Top Travel Credit Cards for Foodies in 2024: Earn Points Effortlessly While Unlocking Incredible Perks

This series on credit cards, points and miles, and travel budgeting is presented in collaboration with The Points Guy.

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When enjoying a meal, what's tastier than making the most of your money? The best travel credit cards for food lovers blend gourmet dining with substantial savings and unique experiences.

Having a credit card that offers bonus rewards on food is an excellent way to save and maximize your spending. With these bonus rewards, you can earn points or cash back on purchases at grocery stores, restaurants, and other food-related venues—giving you more value for your money. Additionally, many cards provide special bonuses and reservation perks to help you secure tables at popular restaurants often booked months ahead.

When selecting the ideal credit card for dining, pay attention to the rewards program linked to the card. Look for options that offer bonus points or cash back on dining and grocery purchases. We’ve compiled the best selections based on these factors to help you choose the right card. Here are our top recommendations for travel credit cards tailored for food lovers:

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Top Travel Credit Cards for Food Enthusiasts in 2024

• Best Overall for 2024: American Express® Gold Card

• Best Budget Card: Citi Premier® Card

• Best for Unique Dining Experiences: The Platinum Card® from American Express

• Best for Dining and Food Delivery: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

• Best for No Annual Fee: Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card

The Best Travel Credit Cards

American Express® Gold Card: The top credit card for foodies in 2024

The American Express® Gold Card stands out as the top card for food lovers seeking rewards and perks. It offers 4 points per dollar on dining at restaurants worldwide (up to $50,000 in purchases each year, then 1 point per dollar thereafter) and at U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000 annually, then 1 point per dollar). Cardholders earn 3 points per dollar on flights booked directly or through Amex Travel, and 1 point on all other purchases. Additionally, users can enjoy up to $10 in monthly statement credits for Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys (enrollment required). They also receive $10 in monthly Uber Cash, perfect for takeout cravings without leaving home. (Must have the latest Uber app, and your eligible Amex Gold Card must be linked.)

Welcome bonus: Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 on eligible purchases within the first 6 months. Plus, get 20% back in statement credits on eligible restaurant purchases worldwide in the first 6 months, up to $100. Limited-time offer. Ends 11/6/24.

Rewards: The Amex Gold Card offers 4 points for every dollar spent on dining at restaurants globally (up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar thereafter) and at U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000 per year, then 1 point per dollar). Additionally, it earns 3 points per dollar on flights booked directly or through Amex Travel, and 1 point for all other purchases; with 3X on flights booked with airlines or through American Express Travel, and 1X on all remaining purchases.

Dining benefits:

• $84 Dunkin' Credit: Receive up to $7 in monthly statement credits after enrolling and using your American Express® Gold Card at Dunkin' locations, totaling $84 annually.

• $100 Resy Credit: Enjoy up to $100 in statement credits each year when you use your Amex Gold Card at U.S. Resy restaurants or for eligible Resy purchases, giving you up to $50 every six months. Enrollment required.

• $120 Dining Credit: Indulge your cravings with up to $10 in monthly statement credits when using your Amex Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.

Other benefits: Includes secondary rental car coverage, baggage insurance plan*; access to the Global Assist hotline; and experience credits plus travel perks through The Hotel Collection.

Credit score: Good to Excellent.

Annual fee: $325. Refer to rates and fees.

Pros

• Generous rewards on dining and grocery purchases.

• Annual dining credits totaling up to $400.

• Additional savings on dining through Amex Offers.

Cons

• Relatively high annual fee.

• The 4X earning rate at U.S. supermarkets is capped at $25,000 each year.

• Limited ways to utilize the monthly dining credit.

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Citi Premier® Card: Best budget-friendly option

The Citi Premier® Card stands out as a fantastic choice for food enthusiasts seeking generous rewards with an affordable annual fee. With a $95 annual fee, it's effectively offset by a $100 hotel discount available on bookings of $500 or more made through Citi. Cardholders earn 3 Citi ThankYou® points per dollar spent at restaurants, supermarkets, gas stations, hotels, and for air travel. This earning potential is impressive for a card with a relatively low fee, making it a great option for those looking to travel with their rewards.

