Best Credit Cards for Dining Rewards in 2026: How to Earn More at Restaurants

Learn how to earn more restaurant rewards, and whether paying extra for a premium card's dining credit is worth it.

Hosts Meghan Coyle and Sally French discuss how to make the most of credit card rewards on restaurant spending to help you eat out for less. But first, producer Tess Vigeland joins Meghan to break down the latest travel headlines, including limited-time welcome offers across Delta and American Express's SkyMiles credit card lineup, an access change at JetBlue's new BlueHouse lounge in Boston, and Google's new AI Mode that can price flights and hotels in points and miles.

Then, they discuss dining rewards, with tips and tricks on choosing the best card for your regular restaurant spending, stacking airline and Bilt dining programs on top of card rewards, and unlocking harder-to-get restaurant reservations through cardholder perks.

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Card benefits, terms and fees can change. For the most up-to-date information about cards mentioned in this episode, read our reviews:

• Delta Reserve Credit Card: $650 Annual Fee, Sky Club Access

• Delta SkyMiles Platinum AmEx Review: One Big Perk Pays the Fee

• Delta SkyMiles Gold AmEx Review: Pricey for What You Get

• JetBlue Premier Review: $300 Credit, Lounge Access and More

• American Express Gold Card Review: Friendly for Foodies, Families

• Chase Sapphire Preferred Review: Strong Option for Travel Rewards

• Chase Sapphire Reserve Review: A High-End, High-Maintenance Card

• Chase Freedom Unlimited Review: A Potential One-Card Solution

• Citi Strata Elite Review: Premium Perks Can Offset Its Premium Fee

• Bilt Obsidian Card: Fine for Foodies, Complex for Housing

• Wells Fargo Autograph Review: Big Rewards, No Annual Fee

• U.S. Bank Altitude Go: 4X Back on Dining, $0 Annual Fee

• Capital One Savor Review: Foodie-Focused Rewards for No Annual Fee

• American Express Platinum Review: Top-Notch Lounge Access, Big Credits

• Hilton Honors Aspire Review: Rich Rewards, Luxury Perks for a Price

• Bilt Palladium Card: Rewards on Housing Are Almost Secondary

Resources discussed in this episode:

• First Look: Inside JetBlue’s BlueHouse Airport Lounge in Boston

• United's A321XLR Will Fly You to Smaller European Cities

• This Citi Card's Dining Perk Scored Me a Hard-to-Get Table in NYC

• Video of the new BlueHouse lounge (via Instagram, @SmartTravelPod)

Want even more tips and tricks to get the most out of your travel dollars? Subscribe to TravelNerd, our free newsletter designed to help you crack the code on spending less on your travel.  

*The show notes were created with the assistance of AI. They have been reviewed by our editorial team for accuracy and quality.

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