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Choosing the Best Restaurant Dining Card for You

Last Updated: November 12, 2024
6 min read
Credit card rewards

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Key points:

  1. A restaurant rewards credit card lets you earn rewards on dining purchases.

  2. You can maximize rewards by using your dining rewards card at restaurants with loyalty programs.

  3. Some cards have an annual fee, so it’s important to determine if the rewards you’ll earn outweigh the cost of the annual fee.

Getting rewarded for doing the things you enjoy feels great. That’s one reason why restaurant reward credit cards are so enticing. But with so many options, how can you know which is the best dining credit card for your needs?

Whether you love gourmet dinners or prefer late-night deliveries, the following tips can help you find the best credit card for you and make the most of your dining rewards.

What’s a dining or restaurant credit card?

A dining credit card, or restaurant credit card, is a type of credit card that earns rewards (like cash back) on eligible restaurant purchases. You might want a dining rewards card if you eat at restaurants often or frequently order takeout.

Dining credit cards can be part of your strategy to earn rewards on all your everyday eligible purchases. You can use it alongside other rewards credit cards, like travel and cash back cards, to maximize your rewards on each purchase.

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What qualifies as eligible dining purchases?

Any purchase from a business that your credit card issuer considers a restaurant or dining establishment likely earns dining rewards on the right credit card. Generally, credit card issuers determine whether a transaction falls into a certain category based on the seller’s four-digit merchant category code (MCC). Credit card networks use MCCs to sort purchases from different establishments by type, which makes it possible to set specific reward categories.

However, categories may differ across cards. Purchases at restaurants, diners, or coffee shops are typically eligible purchases on dining rewards cards. But concessions at a concert or baseball game won’t earn dining rewards if the card issuer categorizes the transactions as “entertainment,” based on the venue. Delivery services, may also differ.

 

To make sure a purchase qualifies for dining rewards, you can speak with customer service or check the documents you received at account opening.

What’s the right dining rewards credit card for you?

Put simply, the best dining credit card for you is the one with terms best suited to your habits, lifestyle, and credit profile. You’ll have to shop around to see what’ll work for you. Some cards are better if you have an excellent credit score, while others are geared toward students applying for their first credit card.

Did you know?

Discover® offers student credit cards that can help you build a credit history1 and earn rewards on your everyday purchases. If you’re approved for a Discover student card, you can earn cash back rewards when you eat at a restaurant, buy gas, and more.

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Compare the features of dining credit cards

Credit cards can offer many benefits, including security features, welcome offers, and other perks. Before account opening, consider whether the features of a dining credit card meet your needs.

  • Cash back rewards. Credit card issuers offer different types of rewards on different cards, so take time to study the membership reward profile of the card you’re considering.
  • Other reward categories. For some cards, dining rewards are just one part of the equation. With that in mind, you may want to consider a card’s rewards rate on other purchases. Some rewards cards earn cash back on multiple types of purchases. For example, the Discover it® Chrome Gas & Restaurant Credit Card lets you earn 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter, automatically. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.2
  • Welcome offer options. Some credit card issuers offer a low introductory APR for a period after account opening, while others may allow you to earn bonus rewards. Discover automatically matches the cash back you've earned on your credit card at the end of your first year.3
  • Reward maximums. Check to see if there’s a maximum amount of rewards your credit card can earn at restaurants or for combined purchases.
  • Redemption options. The best dining rewards credit card for you should offer redemption options that fit into your spending habits. You may be able to redeem rewards as a gift card, deposit into your checking or savings account, or a statement credit you could put toward your credit card debt, for example.
  • Annual fee. Some credit cards have an annual fee; for those cards, you could pay the annual fee even if the benefits end or you don’t use them. And the annual fee amount could change in the future. You can avoid this fee with certain cards. For example, Discover has no annual fee on any of our cards.
  • Other fees. Be aware of other fees associated with your dining card. For example, some cards have a foreign transaction fee, which is a fee for using your card in another country or making purchases from a merchant abroad. If you plan on using your credit card for dining purchases on your next trip abroad, it’s a good idea to use a card with minimal foreign transaction fees. Discover has no foreign transaction fee. There may also be fees for transactions like balance transfers or cash advances, so it’s important to read the fine print at account opening.
  • Card acceptance. If you eat at certain restaurants or chains often, you’ll want to make sure that the chain accepts the restaurant rewards credit card you’re considering. That way you’ll earn rewards on your purchases there.

