Reminder - Join a Mileage or Points Dining Program
I've gotten a bunch of new credit cards recently (thanks to some amazing sign-up bonuses) and it dawned on me the other day that I hadn't registered them all to a dining program.
For those of you who don't know what I'm talking about, Rewards Network is a company that will automatically give you miles and points every time you spend money at a participating restaurant. Once your card is registered with a program, there's no need to collect receipts - you'll automatically get points deposited in your account about a week or so after your dine. I know what many of you are thinking right now and no, you cannot join multiple programs - the system only allows a credit card number to be associated with one program. Registration is free, so I see no reason not to have each of your card associated with at least one program - you can join as many as you'd like.
The participating airlines are: American, Alaska, Delta, Southwest, United, US Airways. Other travel dining programs are: Hilton, Priority Club and RBC Rewards (if you are an Avion rewards members you points can be transferred to British Airways, American and Cathay Pacific). Many of these programs have decent sign-up bonuses happening, so don't put off getting in on the action.
The general earning is 3 miles per dollar spent, but once you hit 10 dines you get VIP status where you earn 5 miles per dollar. To quickly get VIP status, simply go to a participating bar/ restaurant/ fast food place and order 10 cheap items and ask them to swipe them separately. They may look at you weirdly, but that often happens to me when I'm doing things related to obsessive mileage collecting.
And of course, you should use a mileage/point earning credit card so you get the double dip - miles from the dining program plus the miles earned on your credit card.
As I say, every mile counts!
[card card-name='United MileagePlus® Explorer Card' card-id='22035884' type='javascript' bullet-id='1']
TPG featured card
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Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 5X miles | Earn 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel |
| 2X miles | Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day |
Pros
- Stellar welcome offer of 75,000 miles after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. Plus, a $250 Capital One Travel credit to use in your first cardholder year upon account opening.
- You'll earn 2 miles per dollar on every purchase, which means you won't have to worry about memorizing bonus categories
- Rewards are versatile and can be redeemed for a statement credit or transferred to Capital One’s transfer partners
Cons
- Highest bonus-earning categories only on travel booked via Capital One Travel
- LIMITED-TIME OFFER: Enjoy $250 to use on Capital One Travel in your first cardholder year, plus earn 75,000 bonus miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening - that’s equal to $1,000 in travel
- Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day
- Earn 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
- Miles won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how many you can earn
- Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
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