Reminder: Get Points and Miles From Everyday Dining
Dining programs are free, easy ways to earn miles. Every single one of your debit and credit cards should be registered to a participating program--if not, take a couple minutes and sign-up for some. Once your credit cards are linked to a program, you'll automatically earn miles every time you visit a participating restaurant. I often get random deposits of miles for eating at restaurants I didn't realize were participating dining-for-miles establishments. It's a quick, easy, great way to earn some bonus miles without even having to think about it ... especially if you dine out as much as I do!
Here's a breakdown of the dining programs out there:
American Airlines AAdvantage Dining Program: VIP members (dining program members who elect to receive emails and have 12 qualified transactions in one calendar year) earn 5 miles per dollar spent at participating restaurants, online members earn 3 miles per dollar spent after opting to receive AAdvantage dining program emails, and regular members with no online profile earn 1 mile per dollar spent. Qualified transactions are dines at participating restaurants that occur during a valid benefit period and are paid for with a credit or debit card registered with the AAdvantage Dining program. New member bonus - join and register for the New Member Bonus by December 31, 2011 and earn 1,000 AA miles after completing a review of your first (minimum of $30) meal within 30 days of dine. Earn double miles at rotating list of restaurants, bars, and clubs.
Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan Dining: VIP members (dining program members who elect to receive emails and have 12 qualified transactions in one calendar year) earn 5 miles per dollar spent at participating restaurants, online members earn 3 miles per dollar spent after opting to receive Alaska Airlines dining program emails, and regular members with no online profile earn 1 mile per dollar spent. Qualified transactions are dines at participating restaurants that occur during a valid benefit period and are paid for with a credit or debit card registered with the Mileage Plan Dining program. New member bonus - join and register for the New Member Bonus by December 31, 2011 and earn a bonus 500 Alaska Airlines miles after spending a minimum of $25 at a single participating vendor within 30 days of registration. Earn double miles at a rotating list restaurants, bars, and clubs.
Delta Skymiles Dining: VIP members (dining program members who elect to receive emails and have 12 qualified transactions in one calendar year) earn 5 miles per dollar spent at participating restaurants, online members earn 3 miles per dollar spent after opting to receive Delta dining program emails, and regular members with no online profile earn 1 mile per dollar spent. Qualified transactions are dines at participating restaurants that occur during a valid benefit period and are paid for with a credit or debit card registered with the Skymiles Dining program. New member bonus - join and register for the New Member Bonus by December 31, 2011 and earn 1,000 additional Delta Skymiles after spending a combined minimum of $25 at participating vendors (and completing a review of each restaurant) within 30 days of registration. Some members are targeted for the Sweeten The Deal promo, which gives an extra 3 miles per dollar spent after spending $125 on qualified dines by 12/31/11. Also, earn double miles at a rotating list of restaurants, bars, and clubs.
Southwest Rapid Rewards Dining: Active members who provide an email address to receive Rapid Rewards dining program emails receive 3 points for every dollar spent at participating restaurants, bars, and clubs. Earn an additional 10 points for every review completed within 30 days of dine. New member bonus: register and spend $25 on a single dine within 60 days and complete a review within 30 days of meal and receive 300 additional Southwest Rapid Rewards points. First step bonus - earn a 500 mile bonus when your dining point balance reaches 1,500 miles after qualifying dining activities (first step bonus can only be earned once). After earning the new member and first step bonus continue participating to earn SW's thank you bonus which awards an additional 300 points every time a member's dining points balance reaches 1,000 (not including bonus points). Thank you bonus can be earned repeatedly.
United MileagePlus: VIP members (dining program members who elect to receive emails and have 12 qualified transactions in one calendar year) earn 5 miles per dollar spent at participating restaurants, online members earn 3 miles per dollar spent after opting to receive United dining program emails, and regular members with no online profile earn 1 mile per dollar spent. Qualified transactions are dines at participating restaurants that occur during a valid benefit period and are paid for with a credit or debit card registered with the United MileagePlus Dining program. Welcome bonus - join and register for the Welcome Bonus by December 31, 2011 and earn an additional 1,000 miles after spending $50 at a single participating restaurant within 30 days of joining the MileagePlus dining rewards program. Earn double miles at a rotating list of restaurants, bars, and clubs.
US Airways Dividend Miles Dining: VIP members (dining program members who elect to receive emails and have 12 qualified transactions in one calendar year) earn 5 miles per dollar spent at participating restaurants, online members earn 3 miles per dollar spent after opting to receive US Airways dining program emails, and regular members with no online profile earn 1 mile per dollar spent. Qualified transactions are dines at participating restaurants that occur during a valid benefit period and are paid for with a credit or debit card registered with the US Airways Dividend Miles Dining program. New member bonus - join and register for the new member bonus by December 31, 2011 and earn a bonus 500 miles after spending $25 at a single participating restaurant within 45 days of joining and completing a review within 30 days of dine (bonus can be repeated for a total of 1,000 bonus miles). Earn double miles at a rotating list of restaurants, bars, and clubs. Sweeten the deal bonus: register and spend $125 at participating restaurants from the time of registration until December 31, 2011 and receive an additional 3 miles per dollar spent after completing vendor reviews within 30 days of dine. A maximum of 375 additional bonus miles can be earned with the sweeten the deal bonus.
Hilton Hhonors Dining: Elite level members (dining program members who elect to receive emails and have 12 qualified transactions in one calendar year) earn 8 points per dollar spent at participating restaurants, online members earn 5 points per dollar spent after opting to receive Hilton Hhonors dining program emails, and regular members with no online profile earn 2 points per dollar spent. Qualified transactions are dines at participating restaurants that occur during a valid benefit period and are paid for with a credit or debit card registered with the Hilton Hhonors Dining Program. New member bonus - join and register for the new member bonus by December 31, 2011 and earn an additional 1,000 Hhonors points after spending $30 on any combination of dines within 30 days of joining and completing a review within 30 days of meal(s). Earn double points at a rotating list of restaurants, bars, and clubs.
Priority Club Rewards Dining: Elite level members (dining program members who elect to receive emails and have 12 qualified transactions in one calendar year) earn 8 points per dollar spent at participating restaurants, online members earn 5 points per dollar spent after opting to receive Rewards dining program emails, and regular members with no online profile earn 2 points per dollar spent. Qualified transactions are dines at participating restaurants that occur during a valid benefit period and are paid for with a credit or debit card registered with the Priority Club Dining Rewards program. New member bonus - join and register for the new member bonus by December 31, 2011 and earn an additional 1,000 Priority Club points after spending $30 during a single visit to a participating restaurant within 45 days of joining and completing a review within 30 days of meal. Earn double points at a rotating list of restaurants, bars, and clubs.
[card card-name='Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card' card-id='22125056' type='javascript' bullet-id='1']
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 4X | 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 | Earn 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 | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- 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.
- Earn 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.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $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® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® 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® 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.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | 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 | Earn 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 | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- 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.
- Earn 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.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $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® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® 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® 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.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.