How dining rewards programs work and how to maximize rewards

Dining out is something you may love to do. And luckily, there are ways to reward more than just your appetite when visiting your favorite restaurants. One of the easiest options is by taking advantage of dining rewards programs.

This guide will walk you through the different types of dining rewards programs and how they work. Plus, it’ll offer some tips on how to maximize your rewards.

Key takeaways

• Dining rewards programs provide rewards when you make purchases with participating restaurants.
• These programs are often free to join, and all you usually need to do to earn rewards is pay with the card you linked to your account.
• There are several types of dining rewards programs, including airline programs, hotel programs and other programs unrelated to travel.
• You can maximize your rewards by linking your account with a dining or travel rewards card.

Dining rewards programs offer rewards in the form of points, miles or cash back when you spend money at participating restaurants. And this usually applies whether you’re dining out or ordering takeout. Thousands of restaurants participate in dining rewards programs, from popular chains to local favorites. 

There are many types of dining rewards programs out there. But for the most part, they tend to work the same way:

1. You’ll create an account and, if required, link a credit card to it during setup.
2. When making a purchase at a participating restaurant, use the card you may have linked to your account.
3. Earn rewards based on the amount you spend.

The details of these programs may vary. But signing up for a dining rewards program typically won’t cost anything. And it really doesn’t require much effort to earn rewards—you just have to remember to use any linked credit card for your dining purchases. 

There’s more than one type of dining rewards program. Learn more about the different types below.

Many major U.S. airlines have loyalty programs that include dining rewards. So in addition to earning rewards for traveling, you can also earn rewards for spending at eligible restaurants—even when you’re home.

Hotels have loyalty programs too. And similar to the airline programs, many of these have dining components. So you can earn rewards when you spend money at participating restaurants and redeem the points for things like hotel stays.

There are also plenty of dining rewards programs available for those who might not be interested in programs tied to an airline or hotel. The rewards you earn from spending at participating restaurants might come in the form of cash back or gift cards.

The potential for earning rewards is exciting, but it may be a good idea to do some homework first. You might want to consider the following as you decide which dining rewards programs to enroll in.

There isn’t one simple answer as to which dining rewards program is the best. The value of rewards can vary, and different programs may come with different perks. It will really depend on your personal preferences and spending habits.

If you’re a frequent flyer, you may want to consider a program with the airline you use the most. If you’re a traveler who spends less time in the air, you might choose to look into hotel loyalty programs. Prefer staying local? Consider one of the programs unrelated to travel.

You may be able to sign up for multiple dining rewards programs. But many dining rewards programs are managed by the same third-party company. So it may not be possible to link the same credit card.

Want to make the most of your dining rewards program? Here are some tips.

There are different types of credit cards available, and many of them offer their own rewards. 

For example, when you link a dining and entertainment credit card to a dining rewards program account, you could earn double rewards. Similarly, frequent travelers who opt for airline or hotel loyalty rewards programs might prefer to link their dining rewards program to a travel rewards credit card.

Many restaurants offer their own loyalty programs. So if you’re frequently spending money at certain restaurants, it might be worth asking if they have a rewards program you can join.

Some dining rewards programs provide opportunities to earn extra dining rewards. For instance, you might be asked to write reviews or complete surveys. It may help to familiarize yourself with your dining program’s rewards and keep an eye out for information about earning bonus points.

There are multiple ways to earn rewards when you spend money at restaurants. And dining rewards programs are one of the easiest ways.

Looking for an ideal credit card to link with your dining rewards program account? Explore Capital One’s dining and entertainment credit cards.