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The new DoD Dine Smart program from Dinova allows you to earn points when you spend money at restaurants with your Government Travel Card (GTC). You can sign up for this program here.
I have not used this program yet but I am interested anytime there are points to be earned.
You can earn 1 point per dollar spent and points can be cashed out for gift cards. Points can be cashed out for Amazon gift cards which is almost as good as cash. The DOD Dinova program is effectively 1% cash back on restaurant purchases.
Usually DoD travelers are better off using a card like the American Express® Gold Card for restaurants and US supermarkets while TDY. You can earn 4x Amex Membership Reward points which can be cashed out at 1.1 cents each, so effectively you are earned 4.4% cash back.
How DoD Dinvova Dine Smart Works
- Sign up for a myDinova Rewards account here. Link your Government Travel Card (GTC) to your account.
- Use the Dinova website or app for find a participating restaurant. There are over 20,000 of them.
- Use your linked GTC to pay for your meal.
- Earn 1 point for every $1 spent on the GTC at restaurants in the network.
- Cash out points for gift cards at places like Amazon, Target, or restaurants.
DTS Email on DoD Dine Smart Traveler Rewards
Here is the email I received on a recent TDY introducing the Dine Smart program:
Subject: DoD Dine Smart Traveler Rewards – Enroll Today!
According to the Defense Travel System, you have submitted an authorization for a recent or upcoming TDY trip. As you resume travel, consider enrolling in DoD Dine Smart Traveler Rewards, a new frequent dining program that allows DoD travelers to earn points towards gift cards every time you dine at participating restaurants and pay with your Government Travel Charge Card while on official travel.
The Defense Travel Management Office manages the DoD Dine Smart program, which operates through Dinova, a dining network with more than 20,000 participating restaurants throughout the United States.
Here is what you need to know:
— It takes just two minutes to enroll. Go here and follow the link on our website to enroll today through Dinova’s DoD Dine Smart webpage.
— Earn one point for every $1 you spend at in-network restaurants. Points are earned on the total purchase amount, including tax and tip! Your points can then be redeemed for gift cards from retailers (like Amazon and Target) and restaurants (like Outback and Jersey Mike’s).
— DoD policy requires you use your government travel charge card to pay for all official travel expenses, including meals.
— Easily locate participating restaurants through the DISA-approved smartphone app, myDinova, which is available through the DoD app store, Google Play, and Apple App Store. The app lets you filter restaurants by COVID safety protocol and map nearby restaurants.
Again, I have yet not used this GTC points program but I think it should be interesting. You can sign up here and earn 499 points to get your account started! Let us know in the comments how it goes!
Dod Dine Smart FAQ
The DoD Dine Smart Dinova program allows government travelers to earn rewards points when they use their Government Travel Card at participating locations.
You can earn 1 point per $1 spent. Points can be redeemed starting at 500 for Amazon gift cards. 100 points = $1 and 500 points is a $5 gift card.
I would say no, the Dine Smart Program is not worth it. You are better off using a better military credit card than the GTC for your food purchases while TAD / TDY.