this Chase SapphireReserve® (See rates and fees) and its more budget-friendly siblings Chase Sapphire Priority® Card (See rates and fees), which is due to its amazing income rate, is one of the best travel credit cards.
Both of them spent 3 chase ultimate bonus points per dollar on global catering purchases, and 4 points per dollar spent on flights, hotels booked directly on sapphire reserves*, and 2 points per dollar on all trips. Additionally, (until September 30, 2027), it took 5 points to get stuck on the Lyft ride.
*New cardholders applying for Sapphire Reserve on June 23 and beyond can use the income rate of 4 points per dollar. Existing sapphire reserve cardholders will access this increased revenue rate starting October 26.
Chase defines travel purchases very broadly, including almost all travel-related fees, from Airbnb booking to parking fees. But how does its definition of dining pile up? Fortunately, it was generous too.
Chase said, “restaurants”
According to Chase’s website, the following is the definition of “restaurant”:
The main business of “Businessmen in this category” is to sit down or eat, including fast food restaurants and fine dining venues. Merchants who sell food and beverages in facilities such as gyms, hotels and casinos, theme parks, grocery stores and department stores will not be included in such categories unless the merchant has established such purchases to be classified as a restaurant category. Bakeries, catering service kit delivery services and gift card merchants are not included in this category. If they are classified as restaurant merchants, delivery and takeaway services will be included.
While the term “restaurant” is quite simple, in fact, this category is more extensive than it appears on the surface. Essentially, any service (relative to the sale) of food or drink counting institutions.
If a merchant classifies himself into a restaurant category when applying for a credit card, the purchase will be eligible.
For example, bars (including bars that do not serve food) and coffee shops such as Starbucks are usually coded as dining. In most cases, you will earn 3 points per dollar for restaurant delivery, including Doordash and Uber Eats.
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Related: Best Meal Credit Cards
Chase usually counts as a catering purchase?
- bar
- Brewery
- cafes
- Coffee Shop
- Fast food restaurant
- Juicer
- Restaurant delivery services (Caviar, Doordash, Eat24, Grubhub and seamless, but not postman)
- Restaurant
- University Restaurant
- Vending machine
Chase is not usually considered a catering purchase?
- bakery
- Catering Services
- Food and beverage venues within larger businessmen
- grocery store
- Food and drinks on board
- Meal kit subscription
As an added restaurant delivery allowance, Chase Sapphire’s first choice and Sapphire Conservation Area Currently, cardholders are also receiving at least one year of free Doordash Dashpass membership, which provides you with free shipping and reduced service charges for eligible purchases (must be activated by December 31, 2027).
While this is not common, sometimes restaurants are not classified correctly, so if you feel that the eligible dining purchase is incorrect, you can always try to dispute with a Chase representative to get the reward points you think you deserve.
Related: Chase Sapphire Preferred with Sapphire Reserve: Should you go to Medium or Advanced?
Bottom line
Chase has a very broad definition of buying a meal, so there are plenty of opportunities for Sapphire’s top choice and sapphire reserve cardholders to spend every $3 spent. According to TPG’s July 2025 valuation, these purchases have a return of up to 6.15%.
Plus, you can get more rewards by connecting the card to Inkind, rakuten or a seated dining rewards program.
Apply here: Chatong Sapphire Reserve Spend $5,000 in the first three months of opening an account, with 100,000 bonus points and $500 in chase promotion credit.
Apply here: Chase Sapphire’s preferred card After spending $5,000 in the first three months of the account opening and 75,000 bonus points were earned after spending $5,000 on purchases.
