Credit Card Tips
American Express Gold Card: How to Use the Resy Credit
When American Express debuted its revamped Gold Card this summer, one of the biggest additions was a $100 credit for Resy. For those unfamiliar, Resy is a restaurant reservation platform that Amex acquired back in 2019 — so it makes sense that the card company would want to leverage the service and make it a larger feature of their dining-centric credit card.
In any case, there are a few interesting things about this credit that cardmembers should know about. With that in mind, let’s take a closer look at the Amex Gold Card’s Resy Credit, how to redeem it, and what my recent experience taught me about it.
Amex Gold Card’s Resy Credit: What it is and How it Works
The value of the Resy credit
Each calendar year, Amex Gold Cardmembers can earn up to $100 back on eligible Resy purchases. This credit is divided into two $50 installments: one valid from January through June and the other from July to December. Of note, this structure differs from the otherwise similar $240 annual Resy credit found on the American Express Delta SkyMiles Reserve Card, which divides the credit up into monthly increments of $20.
As a reminder, this Resy credit is just one of the credits featured on the Gold Card meant to help offset its now $325 annual fee. Another recently added credit is one for Dunkin’, which is $7 a month (for a total of $84 a year). Cardholders also enjoy $10 in Uber Cash and a $10 Dining Credit each month. However, the Uber Cash included is “use it or lose it” and disappears at the end of each calendar month. Meanwhile, the Dining Credit is limited to select locations, with the list now including Frubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Combined, these credits add up to $424 per year.
How to redeem
According to the exact wording of the terms for this credit, it’s valid on purchases “made directly from U.S. restaurants that offer reservations on Resy.com and the Resy app, and purchases made directly on Resy.com or in the Resy app.” Obviously, those hoping to take advantage of this perk will need to use their Gold Card to pay.
What’s perhaps most notable about the Gold Card’s Resy credit is that cardholders don’t actually need to reserve their table using Resy in order to enjoy the credit. Instead, as long as an establishment is included on the platform at the time a purchase is made, customers are eligible. After a qualifying purchase is recorded, a statement credit for up to $50 should be applied to the customer account within a few days — although Amex does warn that it can take up to 8 weeks from the date of purchase.
My experience using the credit
My biggest problem with this credit when it was introduced was simple: There aren’t any Resy restaurants in my area. So, in order to claim my $50 for this half of the year, I decided to look for participating locations while in Atlanta for FinCon 2024.
After looking in the Resy app, my friend and I landed on Osteria 832 — a pizza and pasta place in the Northeastern part of town. Although reservations were available, we decided just to show up and walk in… mostly so that I could confirm the credit would work without it. Following an appetizer, two rounds of pizza (yes, we ordered one to split before realizing we wanted another), and some sparkling waters, I gleefully tossed my Gold Card in the booklet.
What’s nice about this credit is that it applies to the entire, final transaction amount. I mention this because, with many hotel property credits like those that come with Amex Fine Hotels & Resorts bookings, gratuity is excluded from the credit. That wasn’t the case here as my subtotal came to around $47 before tip and the $50 credit ended up applying to the adjusted amount that eventually cleared.
Final Thoughts on Using the Gold Card’s Resy Credit
Overall, the Gold Card’s Resy credit is quite easy to use — that is, as long as there are Resy restaurants available in your area. Personally, I appreciate that Amex didn’t attempt to make reserving a table on Resy a requirement of using this credit. Instead, you can simply look for an eligible location, walk in, and pay with your card.
As for me, although it was nice to be able to use this credit while traveling, the fact that I can’t use it closer to home is the main reason why I’m planning to cancel or downgrade my Gold card when it comes up for renewal. But, for those in cities where Resy is supported, this $100 per year ($50 semiannually) credit could make the value of the American Express Gold Card that much more delicious.