Redeeming credit card points for dining
Quick insights
- Some credit cards rewards programs let you redeem points for restaurant gift cards.
- You may be able to redeem credit card points for statement credits to cover dining purchases.
- Some premium credit cards might offer annual dining credits.
Whether you're treating friends to a celebratory dinner or ordering takeout after a long week, those restaurant bills can add up quickly. Your credit card rewards might be able to help offset the cost. While you generally can't hand over your rewards points directly to a server, there may be ways to use your credit card points to cover your meals. Let's explore how to turn your everyday purchases into your next meal.
How to redeem credit card points for dining
When you want to use your credit card points to purchase a meal, you might wonder exactly how the process works. Unlike redeeming points for travel or shopping online, you generally can't swipe your credit card and choose to pay with points at the restaurant table. Instead, there are other methods you might be able to use to apply your rewards to your food purchases.
- Gift cards: Credit card rewards programs like Chase Ultimate Rewards® often allow you to redeem your credit card points for gift cards. You may be able to find options for popular restaurant chains and major food delivery services. This can be a helpful way to help budget for a future date night or ordering takeout.
- Statement credits and cash back: A potentially more flexible way to use your rewards is to redeem them for a statement credit or cash back. You would pay for your meal with your credit card as usual and then later sign in to your account and apply your credit card points as a statement credit to cover the cost of that purchase.
Earning bonus points on dining purchases
In addition to being able to redeem points for meals, some dining credit cards offer bonus points earnings on restaurant purchases and takeout. For example, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® and Chase Sapphire Preferred® Credit Card earn 3x points on dining, meaning your rewards balance can grow quickly if you eat out frequently.
Credit card dining credits
Beyond standard points earning and redemption, some premium credit cards come with specific dining credits that add value.
For example, the Chase Sapphire Reserve credit card offers up to $300 in annual dining credits. You can use your dining credit to get up to $150 in statement credits from January through June and again from July through December for a maximum of $300 annually when you dine at restaurants that are a part of the Sapphire Exclusive Tables program on OpenTable.
In summary
From a quick coffee run to a milestone dinner, your credit card points can help cover the cost of dining out. By redeeming credit card points for statement credits or gift cards, you may be able to enjoy dining at restaurants while keeping your budget in check. Understanding how to use specific dining perks may help you get the most value from your spending.
