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Which purchases code as ‘eating’ with Chase Sapphire playing cards?

The Chase Sapphire Reserve® (see charges and charges) and its extra budget-friendly sibling, the Chase Sapphire Most popular® Card (see charges and charges), are among the many greatest journey bank cards as a consequence of their wonderful incomes charges.

They each earn 3 Chase Final Rewards factors per greenback spent on eating purchases worldwide, plus 4 factors per greenback spent on flights and motels booked direct on the Sapphire Reserve* and a pair of factors per greenback spent on all journey for the Sapphire Most popular. Moreover, (via Sept. 30, 2027), the playing cards earn 5 factors per greenback spent on Lyft rides.

*New cardholders who utilized for the Sapphire Reserve on June 23 and past have entry to the 4 factors per greenback spent incomes fee. Current Sapphire Reserve cardholders will get entry to this elevated incomes fee beginning Oct. 26.

MARK KATZMAN/REGENT SEVEN SEAS

Chase’s definition of what counts as a journey buy is kind of broad, together with nearly each trip-related cost, from Airbnb bookings to parking charges. However how does its definition of eating stack up? Fortunately, it is fairly beneficiant as effectively.

‘Eating places,’ in line with Chase

Here is how “eating places” are outlined, in line with Chase’s web site:

‘This class’s retailers’ major enterprise is sit-down or eat-in eating, together with quick meals eating places and high-quality eating institutions. Retailers that promote meals and drinks situated inside amenities corresponding to sports activities stadiums, motels and casinos, theme parks, grocery and shops won’t be included on this class except the service provider has arrange such purchases to be categorised in a restaurant class. Bakeries, caterers, meal equipment supply companies, and present card retailers will not be included within the class. Supply and takeout companies can be included in the event that they classify as a restaurant service provider.’

Whereas the time period “eating places” is fairly simple, in apply, this class is broader than it seems on the floor. Primarily, any institution that serves (versus sells) meals or drinks counts.

The acquisition will qualify if a service provider classifies itself in a restaurant class when making use of to simply accept bank cards.

THOMAS BARWICK/GETTY IMAGES

As an example, bars (together with ones that do not serve meals) and occasional outlets corresponding to Starbucks sometimes code as eating purchases. Normally, you will earn 3 factors per greenback spent with restaurant supply companies, together with DoorDash and Uber Eats.

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Associated: Greatest eating bank cards

What does Chase sometimes depend as eating purchases?

  • Bars
  • Breweries
  • Cafes
  • Espresso outlets
  • Quick meals eating places
  • Juiceries
  • Restaurant supply companies (Caviar, DoorDash, Eat24, Grubhub and Seamless, however not Postmates)
  • Eating places
  • College eating halls
  • Merchandising machines

What does Chase sometimes not depend as eating purchases?

  • Bakeries
  • Catering companies
  • Food and drinks institutions situated inside bigger retailers
  • Grocery shops
  • In-flight meals and drinks
  • Meal equipment subscriptions

As an added restaurant supply perk, Chase Sapphire Most popular and Sapphire Reserve cardholders additionally at the moment get no less than one 12 months of complimentary DoorDash DashPass membership, which provides you free supply and diminished service charges on eligible purchases (should activate by Dec. 31, 2027).

Scene at a table with a couple enjoying lunch at a vegan cafe
YAGI STUDIO/GETTY IMAGES

Whereas it is unusual, generally eating places aren’t categorized appropriately, so should you really feel like an eligible eating buy did not code correctly, you possibly can all the time strive disputing it with a Chase consultant to get the bonus factors you assume you deserve.

Associated: Chase Sapphire Most popular vs. Sapphire Reserve: Do you have to go mid-tier or premium?

Backside line

Chase’s definition of a eating buy is kind of in depth, so Sapphire Most popular and Sapphire Reserve cardholders have loads of alternatives to earn 3 Final Rewards factors per greenback spent. Based mostly on TPG’s July 2025 valuations, that is a return of as much as 6.15% on these purchases.

Plus, you would earn much more rewards by linking your card with eating rewards packages corresponding to inKind, Rakuten or Seated.


Apply right here: Chase Sapphire Reserve with 100,000 bonus factors and a $500 Chase Journey℠ promo credit score after spending $5,000 on purchases throughout the first three months of account opening.
Apply right here: Chase Sapphire Most popular Card with 75,000 bonus factors after spending $5,000 on purchases throughout the first three months of account opening.



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