With the average American spending $2,841 annually on eating out, according to CNET, using the right credit card can yield significant rewards. Major banks including Chase, Wells Fargo, and Bank of America offer cards that provide cash back, points, or miles for dining purchases, with many offering 3% cash back or three points per dollar spent.
The Independent analysed six credit cards from well-known issuers and selected four top choices for dining rewards and ease of use. Key factors include annual fees, sign-up bonuses, and simplicity. Cards like the Chase Freedom Unlimited and Capital One Savor offer a $200 bonus after spending $500 in the first three months, with no annual fee.
However, cardholders should note restrictions. For instance, the Capital One Savor does not earn points at bakeries, caterers, or meal-kit delivery services, while the Chase Freedom Unlimited excludes purchases at sports stadiums, hotels, casinos, and theme parks. Non-qualifying purchases still earn the base rate of 1% or 1 point per dollar.
Redeeming rewards is straightforward. Cash back can be applied to the card balance, transferred to a checking account, or used for recent purchases. Points-based cards allow redemption for cash, purchases through issuer portals, or conversion to travel points for flights and hotels.
