Merchants · Starbucks
Does Starbucks count as dining for credit card rewards?
· Category rules checked against issuer terms
Usually yes, at standalone stores. Starbucks locations are commonly reported to code as fast food restaurants, which most dining categories include. A Starbucks inside a Target, grocery store or airport usually posts as the host business.
- Dining on cards whose dining category includes fast food and cafes
- Dining, when the Starbucks is inside another store, hotel, airport or campus building
- Dining, for app reloads, on some cards (reports conflict)
How Starbucks is coded
Most standalone Starbucks stores are reported to use the fast food restaurant code. Licensed stores inside other businesses are run through the host's registers, so they usually post as the host.
| MCC | Category | Where it applies |
|---|---|---|
| 5814 | Fast Food Restaurants | Company-operated stores (commonly reported) |
| — | Starbucks app and card reloads | Not published, and cardholder reports conflict |
| varies | Licensed stores inside another business | Often coded as the host store, such as Target or a supermarket |
How card issuers treat it
- Capital One. Savor's dining category includes "restaurants, cafes, bars, lounges, fast-food chains and bakeries."
- Chase. Dining covers sit-down and fast food restaurants, but food sold inside grocery or department stores is excluded unless that merchant is set up as a restaurant.
- American Express. You "may not earn additional rewards at a restaurant located within another establishment," such as a hotel, food court or campus building.
Good to know before you pay
- The Chase Starbucks Rewards Visa was discontinued, and remaining accounts were converted to other Chase cards in 2023.
Getting the most from Starbucks purchases
- Pay at standalone stores with your dining card.
- Inside a Target or supermarket, use whatever earns most at that store instead.
- If you reload the Starbucks app, check how one small reload posts before relying on a dining bonus.
- Look at how a recent purchase posted on your statement or in your card app. That shows the category your issuer actually assigned.
Common questions
Does Starbucks count as dining?
At standalone stores, usually yes. They're commonly reported to code as fast food, which most dining categories include.
Does a Starbucks reload count as dining on the Amex Gold Card?
It isn't confirmed, and cardholder reports conflict. Try a small reload and check how it posts.
Does the Starbucks inside Target count as dining?
Usually not. It typically posts as Target, and issuers say restaurants inside other establishments may not count as restaurants.