Best card for dining, honestly
No invented "average spender": where the best card for dining actually changes as your spending grows — caps, annual fees, and earning rates measured against a flat 2% cash-back baseline, counting only cards you can get today.
What counts as dining: Restaurants, bars, cafés, fast food — and, for most issuers, takeout and food-delivery apps.
Who wins, by annual dining spend
Every card that beats a flat 2% card on dining
- U.S. Bank Altitude Go Visa Signature Card — 4x points (≈4.00¢/$ at the card's default value), capped at $8,000/yr, no annual fee; wins $0–$14,571/yr
- Bilt Obsidian Card — 3x points (≈3.75¢/$ at the card's default value), capped at $25,000/yr, $95/yr fee; beats 2% above $5,429/yr of dining; wins $14,571–$25,000/yr
- Chase Sapphire Preferred — 3x points (≈3.75¢/$ at the card's default value), uncapped, $95/yr fee; beats 2% above $5,429/yr of dining; wins $14,571–$93,333/yr
- Chase Sapphire Reserve — 3x points (≈4.50¢/$ at the card's default value), uncapped, $795/yr fee; beats 2% above $31,800/yr of dining; wins over $93,333/yr
- AAA Travel Advantage Visa Signature — 3% cash back, uncapped, no annual fee
- Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards — 3% cash back, capped at $10,000/yr, no annual fee
- Capital One Savor Cash Rewards — 3% cash back, uncapped, no annual fee
- Chase Freedom Flex — 3x points (≈3.00¢/$ at the card's default value), uncapped, no annual fee
- Chase Freedom Unlimited — 3x points (≈3.00¢/$ at the card's default value), uncapped, no annual fee
- Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi — 3% cash back, uncapped, no annual fee
- PNC Cash Rewards Visa Signature Credit Card — 3% cash back, capped at $8,000/yr, no annual fee
- Venmo Credit Card — 3% cash back, uncapped, no annual fee
- Wells Fargo Autograph Card — 3x points (≈3.00¢/$ at the card's default value), uncapped, no annual fee
- Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards — 3% cash back, uncapped, $39/yr fee; beats 2% above $3,900/yr of dining
- Citi Strata Premier — 3x points (≈3.00¢/$ at the card's default value), uncapped, $95/yr fee; beats 2% above $9,500/yr of dining
- Wells Fargo Autograph Journey Card — 3x points (≈3.00¢/$ at the card's default value), uncapped, $95/yr fee; beats 2% above $9,500/yr of dining
- World of Hyatt Credit Card — 2x points (≈3.00¢/$ at the card's default value), uncapped, $95/yr fee; beats 2% above $9,500/yr of dining
- Wyndham Rewards Earner Plus Card — 4x points (≈2.80¢/$ at the card's default value), uncapped, $95/yr fee; beats 2% above $11,875/yr of dining
- Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite Mastercard — 2x points (≈2.80¢/$ at the card's default value), uncapped, $99/yr fee; beats 2% above $12,375/yr of dining
- American Express Gold Card — 4x points (≈4.00¢/$ at the card's default value), capped at $50,000/yr, $325/yr fee; beats 2% above $16,250/yr of dining
- JetBlue Plus Card — 2x points (≈2.60¢/$ at the card's default value), uncapped, $99/yr fee; beats 2% above $16,500/yr of dining
- IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card — 5x points (≈2.50¢/$ at the card's default value), uncapped, $99/yr fee; beats 2% above $19,800/yr of dining
- Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card — 6x points (≈2.40¢/$ at the card's default value), uncapped, $150/yr fee; beats 2% above $37,500/yr of dining
- Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card — 2x points (≈2.40¢/$ at the card's default value), uncapped, $150/yr fee; beats 2% above $37,500/yr of dining
- United Explorer Card — 2x points (≈2.40¢/$ at the card's default value), uncapped, $150/yr fee; beats 2% above $37,500/yr of dining
- Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority — 2x points (≈2.60¢/$ at the card's default value), uncapped, $229/yr fee; beats 2% above $38,167/yr of dining
- Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card — 7x points (≈2.80¢/$ at the card's default value), uncapped, $550/yr fee; beats 2% above $68,750/yr of dining
- Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card — 2x points (≈2.40¢/$ at the card's default value), uncapped, $350/yr fee; beats 2% above $87,500/yr of dining
- United Quest Card — 2x points (≈2.40¢/$ at the card's default value), uncapped, $350/yr fee; beats 2% above $87,500/yr of dining
Rates only — statement credits and perks are deliberately not counted here. They depend on how you'd actually use them, and each card's page asks those questions before adding a cent.
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