Credit cards come in all sorts of varieties, so finding the best card for your needs is essential. Are you sick of seeing the same rewards cards getting recycled through endless “Best of” posts? Here are some of the best overlooked (and under-the-radar) dining credit cards you should consider:
At a Glance
 Bilt Mastercard® |
 PayPal Cashback Mastercard® |
 IKEA® Visa® |
 U.S. Bank Triple Cash Rewards Visa® Business |
What Are the Most Overlooked Dining Rewards Credit Cards?
Dining rewards credit cards are only getting more popular, and many issuers are updating their products to earn you rewards when you dine out or take out. Having a tough time finding one that speaks to you? Consider the picks below; we chose them not because they’re under-the-radar, but because they’re genuinely good cards – they’re simply names you may not be familiar with already.
Bilt Mastercard
Bilt Mastercard
Bilt Mastercard
- 21.49%, 24.49%, or 29.49% variable based on creditworthiness and the Prime Rate Regular Purchase APR
- 21.49%, 24.49%, or 29.49% variable based on creditworthiness and the Prime Rate Balance Transfer APR
- 29.24% variable based on the Prime Rate Cash Advance APR
At a Glance
The Bilt World Elite Mastercard is a unique rewards credit card from Wells Fargo that lets users earn 1X on monthly rent payments, 3X on travel, 2X on dining, and offers impressive perks including Lyft and DoorDash statement credits – all for no annual fee.
- Best Benefits
- Rates & Fees
- Why Should You Apply?
- No annual fee
- No foreign transaction fees
- Earn 1X points on rent payments (up to 50,000 points each calendar year)
- Earn 2X points on travel
- Earn 3X points on dining
- Regular Purchase APR: 21.49%, 24.49%, or 29.49% variable based on creditworthiness and the Prime Rate
- Balance Transfer APR: 21.49%, 24.49%, or 29.49% variable based on creditworthiness and the Prime Rate
- Balance Transfer Transaction Fee: Introductory fee of either $5 or 3% of the amount of each balance transfer, whichever is greater, for 120 days from account opening. After that, up to 5% for each balance transfer, with a minimum of $5
- Cash Advance APR: 29.24% variable based on the Prime Rate
- Cash Advance Transaction Fee: Either $10 or 5% of the amount of each advance, whichever is greater
- Late Payment Penalty Fee: Up to $40
- You rent and want to earn rewards on your monthly rental payments
- You’re a member of Bilt Rewards
- You don’t want to pay an annual fee
We often harp on the Bilt Mastercard, but it’s only because it provides such robust value for renters. The card is a first-of-its-kind rewards card in that it allows cardholders to earn 1X points per $1 spent on rent payments (up to 50,000 points each calendar year) without the transaction fee you may normally have to pay when you use a credit card for rent.
That rewards bonus is a great feature that’s even better when you realize that it applies to any landlord – even if they don’t accept credit card payments. If your apartment doesn’t accept credit cards or you rent outside the Bilt Rewards Alliance of landlords, pay through Bilt’s mobile app, and the company will mail a physical check to your landlord.
But the Bilt World Elite Mastercard offers far more value –especially if you are looking for a versatile card for your everyday needs. The Bilt Card earns the following reward points on select bonus categories:
There’s even more value thanks to Bilt Dining, a dedicated dining program that allows Bilt Rewards members to earn points on select dining using the Bilt Wallet in the company’s mobile app. Cardholders can earn up to 5X points per $1 spent with these partners – a great haul you can then apply towards rent – or even a down payment.
Those points on dining are only the start, however. That rewards rate doubles on the 1st of every month, thanks to Bilt’s Rent Day promotion. Cardholders can earn double the points on all eligible purchases (excluding rent). Here’s how that promotion works out:
| Action | Rewards | Total Points |
|---|---|---|
| Eating at an eligible Bilt Dining restaurant | 5X per $1 | 5 |
| Paying with the Bilt Mastercard | 3X per $1 |
|
| “Rent Day” bonus | Additional 2X on all purchases* | 6 |
| 11X per $1 | ||
| *Bilt Dining not eligible for “Rent Day” | ||
Overall, the Bilt Mastercard offers plenty to get excited about for those who pay rent, dine out often, and want to earn plenty of rewards when making their monthly payments.
