 TITLE: How Credit Card Issuers Classify Dining Purchases CONTENT: What Purchases Count Toward Dining Rewards?\n-------------------------------------------\nThe major issuers in the U.S. offering credit cards that earn bonus rewards on dining typically provide listings for which businesses are included. Always check the terms of your specific cards to understand what kinds of purchases will earn bonus rewards. To help get you started, here are some guidelines to what purchases are considered dining by each of the major credit card issuers.\n### American Express\nAmerican Express counts most restaurants, including fast food restaurants, under its dining category. Many delivery services, such as DoorDash and Grubhub, also count.\nThere are just two things to beware of:\n1.  If a restaurant is located within another type of business (such as a hotel, casino, stadium or theme park), it may not be coded as a dining establishment, and will not be eligible for bonus rewards.\n2.  Some of Amex's cards only earn bonus rewards on U.S. restaurant purchases, whereas others earn them at restaurants globally, so always review your specific card's terms.\nTo make a quick comparison, the American Express® Gold Card earns 4 points per dollar on dining, which includes restaurants, takeout and delivery; unlike a typical credit card, however, this card only allows you to carry a balance for certain charges, not all. The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant™ American Express® Card, on the other hand, earns 3 points per dollar on dining, but only at U.S. restaurants, including takeout and delivery. Terms apply.\n### Bank Of America\nBank of America considers the following types of businesses under the dining designation:\n*   Eating places\n*   Restaurants\n*   Fast food restaurants\n*   Bars\n*   Cocktail lounges\n*   Discotheques\n*   Nightclubs\n*   Taverns\n*   Drinking places\nWhile this list doesn't explicitly include cafes, many of them (including Starbucks) fall under dining, too, so you can expect bonus rewards there—as well as with many of the major food delivery services.\n### Capital One\nAmong the Capital One cards that offer dining bonuses, the Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card earns 3% cash back on dining. Here are the types of businesses that qualify:\n*   Restaurants\n*   Cafes\n*   Bars\n*   Lounges\n*   Fast food chains\n*   Bakeries\nAlthough Capital One does not include delivery services, many may be eligible for this card's bonus earning.\n### Chase\nSeveral Chase cards earn bonus points on dining. For example, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® card earns 3 points per dollar in addition to the card's other benefits. The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card also earns 3 points per dollar on dining. For the purpose of rewards, Chase considers the following as dining outlets:\n*   Sit-down or eat-in dining\n*   Fast food restaurants\n*   Fine-dining establishments\n*   Delivery services that classify themselves as a restaurant\nInterestingly, Chase explicitly notes that delivery services might earn bonus rewards based on their MCC classification.  \nHow to Maximize Dining Rewards Credit Cards\n-------------------------------------------\nGiven just how many types of businesses may count toward a credit card's dining bonus category, it's not hard to maximize dining rewards credit cards. However, to make absolutely sure you're getting the most out of your rewards cards, consider doing the following:\n*   **Pick the right card**. Dining rewards credit cards range from those that charge no annual fee and earn cash back, like the Chase Freedom Unlimited®, to high-end products that earn travel rewards, like the Chase Sapphire Reserve®, with its $550 annual fee. Many rewards credit cards earn cash back, while the Ultimate Rewards points the Chase cards earn are good for cash back in addition to travel rewards and other possibilities. Consider the types of rewards you want to earn and whether the value of the points or cash back you earn will outweigh a card's annual fee each year before submitting an application.\n*   **Use your card for dining purchases whenever possible**. If you have a card that earns bonus rewards on dining, be sure to use it for dining purchases, including takeout and delivery services. Otherwise, you could be leaving rewards on the table.\n*   **Look out for caps and maximums**. Certain credit cards cap the rewards you can earn in various categories, including dining.\n*   **Take advantage of limited-time bonuses**. Other credit cards earn bonuses on categories that rotate each quarter, and it's worth leveraging them to the fullest. For instance, the Chase Freedom Flex℠ earns 3% cash back on dining and 5% cash back at different places each quarter when you activate, which might include wholesale clubs or grocery stores, then 1% back on everything else. Not only that, the Chase Freedom Flex℠ is offering an introductory bonus that allows cardholders to earn 5% on grocery store purchases (except at Walmart and Target) on up to $12,000 in spending for the first year.\n*   **Call your issuer**. If you think that a purchase should have been coded as dining but wasn't—it happens all the time due to those pesky MCCs—don't be afraid to call your issuer and ask them to reconsider adding extra rewards to your account. The worst they can do is say no.\nIf you have a credit card that earns bonus rewards at restaurants, it's important to understand how issuers classify dining rewards and which purchases will count. Then, make sure you use your card (responsibly) for any eligible charges to earn the most rewards possible. For more information and guidance, check out Experian CreditMatchTM for credit card offers matched to your credit profile that could earn you bonus rewards on dining. END