Best Wine Credit Cards for Travel & Wine Enthusiasts

By | Travel & Wine Writer, Co-Founder
Last Updated: October 23, 2023
Best Wine Credit Cards to Earn and Save on Wine & Travel Purchases

Whether you’re looking to get discounts on a glass of wine on a plane, earn free tastings at wineries, receive discounts on wine clubs or earn points on wine purchases, there’s a wine credit card for you.

In this piece, we take a look at various wine credit card offers that come with benefits across various networks. These issuers and network benefits span Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and others.

Ways to Save Money on Wine with Credit Cards

If you’re used to utilizing credit cards to both save money and earn cash back or points on purchases, you might be pleased to know that there are a number of strategies you can employ to do this with wine purchases.

Save and Earn Points for Dining Out or Drinking Wine

There are a variety of credit card offers out there that allow you to save some money on wine when you’re out and about. For instance…

If you’re traveling on a plane and feel like ordering a glass of wine, credit cards such as the JetBlue Plus Mastercard and the Jetblue Business Card (offered by Barclaycard) and the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® offer 50% and 25% off in-flight beverage and food purchases, respectively.

In addition, the JetBlue Plus card nets you 6 points per dollar on in-flight JetBlue purchases, so not only are you saving money – you’re making some back.

If you’re at a bar or restaurant, credit cards like the Chase Sapphire Reserve® and the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card both offer 3x on dining, in addition to no foreign transaction fees. Separately, both these cards offer substantial signup bonuses. With the Sapphire Reserve offering 60,000 points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months and the Sapphire Preferred offering 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months.

These bonuses, in conjunction with other card benefits, can help yield free flights, hotel stays, rental car usage and restaurant vouchers through Chase’s Ultimate Rewards and Chase Dining programs. In fact, you can even redeem points for Michelin-star takeout and participate in virtual cooking and dining experiences.

RELATED: Save on Wine Tasting in Sonoma County with Visa Signature Credit Card Benefits

Save on Wine Bottle Purchases

If you’re shopping at the grocery store for wine, there are a number of cards that offer points or cashback on any purchases made.

The JetBlue Plus credit card comes with a 60,000 point signup bonus and 2x point earning on grocery store purchases.

Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express comes with 3% cash back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 dollars in one year, then 1x. Cash Back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit. Terms Apply.

The Chase Freedom Flex℠ has quarterly rotating spending categories, and one of which is 5% cash back earned on grocery store spending, including wine. These points can also be used within the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal to earn free flights and hotel stays for wine travel.

American Express Offers

Some American Express cards offer discounts on wine and wine cases through a variety of partner merchants. In addition, you can earn cash back in the form of statement credits when you spend money on wine through various vineyard partners, online wine retailers, and others.

But how do you know which is the best American Express card to save on wine? In short, American Express makes it a little bit more complicated, but oftentimes worth it. Most American Express cards come with special offers through a program they have called Amex Offers. The catch is, these offers vary by card and by the individual with that card. In other words, these are targeted offers. Enrollment required.

For instance, we’ve seen the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant™ American Express® Card occasionally offer $75 back after spending $200 through WSJWine. Note that these offers are not indefinite so it’s best to jump on them as you see them arise in your online AMEX card portal.

Earn Big with Over 450 Wineries

The new wine-trendy credit card on the market is no doubt the Grand Reserve Mastercard, which now has over 450 partner wineries and wine clubs within its network that you can earn 5x points with any spend. Some other unique perks with this card are that you can earn 3x points at ANY winery, wine store, wine club, wine storage, liquor store, restaurant, or bar (take-out & delivery included). Plus, 2x points per dollar anywhere else.

In addition, they recently added a new perk where Grand Reserve cardholders can earn an additional 2 points per dollar “at your top wine merchant (the winery or wine merchant where you spend the most) each month.”

Top all of this off with a significant signup bonus of 50,000 after you spend $3,000 in the first 3 months of opening your account, $0 annual fee for your first year, and a free $110 wine glass. 

If that wasn’t enough, the card also comes with all World Mastercard benefits, and access to Priority Wine Pass. This pass gives members access to unique offers and experiences at exceptional wineries, hotels, restaurants and tours across several major wine regions. It also includes a concierge service that will help you customize wine travel itineraries and participate in virtual tastings. 

Save on Wine Tastings & Tours with Visa Signature Credit Cards

Visa is another card network that has partnered with wineries and in some cases entire appellations to offer customers free wine tasting experiences and discounts on purchases.

For example, Visa Signature and Visa Infinite credit cardholders can maximize their savings potential in Sonoma County.

Any Visa Signature or Visa Infinite designated credit card holder who purchases a tasting at any of these wineries in Sonoma will earn a complimentary tasting of equal or lesser value for that day. Similarly, Visa Signature & Visa Infinite card members will earn a free tasting at these Woodinville wineries simply by presenting their card to the tasting room staff.

In addition, wine bottle purchases made in the tasting room, and in some cases even non-wine-related purchases at wineries will receive substantial discounts.

Lastly, special wine tastings and tours, such as food pairings and reserve style tastings, may also be discounted. Be sure to call any of the participating wineries ahead of time to confirm your benefits. Savings amounts and complimentary tastings vary by winery, and are decided upon at the discretion of individual wineries.

Save on Events and at Airport Lounges

Upscale events and complimentary airport lounge access are in some cases offered by Elite credit cards. The Chase Sapphire Reserve comes with Priority Pass lounge access. 

The Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard is actually the only credit card on the market that comes with an Admirals Club membership. It gives both the cardholder and his/her guest access to the lounge at any airport where an Admirals Club resides.

Frequently Asked Questions about Wine Travel Credit Cards


Editorial Disclosure: Any opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any card issuer or bank.

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