Maximize your restaurant dining credit card rewards

A few strategies can help you maximize the value of your dining rewards.

 

Some restaurants have loyalty programs that allow repeat customers to earn membership rewards points they can exchange for perks, like free dessert. By using your dining rewards credit card at restaurants with their own loyalty program gives you rewards from both the dining credit card rewards program and the restaurant loyalty program.

Another strategy for making your dining rewards go even further is by taking advantage of coupons or discount codes. Some websites allow you to search for special offers and discounts for purchases at hundreds of retailers nationwide. By using coupons before paying for your meal with your restaurant rewards credit card, you can cut down on the cost of your evening out and still earn rewards.

 

Once you’ve narrowed down the best credit card for your dining habits, it’s time to apply. However, applying for a new credit card usually triggers a hard inquiry that may hurt your credit score. You may consider a pre-approved credit card offer to avoid a hard inquiry. With a new dining restaurant card, you can start earning rewards on everything from your midday coffee run to your weekend brunch.

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  1. Build credit with responsible use(Student): Discover reports your credit history to the three major credit bureaus so it can help build your credit if used responsibly. Late payments, delinquencies or other derogatory activity with your credit card accounts and loans may adversely impact your ability to build credit.

  2. 2% Cash Back at gas and restaurants: You earn a full 2% Cashback Bonus® on your first $1000 in combined purchases at Gas Stations (stand-alone), and Restaurants each calendar quarter. Calendar quarters begin January 1, April 1, July 1, and October 1. Purchases at Gas Stations and Restaurants over the quarterly cap, and all other purchases, earn 1% cash back. Gas Station purchases include those made at merchants classified as places that sell automotive gasoline that can be bought at the pump or inside the station, and some public electric vehicle charging stations. Gas Stations affiliated with supermarkets, supercenters, and wholesale clubs may not be eligible. Restaurant purchases include those made at merchants classified as full-service restaurants, cafes, cafeterias, fast-food locations, and restaurant delivery services. Purchases must be made with merchants in the U.S. To qualify for 2%, the purchase transaction date must be before or on the last day of the offer or promotion. For online purchases, the transaction date from the merchant may be the date when the item ships. Rewards are added to your account within two billing periods. Even if a purchase appears to fit in a 2% category, the merchant may not have a merchant category code (MCC) in that category. Merchants and payment processors are assigned an MCC based on their typical products and services. Discover Card does not assign MCCs to merchants. Certain third-party payment accounts and digital wallet transactions may not earn 2% if the technology does not provide sufficient transaction details or a qualifying MCC. Learn more at Discover.com/digitalwallets. See Cashback Bonus Program Terms and Conditions for more information.

  3. Cashback Match: We’ll match all the cash back you’ve earned on your credit card from the day your new account is approved through your first 12 consecutive billing periods or 365 days, whichever is longer, and add it to your rewards account within two billing periods. You earn cash back only when they’re processed, which may be after the transaction date. We will not match: rewards that are processed after your match period ends; statement credits; rewards transfers from Discover checking or other deposit accounts; or rewards for accounts that are closed. This offer may not be available in the future and is exclusively for new cardmembers. No purchase minimums.

  • Legal Disclaimer: This site is for educational purposes and is not a substitute for professional advice. The material on this site is not intended to provide legal, investment, or financial advice and does not indicate the availability of any Discover product or service. It does not guarantee that Discover offers or endorses a product or service. For specific advice about your unique circumstances, you may wish to consult a qualified professional.