Best Travel Credit Cards for Food Lovers
Master travel rewards with the best credit cards for flights, hotels, and elite status. Earn massive rewards on dining and travel.
Why These Cards Matter
Earn on Every Meal
Get 3-4X points on dining worldwide. That $100 dinner becomes 300-400 points toward your next trip.
Travel More for Less
Signup bonuses alone can cover a roundtrip flight. Regular spending funds entire vacations.
No Foreign Fees
Use these abroad without the 3% foreign transaction fees other cards charge. Saves $30 per $1,000 spent.
The Top 3 Cards
Chase Sapphire Reserve®
Chase
Key Benefits:
- $300 annual travel credit (offsets fee to $250)
- Priority Pass lounge access
- 1.5x points value through Chase Travel
- No foreign transaction fees
- Travel and trip cancellation insurance
- DoorDash DashPass membership
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Chase
Key Benefits:
- No foreign transaction fees
- 25% more value through Chase Travel
- Travel and purchase protection
- Transferable points to airline and hotel partners
- Cell phone protection
American Express® Gold Card
American Express
Key Benefits:
- $120 dining credit ($10/month at Grubhub, etc.)
- $120 Uber Cash ($10/month)
- Credits effectively reduce annual fee to $10
- No foreign transaction fees
- Flexible point redemption
Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card
American Express
Key Benefits:
- $2,500 MQD Headstart every year
- Annual Companion Certificate (Main Cabin)
- First checked bag free
- MQD shortcut to Silver Medallion status
- No foreign transaction fees
How to Choose
If you travel frequently and dine out a lot:
Chase Sapphire Reserve® is the clear winner. The $300 travel credit effectively reduces the annual fee to $250, and the 3X points on dining and travel add up fast. Plus, lounge access and 1.5x point value through Chase Travel make this the best value for frequent travelers.
If you want premium benefits without the high fee:
Chase Sapphire Preferred® gives you most of the benefits at just $95/year. You still get 2X points on travel and dining, no foreign transaction fees, and the same transferable points to airline partners. Great middle ground.
If you're a true foodie who maximizes every dining dollar:
American Express® Gold Card offers the highest earning rate (4X) on dining and groceries. The $120 dining credit and $120 Uber Cash effectively reduce the $250 fee to just $10/year. Best for those who eat out frequently and use Uber regularly.
Common Questions
Do these cards work with our restaurant maps?
Absolutely! Every restaurant on our maps counts as "dining" for these cards. Whether you're using our NYC, Paris, or Tokyo guides, you'll earn 2-4X points on every meal. The cards work worldwide at any restaurant.
What's the catch with annual fees?
Annual fees are real, but the credits and benefits often exceed them. The Reserve's $300 travel credit and Gold's $240 in credits effectively reduce fees significantly. Plus, signup bonuses typically cover 2-3 years of fees.
How do I redeem points for maximum value?
Best strategy: Transfer points to airline partners for international business class flights (can get 2-3 cents per point value) or use Chase Travel portal for 1.25-1.5x value. Don't redeem for cash back or gift cards (worst value).
Can I get multiple cards?
Yes! Many people pair the Chase Sapphire Reserve with the Amex Gold to maximize dining earnings (4X with Gold) and travel benefits (Reserve's lounge access and travel credit). Just manage the annual fees strategically.
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