American Express is tightening the rules on its popular Resy dining credits for Platinum and Gold cardholders. Effective soon, these credits will only be usable at a limited list of select restaurants, rather than any Resy partner, marking a significant downgrade for many cardholders.
Our Take
Bad news for foodies and flexible diners. This is a clear devaluation for anyone who enjoyed using their Amex dining credits at a wide range of Resy restaurants. Restricting the credit to a curated list means less flexibility, less value, and more hassle for cardholders who don't live near or frequent the selected spots.
What Changed
- Resy dining credits on Amex Platinum and Gold cards will only be valid at a list of select restaurants
- Previously: credits applied at any Resy-partnered restaurant
- Change is rolling out now, with statements already reflecting the new terms
- No change to the dollar amount of the credit ($15/month for Gold, $15/month/$200/year for Platinum)
Who Benefits Most
- Big-city diners near select restaurants: If you live in NYC, LA, or another metro with many Resy-featured spots on the new list, you can still extract the full $180–$200/year value from your credits.
- Loyalists to featured restaurants: If your go-to dining spots make the cut, nothing changes—$15/month is still $180/year in value (Gold) at our 1:1 cash valuation.
- Travelers who plan ahead: If you can coordinate your trips to cities with qualifying restaurants, you can still maximize the credit.
- Platinum cardholders stacking credits: Those who already optimize the Platinum’s $200 annual dining credit at select partners (Resy, Uber Eats, etc.) may see less impact if their habits align with the new list.
Who Should Be Cautious
- Suburban and small-town cardholders: If you don’t live near a select restaurant, your credits may go unused—effectively reducing the real-world value of your card’s perks.
- Diners who valued flexibility: If you previously used the credit at a variety of local Resy spots, you’ll now have to check the list each time, adding friction and reducing spontaneous value.
- Cardholders who justified the annual fee with dining credits: If the Resy credit was a key reason to keep your Amex Gold or Platinum, it’s time to recalculate whether the math still works for you.
What To Do Right Now
- Check the new list of eligible restaurants on the Amex or Resy site before making reservations or dining plans.
- Audit your past credit usage: If you’ve been using the credit at now-ineligible spots, adjust your routine to avoid missing out.
- Consider alternative cards: If this change makes your Amex less valuable, compare with other premium cards that offer more flexible dining or travel credits.
- Voice your feedback: Let Amex know if this change impacts your card usage—customer feedback can influence future benefit tweaks.
