Best Credit Cards To Use At Restaurants

(Note: the Citi ThankYou Preferred card is no longer available)

Are you the kind of person who eats out a lot at restaurants? Frequent diners can include city dwellers, those who travel regularly, and some people who just don’t have the time to prepare their own meals at home.

If this sounds like you, then you should be using the right credit card to eat at restaurants. The best credit cards for restaurants will offer valuable points, miles, or cash back every time you pay for your meals. These are cards that offer bonuses that are double or even triple what you would normally earn for other purchases.

Here are eight of the best credit cards to use at restaurants:

1. Capital One Savor Cash Rewards

The Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Card is a relatively new card in the industry. It gives cardholders 4% back on all dining and entertainment expenses, 2% cash back on grocery store purchases, and 1% back on all other transactions. There is no limit to the rewards you can earn. Plus, there is an early spend bonus of $300 if cardholders spend $3,000 on the card within three months of approval. There is no foreign transaction fee, but there is an annual fee of $95 that is waived during year one. The APR is between 15.99% - 24.99% (Variable) depending on your credit worthiness.

2. Citi Premier℠ Card 

The Citi Premier℠ Card is a premium rewards card that offers you bonus points at restaurants, and on many other purchases. You get 2x points at all restaurants and on all entertainment charges. In addition, you get 3x points for each dollar spent on travel including gas, airfare, hotels, cruises, car rental agencies, travel agencies, railways, public transportation, tolls, taxis, parking, and Lyft rides. You earn one point per dollar spent on all other purchases. New cardholders receive 60,000 bonus ThankYou points after $4,000 in purchases within the first three months of opening an account. Points are earned in the ThankYou Rewards program, and can be transferred to airline miles or points with Hilton hotels . You also get 25% more value when you redeem airfare through the ThankYou Travel Center, compared to gift cards. There is a $95 annual fee, but no foreign transaction fees.

3. Citi Prestige

The Citi Prestige card is a top-of-the-line travel reward card also offers you 2x points at restaurants and on entertainment purchases. You also get 3x rewards on all air travel and hotel purchases, and one point per dollar spent elsewhere. Points can be transferred to miles with airline partners or to the Hilton Honors program. Other benefits include a $250 annual air travel credit, and a Priority Pass Select airport lounge club membership. You also get a $100 Global Entry application fee credit every five years, and a fourth night free when you book hotels through the Citi Prestige Concierge. There is a $450 annual fee for this card, and no foreign transaction fees.

4. Citi ThankYou® Preferred

The Citi ThankYou® Preferred card offers 2x points at restaurants and on entertainment expenses. You earn one point per dollar spent elsewhere. Points are earned in Citi’s ThankYou® rewards program which can be redeemed for gift cards, merchandise, and travel reservations. This card also offers 12 months of 0% APR introductory financing on both new purchases and balance transfers (with a 3% balance transfer fee). There is no annual fee for this card.

5. JetBlue Card

This JetBlue card offers double points for both restaurant charges and at grocery stores, so you are covered either way you decide to eat. This card also features 3x points for JetBlue purchases, and one point per dollar spent elsewhere. Other benefits include a 50% savings on in-flight purchases, and no foreign transaction fees. And best of all, this is one of the rare airline cards that has no foreign transaction fees.

6. JetBlue Plus Card
This higher-end JetBlue Plus card also offers double points at both restaurants and at grocery stores. In addition, it features an outstanding 6x points on JetBlue purchases, and one point per dollar spent elsewhere. You also get 50% off of in-flight purchases, one free checked bag for the primary cardholder, and Mosaic elite status when you use your card to spend $50,000 in a calendar year. There is a $99 annual fee for this card, and no foreign transaction fees.

7. Costco Anywhere Visa

The Costco Anywhere Visa card is a favorite among the millions of Americans who shop at Costco, and also offers tremendous rewards for spending at restaurants. You earn 3% cash back on all restaurant purchases as well as on eligible travel purchases worldwide. You also earn 4% cash back on your first $7,000 spent on gas, including at Costco. 2% cash back is earned from purchases at Costco and at Costco.com, and 1% on all other purchases. There is no annual fee for this card with your paid Costco membership, and no foreign transaction fees.

8. Costco Anywhere Visa® Business Card by Citi

This small business card also offers great rewards for dining out. Like the personal version, the Costco Anywhere Visa Business card earns 3% cash back on all restaurant purchases as well as on eligible travel purchases worldwide. You also earn 4% cash back on your first $7,000 spent on gas, including at Costco. 2% cash back is earned from purchases at Costco and at Costco.com, and 1% on all other purchases. There is also no annual fee for this card with your paid Costco membership, and no foreign transaction fees.