The Best Credit Cards for Restaurants and Takeout in September 2026
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If points and miles are what fuel your travel, then dining such as restaurants and takeout are what fuel you as a traveler.
We’ve thought long and hard about which cards are best for paying for restaurants. The cards below offer excellent rewards and points for dining purchases, including restaurants and takeout.
Here are our favorite cards for purchases from food establishments.
Our Top Picks
Our top pick is the American Express® Gold Card, as it offers 4x points on dining purchases (up to $50,000 per year). The Platinum Card® from American Express and the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card are also top contenders and excellent cards overall.
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Card | Welcome Offer and Annual Fee | Earning Rates and Dining Benefits |
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Platinum Card® from American Express |
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Citi Strata Elite℠ Card (rates & fees) |
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Citi Strata Premier® Card (rates & fees) |
| 1x-10x pointsCiti Strata Premier® Card
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| 1.5%-5% cash-backChase Freedom Unlimited®
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Best Personal Cards
1. American Express® Gold Card (Best for Restaurants, Takeout, and U.S. Supermarkets)
BEST FOR DINING
Terms Apply / Rates & Fees
U.P. Rating
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.
This is the best card for food lovers who dine out at restaurants (worldwide), order take-out and want big rewards at U.S. supermarkets!
Apply With Confidence
Know if you're approved with no credit score impact
If you're approved and accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
This is the best card for food lovers who dine out at restaurants (worldwide), order take-out and want big rewards at U.S. supermarkets!
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.
Up to $2,200
$325
See Pay Over Time APR
Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.
Why We Like This Card
The American Express® Gold Card is a game-changer.
With this card, you can earn 4x Membership Rewards points at restaurants, up to $50,000 per calendar year, and you’ll also earn 4x Membership Rewards points at U.S. supermarkets on up to $25,000 per calendar year, then 1x.
There isn’t another card on the market that offers a 1-2 punch like this. Of course, there are several other benefits of the Gold Card as well, including extra monthly dining rewards and more.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- 5x points per dollar on prepaid hotels via AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App
- 4x points per dollar at restaurants worldwide, up to $50,000 per calendar year; then 1x thereafter
- 4x points per dollar at U.S. supermarkets, up to $25,000 per calendar year; then 1x thereafter
Cons
- $325 annual fee (rates and fees)
- No lounge access
Card Highlights
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App™, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™ and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
- $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- Enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Book two nights or more with The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com and receive a $100* credit towards eligible charges at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide.§ *Eligible charges vary by property.
- Book your travel through the Amex Travel App™ with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Financial Snapshot
- APR: See Pay Over Time APR
- Foreign Transaction Fees: None
Rewards Center
The Amex Gold card is the best card to maximize your earning potential at restaurants and dining. That’s because it earns 4x Membership Rewards Points for purchases at restaurants worldwide (up to $50,000 per year) and at U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000 per year).
Beyond that, this card comes with up to $10 in monthly dining statement credits when you make purchases at participating partners Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Buffalo Wild Wings, Wonder, and Five Guys. You have to enroll to get this benefit.
Another dining-related perk is up to $120 in Uber Cash, available at up to $10 per month. You can use this for Uber rides in the U.S., as well as Uber Eats orders in the U.S. You must add your Amex Gold card to your Uber account and pay for your order or ride with an Amex card to use this benefit. Plus, cardmembers now receive up to $7 in monthly credit for purchases at U.S. Dunkin’ stores, totaling up to $84 a year as a statement credit.
Earning rewards in 4x-bonus spending categories, receiving dining credits, and Uber Cash perks easily offset the annual fee. Note that enrollment is required for certain Amex Gold card benefits. The card is a top choice for dining rewards.
To round it out, you get baggage insurance, secondary rental car coverage, purchase protection, extended warranty, and more!
The Amex Gold card has no foreign transaction fees, no preset spending limit, and lets you have up to 5 authorized users for no additional annual fees ($35 per user for the sixth and beyond) (rates & fees). As it has no preset spending limit, your spending limit is flexible. Unlike a traditional card with a set limit, the amount you can spend adapts based on factors such as your purchase, payment, and credit history.
