Dining programs are often overlooked as a rewards strategy but they are a great way to and points and miles, especially if you eat out frequently. Easily boost your earnings by participating in an airline or hotel dining program and paying with your dining rewards card if you have a card like American Express® Gold Card (4x points on dining), Chase Sapphire Reserve® (3x points on dining) or Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (2x points on dining).
See the best credit card sign-up bonuses here
A large portion of dining programs are operated by the same company, Rewards Network, so they tend to have similar structures. To find a participating restaurant, go to the dining program website and use the search tool.
TIP: Some participating restaurants might not offer rewards every day of the week.
Be sure to check online before you head in to eat.
The amount of dining programs you can enroll in are endless but you are only able to link one credit card to one dining program. So if you sign up for five programs, you’ll need to link five different cards to each one.
Airline Dining Programs
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. In order to qualify, you need to opt for 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:
MEMBERSHIP LEVEL | EARNING RATE |
Basic Don’t opt in for email notifications |
1 mile per $2 spent |
Select Opt in for email notifications |
3 miles per $1 spent |
VIP Opt in for email notifications + Dine 11 or more times per year |
5 miles per $1 spent |
*The above information is accurate at the time of publishing but subject to change. Click here for the latest information.
See our Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan Guide.
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:
MEMBERSHIP LEVEL | EARNING RATE |
Basic Don’t opt in for email notifications |
1 mile per $1 spent |
Select Opt in for email notifications |
3 miles per $1 spent |
VIP Opt in for email notifications + Dine 11 or more times per year |
5 miles per $1 spent |
*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:
MEMBERSHIP LEVEL | EARNING RATE |
Basic Don’t opt in for email notifications |
1 mile per $2 spent |
Select Opt in for email notifications |
3 miles per $1 spent |
VIP Opt in for email notifications + Dine 11 or more times per year |
5 miles per $1 spent |
*The above information is accurate at the time of publishing but subject to change. Click here for the latest information.
See our Delta Airlines SkyMiles Guide.
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.
*The above information is accurate at the time of publishing but subject to change. Click here for the latest information.
See our JetBlue Airways TrueBlue Guide.
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:
BONUS NAME | DETAILS |
First Step Bonus | 500 bonus points the first time you accrue 1,500 points by dining. |
Thank You Bonus | 300 bonus points every time you accrue 1,000 points by dining. |
Review Bonus | 10 points when you complete a review |
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.
*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:
MEMBERSHIP LEVEL | EARNING RATE |
Basic Don’t opt in for email notifications |
1 mile per $2 spent |
Select Opt in for email notifications |
3 miles per $1 spent |
VIP Opt in for email notifications + Dine 11 or more times per year |
5 miles per $1 spent |
*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:
MEMBERSHIP LEVEL | EARNING RATE |
Basic Don’t opt in for email notifications |
1 mile per $2 spent |
Select Opt in for email notifications |
3 miles per $1 spent |
VIP Opt in for email notifications + Dine 11 or more times per year |
5 miles per $1 spent |
*The above information is accurate at the time of publishing but subject to change. Click here for the latest information.
See our United Airlines MileagePlus Guide.
Airline Dining Programs Summary
DINING PROGRAM | WELCOME BONUS | EARNING RATE |
Alaska Airlines MileagePlan Dining |
1,000 bonus points | Up to 5x points |
American Airlines AAdvantage Dining |
1,000 bonus points | Up to 5x points |
Delta Air Lines SkyMiles Dining |
Up to 3,500 miles | Up to 5x points |
JetBlue TrueBlue Dining |
N/A | 3x points |
Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards Dining |
1,000 bonus miles | 3x points |
Spirit Airlines Free Spirit Dining |
1,000 bonus miles | Up to 5x points |
Hotel Dining Programs
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:
REQUIREMENTS | EARNING RATE |
Don’t opt in for email notifications | 2x Hilton points |
Opt in for email notifications | 5x Hilton points |
Opt in for email notifications + Dine 11 or more times per year |
8x Hilton points |
*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:
MEMBERSHIP LEVEL | EARNING RATE |
Basic Don’t opt in for email notifications |
1x IHG points |
Select Opt in for email notifications |
5x IHG points |
VIP Opt in for email notifications + Dine 11 or more times per year |
8x IHG points |
*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, look for our upcoming post The Complete Guide To Marriott Bonvoy, which we will link here when it becomes available.
*The above information is accurate at the time of publishing but subject to change. Click here for the latest information.
Hotel Dining Programs Summary
DINING PROGRAM | WELCOME BONUS | EARNING RATE |
Hilton Honors Dining | 5,000 bonus points | Up to 8x points |
IHG Rewards Club Dining | 1,000 bonus points | Up to 8x points |
Marriott Bonvoy Eat Around Town | 1,000 bonus points | Up to 6x points |
Other Dining Programs
Rewards Network is the mastermind behind loads of other dining programs that aren’t affiliated with airlines or hotel chains. Some of our favorites include:
- Caesars Rewards Dining
- Fuel Rewards
- iDine
- Orbitz Rewards Dining
- Rakuten Dining
- Upromise Dining
- Visa Local Offers
The Best Credit Cards For Dining
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.
The American Express® Gold Card offers 60,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. You'll earn: • 4X Membership Rewards points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. • 4X Membership Rewards points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. • 3X Membership Rewards points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. • 2X Membership Rewards points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. • 1X Membership Rewards point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. Other benefits: • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and each month automatically get $10 in Uber Cash for Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S., totaling up to $120 per year. Effective 11/8/2024, an Amex Card must be selected as the payment method for your Uber or Uber Eats transaction to redeem the Amex Uber Cash benefit. • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express(R) Gold Card at Dunkin' locations. • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express(R) Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required. • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express(R) Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required. • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. Eligible charges vary by property. This card has an annual fee of $325 with no foreign transaction fees (See Rates & Fees). Terms Apply. |
The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card® earns 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.
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card offers 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. You'll earn: • 5x on travel purchased through Chase TravelSM • 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries • 2x on all other travel purchases • 1x on all other purchases • $50 Annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit • Get complimentary access to DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees and lower service fees for a minimum of one year when you activate by December 31, 2027. Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase TravelSM This card carries a $95 annual fee. |
The Chase Sapphire Reserve® card earns more points for every dollar spent at restaurants worldwide than with the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card®. 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.
The Chase Sapphire Reserve offers 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $900 toward travel when you redeem through Chase TravelSM. You'll earn • 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. • 3x points on other travel and dining • 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases • Get complimentary access to DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees and lower service fees for a minimum of one year when you activate by December 31, 2027. Get 50% more value when you redeem your points for travel through Chase Travel. This card does carry a $550 annual fee and there are no foreign transaction fees. However, you're able to earn a $300 Annual Travel Credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year & up to $100 application fee credit for Global Entry or TSA Pre?®. Member FDIC |
Bottom Line
Dining programs are great tools to help you earn bonus points, miles or cash back for eating out. Even if you are only earning a couple of points for every dollar you spend, these bonuses can quickly add up toward awards such as luxury hotel stays, first-class flights and spending cash for you next vacation.
If you’re looking for more opportunities to save money, try using online shopping portals. Additionally, see our list of the best credit card bonuses here.