PayPal Cashback Mastercard
PayPal Cashback Mastercard
PayPal Cashback Mastercard
- 19.99%, 28.99% or 31.99% variable based on creditworthiness and the Prime Rate Regular Purchase APR
- 31.99% variable based on the Prime Rate Cash Advance APR
At a Glance
The PayPal Cashback Mastercard® is an excellent option for everyone who wants a no-hassle rewards credit card in their wallet. Accepted everywhere Mastercard is accepted, this card boasts and impressive 3% cash back on PayPal purchases and 2% cash back on all other purchases with no redemption threshold or complicated categories to worry about.
- Best Benefits
- Rates & Fees
- Why Should You Apply?
- Earn 3% back on PayPal purchases
- Earn unlimited 2% back on all purchases
- No annual fee
- ID Theft Protection
- No foreign transaction fees
- Regular Purchase APR: 19.99%, 28.99% or 31.99% variable based on creditworthiness and the Prime Rate
- Cash Advance APR: 31.99% variable based on the Prime Rate
- Cash Advance Transaction Fee: Either $10 or 5% of the amount of each cash advance, whichever is greater
- Foreign Transaction Fee: 3% of the transaction amount in U.S. dollars
- Late Payment Penalty Fee: Up to $40
- Return Payment Penalty Fee: $29
- You’re eager to earn 3% cash back on PayPal purchases without rotating categories
- You do not want limits on when or how much of your cash back earned can be applied towards your PayPal balance
- You seek a credit card offering identity theft support without an annual fee
When it comes to dining out at fast food places or ordering in from your favorite app – be it Grubhub, DoorDash, Uber Eats, Slice, or anything else – there are few better options than the PayPal Cashback Mastercard® from Synchrony – especially at no annual fee. The card earns an unlimited 3% cash back on all PayPal purchases – an amazing feature given the near-universal reach of the PayPal network. Millions of merchants accept PayPal through contactless payments in-store or via mobile wallet purchases online – both excellent ways to maximize your cash back when ordering some grub.
The PayPal Cashback Mastercard also offers an unlimited 2% back on all other purchases with the card. This base rate is on par with cards like the Citi® Double Cash Card, the Wells Fargo Active Cash, and the TD Double Up Card. Rewards are redeemable as credits to your PayPal account, which is another great feature. Thanks to this simple option, you can transfer funds to your bank account, pay friends for drinks or food tabs, or buy whatever you want through PayPal.
In addition to that, you also get the typical Mastercard protections you expect, such as $0 Fraud Liability against fraudulent charges on your card, ID Theft Protection, and Mastercard Global Services emergency assistance. But no matter how you slice it, the PayPal Mastercard is a lucrative cash back option if you like having a huge amount of choices for purchases, rewards, and a whole lot more.
IKEA® Visa® Credit Card
IKEA® Visa® Credit Card
IKEA® Visa® Credit Card
- 21.99 Regular Purchase APR
- 26.99% Balance Transfer APR
- 24.99% Cash Advance APR
At a Glance
Furnishing and redecorating your home becomes five times more rewarding with the IKEA® Visa® credit card. Earn 5% back on all IKEA purchases and an extra 3% bonus on dining, groceries, and utility bills with no annual fee.
- Best Benefits
- Rates & Fees
- Why Should You Apply?
- Receive $25 off for making an IKEA purchase the same day the card is opened
- Receive $25 off for spending $500 outside of IKEA
- 5% back in rewards on IKEA purchases (includes the restaurant), Traemand installation and TaskRabbit assembly services
- 3% back in rewards on dining
- 3% back in rewards on groceries
- 3% back in rewards on utilities
- 1% back in rewards on all other purchases
- Regular Purchase APR: 21.99
- Balance Transfer APR: 26.99%
- Balance Transfer Transaction Fee: Either $10 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater
- Cash Advance APR: 24.99%
- Cash Advance Transaction Fee: Either $10 or 5% of the amount of each cash advance, whichever is greater
- Late Payment Penalty Fee: Up to $41
- Return Payment Penalty Fee: Up to $41
- You spend at least $300 at IKEA every three years
- You want to earn rewards for utilities such as electric, gas, cable, and phone services
- You frequently dine at the IKEA restaurant
- You already an IKEA FAMILY member
- You live near an IKEA showroom
Wait – a store card in the under-the-radar dining and restaurant cards list? Yes, but hear us out: the IKEA® Visa® is a robust dining and home furnishing card all in one. Let us explain.
