CardRewardsEditorial disclosure: CardRewards.ai is an independent comparison service. Our analysis is based on publicly available card data and is reviewed regularly by our editorial team. Card issuers do not influence our rankings or content. Last updated: May 2026.
Ranked by effective value per dollar at food, beverages & tobacco-related merchants.
Rankings are generated by our algorithm based on earn rates, point valuations, fees, and benefits — not paid placement. We don't accept compensation to rank cards higher. How we rank
Food, Beverages & Tobacco groups 257 merchants — including the brands most readers ask about. American Express Gold Card ranks #1 here at 7.2¢ per dollar, with a $325 annual fee. The list below orders cards by net value to you, factoring in welcome offers, redemption value, and ongoing rewards.
Amex
Ranked by effective value per dollar at food, beverages & tobacco-related merchants.
Rankings are generated by our algorithm based on earn rates, point valuations, fees, and benefits — not paid placement. We don't accept compensation to rank cards higher. How we rank
Food, Beverages & Tobacco groups 257 merchants — including the brands most readers ask about. American Express Gold Card ranks #1 here at 7.2¢ per dollar, with a $325 annual fee. The list below orders cards by net value to you, factoring in welcome offers, redemption value, and ongoing rewards.
Amex
Ranked by effective value per dollar at food, beverages & tobacco-related merchants.
Rankings are generated by our algorithm based on earn rates, point valuations, fees, and benefits — not paid placement. We don't accept compensation to rank cards higher. How we rank
Food, Beverages & Tobacco groups 257 merchants — including the brands most readers ask about. American Express Gold Card ranks #1 here at 7.2¢ per dollar, with a $325 annual fee. The list below orders cards by net value to you, factoring in welcome offers, redemption value, and ongoing rewards.
Amex
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All 10 cards ranked by effective value per dollar.
| Card | Dining Rate | Effective Value | Annual Fee | Fee Offset | Network |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| American Express Gold CardAmex | 4x Membership Rewards | 7.2¢/$ | $325 | $36 | amex |
| Bilt Blue CardCardless | 3x Bilt Rewards | 6.0¢/$ | $0 | — | mastercard |
| Chase Sapphire Preferred CardChase | 3x Ultimate Rewards | 5.4¢/$ | $95 | $6.60 | visa |
| Bilt Obsidian CardCardless | 3x Bilt Rewards | 6.0¢/$ | $95 | $10 | mastercard |
| Bilt Palladium CardCardless | 3x Bilt Rewards | 6.0¢/$ | $495 | $40 | mastercard |
| American Express Green CardAmex | 3x Membership Rewards | 5.4¢/$ | $150 | $18.90 | amex |
| Wells Fargo Autograph Visa Credit CardWells Fargo | 3x Wells Fargo Rewards | 4.5¢/$ | $0 | $1.60 | visa |
| Citi Strata Elite℠ CardCiti | 3x ThankYou Points | 4.5¢/$ | $595 | $630.50 | mastercard |
| Chase Sapphire ReserveChase | 3x Ultimate Rewards | 5.4¢/$ | $795 | $198 | visa |
| Citi Strata Premier CardCiti | 3x ThankYou Points | 4.5¢/$ | $95 | $10 | mastercard |
Want to filter by spend amount, network, or fee preference?
Open in full search with filters →Cardless
Chase
Cardless
Cardless
All 10 cards ranked by effective value per dollar.
| Card | Dining Rate | Effective Value | Annual Fee | Fee Offset | Network |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| American Express Gold CardAmex | 4x Membership Rewards | 7.2¢/$ | $325 | $36 | amex |
| Bilt Blue CardCardless | 3x Bilt Rewards | 6.0¢/$ | $0 | — | mastercard |
| Chase Sapphire Preferred CardChase | 3x Ultimate Rewards | 5.4¢/$ | $95 | $6.60 | visa |
| Bilt Obsidian CardCardless | 3x Bilt Rewards | 6.0¢/$ | $95 | $10 | mastercard |
| Bilt Palladium CardCardless | 3x Bilt Rewards | 6.0¢/$ | $495 | $40 | mastercard |
| American Express Green CardAmex | 3x Membership Rewards | 5.4¢/$ | $150 | $18.90 | amex |
| Wells Fargo Autograph Visa Credit CardWells Fargo | 3x Wells Fargo Rewards | 4.5¢/$ | $0 | $1.60 | visa |
| Citi Strata Elite℠ CardCiti | 3x ThankYou Points | 4.5¢/$ | $595 | $630.50 | mastercard |
| Chase Sapphire ReserveChase | 3x Ultimate Rewards | 5.4¢/$ | $795 | $198 | visa |
| Citi Strata Premier CardCiti | 3x ThankYou Points | 4.5¢/$ | $95 | $10 | mastercard |
Want to filter by spend amount, network, or fee preference?
Open in full search with filters →Cardless
Chase
Cardless
Cardless
All 10 cards ranked by effective value per dollar.
| Card | Dining Rate | Effective Value | Annual Fee | Fee Offset | Network |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| American Express Gold CardAmex | 4x Membership Rewards | 7.2¢/$ | $325 | $36 | amex |
| Bilt Blue CardCardless | 3x Bilt Rewards | 6.0¢/$ | $0 | — | mastercard |
| Chase Sapphire Preferred CardChase | 3x Ultimate Rewards | 5.4¢/$ | $95 | $6.60 | visa |
| Bilt Obsidian CardCardless | 3x Bilt Rewards | 6.0¢/$ | $95 | $10 | mastercard |
| Bilt Palladium CardCardless | 3x Bilt Rewards | 6.0¢/$ | $495 | $40 | mastercard |
| American Express Green CardAmex | 3x Membership Rewards | 5.4¢/$ | $150 | $18.90 | amex |
| Wells Fargo Autograph Visa Credit CardWells Fargo | 3x Wells Fargo Rewards | 4.5¢/$ | $0 | $1.60 | visa |
| Citi Strata Elite℠ CardCiti | 3x ThankYou Points | 4.5¢/$ | $595 | $630.50 | mastercard |
| Chase Sapphire ReserveChase | 3x Ultimate Rewards | 5.4¢/$ | $795 | $198 | visa |
| Citi Strata Premier CardCiti | 3x ThankYou Points | 4.5¢/$ | $95 | $10 | mastercard |
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