Ether.fi x TODEY: The 15% Grocery and Dining Reward Alpha

The cashback wars of 2026 have moved into daily essentials. Ether.fi and TODEY announced a promotion offering 15% cashback on food and groceries and 3% everywhere else. That is a meaningful spread for a category that most households spend on every week.

This guide breaks down the mechanics, how to validate the MCC classification, and how to model the ROI before you move a full month of spending onto the card.

Why This Topic Matters Now

Grocery and dining spend is consistent, recurring, and typically under-optimized. A double‑digit reward rate on essentials can beat most travel or luxury promos because the usage is predictable.

The tradeoff is that category bonuses rely on merchant category codes (MCC). If a store is misclassified, you will not receive the 15% rate. Understanding that MCC logic is the difference between real ROI and a disappointing statement.

Core Explanation (Direct Answer Format)

The Ether.fi x TODEY promotion applies a 15% cashback rate to grocery and dining purchases and a 3% rate on other spending, based on the merchant’s MCC. The higher rate activates only when the merchant is classified under eligible grocery or dining codes, so correct MCC classification is required for the promo to work.

In practice: you get 15% only at merchants that code as grocery or dining. Everything else drops to the base rate.

Market Benchmarking and Cost/Risk Math

Use a basic ROI model to see if the promo is worth shifting spend:

Example monthly spend (illustrative):

Grocery + dining: $1,200
Other spend: $800

With the promo:

15% of $1,200 = $180
3% of $800 = $24
Total: $204

With a typical 2% card:

2% of $2,000 = $40

Delta: $164 per month.
If the MCC coding is correct, the upside is large enough to justify a temporary spend shift.

Common Mistakes or Myths

Myth 1: "Big‑box stores always count as groceries."
Many large retailers code as discount or wholesale rather than grocery. Test a small purchase first and check the category in your rewards history.

Myth 2: "The 15% rate applies everywhere once I link TODEY."
It applies only to eligible MCCs. The base rate still applies to other categories.

Myth 3: "There are no caps."
Most promos include caps or limits. Confirm the cap inside the app so you do not over‑allocate spend.

This promo shows why category‑specific rewards can outperform broad cashback. If you are comparing card strategies, start with the Ether.fi Cash Card profile and review category exclusions in our cashback MCC guide.

If you want a more general card that performs across all categories, compare options in Crypto Card FX Fees: 2026 Guide.

FAQ

How do I activate the promo?
Follow the official Ether.fi and TODEY instructions in the app. Confirm the promo banner before spending.

What is Virtual VIP?
The promo announcement mentions limited Virtual VIP perks for select users. Treat that as a bonus, not a guaranteed benefit.

How do I confirm the MCC?
Make a small test purchase at a grocery merchant and check the rewards category in your app.

Does this work with mobile wallets?
If the card supports Apple Pay or Google Pay, the MCC should still pass through. Verify with a test transaction.

Overview

The Ether.fi x TODEY promo is one of the strongest grocery and dining offers on the market, but it only works when MCC classification is correct. The ROI is straightforward: if your grocery spend is consistent, the delta versus a standard cashback card can be substantial.

Actionable Takeaway: Run a small grocery test transaction first. If the 15% rate posts correctly, move your weekly grocery spend to the card for the duration of the promo.