Dining Rewards Calculator
Enter your monthly dining spend to see which card earns the most after fees. We factor in spending caps, point valuations, and annual fee credits.
Your Monthly Spending
Sit-down and fast food
DoorDash, Uber Eats, etc.
Bars, coffee shops, breweries
Total monthly dining: $600 | Annual: $7,200
Best Card for Your Spending
Amex Gold
Earns $401 net per year after the $85 net fee
| Card | Annual Rewards | Net Fee | Net Earnings | Effective Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amex GoldBest | $486 | $85 | $401 | 5.6% |
| Citi Custom Cash | $312 | $0 | $312 | 4.3% |
| U.S. Bank Altitude Go | $288 | $0 | $288 | 4.0% |
| Chase Sapphire Preferred | $367 | $95 | $272 | 3.8% |
| Capital One Savor | $216 | $0 | $216 | 3.0% |
| Wells Fargo Autograph | $216 | $0 | $216 | 3.0% |
| Chase Sapphire Reserve | $432 | $495 | $-63 | -0.9% |
Point valuations: Amex MR at 1.8cpp, Chase UR at 1.7cpp (Preferred) / 2.0cpp (Reserve, via Points Boost), others at 1cpp. Spending caps applied for Citi Custom Cash and U.S. Bank Altitude Go. The Amex Gold 4x category excludes standalone bars and nightclubs, so bar spend earns its 1x base rate on that card (restaurants and cafes still earn 4x).
FAQ
How are point values calculated?
We use conservative real-world valuations. Amex MR at 1.8 cents per point (airline transfer average), Chase UR at 1.7cpp for Preferred and 2.0cpp for Reserve (its Points Boost ceiling on select Chase Travel bookings; base redemption is 1cpp since the June 2025 refresh removed the old fixed travel-portal bonus), and all other points/cash back at face value (1cpp). These are floor values - you can get more through optimal transfer partner redemptions.
Why does the Amex Gold show a lower fee than $325?
The Amex Gold includes $120/year in Uber Cash credits ($10/month) and $120/year in dining credits at Grubhub, Seamless, and other partners ($10/month). The net fee after using all credits is $85/year. If you would not use these credits, the full $325 applies.
What about cards with spending caps?
The calculator applies real spending caps. The Citi Custom Cash caps at $500/billing cycle, so high spenders see reduced effective rates. The U.S. Bank Altitude Go caps at $2,000/quarter. Once you exceed the cap, the calculator uses the base 1% rate for the overflow. See our spending cap guide.
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Updated 16 June 2026