Join, Dine, Earn: Score up to 4,000 Bonus Miles by Joining These Airline Dining Programs

Did you know that you can earn airline miles just by going out to restaurants — and not just by using a co-branded card? Many airlines offer dining rewards programs where you can get rewarded each time you dine at an eligible restaurant.

Better yet, you can currently earn up to 4,000 bonus miles, including two new offers from American Airlines and United, when joining an airline dining rewards program as a new member and completing set tasks.

Considering these are “new member bonuses,” it goes without saying that these promotions are limited to those joining for the first time. If you already have an account with any of these programs, you won't be able to get the bonus miles.

Delta SkyMiles Dining: 1,000 Bonus Miles

The Delta SkyMiles Dining Program gives the largest new member bonus for a dining program of any airline. Through August 31, 2026, you can earn 1,000 SkyMiles for joining and spending at least $30 at a participating restaurant.

Credit: Delta

• Sign up for the SkyMiles Dining program before August 31, 2026.
• Link a debit or credit card.
• Within 30 days of joining the program, you must spend at least $30 (including tax and tip) on one purchase at any participating restaurant or bar.
• Pay the check with your linked credit or debit card.
• Review your dining experience via the link to the restaurant review in your Account Center or benefit confirmation email.
• Earn 1,000 bonus miles.

Delta SkyMiles^® Blue American Express Card

How to Apply

Rates & Fees
(Terms apply)

Welcome Offer Earn 10,000 bonus miles after you spend $1,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.

Delta SkyMiles^® Blue American Express Card

Welcome Offer Earn 10,000 bonus miles after you spend $1,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.

Annual Fee:$0

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Earn 2 miles per dollar on Delta purchases and at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the U.S. Benefits include 20% back as a statement credit on eligible Delta in-flight purchases, first checked bag free on Delta Flights, no foreign transaction fees and you'll pay $0 annual fee. (Rates & Fees) Enrollment required for select American Express benefits.

• Earn 10,000 bonus miles after you spend $1,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.
• No Annual Fee.
• Earn 2X Miles per dollar at restaurants worldwide, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S.
• Earn 2X Miles per dollar spent on Delta purchases, and 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases.
• Pay with Miles: take up to $50 off the cost of your flight for every 5,000 miles you redeem with Pay with Miles when you book on delta.com.
• Receive a 20% savings in the form of a statement credit after you use your Card on eligible Delta in-flight purchases of food, beverages, and audio headsets.
• No Foreign Transaction Fees.
• Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
• Terms Apply.

• 2X miles per dollar spent on purchases made directly with Delta
• 2X miles per dollar at restaurants worldwide, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S.
• 1 mile on every eligible dollar spent on purchases

JetBlue TrueBlue Dining: 500 Bonus Points

Fancy a few extra JetBlue TrueBlue points? Signing up for JetBlue TrueBlue Dining is a great way to pocket extra points without much effort.

• Sign up for the TrueBlue Dining program before January 5, 2027.
• Link a debit or credit card.
• Within 30 days of joining the program, you must spend at least $25 (including tax and tip) on one purchase at any participating restaurant or bar.
• Pay the check with your linked credit or debit card.
• Complete an online review.
• Earn 500 bonus points.

Southwest Rapid Rewards Dining: 500 Bonus Points

Southwest Airlines has one of the easiest loyalty programs, so it's only natural that it makes it easy to earn miles on everyday purchases, such as dining. New members can earn 500 bonus points after joining and completing some simple tasks.

Credit: Southwest Dining

• Sign up for the Southwest Rapid Rewards Dining program by January 5, 2027.
• Link a debit or credit card.
• Pay the check with your linked credit or debit card.
• Within 30 days of joining the program, you must spend at least $25 (including tax and tip) on one visit at any participating restaurant, bar, or club.
• Complete an online review within 30 days.
• Earn 500 bonus points.

Alaska Atmos Rewards Dining: 500 Bonus Points

Of all the airline currencies you can earn, Alaska Atmos Rewards points are easily some of the most valuable. Why not earn 500 bonus points by signing up for the Atmos Rewards Dining program?

Credit: Alaska Atmos Rewards Dining

• Sign up for the Atmos Rewards Dining program before January 5, 2027.
• Link a debit or credit card.
• Within 30 days of joining the program, you must spend at least $30 (including tax and tip) on one purchase at any participating restaurant, bar, or club.
• Pay the check with your linked credit or debit card.
• Complete an online review.
• Earn 500 bonus points.

Free Spirit Dining: 500 Bonus Points

If Spirit is your airline of choice, you'd be wise to sign up for the Free Spirit dining program. You can earn bonus miles just by going out to eat!

• Sign up for the Free Spirit Dining program before January 5, 2027.
• Link a debit or credit card.
• Spend at least $30 (including tax and tip) in one dine at any participating restaurant, bar, or club within 30 days of joining the program.
• Pay the check with your linked credit or debit card.
• Complete an online review.
• Earn 500 bonus points.

American Airlines AAdvantage^® Dining: 500 Bonus Miles

There aren't many things you can't earn AAdvantage^® miles on nowadays. Going out to eat through the AAdvantage Dining program is an easy way to supplement your mile-earning strategy, helping you get ever closer to that next sweet spot redemption. And you'll earn 500 bonus miles because you're a new member. This offer is available through January 9, 2027.

Screenshot of AAdvantage Dining

• Sign up for the AAdvantage^® Dining program before January 9, 2027.
• Link a debit or credit card.
• Within 30 days of joining the program, you must spend at least $25 (including tax and tip) on one or more purchases at any participating restaurant or bar.
• Pay the check with your linked credit or debit card.
• Review your dining experience via the link to the restaurant review in your Account Center or benefit confirmation email.
• Earn 500 bonus AAdvantage miles.

American Express^® Gold Card

How to Apply

Rates & Fees
(Terms apply)

Welcome Offer Find Out Your Offer. You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards^® Points after spending $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.

American Express^® Gold Card

Welcome Offer Find Out Your Offer. You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards^® Points after spending $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.

Annual Fee:$325

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The American Express^® Gold Card stands out for its robust rewards, especially for food enthusiasts. It offers 4X points on dining worldwide (up to $50,000 per year, then 1X) and U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000 per year, then 1X), and 3X points on flights booked directly with airlines or through American Express Travel^®. Cardholders can take advantage of multiple annual dining credits at select locations and up to $120 in Uber Cash credits for U.S. rides and Uber Eats (received as $10 monthly credits), just add your American Express^® Gold Card to your account in the Uber app and select it as the payment method. Enrollment required for select American Express benefits.

• You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you're approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount - all with no credit score impact. If you're approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
• Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
• Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
• New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
• Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
• Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
• Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
• Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You'll know upfront exactly how much you'll pay.
• Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
• $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
• $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment required.
• $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
• New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
• Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
• Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind - backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
• Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
• No Foreign Transaction Fees.
• Annual Fee is $325.
• Terms Apply.

• 4X Membership Rewards^® points at restaurants worldwide, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S. (on up to $50,000 per year in purchases, then 1X)
• 4X Membership Rewards^® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per year in purchases, then 1X)
• 5X Membership Rewards^® points on prepaid hotels booked on amextravel.com
• 3X Membership Rewards^® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com
• 2X Membership Rewards^® points on prepaid car rentals booked through amextravel.com
• 2X Membership Rewards^® points on cruises booked and paid through amextravel.com
• 1X on other eligible purchases

United MileagePlus Dining: 500 Bonus Miles

Saving up for a United MileagePlus sweet spot redemption? Supplementing your miles-earning methods with United's dining program is an easy way to earn miles faster. And the cherry on top is a new member bonus of 500 miles, available through January 9, 2027.

Screenshot of MileagePlus Dining

• Sign up for the MileagePlus Dining program before January 9, 2027.
• Link a debit or credit card.
• Spend at least $25 (including tax and tip) in one purchase at any participating restaurant or bar within 30 days of joining the program.
• Pay the check with your linked credit or debit card.
• Review your dining experience.
• Earn 500 bonus miles.

United Club℠ Card

Apply Now

Rates & Fees

Limited Time Offer Earn up to 110,000 bonus miles and 3,000 PQP after qualifying activities

United Club℠ Card

Limited Time Offer Earn up to 110,000 bonus miles and 3,000 PQP after qualifying activities

Annual Fee:$695

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The United Club is the top-tier United co-brand card, and offers some great perks like United Club℠ membership, priority check-in, security screening (where available), boarding and baggage handling privileges. If your not an elite, holding this card means you'll be treated like one of United's most loyal and valuable customers. If you already hold MileagePlus Premier status, the card also grants access to Complementary Premier Upgrades on United flights.

• Earn up to 110,000 bonus miles and 3,000 PQP
• NEW! 11x total miles on eligible United flights and 5x miles on all other eligible United® purchases
• 2x miles on dining and all other travel
• 1x mile on all other purchases
• United Club℠ card membership - at least a $750 value
• Free first and second checked bags - a savings of up to $360 per roundtrip (terms apply) - and Premier Access® travel services.
• Earn up to 20,000-miles in award flight discounts annually
• NEW! Save at least 10% when booking flights with miles. Premier members earn even more.
• Member FDIC

• Earn 5 miles per $1 spent on United^® purchases*
• Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on all other travel
• Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on dining
• Earn 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases

*11X total miles per $1 spent on eligible United^® flights

General Terms and Conditions for Airline Dining Program New Member Bonuses

• Bonus points and miles can take up to 6 weeks to appear in your account.
• Remain opted in to receive emails from the program with a valid, deliverable email address.
• Some participating restaurants offer bonus miles only on certain days of the week, with a monthly spending limit or a limit on the number of visits. Ensure that you check your dining rewards program website for details.
• These offers may not be combined with other dining program offers.
• Takeout and delivery orders that were eligible during the pandemic are no longer valid for these offers.

How Airline Dining Rewards Programs Work

Most of the dining programs work the same way. For each dollar you spend, you'll earn a small multiple of miles — usually around 0.5X miles per dollar. If you opt-in to receive emails from the dining program, you'll earn a lot more miles (typically around 3X) per dollar spent. After you complete a set number of transactions in one calendar year, you'll move up to VIP status and start earning 5X miles per dollar spent on your 12th transaction and thereafter.

There are a couple of exceptions. First, American AAdvantage^® Dining automatically gives you 1X mile per dollar spent (instead of 0.5X mile per dollar spent). The other notable mention is JetBlue, which only gives 3X TrueBlue points per dollar spent on dining and doesn't offer a higher tier of earnings for opting into emails. However, you can double your points earned through TrueBlue dining by using a JetBlue credit card.

Another big change is that Southwest points earned through the Rapid Rewards Dining program no longer count toward earning a Southwest Companion Pass.

Our Take

While each of these promotions has an expiration date, they are inevitably extended each time they expire. Unfortunately, the number of points you can earn has dropped repeatedly. So, it's better to sign up now and earn the bonuses now rather than wait for them to drop again.

Airline dining rewards programs are great for earning bonus miles without traveling. If you aren't already a member of these programs and want to maximize your miles, don't sign up for all of them at once. Consider staggering them each month or two so you can ensure you earn all of the bonuses.

You don't have to use an airline credit card to get these bonuses, but it will help you earn even more miles. You can also consult our list of the best credit cards for restaurant and dining purchases to further maximize your earnings.

For rates and fees of the cards mentioned in this post, please visit the following links: Delta SkyMiles^® Blue American Express Card (Rates & Fees), American Express^® Gold Card (Rates & Fees), and United Club℠ Card (Rates & Fees)