Learn how to earn more restaurant rewards, and whether paying extra for a premium card's dining credit is worth it.
Hosts Meghan Coyle and Sally French discuss how to make the most of credit card rewards on restaurant spending to help you eat out for less. But first, producer Tess Vigeland joins Meghan to break down the latest travel headlines, including limited-time welcome offers across Delta and American Express's SkyMiles credit card lineup, an access change at JetBlue's new BlueHouse lounge in Boston, and Google's new AI Mode that can price flights and hotels in points and miles.
Then, they discuss dining rewards, with tips and tricks on choosing the best card for your regular restaurant spending, stacking airline and Bilt dining programs on top of card rewards, and unlocking harder-to-get restaurant reservations through cardholder perks.
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Card benefits, terms and fees can change. For the most up-to-date information about cards mentioned in this episode, read our reviews:
Delta Reserve Credit Card: $650 Annual Fee, Sky Club Access
Delta SkyMiles Platinum AmEx Review: One Big Perk Pays the Fee
Delta SkyMiles Gold AmEx Review: Pricey for What You Get
JetBlue Premier Review: $300 Credit, Lounge Access and More
American Express Gold Card Review: Friendly for Foodies, Families
Chase Sapphire Preferred Review: Strong Option for Travel Rewards
Chase Sapphire Reserve Review: A High-End, High-Maintenance Card
Chase Freedom Unlimited Review: A Potential One-Card Solution
Citi Strata Elite Review: Premium Perks Can Offset Its Premium Fee
Bilt Obsidian Card: Fine for Foodies, Complex for Housing
Wells Fargo Autograph Review: Big Rewards, No Annual Fee
U.S. Bank Altitude Go: 4X Back on Dining, $0 Annual Fee
Capital One Savor Review: Foodie-Focused Rewards for No Annual Fee
American Express Platinum Review: Top-Notch Lounge Access, Big Credits
Hilton Honors Aspire Review: Rich Rewards, Luxury Perks for a Price
Bilt Palladium Card: Rewards on Housing Are Almost Secondary
Resources discussed in this episode:
First Look: Inside JetBlue’s BlueHouse Airport Lounge in Boston
United's A321XLR Will Fly You to Smaller European Cities
This Citi Card's Dining Perk Scored Me a Hard-to-Get Table in NYC
Video of the new BlueHouse lounge (via Instagram, @SmartTravelPod)
Want even more tips and tricks to get the most out of your travel dollars? Subscribe to TravelNerd, our free newsletter designed to help you crack the code on spending less on your travel.
*The show notes were created with the assistance of AI. They have been reviewed by our editorial team for accuracy and quality.
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