Signing up for dining programs are a free and easy way to earn miles on all the major airlines. All you need to do is register your debit or credit cards on their sites and browse through their large selection of participating restaurants and dine out at one. There is nothing else you need to do but use your card that you registered with the dining program at a participating restaurant. Your points/miles will automatically show up in your account. Its an easy way to earn points for something you are doing already. You will notice that these are all very similar programs.
Here are the top dining programs you should sign up for:
First, to become a VIP member you must elect to receive emails (they don’t come that often) and dine out 12 times per year. This will earn you 5 miles per dollar at all participating restaurants. Simply being a Delta Dining member online will earn you 3 miles per dollar on qualifying transactions. The New member bonus is a great way to get 1,000 miles for signing up and dinging within the first 30 days. Then you just have to write a quick review of the restaurant and you should expect to see 1,000 miles plus however much you spent at the place. There are also restaurants who offer more miles on certain days so its good to check back on the site frequently and look for double miles.
American Airlines AAdvantage Dining Program
VIP members (same as Delta here). You must elect to receive emails and have 12 qualifying transactions in one calendar year. You can then earn 5 miles per dollar spent at any participating restaurant. Online members will earn 3 miles per dollar spent. The New member bonus is a great way to get 1,000 miles for signing up and dinging within the first 30 days. Then you just have to write a quick review of the restaurant and you should expect to see 1,000 miles plus however much you spent at the place. Some restaurants will offer double miles so check back frequently.
To become a VIP member you must elect to receive emails (again, they don’t come that often) and dine out 12 times per year. This will earn you 5 miles per dollarat all participating restaurants. Simply being a Delta Dining member online will earn you 3 miles per dollar on qualifying transactions. They offer a Welcome bonus which will earn you 1,000 miles for signing up and dinging within the first 30 days. You can also earn double miles with United.
US Airways Dividend Miles Dining
VIP members must elect to receive emails and have 12 qualifying transactions in one calendar year. You can then earn 5 miles per dollar spent at any participating restaurant. Online members will earn 3 miles per dollar spent. New member bonus and the only difference here it this dine will only earn you 500 miles but it can be completed twice in the first 45 days. Complete the review and the miles should follow.
Southwest Rapid Rewards Dining
If you are an Active member and provide an email address you are eligible for their dining program to receive 3 points for every dollar spent at participating restaurants. Earn an bonus 10 points for reviews completed within 30 days of any dine. The new member bonus will earn you 300 points for any dine within 60 days along with completing a review. They have even more perks you can look up after you sign-up.
Trip Hackr Tips
- You cannot double dip by using the same credit card for all of the dining programs (they will notice right away)
- Stick to the one you need the most (I use Delta since that’s what I fly the most)
- Look for bonus dining options
- Take advantage of new member bonus
- Remember many of these can be used at bars and clubs not just dinner
TripHackr Bonus Tip
And for tips on how to save money while traveling check out this guest post from Lettuce Eat Together. You can’t always earn miles when you dine on the road but you can still be healthy and save money. Check out Deals 4 Meals.