2. Platinum Card® from American Express (Best for Flights and Luxury Travel Benefits)
BEST LOUNGE CARD
Terms Apply / Rates & FeesU.P. Rating
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.
The Amex Platinum card reigns supreme for luxury travel, offering the best airport lounge access plus generous statement credits, and elite status.
Apply With Confidence
Know if you're approved with no credit score impact
If you're approved and accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
The Amex Platinum card reigns supreme for luxury travel, offering the best airport lounge access plus generous statement credits, and elite status.
You may be eligible for as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $12,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary, and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount — all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
Up to $3,850
$895
See Pay Over Time APR
Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.
Why We Like This Card
When it comes to cards that offer top-notch benefits, the Platinum Card® from American Express is a top choice.
The card offers premium perks like best-in-class airport lounge access, hotel elite status, and several annual card credits. The Amex Platinum card is easily worth the annual fee for frequent travelers who use the lounges and travel credits, and hard to justify for those who won’t.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- The best airport lounge access out of any card (by far): Get access to over 1,550 worldwide lounges, including Amex Centurion Lounges, Priority Pass lounges (enrollment required), Plaza Premium Lounges, and many more!
- 5 points per $1 spent on flights purchased directly with the airline or with AmexTravel.com (up to $500,000 per year)
- 5 points per $1 spent on prepaid hotels booked with AmexTravel.com
Cons
- $895 annual fee (rates & fees)
- Airline credit does not cover airfare (only incidentals like checked bags).
Card Highlights
- You may be eligible for as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $12,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Get more for your travels with 5X Membership Rewards® points on all flights and prepaid hotel bookings through American Express Travel®, including Fine Hotels + Resorts® and The Hotel Collection bookings. You earn 5X points on flights purchased directly from airlines or through American Express Travel® on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year.
- With over 1,550 airport lounges - more than any other credit card company on the market* - enjoy the benefits of the Global Lounge Collection, over $850 of annual value, with access to Centurion Lounges, 10 Delta Sky Club visits (subject to visit limitations) when flying on an eligible Delta flight, Priority Pass™ membership (enrollment required), and other select partner lounges. *As of 01/2026
- $200 Uber Cash + $120 Uber One Credit: With the Platinum Card® you can receive $15 in Uber Cash each month plus a bonus $20 in December when you add your Platinum Card® to your Uber account to use on rides and orders in the U.S when you select an Amex Card for your transaction. Plus, when you use the Platinum Card® to pay for an auto-renewing Uber One membership, you can get up to $120 in statement credits each calendar year. Terms apply.
- $300 Digital Entertainment Credit: Experience the latest shows, news and recipes. Get up to $25 in statement credits each month when you use your Platinum Card® for eligible purchases on Disney+, a Disney+ bundle, ESPN streaming services, Hulu, The New York Times, Paramount+, Peacock, The Wall Street Journal, YouTube Premium, and YouTube TV when you purchase directly from one or more of the providers. Enrollment required.
- $600 Hotel Credit: Get up to $300 in statement credits semi-annually on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection* bookings through American Express Travel® using the Platinum Card®. *The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
- $400 Resy Credit + Platinum Nights™ by Resy: Get up to $100 in statement credits each quarter when you use the Platinum Card® to pay for eligible purchases with Resy, including dining purchases at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants. Enrollment required. As a Platinum Card® Member you have special access to reservations on select nights at participating sought after Resy restaurants in select cities through Platinum Nights™ by Resy. Simply add your Platinum Card® to your Resy profile to book your reservation.
- $219 CLEAR+ Credit: CLEAR+ helps get you to your gate faster by using your face to verify you are you at 55+ airports nationwide. You can cover the cost of a CLEAR+ Membership* with up to $219 in statement credits per calendar year after you pay for CLEAR+ with your Platinum Card®. *Excluding any applicable taxes and fees. Subject to auto-renewal.
