Under-the-radar ways to maximize American Express Gold Card dining credits

As someone who spends a lot of money on food every month, I really appreciate mine American Express® Gold Card. I was nervous about the changes made to the card in July, but after finding under-the-radar ways to maximize my new and improved card benefits, I feel more confident about keeping it in my wallet.

Whether you already have Amex Gold or are considering adding one, it’s important to make sure you can get enough value on the card. Maximizing the credits you need to reduce the card’s $325 annual fee (see rates and fees) each year can seem like a chore.

If you feel like using your Amex Gold benefits is more of a pain than anything else, here are some of the lesser known ways to use them without much effort.

Monthly restaurant statement credit

This is undoubtedly the Amex GoldA well-known credit. You’ll earn up to $10 each month (up to $120 per calendar year; registration required and conditions apply) on purchases made at Five Guys, Goldbelly, Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory and Wine.com. Registration is required.

I use this credit to pay for my monthly Grubhub+ subscription since that costs $9.99 a month. I love having food delivered at the end of a busy week; by having a Grubhub+ subscription, I can do that without paying extra for delivery. The savings help me feel more confident about the value I’m getting from my Amex Gold.

If you’re at the end of the month and your restaurant credit hasn’t been used, a quick and easy way to use it is to place a small grocery order through Grubhub. If you opt for pickup, you can avoid the delivery fee and the driver’s tip from your total cost, stretching your credit a little more.

Emily Thompson, credit card editor at TPG, recently did this. She placed an order from CVS through Grubhub, effectively making her monthly restaurant credit even though the order was not at the restaurant.

You can also use this hack to save a little money on larger purchases in one of the other product categories Grubhub offers, such as liquor stores and convenience stores.

Related: How credit card issuers separate travel and dining purchases

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Resy statement credits

Amex Gold cardmembers earn up to $100 each calendar year (up to $50 annually; registration required and terms apply) on purchases made at Resy-affiliated restaurants.

At first glance, it may seem like you will need to make a reservation to activate this credit. After all, the point of including a Resy statement credit is to encourage card members to use Resy more often, which benefits Amex as it owns the service.

Surprisingly, however, a reservation is not required to get this statement credit. In fact, you don’t need to use the Resy platform at all without checking to see if a given restaurant is on the platform.

When I first heard about it, it sounded too good to be true, so I ate at Resy Restaurant without a reservation to make sure it would work. It does; I got my annual statement credit right after. That is a huge bonus for me as I know that sooner or later I will forget the reservation and lose my chance to get the credit.

If you can’t eat at Resy’s restaurant before the two-year window for this credit statement closes, there is another option. Chris Nelson, a credit card writer at TPG, was able to unlock his Resy statement credit by purchasing a gift card at a Resy restaurant.

Some Reddit users have reported that this method only works with restaurants that process payments through Toast, so it may not work for all Resy-affiliated restaurants. Still, it’s worth a shot; if it doesn’t work, you’ll still have a $50 gift card to use the next time you want to eat at that restaurant.

Related: The definitive guide to American Express Global Dining Access by Resy

Dunkin’s monthly statement credit

When I first heard about the up to $10 monthly (up to $84 per calendar year; registration required and terms apply) Dunkin’ statement credit, I was sure I wouldn’t get much use for it. I live in the Pacific Northwest, where there are no Dunkin’ locations. I thought I would only be able to use this credit occasionally when I visit places like this.

That was one of my biggest problems with Amex Goldbenefits ‘s; I didn’t like the idea of ​​missing out on a big loan because of the state I lived in.

After doing more research, my first assumption turned out to be wrong. If you’re in a situation like mine, there are two different ways to use this credit statement.

Dunkin’ Cash

First, you can use your Amex Gold to load cash into your account through the Dunkin’ mobile app. Matt Moffitt, TPG’s managing editor for credit cards, used this method to launch his Dunkin’ monthly bill.

Reddit users have successfully activated this credit statement by loading their Amex Gold into their Dunkin’ account and using Apple Pay, so either method should work.

You can use this method to put credits on your Dunkin’ statement, by the way. Even though the Amex Gold Dunkin’ statement is non-refundable, you don’t need to use the money you load into your Dunkin’ account every month.

This is a great way for me to use this credit since I only expect to be around a Dunkin’ once or twice a year.

Baskin-Robbins

The second method, or one with more mixed results, is to use your Amex Gold to shop at Baskin-Robbins. Since Dunkin’ Brands owns both Baskin-Robbins and Dunkin’, some card members on Reddit found that charging Baskin-Robbins to their Amex Gold effectively resulted in a monthly statement credit.

I tried doing this at a standalone Baskin-Robbins, and it didn’t earn me a credit on my monthly Dunkin’ statement. However, other Reddit users did the same and got credit for the statement, so your grade may vary.

Some Reddit users have reported great success by using their Amex Gold at a Baskin-Robbins and Dunkin’ hybrid store or by loading money into the Dunkin’ app and using the app to pay at Baskin-Robbins.

Making this method work can be a matter of trial and error, but with a little planning and careful implementation, it can be achieved.

Related: Best restaurant credit cards

Bottom line

If you’re worried about maximizing your Amex Gold benefits, hopefully trying one or more of these methods will help. Keep in mind that each of these credit statements may take several weeks to be posted; while they usually appear after a few days, I wouldn’t worry unless it’s been over a month.

Before opening or saving Amex Gold, make sure you can get enough real value in the annual fee. If you’re spending money you wouldn’t be able to take advantage of its benefits, this card may not be the best fit for you. However, if you’re a foodie who already enjoys the brands and services covered by this card’s benefits, Amex Gold can be a real boost to your wallet.

To learn more, read our full American Express Gold review.

Apply here: American Express Gold Card

Related: Airline and hotel restaurant rewards programs: Which is best for you?

For Amex Gold rates and fees, click here.