8 Dining Programs That Reward with Points and Miles

Dining rewards programs allow you to earn points and miles while enjoying meals at your favorite restaurants. These programs often partner with airlines and hotel chains, allowing you to maximize the benefits of your dining experiences.  

Maximizing Your Rewards Potential with Dining Programs

This article will explore dining programs that reward you with valuable points and miles, enhancing your travel options. By taking advantage of these programs, you can turn your everyday dining into extraordinary travel opportunities.

Signing Up for a Dining Rewards Program

To start earning points and miles through dining rewards, you must first sign up for a program. Most airline and hotel loyalty programs offer their own dining rewards systems.

Steps to Sign Up:

1. Choose a Program: Research different dining rewards programs linked to your preferred airline or hotel. Each has unique benefits and reward structures.
2. Join the Loyalty Program: If you aren’t a member, sign up for the corresponding frequent flyer or hotel loyalty program.
3. Register Your Payment Method: Link the credit you will use for dining. This allows the program to track your spending and award points automatically.
4. Opt into Communications: Consider subscribing to emails from the program. Some offer additional points for those who choose to receive updates.
5. Find Participating Restaurants: Access a list of eligible dining venues in your area. You can typically find this on the program’s website.

Tips:

• Check for Bonuses: Some programs provide bonus points for signing up or dining at particular locations.
• Follow Enrollment Steps: Ensure you complete each step correctly to maximize your rewards.

By completing these steps, you can earn valuable points through dining.

Understanding Earning Structures

When using dining programs, recognizing the earning structures is key to maximizing points and miles. Most programs allow you to earn rewards by dining at participating restaurants, bars, and clubs.

Types of Earning Structures:

1. Base Points: You earn a standard number of points or miles per dollar spent. For example, a program might offer 1 point per dollar.
2. Bonus Categories: Some programs provide higher earning rates for specific locations.
3. First-Dine Bonuses: Programs often include bonuses for your first qualifying transaction after registering. This can be an easy way to boost your initial points.

Key Considerations:

• Enroll Your Card: Ensure your credit card is linked to the dining program.
• Stacking Rewards: You can stack dining program points with credit card rewards. For example, using an Amex Gold Card, which earns 4X points on dining, can maximize your output.
• Participating Venues: Always check which restaurants are included in the program. Some programs partner with particular chains, while others cover many local spots.

You can effectively enhance your rewards by carefully selecting your dining choices and understanding the different structures.

Dining Programs

This is not an exhaustive list of dining programs.  If you want to earn points with a program not listed below, it probably exists, and you can find the way to register on the programs page. Contact me if you have questions or need help finding a program.  

1. AAdvantage Dining by American Airlines

AAdvantage Dining is a rewards program that allows you to earn AAdvantage miles when dining out. By linking a credit card and using the card at a participating restaurant, you can earn up to 5 miles per dollar at participating restaurants, bars, and clubs. If you have not opted in to receive emails from the program, you will earn 1 mile per dollar spent.

2. Delta SkyMiles Dining

Delta SkyMiles Dining allows you to earn miles when you dine at participating restaurants. Registering for the program will enable you to accumulate miles for your Delta Air Lines account. You typically earn 1 to 5 miles per dollar when you spend, depending on the restaurant and your membership level. Additionally, special promotions often provide bonus miles, which can enhance your earning potential significantly.

3. Southwest Rapid Rewards Dining

With Southwest Rapid Rewards Dining, you can earn three points per dollar spent if you opt into email communications. Without this option, you receive one point for every two dollars spent.

4. Hilton Honors Dining Reward

Hilton Honors Dining allows you to earn between 1 and 8 points per dollar spent, based on your membership status and preferences.

To maximize your earnings, opt-in to receive emails from Hilton Honors Dining. This simple step can boost your rewards rate significantly. If you dine at least 11 times within a calendar year while subscribed, you can earn 8 points per dollar spent.

5. IHG Rewards Dining Program

The IHG Rewards Dining Program allows you to earn 1 to 8 points per dollar spent.

6. Marriott Bonvoy Eat Around Town

Marriott Bonvoy Eat Around Town allows you to earn points while dining out. This program lets you earn up to 6 points per dollar spent at participating restaurants across the U.S.

7. Bilt Dining Rewards

With Bilt Dining Rewards, you can earn up to 10 points per dollar for your dining expenses at participating restaurants.

8. JetBlue TrueBlue Dining

With JetBlue TrueBlue Dining, you can earn points on dining at various participating restaurants. You can earn 1 point per dollar spent if you don’t opt-in to emails. You will earn 3 points per dollar if you opt into receiving emails.

How I Use Dining Programs

You can only earn points through one of the programs, so choose wisely. I think it’s a good idea to select what program you use most often or the program with the most challenging points to earn and register all the cards you would use for dining. When I see these points in my account, I call them surprise points.  For me, dining programs are set, and I forget it. To maximize your earnings, consult the participating restaurants before choosing where to dine.

Thanks for reading, Friends. Happy Travels!