There’s a lot to like regarding the IKEA Visa card. For starters, there’s the $25 off your first IKEA purchase of $25 or more when you first get your card and use it to make a purchase the same day (If you apply in-store) or as a statement credit if you apply online. That’s an easy bonus if ever there was one.
But there’s also the generous rewards structure of the retail card from Comenity Bank. The IKEA Visa’s bonus categories are as follows:
- 5% back on IKEA purchases
- 3% back on dining, grocery, and utility purchases
- 1% back on all other purchases
What makes this such a great structure is that Traemand and TaskRabbit purchases also qualify for 5% back – as do purchases at the IKEA restaurant. If you have the Ikea Visa in your wallet, you can enjoy huge rewards by filling your card with the latest BJORTKSTA or stuffing your face with those delicious Swedish meatballs. If you want to fund a home renovation project and satisfy your hunger, check out the IKEA Visa.
Discover it® Chrome for Students
Discover it® Chrome for Students
Discover it® Chrome for Students
- 18.24% to 27.24% variable based on creditworthiness and the Prime Rate Regular Purchase APR
- 18.24% to 27.24% variable based on creditworthiness and the Prime Rate Balance Transfer APR
- 29.99% variable based on the Prime Rate Cash Advance APR
- 0% for 6 months from date of account opening date Intro Purchase APR
At a Glance
The Discover it Chrome for Students is a student credit card and cash back rewards card that allows college students to earn 2% cash back on gas and restaurants, plus 1% cash back on everything else. In addition to not having to worry about an annual fee, students who maintain a GPA of 3.0 or higher will receive a $20 statement credit each school year.
- Best Benefits
- Rates & Fees
- Why Should You Apply?
- Get $20 statement credit each school year your GPA is 3.0 or higher for up to next five years
- Earn 2% cash back at gas and restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter. Plus 1% cash back on all other purchases
- Discover matches all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year, automatically
- Cash back rewards do not expired and can be redeemed at any time
- 0% intro APR on purchases for 6 months
- No annual fee, no late fee on first late payment. No APR change for paying late
- Intro Purchase APR: 0% for 6 months from date of account opening date
- Regular Purchase APR: 18.24% to 27.24% variable based on creditworthiness and the Prime Rate
- Intro Balance Transfer APR: 10.99% for 6 months from date of first transfer
- Balance Transfer APR: 18.24% to 27.24% variable based on creditworthiness and the Prime Rate
- Balance Transfer Transaction Fee: 3% of the amount of each transfer posted at the promotional rate. After that, 5% of the amount of each transfer
- Cash Advance APR: 29.99% variable based on the Prime Rate
- Cash Advance Transaction Fee: Either $10 or 5% of the amount of each cash advance, whichever is greater
- Late Payment Penalty Fee: None the first time you pay late. After that, up to $41
- Return Payment Penalty Fee: Up to $41
- You’re planning on commuting to college
- You plan to eat out rather than in the cafeteria
- You want a card that rewards a good school year, as your GPA can get you extra savings
- You want to take advantage of Cashback Match – only from Discover
- You don’t want to pay an annual fee
College is nearly back in session, so it only makes sense to include a quality dining credit card option for students. The Discover it® Chrome for Students offers the ideal platform for building credit and getting your hands dirty with credit cards in college.
Students automatically earn 2% cash back at gas stations and dining purchases on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter. After that, you’ll earn 1% back – and you also earn 1% all the time on every other purchase that doesn’t fall under gas or dining. Even better, the card also enjoys Discover’s famed “Cashback Match” after the first year. That feature allows you to earn an unlimited dollar-for-dollar match of all the cash back you’ve earned automatically at the end of your first year as a cardholder. It’s a great feature that continually makes Discover one of the best places to build credit.
