue, click here.

*The above information is accurate at the time of publishing but subject to change. Click here for the latest information.

Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards Dining offers a 1,000-point welcome bonus when you opt to receive emails, link a card, and spend $25 or more at a participating restaurant within your first 30 days. You also have to complete an online review within 30 days of the restaurant visit to qualify.

You’ll get even more bonuses when you hit these milestones:

If you stay opted in to receive emails, you’ll earn 3x Southwest points at participating restaurants. If not, you’ll earn one point for every two dollars spent.

For more on Southwest Rapid Rewards, click here.

*The above information is accurate at the time of publishing but subject to change. Click here for the latest information.

Spirit Airlines Free Spirit Dining is offering new members 1,000 bonus miles when you spend at least $30 at a participating restaurant within your first 30 days, and write an online review within 30 days of dining there. Like other dining programs, you have to opt to receive emails to qualify.

You’ll also earn Free Spirit miles for spending at participating restaurants:

For more information, read our post The Complete Guide To Spirit Airlines Free Spirit.

*The above information is accurate at the time of publishing but subject to change. Click here for the latest information.

New United Airlines MileagePlus Dining members can earn up to 3,000 miles within the first 30 days of registering, linking a credit card and opting to receive emails. The bonus requirements are as follows:

• 1,000 bonus miles (1,500 miles for MileagePlus Premier members) when you spend $25 or more at any participating restaurant within your first 30 days.
• 500 bonus miles on each of your next 3 subsequent visits when you spend $25 or more at the participating restaurant, all within your first 30 days.

You’ll earn ongoing Mileageplus miles for spending at participating restaurants:

For more on United MileagePlus, click here.

*The above information is accurate at the time of publishing but subject to change. Click here for the latest information.

Hilton Honors Dining is currently offering 5,000 bonus points to new members who opt to receive emails and spend at least $25 at a participating restaurant within 30 days of joining. You also have to complete an online review within 30 days of dining to qualify.

Besides the welcome bonus, you’ll earn points for dining at participating restaurants:

For more about Hilton Honors, click here.

*The above information is accurate at the time of publishing but subject to change. Click here for the latest information.

New IHG Rewards Club Dining members who opt in to emails, spend $30 or more at a participating restaurant within their first 30 days, and complete an online review within 30 days of dining will earn 1,000 bonus points.

You’ll also earn points every time you dine at a participating restaurant:

For more about IHG Rewards Club, click here.

*The above information is accurate at the time of publishing but subject to change. Click here for the latest information.

After registering for Marriott Bonvoy Eat Around Town, opting in to emails, and spending $30 at a participating restaurant within your first 30 days, you’ll earn 1,000 bonus points. To qualify, you have to complete an online review within 30 days of dining.

Marriott Bonvoy elite members will earn 6x points when they dine at participating restaurants. Regular members get 4x points.

For more about Marriott Bonvoy, check out The Complete Guide To Marriott Bonvoy.

*The above information is accurate at the time of publishing but subject to change. Click here for the latest information.

The American Express® Gold Card features generous returns and strong perks for foodies. You will be highly rewarded with this card. Read more to see why.

AMERICAN EXPRESS® GOLD CARD

Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.

The American Express® Gold Card has a welcome bonus for 60,000 Membership Rewards Points when you spend $4,000 within 6 months.

Membership Rewards Points have great flexibility. We value each point to be worth up to an average 2 cents per point. At this value, 60k Membership Rewards Points can be worth up to $1,200.

The Amex Gold Card has plentiful perks. You’ll get:

• Choice between Gold or Rose Gold.
• 4X points at restaurants, including takeouts and deliveries in the U.S.
• 4X points at U.S. supermarkets on up to $25,000 per year in purchases (1X thereafter)
• 3X points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com
• Up to $120 in annual dining credits (get up to $10 monthly statement credits)
• No foreign transaction fees

The annual fee is $250. See Rates & Fees, Terms Apply.

Card Review

The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card® earns extra points for every dollar spent at restaurants, including eligible delivery services, takeout, and dining out. You will be earning the highly sought after Ultimate Rewards points.

CHASE SAPPHIRE PREFERRED^® CARD

The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card currently has an offer for 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

Redeeming the 60,000 bonus points through the Chase Ultimate Rewards program, which is praised by users, will get you $750 in value towards travel. The 60K bonus points are worth $750 because you get 25% more value whenever you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Ultimate Rewards.

Even better, strategize with Chase Ultimate Rewards points transfer partners to potentially get even more value. Each point can be worth up to 2 cents apiece (60k points = ~$1,200). Read more on this here.

Card Review

The Chase Sapphire Reserve® card earns extra points for every dollar spent at restaurants worldwide. While the steep annual fee makes it a less ideal choice for many, diners willing to pay price will be rewarded with many generous perks and benefits.

CHASE SAPPHIRE RESERVE^®

The Chase Sapphire Reserve® card is offering 80,000 bonus points (worth up to $1,600 in travel per our valuations). You’ll need to spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening to qualify for the bonus. These 80k points are redeemable for $1,200 toward travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards.

This is a premium travel card with a premium annual fee of $550. But, you’ll receive premium benefits such as 5X points on air travel, 10x points spent on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards® immediately after earning your $300 annual travel credit, 3X points on all other travel and dining, and 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases.

The card also features an application fee credit (up to $100) for Global Entry or TSA Pre✓^®, access to 1,300+ airport lounges with Priority Pass Select, and 50% more in travel redemption through Chase Ultimate Rewards. With Pay Yourself Back^SM, your points are worth 50% more for existing purchases in select, rotating categories.

Card Review