 TITLE: How Credit Card Issuers Classify Purchases for Bonus Rewards CONTENT: The major credit card issuers—American Express, Bank of America, Capital One, Chase, Citi and Discover—each have their own system of classifying purchases. They mostly line up from issuer to issuer, but there might be some discrepancies. It's always best to look at the terms and benefits of your specific credit card.\nHere are some of the biggest bonus categories, and what types of businesses are typically included in each.\n### Dining\nDining might comprise anything from sit-down restaurants to cocktail bars, and even food delivery services, depending on the issuer.\nFor instance, if you have Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card, you can earn 3% cash back on dining, which includes:\n*   Restaurants\n*   Cafes\n*   Bars\n*   Lounges\n*   Fast-food chains\n*   Bakeries\nOn the other hand, if you have the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, you can earn 3 points per dollar on dining, which encompasses:\n*   Sit-down or eat-in dining\n*   Fast-food restaurants\n*   Fine-dining establishments\n*   Delivery services that classify themselves as a restaurant\nThere are two major differences to note for these issuers: Capital One makes no reference to delivery services (though many, like DoorDash and Grubhub, do in fact code as dining), and Chase won't count bakeries for bonus earning on dining. So if you have both of these cards, it's better to use the Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card for any bakery purchases, and the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card for takeout and delivery, just to be safe.\n### Travel\nIf you have a card that earns bonus rewards for travel in general, or for specific types of travel transactions (like hotel bookings or airfare), just check with your issuer before making any large purchases.\n### Groceries\nMost issuers tend to count your average grocery store or supermarket, and even some smaller markets in this category. The only major exclusions to be on the lookout for are large chain stores that aren't primarily for groceries, such as Walmart and Target, which are deemed ineligible by Capital One and Chase, for example.\nAmerican Express sometimes stipulates that only U.S. grocery store purchases are eligible for bonus rewards, so don't expect extra earnings if you're stocking up on supplies beyond the U.S. borders.\n### Gas\nMore than simply what you purchase at the pump, a gas category can also encompass things you buy in a station's store, such as snacks and drinks. Most standalone gas chains should count.\n### Streaming\nThis category has become more popular for bonus rewards since the pandemic months when folks were locked down at home and craving entertainment. Given the preponderance of streaming services, you'll need to check your specific card's reward terms and conditions to see which ones are included and which aren't.\nFor example, with the Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card, purchases earn 3% back on streaming services including Hulu, Netflix and Disney+ among others. But there are some major exclusions, like Amazon Prime Video and Verizon Fios On Demand, as well as some audiobook and fitness programming subscriptions. END