Welcome bonus: Receive 60,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first three months of opening your account.

Rewards: Earn 3X points on purchases made at restaurants, supermarkets, gas stations, hotels, and for air travel; 1 point per dollar on all other purchases.

Dining benefits: None available.

Other benefits: Enjoy a $100 annual hotel discount on stays of $500 or more booked through Citi ThankYou®.

Required credit score: Good to excellent.

Annual fee: $95

Pros:

• Affordable annual fee.

• Generous rewards on dining, grocery, and travel purchases.

• Outstanding rewards program with valuable redemption options.

Cons:

• Lacks purchase and travel protections.

• The $100 annual hotel discount is calculated before taxes.

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The Platinum Card® from American Express: Ideal for exclusive dining experiences

While it might seem unusual to include The Platinum Card® from American Express here—given it only earns 1 point per dollar on dining—it offers a fantastic perk for food lovers: Global Dining Access by Resy. This program allows cardholders to secure exclusive reservations at some of the most sought-after restaurants around the globe.

For casual diners, the annual $200 in Uber Cash can satisfy those late-night cravings. Plus, The Platinum Card provides access to the exclusive Amex Centurion Lounge network and over 1,400 Priority Pass lounges, ensuring you dine well even while traveling. Terms apply.

Welcome bonus: 80,000 points after spending $8,000 in the first six months of opening your account.

Rewards: Earn 5 points per dollar on flights booked directly with airlines or through American Express Travel (up to $500,000 per calendar year); 5 points per dollar on prepaid hotel bookings via Amex Travel; and 1 point per dollar on all other purchases.

Dining benefits: Global Dining Access by Resy and up to $200 in annual Uber Cash (usable for rides and Uber Eats). Terms apply.

Other benefits: Enjoy over $1,000 in annual travel and entertainment credits, Gold elite status with Hilton and Marriott, elite status with Avis, Hertz, and National rental car services, access to Amex’s Lounge Network, trip delay insurance, and trip cancellation and interruption insurance.*

Credit score required: Good to Excellent.

Annual fee: $695. Refer to rates and fees.

Pros:

• Global Dining Access facilitates reservations at sought-after restaurants.

• Up to $200 in Uber Cash helps to offset the $695 annual fee.

• Outstanding travel perks.

Cons:

• High annual fee.

• Dining and grocery purchases earn only 1 point each.

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Chase Sapphire Reserve®: Ideal for food delivery

The Chase Sapphire Reserve® stands out for food enthusiasts, offering 3 points per dollar on dining, select streaming services, and online grocery purchases. Secure hard-to-book tables at premier restaurants and earn 10x points when making prepaid dinner reservations through Chase Travel℠.

With the complimentary Priority Pass Select membership, food lovers can enjoy gourmet meals at premium airport lounges and restaurants around the globe. Additionally, there are no foreign transaction fees, making it easy to savor diverse cuisines while traveling.

The Sapphire Reserve truly excels with food delivery services. Cardholders enjoy free access to DashPass, providing $0 delivery fees and reduced service fees for at least one year when activated by December 31, 2027.

Welcome bonus: Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 within the first 3 months of account opening. That's equivalent to $900 toward travel when redeemed through Chase Travel℠.

Rewards: Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when booking through Chase Travel℠ after the first $300 in travel purchases each year. Additionally, earn 3x points on other travel and dining, with 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases.

Dining benefits: Enjoy free access to DashPass, which waives $0 delivery fees and lowers service fees for at least one year when activated by December 31, 2027.

