💳 Denny’s Payment Options: Easy, Secure & Flexible in 2025

Paying at Denny’s is easy, so you don’t need to worry about what they accept. Most locations take cash, credit cards, debit cards and gift cards. Many places also let you pay with your phone using Apple Pay or Google Pay. However you like to pay, Denny’s usually supports it.

Want to see every payment method explained in simple detail? Keep reading below.

Main Menu Order Now
Dennys Payment 1

How to Pay at Denny’s: All Payment Options Explained

Here’s a complete breakdown of all payment methods at Denny’s:

Payment Method

Accepted at Denny’s?

What You Need to Know

Cash

✅ Yes, everywhere

Works at all locations. Give it to your server or leave on table. You’ll get change back if needed. No fees or limits.

Visa

✅ Yes, everywhere

Most common card used. Works at every Denny’s. Can swipe, insert chip, or tap if machine supports it.

Mastercard

✅ Yes, everywhere

Accepted at all locations. Same as Visa—swipe, chip, or tap depending on the machine.

American Express

✅ Yes, everywhere

Works at every Denny’s. Some places charge restaurants extra for Amex, but Denny’s still takes it with no problems.

Discover

✅ Yes, everywhere

Fully accepted. Less common than Visa/Mastercard but works the same way at all locations.

Debit Cards

✅ Yes, everywhere

You can run it as credit (no PIN) or debit (enter PIN). Both ways work fine. Money comes out of your bank account right away.

Apple Pay

✅ Yes, at most locations

Growing fast but not everywhere yet. Newer and updated locations have it. Tap your iPhone or Apple Watch to pay. Super fast and secure.

Google Pay

✅ Yes, at most locations

Same as Apple Pay—available at newer locations. Use your Android phone to tap and pay. No need to carry your wallet.

Samsung Pay

✅ Yes, at most locations

Works like Apple Pay and Google Pay. Available at locations with contactless payment machines.

Denny’s Gift Cards

✅ Yes, everywhere

Physical cards work at any Denny’s. Can check balance online first. If your meal costs more, pay the rest with another method.

Personal Checks

❌ No

Denny’s stopped taking personal checks years ago. Too much risk of bounced checks. Use card or cash instead.

PayPal

⚠️ Only for delivery

Can’t use PayPal in the restaurant. Only works when you order through delivery apps that accept PayPal.

Venmo

⚠️ Only for delivery

Same as PayPal—only through delivery apps, not in the restaurant itself.

Cryptocurrency

❌ No

Bitcoin, Ethereum, and other crypto not accepted. Denny’s only takes traditional payment methods.

Buy Now Pay Later (Klarna, Afterpay)

❌ No

These services don’t work at Denny’s. You need to pay in full when you order.

Buy Now Pay Later (Klarna, Afterpay)

❌ No

Only works at 77 specific locations (mostly in California and Arizona). You must be elderly, disabled, or homeless AND enrolled in the Restaurant Meals Program (RMP). Tell your server before ordering. Cannot use for online orders or delivery.

Frequently Asked Questions

Denny’s accepts a variety of payment methods including:
Cash
Major credit cards: Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover
Debit cards
Denny’s Gift Cards (physical and digital)
Digital wallets: Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay

Yes, Denny’s accepts Apple Pay for in-store purchases and often for online orders made through their website or app. You can use it as a contactless payment method.

Yes, Denny’s accepts Google Pay for in-store purchases and often for online orders made through their website or app, offering a fast and secure contactless payment option.

Yes, you can use Denny’s gift cards (both physical and digital) for online orders placed directly on dennys.com or via the Denny’s app. You’ll typically enter the gift card number and PIN at checkout.

Yes, Denny’s accepts American Express credit cards, along with Visa, MasterCard, and Discover.

Yes, Denny’s still accepts cash payments at all their restaurant locations for dine-in and takeout orders.

Yes, generally you can. Most Denny’s locations allow customers to split the bill among multiple credit cards, or use a combination of cash and card, or a gift card and another payment method. Just inform your server.

While Denny’s is quite flexible, generally, they do not accept personal checks. Also, direct payment options like PayPal and Amazon Pay are typically available only for purchases on the ShopDenny’s.com merchandise store, not for restaurant meals.

No, usually not. When ordering through third-party delivery apps, you’ll use the payment methods accepted by that specific app. Denny’s gift cards or exclusive Denny’s Rewards offers usually cannot be applied when ordering through these external services.

While you can typically use your Denny’s Rewards offers regardless of your payment method (as long as it’s accepted), some very specific situations might exist. For example, some third-party ordering systems may not integrate fully with all Denny’s Rewards features for earning points. If you have an AARP or AAA discount, you’d apply that before payment, and then pay with your preferred method.