- $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees, such as checked bags and in-flight refreshments, are charged by the airline to the Platinum Card® Account. American Express relies on airlines to submit the correct information on airline transactions to identify incidental fee purchases. If you do not see a credit for a qualifying incidental purchase on your eligible Card after 8 weeks, simply call the number on the back of your Card. Qualifying airlines are subject to change. See terms & conditions for more details.
- Start your vacation sooner and keep it going longer. When you book Fine Hotels + Resorts® through American Express Travel®, enjoy noon check-in, when available, and guaranteed 4pm late check-out.
- $300 lululemon Credit: Enjoy up to $75 in statement credits each quarter when you use the Platinum Card® for eligible purchases at U.S. lululemon retail stores (excluding outlets) and lululemon.com. That’s up to $300 in statement credits each calendar year. Enrollment required.
- $155 Walmart+ Credit: Get up to a $12.95* statement credit back each month after you pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) with your Platinum Card®. *Up to $12.95 plus applicable taxes on one membership fee.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- $895 annual fee.
- Terms Apply.
Financial Snapshot
- APR: See Pay Over Time APR
- Foreign Transaction Fees: None
Rewards Center
The Amex Platinum card is one of the most premium credit cards out there, offering a ton of luxury perks for shopping, travel, and more (many of these benefits require prior enrollment). For food purchases, you get up to $15 in monthly Uber Cash (up to $35 in December) and up to $120 per year in credits for Uber One membership. Similar to the Amex Gold card, you must add your Amex Platinum card to your Uber account and pay with an Amex card to use the Uber Cash. These Uber credits can be used on U.S. food orders as well as U.S. rides.
You also get up to $100 in Resy statement credits each quarter when you use your Amex Platinum card to pay at U.S. Resy restaurants. And with Platinum Nights by Resy, you can get special access to reservations on certain nights at participating Resy restaurants.
If you prefer to dine at home, the Amex Platinum card also comes with monthly $12.95 statement credits for Walmart+ membership. That can be great if you’re a foodie who prefers cooking and eating at home.
In addition to these dining and food-related benefits, the Amex Platinum comes with a bevy of luxury benefits. This includes premium airport lounge access and annual credits for hotels, certain digital entertainment services, and airline incidental fees.
3. Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (Best Midtier Card With DoorDash Perks)
BEST FIRST TRAVEL CARD
Terms Apply / Rates & FeesU.P. Rating
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.
A fantastic travel card with a great welcome offer, good benefits, and perks for a moderate annual fee.
A fantastic travel card with a great welcome offer, good benefits, and perks for a moderate annual fee.
Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
$1,500
$95
19.24% - 27.49% Variable
Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.
Why We Like This Card
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® card is one of the best travel rewards cards on the market. Its bonus categories include travel, dining, online grocery purchases, gas, EV charging, vacation homes, and streaming services, which gives you the opportunity to earn lots of bonus points on these purchases.
Additionally, it offers flexible point redemption options, no foreign transaction fees, and excellent travel insurance coverage including primary car rental insurance and emergency evacuation. With benefits like these, it’s easy to see why this card is an excellent choice for any traveler.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- 5x points on all travel booked via the Chase Travel portal
- 3x points on dining purchases, online grocery purchases (excluding Walmart, Target, and wholesale clubs), gas, EV charging, vacation homes (such as Airbnb and Vrbo), and select streaming services
- 2x points on all other travel worldwide
Cons
- $95 annual fee
- No elite benefits like airport lounge access or hotel elite status
Card Highlights
- Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
- Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase TravelSM, 3x on dining, 3x on vacation homes, 3x on gas & EV charging, 3x on top streaming services and online groceries (excluding Walmart, Target, and wholesale clubs), 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases
- Earn up to $100 in statement credits each account anniversary year for hotel stays through Chase Travel
- Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Emergency Evacuation and Transportation and more
- Get a year of complimentary Apple TV when activated by December 31, 2026 – a value of $156.
- Complimentary DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees & lower service fees for 12 months when you activate by 12/31/27. Plus, a $10 promo each month on non-restaurant orders.
