Can you earn rewards with a dining rewards program and a credit card at the same time?
Editor's Note
If you're interested in earning more rewards on everyday purchases, you might want to start using — or using more frequently — dining rewards programs. While many travelers are familiar with online shopping portals, fewer are familiar with dining rewards programs. In short, dining rewards programs let you earn extra points or miles when you use an enrolled card to pay at select restaurants, bars and clubs.
You can't earn rewards from two dining rewards programs simultaneously, but you might wonder whether you can simultaneously earn rewards with a dining rewards program and a credit card. We'll look into this common question in this post.
Dining rewards programs
Many major airline and hotel loyalty programs offer dining rewards programs. These programs let you earn points or miles at participating restaurants, bars and clubs when you use an enrolled card to pay. For example, here are some of the most popular dining rewards programs:
- Alaska Mileage Plan Dining
- American Airlines AAdvantage Dining
- Choice Privileges Eat & Earn
- Free Spirit Dining
- Hilton Honors Dining
- IHG One Rewards Dine and Earn
- JetBlue TrueBlue Dining
- Southwest Rapid Rewards Dining
- United MileagePlus Dining
If you haven't yet joined a dining rewards program, consider enrolling when a program you like offers a new member bonus. By doing so, you can earn extra points or miles as you start to use the program.
When you join, you'll need to link at least one credit or debit card to the dining rewards program. Then, you'll automatically earn points or miles through the dining rewards program when you make eligible purchases at participating bars, clubs and restaurants with your linked card. Your exact earning rate will vary by program, but you'll usually earn more rewards if you opt in for emails from the dining rewards program and frequently dine at restaurants that participate in the program.
However, Rewards Network runs most dining rewards programs, and it only lets you link each credit card to one dining rewards program. So, you can choose one dining rewards program and enroll your favorite credit card for dining with that program. Or, you can register different cards with different dining rewards programs. For example, you could enroll your American Express® Gold Card in Delta SkyMiles Dining and your Chase Sapphire Preferred Card (see rates and fees) in Marriott Eat Around Town.
Related: Chase Sapphire Preferred vs. Amex Gold: Which 1 is right for you?
Can you earn with a dining rewards program and a credit card?
You can simultaneously earn rewards with a dining rewards program and a credit card. For example, if you enroll your American Express Gold Card in Delta SkyMiles Dining, opt in to email communications from SkyMiles Dining and then dine at a participating restaurant using your Amex Gold card, you'll earn:
- 3 Delta miles per dollar spent from SkyMiles Dining (or 5 miles per dollar spent if you have VIP status with SkyMiles Dining)
- 4 Membership Rewards points per dollar spent from your card since the Amex Gold earns 4 points per dollar spent at restaurants worldwide (on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar).
This kind of "double dipping" is a great way to speed up your earning rate and earn more rewards without spending more money.
Related: Who should (and who shouldn't) get the Amex Gold?
Bottom line
Stacking a dining rewards program with a credit card bonus category is a great way to earn more rewards. Sign up for the dining program of your choice, link your preferred credit card(s) and watch your loyalty program balance climb.
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
- Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
- Ability to earn MQDs through spending
- Various statement credits for eligible purchases
Cons
- Steep annual fee of $650
- Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
- Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees