There are various ways to earn points and miles, ranging from the obvious methods like flying or using a credit card, to some lesser-known strategies like online shopping portals. One of the most convenient ways to earn extra rewards on purchases you were already planning to make is by signing up for airline dining rewards programs. These programs allow you to earn additional miles by using an enrolled credit card when paying for your bills at participating restaurants, bars, and clubs. In this article, we will discuss how to maximize the American Airlines AAdvantage Dining program.
To get started with AAdvantage Dining, simply head to their website and register. You will need to link your credit card and AAdvantage account to start earning extra miles. One of the great advantages of AAdvantage Dining is that the miles you earn while dining count as base miles, which can help you inch closer to American Airlines elite status.
To find participating restaurants, you can search for specific names or type in a city or ZIP code to see a list of nearby options. It is important to note that while you can link as many cards as you want to your AAdvantage Dining account, each card can only be linked to one dining rewards program. So, you cannot link the same card to both the United Airlines MileagePlus Dining program and the AAdvantage Dining program.
Joining AAdvantage Dining is free, and your membership will remain active as long as you have at least one qualifying dining experience every 36 months.
Earning rates in the AAdvantage Dining program are based on three membership tiers:
1. Basic member: Earn 1 mile per dollar spent if you opt out of email communication from AAdvantage Dining.
2. Select member: Earn 3 miles per dollar spent if you opt in to email communication from AAdvantage Dining.
3. VIP member: Earn 5 miles per dollar spent if you opt in to email communication from AAdvantage Dining and have completed 11 qualified transactions in the current or previous calendar year. VIP status starts from the 12th qualified transaction.
It’s important to note that these earning rates are not connected to your American Airlines elite status. Therefore, having elite status in the AAdvantage program will not help you earn more miles through the AAdvantage Dining program.
Typically, miles earned from dining will appear in your AAdvantage Dining account three to five days after a qualifying transaction. They should be posted to your AAdvantage account within one to two weeks.
When it comes to choosing which credit card to use, it depends on your status within the AAdvantage Dining program. Depending on your membership tier, you can earn anywhere from 1 to 5 miles per dollar spent at eligible restaurants. The good news is that these AAdvantage miles are in addition to any rewards you would already earn from your credit card. Some popular choices for dining rewards include the Chase Sapphire Reserve, American Express Gold Card, and Citi Prestige Card.
If you have multiple cards that you regularly use when dining out, it’s a good idea to link all of them to your AAdvantage Dining account. This way, you won’t miss out on any opportunities to earn rewards. For example, if you frequently switch between the American Express Gold Card and Chase Sapphire Reserve, depending on whether you want to earn Amex Membership Rewards points or Chase Ultimate Rewards points, it’s recommended to link both cards to your account.
In conclusion, signing up for a dining rewards program like AAdvantage Dining offers an excellent opportunity to earn more rewards while dining out. If you frequently eat out and your favorite restaurants participate in AAdvantage Dining, you can easily earn VIP status and significantly boost your earning rate. Additionally, if you’re aiming for elite status with the American AAdvantage program, the miles earned through AAdvantage Dining count as Loyalty Points, making it a great option for work events or business meals that can be reimbursed.