- Receive one statement credit of up to $120 every four years as reimbursement for the application fee charged to your card for a Global Entry, TSA Precheck® or NEXUS application.
- Transfer points to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs
- Member FDIC
Financial Snapshot
- APR: 19.24% - 27.49% Variable
- Foreign Transaction Fees: None
Rewards Center
The Chase Sapphire Preferred card earns an amazing 3x Ultimate Rewards points on dining and online grocery purchases. This is especially impressive when you consider its mild annual fee. It even has an enormous welcome offer to help you rack up points faster than ever.
Another neat perk of this card is a complimentary DoorDash DashPass for at least 1 year when you activate your membership by December 31, 2027. This is a subscription service that offers reduced fees on certain DoorDash orders over $12, making food delivery a little cheaper.
There are plenty of other earning categories available:
- 5x points on all travel booked through Chase Travel
- 5x points on all Lyft purchases through September 30, 2027
- 3x points on some streaming purchases
- 3x points on gas and EV charging
- 3x points on vacation home rentals like Airbnb and Vrbo
- 2x points on all other travel worldwide
- 1x points on all other purchases
It even has a $100 annual credit for hotel stays booked through Chase Travel and up to a $120 Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS application fee credit every 4 years.
Other important benefits include an up to 75% redemption bonus when you book through the Chase travel portal and awesome travel insurance (including primary rental car coverage)!
For all these reasons, plus the fact that it levies no foreign transaction fees or added fees for authorized users, we’ve included it as one of the best credit cards for dining.
4. Citi Strata Elite℠ Card (Best for Weekend Dining)
Terms Apply / Rates & FeesU.P. Rating
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.
The Citi Strata Elite card is Citi's most premium card built for frequent travelers and foodies.
The Citi Strata Elite card is Citi's most premium card built for frequent travelers and foodies.
Earn 75,000 bonus Points after spending $6,000 in the first 3 months of account opening.
Up to $1,200
$595
20.49% to 28.49% Variable
Why We Like This Card
The Citi Strata Elite card is a great option for frequent travelers, foodies, and those who are fans of the Citi ThankYou Rewards ecosystem thanks to its combination of bonus categories, perks, and annual credits.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- 12x points on hotels, rental cars, and attractions booked through Citi Travel
- 6x points on airfare through Citi Travel
- 6x points on dining on Citi Nights (Friday and Saturday nights from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m.) and 3x points on dining at all other times
Cons
- $595 annual fee
- Boosted dining rewards are limited to 2 nights per week
Card Highlights
- Earn 75,000 bonus Points after spending $6,000 in the first 3 months of account opening.
- Earn 12 Points per $1 spent on Hotels, Car Rentals, and Attractions booked on cititravel.com and 6 Points per $1 spent on Air Travel booked on cititravel.com
- Earn 6 Points per $1 spent at Restaurants including Restaurant Delivery Services on CitiNights℠ purchases, every Friday and Saturday from 6 PM to 6 AM ET. Earn 3 Points per $1 spent any other time
- Earn 1.5 Points per $1 spent on All Other Purchases
- Up to $300 Annual Hotel Benefit: Each calendar year, enjoy up to $300 off a hotel stay of two nights or more when booked through cititravel.com.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees
Financial Snapshot
- APR: 20.49% to 28.49% Variable
- Foreign Transaction Fees: None
The Citi Strata Elite card (rates & fees) earns 6x points on restaurant purchases, including delivery services, during Citi Nights, which are every Friday and Saturday from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. Eastern time. Any dining or restaurant delivery services outside of that time frame earn 3x points.
You also earn 12x points on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked through Citi Travel and 6x points on flights booked through Citi Travel. All other purchases earn 1.5x points.
Cardholders also get airport lounge access with Priority Pass and 4 American Airlines Admirals Club passes annually, an annual hotel credit of up to $300, an annual Splurge Credit of up to $200, a Blacklane credit of up to $200, a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit, and more.
