Restaurant cash back: A breakdown
Quick insights
- Dining credit cards may offer up to 5% cash back on restaurant purchases, including fast food outlets.
- Some ideal credit cards for dining also provide travel benefits, such as bonus points on travel purchases.
- Cards like Chase Freedom Unlimited® can offer cash back not just on dining but also on broader spending categories, making it a versatile choice for consumers.
Feeling hungry for more than just food? Whether you're a foodie or someone who enjoys a good meal, the right credit card can make every bite more rewarding. Let’s dig into the best credit cards that can turn your dining expenses into delicious rewards.
What is the best dining credit card?
There is no one card that is objectively best for dining rewards, but Chase offers a number of options that may qualify. Cards like the Chase Freedom Flex® and Chase Freedom Unlimited offer 3% cash back on dining purchases.
Earning cash back and rewards on food purchases
Some dining credit cards offer cash back on all types of dining, from high-end restaurants to fast food outlets and sometimes food delivery services. Every dining purchase can potentially earn you cash back.
Earning cash back at restaurants and fast food
Chase Freedom cards offer a number of reward options when dining out. Let’s take a closer look:
- Chase Freedom Flex: Chase Freedom Flex features 3% cash back on dining, including fast food, and is particularly beneficial during specific quarters when dining might earn 5% cash back if it is one of the quarterly bonus categories.
- Chase Freedom Unlimited: Chase Freedom Unlimited also offers 3% cash back on all dining purchases, including fast food, providing consistent rewards without the need to track rotating categories.
Enhanced earning rewards on dining can be especially useful for those who dine out frequently.
Maximizing rewards on grocery store purchases
Some credit cards also offer enhanced rewards for grocery store purchases. Let’s look at a few options:
- Chase Freedom Flex: Chase Freedom Flex offers 1% cash back on purchases such as groceries; however, groceries are sometimes included in the 5% bonus category, which may help boost your earn.
- Chase Freedom Unlimited: Chase Freedom Unlimited provides 1.5% cash back on grocery store purchases, making it useful for everyday spending without the hassle of tracking spending categories.
Different Chase credit cards cater to different aspects of food-related expenses, from dining out at restaurants and fast food to handling everyday grocery shopping. By choosing the right Chase card, consumers can maximize their rewards and make every food purchase more rewarding.
Additional considerations for choosing a dining credit card
When selecting a Chase credit card for dining and grocery store purchases, you might want to consider these factors to help you maximize your benefits and choose a card that aligns with your spending habits and financial goals:
- Annual fees vs. rewards: Evaluate whether the rewards and benefits of the card justify any annual fees.
- Sign-up bonuses: Consider the initial bonuses offered by each card. Chase Freedom cards frequently offer sign-up bonuses that can add significant value if you’re able to meet the spending requirements to earn the bonus.
- Reward redemption options: Understand the different ways you can redeem your points or cash back. Chase Ultimate Rewards points can be redeemed as a statement credit, transferred to partner reward programs, used to book trips and more.
- Complementary features: Look for additional card features that complement your lifestyle. For example, some cards may offer no foreign transaction fees, making them ideal for international travelers. Others might provide purchase protection or extended warranty protection that can add value beyond just rewards. Chase Freedom credit cards offer each of these complementary features.
- Spending categories: Make sure the bonus categories align with your spending. For instance, if your spending is more varied or you spend a lot on groceries, the Chase Freedom Flex with its rotating categories might be beneficial.
The bottom line
Choosing the right dining credit card can transform your regular dining expenses into a source of rewards that can be used to reduce your credit card bill or help you plan for future trips or purchases. By selecting a card that aligns with your spending habits and lifestyle you can maximize your card’s benefits.
