As banks cut rewards, EatClub bets on everyday spending to fill restaurants

New EatClub Caviar Reserve membership offers an alternative to traditional points-based rewards as Australia’s credit card market undergoes a major reset. 

As banks downgrade credit-card rewards and the RBA's latest interest-rate rise puts further pressure on household budgets, EatClub is betting Australians will place greater value on rewards they can use immediately on dining out. 

The dining marketplace app is this month (October 2026) launching Caviar Reserve, a new paid membership that turns everyday spending into Dining Credit immediately redeemable at restaurants, bars and cafes that are part of the EatClub network. 

The launch comes as a major change to Australia’s card payment system took effect from 1 October, with the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) reducing the maximum interchange fee on domestic consumer credit from 0.8% to 0.3%. The changes are prompting adjustments across the rewards market, with some banks already reducing points earn rates, tightening spending caps and changing airline transfer rates. 

Caviar Reserve is not tied to any particular bank. The EatClub Digital Card can be linked to any existing debit or credit card as the underlying payment method. To earn Caviar Reserve Dining Credit, members simply pay for purchases using the EatClub Digital Card tied to the debit or credit card linked to their EatClub account. 

The proposition is relatively unusual in the Australian rewards market, and it comes at a pertinent time for consumers and Australian hospitality businesses. 

While established programs reward everyday spending with shopping discounts, points or airline rewards, and dining programs reward customers for spending at restaurants, EatClub is combining the two and allowing eligible everyday purchases such as groceries to generate credit specifically for future dining. 

For hospitality businesses, the proposition is equally beneficial by encouraging future customers based on Australians’ everyday spending. 

Unlike traditional rewards programs where points are accumulated for future redemption, Caviar Reserve gives members a tangible reward they can put towards their next meal. Members earn Dining Credit through eligible everyday purchases including groceries and spending outside the EatClub network, with that credit redeemable at the thousands of participating EatClub restaurants, bars and cafés across Australia. 

“For restaurant partners, Caviar Reserve creates another reason for customers to return, helping to drive spend into the hospitality sector at a time when consumers are increasingly conscious of where their money goes,” explains EatClub CEO and Co-Founder, Pan Koutlakis. 

“Australians are clearly looking for more value from the money they’re already spending, and hospitality businesses need to keep giving customers more reasons to walk through the door. 

“Caviar Reserve connects those two things. Members can earn Dining Credit on eligible everyday purchases, then put that value towards their next meal. It’s a different way of actioning rewards by taking value from the spending that is already happening and directing it towards Australians’ dining out which directs more spending back into the hospitality industry. 

“We’ve already seen through EatClub Earn that people are using their EatClub cards for everyday spending outside our restaurant network. Since launching in December 2025, we’ve captured millions of dollars in out-of-network spending.  

“Caviar Reserve builds on that behaviour and takes it a step further at a pivotal period for Australian consumers and businesses, creating more opportunities to bring people back to our restaurant partners,” adds Mr Koutlakis. 

EatClub Caviar Reserve launches in Australia in October 2026. 

EVERYDAY SPENDING. MORE VALUE FOR DINING OUT. 

Caviar Reserve members can earn Dining Credit through eligible everyday transactions, with benefits including:

• More Ways to Earn: Earn Dining Credit on eligible everyday spending, including purchases outside the EatClub network.
• Earn on groceries: Earn 3% Dining Credit on eligible grocery purchases.
• Earn on everyday purchases: Earn 1% on other eligible transactions, with additional earning opportunities across the EatClub network.
• More value when dining: Access enhanced Dining Credit earning and additional dining benefits through EatClub.
• More flexibility: Redeem EatClub deals up to seven days in advance and enjoy an additional 30 minutes to settle the bill. 

Caviar Reserve costs $9.99 per month, with a small transaction service fee applying. Terms and conditions apply, including exclusions on certain purchases. 

A NEW REWARDS MODEL THAT PUTS HOSPITALITY BACK IN THE PICTURE 

While traditional credit card rewards are built around points, frequent flyer programs and other cardholder perks, Caviar Reserve takes a different approach: rewarding everyday spending with value that can be used for dining out. 

For members, that means turning purchases they were already making into a future restaurant experience.  

For EatClub’s participating venues, it means another mechanism to encourage repeat visits and incremental customer spend. 

Importantly, Caviar Reserve rewards are funded separately from EatClub’s restaurant partner arrangements. 

Participating venues are paid as normal, with no additional cost for Caviar Reserve rewards. 

The launch builds on EatClub’s broader mission to help people discover and enjoy great dining experiences, while helping hospitality venues maximise capacity and bring more customers through their doors. 

EatClub was developed with renowned chef Marco Pierre White, whose association with the platform reflects its focus on making great dining more accessible. Caviar Reserve extends that proposition beyond the restaurant, connecting everyday spending with future dining experiences. 

About EatClub

EatClub is a demand-led dining marketplace and AI-powered pricing infrastructure platform for hospitality. Using real-time demand signals, machine learning-driven pricing intelligence and embedded payments technology, EatClub helps restaurants monetise off-peak capacity, optimise margins and operate more predictably. Operating across Australia and the UK with thousands of restaurant venues and more than two million app downloads, EatClub is redefining how hospitality approaches pricing and demand management.

More information: www.eatclub.com.au