5. Chase Sapphire Reserve® (Best for Earning Chase Ultimate Rewards Points and Premium Perks)
Terms Apply / Rates & FeesU.P. Rating
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.
A top player in the high-end premium travel credit card space that earns points on travel and dining while offering top luxury perks.
A top player in the high-end premium travel credit card space that earns points on travel and dining while offering top luxury perks.
Earn 100,000 bonus points after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
$2,000
$795
19.49% - 27.99% Variable
Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.
Why We Like This Card
If you’re looking for an all-around excellent travel rewards card, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® is one of the best options.
The card combines elite travel benefits and perks like worldwide airport lounge access, with excellent point earning and redemption options. Plus, it offers top-notch travel insurance protections to cover you at home or on the road.
Don’t forget the more than $2,000 in annual credits, which can offset the annual fee!
Pros & Cons
Pros
- 8x points on all Chase Travel purchases
- 5x points on Lyft rides
- 4x points on flights and hotels booked directly
Cons
- $795 annual fee
Card Highlights
- Earn 100,000 bonus points after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
- Get $3,000 in annual value with Sapphire Reserve.
- Earn 8x points on all purchases through Chase Travel℠, including The Edit℠ and 4x points on flights and hotels booked direct. Plus, earn 3x points on dining worldwide & 1x points on all other purchases
- $300 annual travel credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year.
- Access over 1,300 airport lounges worldwide with a complimentary Priority Pass™ Select membership, plus every Chase Sapphire Lounge® by The Club with two guests. Plus, up to $120 towards Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck® every 4 years
- Get up to $150 in statement credits every six months for a maximum of $300 annually for dining at restaurants that are part of Sapphire Reserve Exclusive Tables.
- Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Coverage, Lost Luggage Insurance, no foreign transaction fees, and more.
- Get complimentary subscriptions to Apple TV and Apple Music for a minimum of one year when activated by June 22, 2027, a value of $288 annually.
- Member FDIC
Financial Snapshot
- APR: 19.49% - 27.99% Variable
- Foreign Transaction Fees: None
Rewards Center
Though the Chase Sapphire Reserve card has a premium annual fee, it’s packed with premium benefits that deliver great value for frequent travelers. These include travel purchase credits, worldwide lounge access, earnings on travel purchases, and a generous welcome offer.
But to start, it earns Ultimate Rewards points at an impressive pace:
- 8x points on all purchases through Chase Travel
- 4x points on airfare and hotels booked directly
- 3x points on dining worldwide
- 1x points on all other purchases
It also grants access to the Exclusive Tables program, where cardholders can get sought-after reservations at certain U.S. restaurants in various cities. Plus, cardholders get up to $300 in statement credits annually for dining at restaurants that are part of the program.
Benefits outside of dining include an up-to-$300 travel credit every anniversary year; a complimentary Priority Pass Select membership upon activation; an up-to-100% bonus on certain travel redemptions made through the Chase Travel portal; an up-to-50% bonus via Pay Yourself Back; an up-to-$120 application fee credit for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS; and the best travel insurance from a credit card. The card also has no foreign transaction fees.
6. Citi Strata Premier® Card (Best Card With an Annual Fee Under $100)
Terms Apply / Rates & FeesU.P. Rating
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.
Earn 60,000 bonus ThankYou® Points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months of account opening, redeemable for $600 in gift cards or travel rewards at thankyou.com.
$960
$95
19.49% to 27.49% Variable
Why We Like This Card
The Citi Strata Premier® Card is a great all-around travel rewards card that allows you to earn big rewards on a variety of purchases like air travel, at restaurants, supermarkets, gas stations, and more, along with flexible redemption options, all for a modest annual fee.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- 10x points on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked through CitiTravel.com
- 3x points on air travel, other hotel purchases, restaurants, supermarkets, gas stations, and EV charging stations
- $100 annual hotel benefit
Cons
- $95 annual fee
Card Highlights
- Earn 60,000 bonus ThankYou® Points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months of account opening, redeemable for $600 in gift cards or travel rewards at thankyou.com.
