Does fast food count as a restaurant for credit cards? This question is about Best Credit Cards for Restaurants

Yes, fast food does count as a restaurant for credit cards that have dining as a bonus rewards category. All major credit card companies include fast food locations within their definition of a restaurant for rewards purposes, including American Express, Bank of America, Capital One and Chase. For cardholders to earn bonus rewards, the fast food restaurant simply needs a merchant category code that properly reflects that it’s a restaurant. Credit Card Companies That Count Fast Food as a Restaurant for Rewards American Express Bank of America Barclays Capital One Chase Citibank Discover US Bank USAA Wells Fargo In some cases, it is possible that a particular fast food location won’t code as a restaurant, even if your card gets bonus rewards at fast food restaurants. If this occurs, it’s generally because the fast food restaurant is located within a larger establishment that codes as something else, such as a shopping mall or a stadium. You should also note that merchant category codes are separate for traditional and fast food restaurants, so some cards could offer bonus rewards just at traditional restaurants. Most of the time, though, traditional and fast food restaurants are grouped together. You can always confirm this by calling your card issuer.

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Does fast food count as a restaurant for credit cards?

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This question is about Best Credit Cards for Restaurants

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Cameron DiGiovanni, Writer

@cdigiovanni20 • 04/30/21 This answer was first published on 04/30/21. For the most current information about a financial product, you should always check and confirm accuracy with the offering financial institution. Editorial and user-generated content is not provided, reviewed or endorsed by any company.

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Yes, fast food does count as a restaurant for credit cards that have dining as a bonus rewards category. All major credit card companies include fast food locations within their definition of a restaurant for rewards purposes, including American Express, Bank of America, Capital One and Chase. For cardholders to earn bonus rewards, the fast food restaurant simply needs a merchant category code that properly reflects that it’s a restaurant.

Credit Card Companies That Count Fast Food as a Restaurant for Rewards

American Express
Bank of America
Barclays
Capital One
Chase
Citibank
Discover
US Bank
USAA
Wells Fargo

In some cases, it is possible that a particular fast food location won’t code as a restaurant, even if your card gets bonus rewards at fast food restaurants. If this occurs, it’s generally because the fast food restaurant is located within a larger establishment that codes as something else, such as a shopping mall or a stadium.

You should also note that merchant category codes are separate for traditional and fast food restaurants, so some cards could offer bonus rewards just at traditional restaurants. Most of the time, though, traditional and fast food restaurants are grouped together. You can always confirm this by calling your card issuer.

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Do fast food restaurants accept credit cards?

Yes, fast food restaurants accept credit cards. In fact, the 20 largest fast-food chains in the U.S. all accept credit. That includes Pizza Hut, McDonald’s, Burger King, Subway and Taco Bell.

Many fast food places now have chip card readers at the register where you can dip your chip-enabled card rather than swipe when you place your order. The transaction is more secure that way.... read full answer

Some cards that give extra rewards for dining and restaurants will also include fast food purchases. The Wells Fargo Propel Amex and the UMB Simply Rewards Visa Platinum card are a couple of good examples. Just be sure to pay off the card’s balance in full to avoid paying interest on a cheeseburger.

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What does the Chase Sapphire Reserve dining rewards category include?

The Chase Sapphire Reserve dining rewards category includes most places that have sit-down or eat-in, from eligible delivery services, to takeout and dining out. Purchases from merchants that are classified as “dining/restaurants” will give you 3 points per $1 spent.

Examples of what Chase Sapphire Reserve dining rewards category includes:

Fast food restaurants
Fine dining establishments... read full answer

Bars and breweries

Coffee shops

University dining halls

Cafés

Eligible delivery services

Takeout orders

Examples of what Chase Sapphire Reserve dining rewards category doesn’t include:

What does not count as dining for Chase Sapphire Reserve are purchases at bakeries, catering services and grocery stores. Merchants that sell food and drinks inside larger venues such as hotels/casinos, amusement parks and sports stadiums also do not qualify, unless purchases are categorized under the merchant code for restaurants. It is also worth noting that Chase is not responsible for how merchants code dining transactions.

There’s no limit to the number of points a cardholder can earn on Chase Sapphire Reserve dining purchases. Travel purchases also get the 3 points per $1 spent earning rate when they are not booked through Chase. All purchases that don’t qualify for bonus rewards get 1 point / $1 spent.

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Is Starbucks considered a restaurant for credit cards?

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