Other benefits: Receive up to $300 in annual travel statement credits for airfare, hotels, and rental cars; gain 50% more value when redeeming points for travel through Chase Travel℠ (for instance, 60,000 points are worth $900 toward travel); enjoy Priority Pass Select membership; receive a credit for Global Entry, TSA Precheck, or NEXUS application fees every four years; plus comprehensive travel protections including cancellation/interruption insurance, trip delay reimbursement, primary rental car insurance, lost luggage reimbursement, and emergency evacuation and transportation. Credit score: Excellent.

Annual fee: $550 (with an additional $75 for each authorized user).

Pros

• Generous rewards on dining and food delivery expenses.

• DashPass membership can significantly reduce food delivery costs.

• This card earns valuable Chase Ultimate Rewards points.

Cons

• Substantial annual fee.

• No bonus points earned on grocery purchases.

• Approval is subject to the Chase 5/24 rule, meaning you may be ineligible if you've opened five or more personal credit cards in the last 24 months.

• $75 fee for each authorized user.

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Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card: Ideal for no annual fee

The Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card is perfect for food lovers seeking great rewards on dining without an annual fee. It offers 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services, and grocery purchases, along with 1% on everything else.

Welcome bonus: Receive a one-time cash bonus of $200 after you spend $1,000 on purchases within the first three months of opening your account.

Rewards: Earn 3% cash back on dining, grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®), entertainment, and popular streaming services. Additionally, enjoy 8% cash back on Capital One Entertainment purchases and 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel.

Dining benefits: Get access to exclusive reservations via Capital One Dining.

Other benefits: No foreign transaction fees, travel accident insurance, and a favorable introductory APR.

Credit score: Good to Excellent.

Annual fee: $0. Refer to rates and fees for details.

Pros

• Generous rewards on dining purchases.

• Affordable spending threshold to qualify for the welcome bonus.

Cons

• Limited welcome bonus amount.

• Capital One Dining has a relatively small selection of partner restaurants.

• Points cannot be transferred to airline or hotel loyalty programs.

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Is a dining rewards credit card right for you?

Deciding whether to get a credit card that offers bonus points for dining hinges on your spending patterns and objectives. If dining out is a regular part of your life, a card that rewards dining expenses could help you save money or accumulate rewards. These rewards can then be used for meals, travel, or various purchases. Plus, there are options available that provide food-related rewards without an annual fee.

Conversely, if your food spending is minimal, a credit card focused on dining rewards might not be beneficial, as you wouldn't fully utilize its rewards potential. Ultimately, it's essential to assess the additional benefits of a card that offers bonus rewards for dining. If it includes other bonus categories and perks, it could still be worthwhile.

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How to select the ideal credit card for food enthusiasts

When selecting the perfect credit card for food enthusiasts, it's crucial to examine the rewards available. Numerous cards provide cash back or points for dining, grocery purchases, and takeout orders. Seek out a card that delivers high rewards in these categories, as well as additional dining benefits such as subscriptions to food delivery apps and dining credits. Don’t forget to factor in any annual fees and whether the benefits justify the costs.

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FAQs about credit cards for food lovers

Which card is best for dining out?

The top choice for dining is the American Express® Gold Card. It rewards you with 4x points for every dollar spent at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets, capped at $25,000 annually. Additionally, there are no foreign transaction fees, along with other perks like a $120 annual dining credit and $120 in Uber Cash each year.

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Do dining credit cards provide value?

Dining credit cards can be beneficial if you frequently dine out, as they allow you to accumulate significant rewards. It’s especially advantageous to choose a card with no annual fee that includes dining benefits.

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Is it more advantageous to use debit or credit cards for dining at a restaurant?

Opting for a credit card when dining out is typically more beneficial. Credit cards provide superior consumer protection compared to debit cards, including safeguards against fraud and return issues. Plus, many credit cards offer rewards and bonuses for restaurant expenditures.

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* Eligibility and benefit levels vary by card. Terms, conditions, and limitations apply. For more information, visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.

Editorial note: The views expressed here belong solely to the author and do not reflect those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline, or hotel chain. These opinions have not been reviewed, approved, or endorsed by any of these organizations.