[Disclosure: Emily and I get a commission if you're approved using some of the links in this post. We always include the best offer for a card even if it doesn't pay us a commission. You don't have to use our links, but thanks for your support!]Next time you’re out to eat, finish all your food and don’t leave any miles on the table!
Here’s how:
Sign-up for the free Rewards Network
Enter your credit card information
Automatically get miles in your frequent flyer account when using your card at 1 of their ~10,000 restaurants, bars, and clubs
After a Big Meal We’re 1 Step Closer to Our Next Trip (and a Nap!)
How It Works
Link: Rewards Network
Go to Rewards Network and choose your favorite participating airline.
Connect Your Credit Card With an Airline to Earn Miles
Now enter your credit card information with that airline’s program.
Every time you use your card at 1 of the eateries in the network, you’ll earn up to 5 miles for every $1 you spend.
You earn miles on your food, drinks, tax, and tip.
Eat All You Want but Don’t Get Greedy
You can only register a credit card with ONE airline dining program at a time. I usually register my Chase Sapphire Preferred because it earns 2X miles on travel and dining.
So for example, your registered Chase Sapphire Preferred card will earn you American Airlines miles OR United Airlines miles but NOT both.
For example, if you register your Sapphire Preferred with the American Airlines dining program, but after a week also register it with the United Airlines dining program, you will only earn miles with the last registered program (United Airlines in this example).
Your Credit Card Earns Miles With 1 Frequent Flyer Program – Sorry, No Seconds!
But you’re free to register a different card, such as your Chase Freedom or American Express Platinum, with another airline’s program.
I prefer to link all my cards to 1 airline for the greatest impact.
Airline Dining Programs
1. Alaska Airlines
Link: Mileage Plan Dining
You’ll earn:
1 mile per $2 spent (if you don’t opt-in to receive emails)
3 miles per $1 spent (if you opt-in for emails)
5 miles per $1 spent (after 12 dines a year and you opt-in for emails)
2. American Airlines
Link: AAdvantage Dining
You’ll earn:
1 mile per $1 spent (if you don’t opt-in to receive emails)
3 miles per $1 spent (if you opt-in for emails)
5 miles per $1 spent (after 12 dines a year and you opt-in for emails)
3. Delta Airlines
Link: SkyMiles Dining
You’ll earn:
1 mile per $2 spent (if you don’t opt-in to receive emails)
3 miles per $1 spent (if you opt-in for emails)
5 miles per $1 spent (after 12 dines a year and you opt-in for emails)
4. Southwest Airlines
Link: Rapid Rewards Dining
You’ll earn the following points:
3 points per $1 spent (if you opt-in for emails)
10 points per dining review
500 bonus points after earning 1,500 points
300 bonus points for every 1,000 points after that
You earn 300 bonus miles after spending $25 in 1 visit in the first 30 days of enrolling and completing a short restaurant review within 30 days of your dine.
5. United Airlines
Link: MileagePlus Dining
You’ll earn:
1 mile per $2 spent (if you don’t opt-in to receive emails)
3 miles per $1 spent (if you opt-in for emails)
5 miles per $1 spent (after 12 dines a year and you opt-in for emails)
You get 1,000 bonus miles after paying a single $30 tab within 30 days of signing-up and completing a short review.
6. US Airways
Link: Dividend Miles Dining
You’ll earn:
1 mile per $2 spent (if you don’t opt-in to receive emails)
3 miles per $1 spent (if you opt-in for emails)
5 miles per $1 spent (after 12 dines a year and you opt-in for emails)
Food for Thought
Credit card sign-up bonuses are the fastest way to Big Travel with Small Money but I like to collect every mile along the way – especially when it’s easy!
I probably wouldn’t choose a restaurant just because it earns miles. But I look at it as getting miles for doing something I’d do anyway. Okay, I’ll confess. Many years ago, when I was a business traveler, I would seek out restaurants in strange cities just because they participated in the dining program.
Those restaurants weren’t always the restaurants with the tastiest food, and were sometimes out of the way. So I soon stopped doing that. But it is nice to go to a restaurant and to later find out that I earned miles for eating at the restaurant!
There are bars and clubs in the program, so a night out can earn you miles, too.
Just about every type of restaurant is represented. Here in Austin, I can earn miles at Fogo de Chao Brazilian Steakhouse, the Thirsty Nickel, and Jack in the Box. Instead of Jack in the Box, I’d prefer if it were Chick-fil-A!
I Like Trying New Restaurants So I’ll Treat Emily to Chicken Kiev
Rewards Network allows you to search any city for participating restaurants etc. Based on the 100+ strong reviews, I might try Russian House Nazdorovye. (Not all the reviews for every place are positive. I’m looking at you, Jack in the Box!)
Earning points through Rewards Network keeps your airline’s frequent flyer account active. Some programs take away all your miles if there’s no activity on your account! Earning even a few miles will prevent the airlines from resetting your account to zero.
Bottom Line
You can earn up to 5 miles per $1 when you use your enrolled credit cards at participating restaurants and bars in Rewards Network.
I’ve signed-up because it’s a free and easy way to get extra miles. And I was taught to finish all the miles on my plate!
* If you liked this post, why don’t you join the 16,000+ readers who have signed-up to receive free blog posts via email (only 1 email per day!) or in an RSS reader …because then you’ll never miss another travel tip!
Comments
I'm not sure if D mentioned this, but sometimes you get bonus ... by texasguy77
Very helpful post Daraius….. I often get these R/N dining ... by Will
I've had chicken Kiev in Kiev, don't bother with it unless you ... by Joe
Belated welcome to Austin! by Rob P
So, I am currently at the 5pts/$ level with united mileageplus ... by Thomas
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