Dining credit cards: What are they, and how do they work?

You have a list of restaurants to try that’s a mile long. When you plan a vacation, the first thing you do is research the local food scene.

If any of that rings true, you might be curious about a card that enables you to earn extra rewards on food and fun, including eating out. Dining cards are a type of card designed for those who want to earn rewards for dining out. But there’s a lot more to dining credit cards than that. Find out more about how these cards work and how to decide if one is right for you.

What you’ll learn:

• Dining credit cards enable you to earn rewards for dining out. 

• Some dining credit cards offer rewards for other kinds of spending, like entertainment and grocery store purchases.

• Dining rewards programs may include additional perks and benefits, such as access to exclusive restaurant reservations, events and more.

• Savor and SavorOne from Capital One are dining credit cards that give you an opportunity to earn cash back on food and fun.

A dining credit card is a type of credit card that rewards you for dining-related spending, such as:

• Eating at restaurants

• Ordering takeout and fast food

• Making purchases at grocery stores

There may be other cardholder benefits focused on dining, too.

Dining rewards credit cards generally work the same as other rewards cards. And while they may be referred to as dining cards, you can also earn enhanced rewards if you make purchases in other spending categories—like entertainment or travel. There may even be an elevated rewards rate for dining-related spending. But each card has its own rules on how you can earn and redeem rewards.

If you love eating out or exploring new cuisine, a dining rewards credit card may be something to consider. You can reward yourself while trying the newest restaurant in town or visiting your favorite local spot. Dining credit cards might also offer other benefits you can take advantage of—like dining services that help you access exclusive reservations or experiences. 

And with Savor, you also earn cash back on every purchase you make. Plus, you’ll have access to exclusive reservations and culinary experiences to delight your inner foodie.

When choosing a new dining credit card, consider the annual fee and if the card works for your lifestyle.

Whether you’re grabbing a quick bite to eat, making your weekly grocery run, or catching up with a friend at a bar or lounge, Capital One’s Savor cards give you the chance to earn cash back on food and fun. And they all include benefits like:

• Unlimited 3% cash back at grocery stores and on dining, entertainment and popular streaming services

• Unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases

• 8% cash back on unforgettable experiences across sports, music, dining and more with Capital One Entertainment²

• Unlimited 5% cash back on hotels, vacation rentals, rental cars and activities booked through Capital One Travel

Credit cards from Capital One offer more than just rewards and bonuses. For example: 

• Pay no foreign transaction fees. View important rates and disclosures.

• Security features, like fraud alerts and virtual card numbers, help keep your account safe.

• 24-hour travel assistance services so you can get an emergency replacement card and a cash advance if your card is lost or stolen.

How dining credit card rewards are redeemed can vary depending on the specific credit card. But the family of Savor cards from Capital One allows you to redeem your rewards in a number of ways:

• For cash in the form of a statement credit or a check

• For gift cards from restaurants, retailers and more

• At Amazon.com® checkout³

• As a payment method when checking out with PayPal® online⁴

• For experiences on Capital One Entertainment, including tickets for sporting events, concerts and more

• For flights, hotels, vacation rentals, rental cars and activities booked through Capital One Travel

• For reimbursement of a travel purchase within 90 days of purchase

Ready to explore dining rewards credit cards? You can compare Capital One dining and entertainment credit cards to see if there’s one that suits you. And before you apply, you can see if you’re pre-approved for potential card offers. Pre-approval is quick and won’t hurt your credit scores.