American Express Resy Credits

Among the many coupons to remember to track on your cards from American Express, Resy dining credits can be great for accessing new dining experiences—or just getting a meal covered at a local favorite. There are some unexpected ways to use the benefit, too. I've even been able to treat my kids to an afternoon of gaming with it. Here's how to make the most of this credit. (We also have a guide to the Chase Sapphire Reserve® OpenTable dining benefit here.)

What Is Resy?

Resy is an online restaurant reservation service. It was founded in 2014 and later acquired by American Express in 2019. Today, the bank steers cardholders toward Resy restaurants through statement credits offered on several cards. The Resy perk works at any U.S.-based restaurant on the platform, with more than 10,000 to choose from nationwide. Note that even though Resy can facilitate reservations, the credits have nothing to do with actually booking one.

Which Cards Have Resy Credits

• American Express® Gold Card: Receive up to $50 in statement credits semiannually, for a total of up to $100 each calendar year.
• American Express Platinum Card®: Get up to $100 in statement credits each quarter, for a maximum of $400 each calendar year.
• Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card and Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card: Earn up to $10 in statement credits, for a total of up to $120 each calendar year. 
• Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card and Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card: Get up to $20 in statement credits per month, for a maximum of $240 per year.

How To Use The Credits

While Resy is a reservation system, you do NOT need an actual reservation. Ensure you get your credit by following these steps:

1. Enroll in the benefit in your American Express account(s). I recommend using a browser instead of the app. American Express often sends an email confirmation of your enrollment.
2. Dine at a U.S.-based restaurant that is in the network. You can search for nearby restaurants on the app or Resy.com. ToP tip: Always double check right before going, as some restaurants drop out of (or enter into) the program.
3. Use your eligible American Express card to pay.
4. Wait for the credit to post. The terms state that the credits may take 6 to 8 weeks to post, though they typically post within a week.

Fine Print on the American Express Resy Dining Credit

• Eligible Resy purchases include purchases made directly from U.S. restaurants that offer reservations on Resy.com and the Resy app, purchases made directly on Resy.com or in the Resy app, and purchases made via Resy Pay. The restaurants must accept American Express® Cards.
• Restaurants must be live on Resy at time of purchase. Eligibility is subject to change at any time.
• Purchases of Resy OS restaurant management software and Resy-branded American Express® Gift Cards are not eligible. Gift cards purchased at restaurants or purchases made on-site at events when the restaurant uses a third-party to process or submit the transaction to American Express (For example, the restaurant invites an outside merchant/non-Resy restaurant to sell goods at the event) may also not receive the statement credit.

What Are The DPs (Data Points) On Gift Cards?

The terms state that gift card purchases may not trigger the statement credit. But we've generally found:

• If you buy a gift card in person for a restaurant, it should work.
• If you buy via the restaurant website and it goes through the Toast platform, it should work. This is how I buy all of mine.
• As always, YMMV (your mileage may vary). There are no guarantees.

My Unique Use

As we recommend frequently on the ToP Facebook group, test things out and be the DP you want to see. My only local Resy option happens to be a restaurant with an arcade and entertainment like laser tag and bowling. I tried buying a gift card for it via Toast, and it worked! The charges at the game register with a cashier also successfully triggered the statement credit. But when I experimented with purchases through a digital kiosk, they coded similarly but did not generate the credit. It just took me a bit of trial and error to figure out what's likely to work. Now, I take my kids out for lunch and then buy game cards at the register for arcade time. Not your traditional Resy credit use! But again, always think outside the box.

American Express Resy Credits: ToP Thoughts

While we all are getting equally frustrated with the neverending coupons, this can be a way to offset these premium cards' annual fees. Use our tracker so you can keep up to date with what you've checked off, and research restaurants in your area or on any of your upcoming travels. How are you using your Resy credits? Any unique ones you have found? Chime in on the ToP Facebook group.