But Discover offers other benefits, especially for students. Discover’s Good Grade Reward provides a $20 statement credit if you keep your GPA above 3.0. And, since this bonus is good for up to five academic years, the total reward is up to $100 – just for doing your homework. Students also receive free access to their FICO credit score each month and pay no pesky fees, including annual or foreign transaction fees, when using the card abroad.
U.S. Bank Triple Cash Rewards Visa® Business Card
U.S. Bank Triple Cash Rewards Visa® Business Card
U.S. Bank Triple Cash Rewards Visa® Business Card
- 19.24% to 28.24% variable based on creditworthiness and the Prime Rate Regular Purchase APR
- 19.24% to 28.24% variable based on creditworthiness and the Prime Rate Balance Transfer APR
- 29.99% variable based on the Prime Rate Cash Advance APR
- 0% for 15 months Intro Purchase APR
At a Glance
The U.S. Bank Triple Cash Rewards Visa® Business Card offers a decent cash back sign-up bonus, up to 3% back on eligible purchases, and two 0% intro APR periods, all for no annual fee.
- Best Benefits
- Rates & Fees
- Why Should You Apply?
- Limited Time Offer: Earn $500 in cash back. Just spend $4500 on the Account Owner’s card in the first 150 days of opening your account
- Introducing the U.S. Bank Business Triple Cash Rewards, the card that gives back on all your eligible business needs
- Earn 3% cash back on eligible purchases at gas stations and EV charging stations, office supply stores, cell phone service providers and restaurants
- 1% cash back on all other eligible net purchases
- Earn 5% cash back on prepaid hotels and car rentals booked directly in the Travel Rewards Center
- No limit on total cash back earned
- Rewards never expire
- Earn an annual $100 statement credit for recurring software subscription expenses such as FreshBooks or quickbooks
- 0% Intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 billing cycles. After that, a variable APR currently 15.49% to 24.49%
- No annual fee
- Pay over time by splitting eligible purchases of $100+ into equal monthly payments with U.S. Bank ExtendPay™ Plan
- Great Offer from U.S. Bank, a 2022 World’s Most Ethical Company® – Ethisphere Institute, February 2022
- Terms and conditions apply
- Intro Purchase APR: 0% for 15 months
- Regular Purchase APR: 19.24% to 28.24% variable based on creditworthiness and the Prime Rate
- Intro Balance Transfer APR: 0% for 15 months for balances transferred within 30 days from account opening.
- Balance Transfer APR: 19.24% to 28.24% variable based on creditworthiness and the Prime Rate
- Balance Transfer Transaction Fee: Either 3% of the amount of each transfer or $5 minimum, whichever is greater
- Cash Advance APR: 29.99% variable based on the Prime Rate
- Cash Advance Transaction Fee: Either 5% of the amount of each advance or $10 minimum, whichever is greater
- Penalty APR: 29.99%
- Foreign Transaction Fee: 3% of each foreign transaction in U.S. dollars
- Late Payment Penalty Fee: $40
- Return Payment Penalty Fee: $40
- Over Limit Penalty Fee: $40
- You own a small business and want to invest in its infrastructure or software
- You have an existing credit card balance you want to pay down at a lower rate
- You spend frequently on categories like gas stations, dining, or office supplies
- You do’t want to pay an annual fee
When discussing business credit cards, the common options are Chase, Capital One, or Amex. But there are plenty of excellent offers from other banks – including U.S. Bank.
Specifically, the U.S. Bank Triple Cash Rewards Visa® Business Card is a lucrative dining card for companies that plan to issue multiple employee cards. It earns 3% cash back on eligible purchases at gas stations, EV charging stations, office supply stores, cell phone service providers, and restaurants – in other words, versatility for whatever life throws at your employees. And if they travel frequently, there’s an additional 5% back earned on prepaid hotels and car rentals booked directly in the U.S. Bank Travel Rewards Center, plus 1% back everywhere else (with no caps or annual fees to worry about).
U.S. Bank offers companies a simplified award structure for Triple Cash Rewards cardholders. Businesses can opt to redeem their earnings as either a statement credit or a direct deposit into an associated U.S. Bank business checking, savings, or money market account. This is a great feature for account managers who want lucrative and elastic rewards without the headache of confusing hotel or airline rewards programs.
