If you’re someone who loves to earn rewards on your everyday purchases, then you should definitely consider using dining rewards programs. While many people are familiar with online shopping portals, fewer are aware of the benefits that dining rewards programs can offer. In a nutshell, these programs allow you to earn extra points or miles when you use an enrolled card to pay at select restaurants, bars, and clubs.
One common question that arises is whether you can simultaneously earn rewards with a dining rewards program and a credit card. In this article, we will explore the answer to this question and provide you with all the information you need to maximize your rewards.
Dining rewards programs are offered by many major airlines and hotel loyalty programs. These programs allow you to earn points or miles when you use an enrolled card to pay at participating restaurants, bars, and clubs. Some of the most popular dining rewards programs include those offered by major airlines and hotels.
If you haven’t already joined a dining rewards program, it’s a good idea to consider enrolling when a program you like offers a new member bonus. This way, you can earn extra points or miles as you start using the program.
When you join a dining rewards program, you will need to link at least one credit or debit card to the program. By doing so, you will automatically earn points or miles through the program when you make eligible purchases at participating establishments with your linked card. The exact earning rate will vary depending on the program, but you can usually earn more rewards if you opt in for emails from the dining rewards program and frequently dine at participating establishments.
It’s important to note that Rewards Network, the company that runs most dining rewards programs, only allows you to link each credit card to one dining rewards program. This means that you have to choose one dining rewards program and enroll your favorite credit card with that program. Alternatively, 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 in Marriott Eat Around Town.
Now, let’s address the main question: Can you earn rewards with a dining rewards program and a credit card simultaneously? The answer is yes! By enrolling your American Express Gold Card in Delta SkyMiles Dining, opting in to email communications from SkyMiles Dining, and then dining at a participating restaurant using your Amex Gold card, you can earn both Delta miles and Membership Rewards points. Delta SkyMiles Dining offers 3 Delta miles per dollar spent (or 5 miles per dollar if you have VIP status), and the Amex Gold card earns 4 Membership Rewards points per dollar spent at restaurants worldwide and on takeout and delivery in the U.S. This kind of “double dipping” allows you to accelerate your earning rate and accumulate more rewards without spending extra money.
In conclusion, stacking a dining rewards program with a credit card bonus category is an excellent strategy for maximizing your rewards. By signing up for a dining program of your choice, linking your preferred credit card(s), and dining at participating establishments, you can watch your loyalty program balance grow. So, if you’re interested in earning more rewards on your everyday purchases, make sure to take advantage of dining rewards programs and start earning those extra points or miles.