- Earn 10 Points per $1 spent on Hotels, Car Rentals, and Attractions booked on CitiTravel.com.
- Earn 3 Points per $1 on Air Travel and Other Hotel Purchases, at Restaurants, Supermarkets, Gas and EV Charging Stations.
- Earn 1 Point per $1 spent on all other purchases
- $100 Annual Hotel Benefit: Once per calendar year, enjoy $100 off a single hotel stay of $500 or more (excluding taxes and fees) when booked through CitiTravel.com. Benefit applied instantly at time of booking.
- No expiration and no limit to the amount of points you can earn with this card
- No Foreign Transaction Fees on purchases
Financial Snapshot
- APR: 19.49% to 27.49% Variable
- Foreign Transaction Fees: None
The Citi Strata Premier card (rates & fees) offers an easy path to earning Citi ThankYou Rewards Points for those who spend significant amounts on food and travel.
This card earns 3x ThankYou Points on dining, putting it up there with some of the top earners for restaurant purchases. Its list of bonus categories is even larger, offering 3x points on air travel, hotels, supermarkets, gas, and EV charging stations. It earns 1x points everywhere else.
Plus, the card earns 10x points on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked through CitiTravel.com. It also comes with a $100 annual hotel savings benefit for a single hotel stay of $500 or more (excluding taxes and fees) booked through Citi Travel, once per calendar year.
The Citi Strata Premier card also has no foreign transaction fees or additional annual fees for authorized users, plus access to Citi Entertainment, contactless payments, and mobile payments.
7. Chase Freedom Unlimited® (Best for Travel, Dining, and Drugstores, No Annual Fee)
Terms Apply / Rates & FeesU.P. Rating
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.
This all-purpose cash-back card offers great bonus categories, including bonus points for every purchase you make!
This all-purpose cash-back card offers great bonus categories, including bonus points for every purchase you make!
Earn a $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening
$200
$0
0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 18.24% - 27.74%.
Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.
Why We Like This Card
The Chase Freedom Unlimited® is easily one of the best cash-back credit cards on the market. There aren’t many no-annual-fee credit cards that offer multiple great bonus categories like 5% back on travel purchased through Chase, 3% back on dining and drugstore purchases, and 1.5% back on all other purchases.
When paired with other Chase cards in the Ultimate Rewards family, you can transfer that cash back into points if you wish – making it one of the most lucrative cards in your wallet.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- 5% back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠
- 3% back on dining and drugstore purchases
- 1.5% back on all other purchases
Cons
- 3% foreign transaction fee
Card Highlights
- Earn a $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening
- Enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more; 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and 1.5% on all other purchases.
- No minimum to redeem for cash back. You can use points to redeem for cash through an account statement credit or an electronic deposit into an eligible Chase account located in the United States!
- Enjoy 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 18.24% - 27.74%.
- No annual fee – You won't have to pay an annual fee for all the great features that come with your Freedom Unlimited® card
- Keep tabs on your credit health, Chase Credit Journey helps you monitor your credit with free access to your latest score, alerts, and more.
- Member FDIC
Financial Snapshot
- APR: 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 18.24% - 27.74%.
- Foreign Transaction Fees: 3% of each transaction in U.S. dollars
Rewards Center
Another card to consider is the Freedom Unlimited card, which offers decent benefits for a no-annual-fee card. You earn 3% cash-back on dining purchases.
You also earn 5% cash-back on travel booked with Chase Travel, 3% on purchases at drugstores, and 1.5% cash-back on all other purchases. This can make the Freedom Unlimited card great for when you don’t have another card with a category bonus.
Even better, if you also have a premium Chase card (like the Chase Sapphire Preferred card or Chase Sapphire Reserve card), your cash-back can be converted to valuable Chase Ultimate Rewards points by combining the rewards from your different Chase cards. We value Ultimate Rewards points at around 2 cents each, so this can give you an even better return on your dining spending. Combining Ultimate Rewards points among different Chase cards can be a great way to get a ton of value from your credit card spending.