My Favorite Credit Card Dining Credits (And How I Actually Use Them)

Keeping track of multiple dining credits across different cards isn’t exactly my idea of fun, but I do enjoy the payoff, especially when it means a great meal at a local restaurant without paying full price.

It’s true that some dining credits are small or restrictive, while others offer more value, but the timeframe to use them may not be convenient. In many cases, you’re also required to spend beyond the credit amount to make the benefit worthwhile. That said, I’ve found several options that are flexible, easy to use, and surprisingly valuable.

Below is a brief overview of how dining credits typically work, followed by my favorite dining credits and the specific ways I use them to maximize value.

How Dining Credits Typically Work

Dining credits are available on several popular credit cards and usually appear as statement credits after an eligible purchase.

Depending on the card, you may need to enroll in the benefit, add your card as a payment method in a specific app, or make the purchase through a designated platform. Most dining credits only apply to U.S. restaurants, and many are issued monthly or semiannually with use-it-or-lose-it windows.

Here is a simplified look at how dining credits usually work:

• Uber Eats: Add your card to your Uber account as a payment method. On the first of each month, the available Uber Cash amount is added to your Uber account. Use the app to place an order with a U.S. restaurant, and Uber Cash is automatically applied to eligible orders. The amount of Uber Cash applied to the order is limited to the available balance.
• DoorDash: Add your card as a payment method in the app, place an eligible order, and apply the available card credit at checkout.
• Grubhub: Add your card to the app and receive a statement credit after the charge posts, up to the monthly limit.
• Resy: Resy is a restaurant reservation app, but you don’t need a reservation to receive a Resy statement credit. Use the associated card for an in-restaurant or eligible online purchase.
• Dunkin’: Use the card in-store or add funds to your account within the app to trigger a statement credit.
• Sapphire Reserve Dining Credits: After enrolling, dine at eligible restaurants and receive the statement credit once the charge posts.

Each credit card will have specified benefit amounts, expiration periods, and detailed terms and conditions. While there isn’t much built-in flexibility, there are several ways to use dining credits beyond in-person dining to maximize their value.

Here are some of my favorite dining credits and how I use them.

Platinum Card^® from American Express

The Amex Platinum card offers hundreds of dollars in annual dining credits, and they’re a big reason I continue to carry the card.

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

Platinum Card^® from American Express

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

The Amex Platinum reigns supreme for luxury travel, offering the best airport lounge access plus generous statement credits, and complimentary elite status.

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Know if you're approved with no credit score impact

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Platinum Card^® from American Express

The Amex Platinum reigns supreme for luxury travel, offering the best airport lounge access plus generous statement credits, and complimentary elite status.

Welcome Offer

You may be eligible for as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards^® points after you spend $12,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted. 

As High As 175,000 Points. Find Out Your Offer.

UP's Offer Valuation*:

Up to $3,850

Annual Fee

$895

APR

See Pay Over Time APR

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.

Good to Excellent

Why We Like This Card

When it comes to cards that offer top-notch benefits, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better card out there than the Platinum Card^® from American Express.

Make no mistake — the Amex Platinum card is a premium card with a premium price tag. With amazing benefits like best-in-class airport lounge access, hotel elite status, and tremendous value in annual statement credits, it can easily prove to be one of the most lucrative cards in your wallet year after year.

 

Pros & Cons

Pros

• The best airport lounge access out of any card (by far) — enjoy access to over 1,550 worldwide lounges, including the luxurious Amex Centurion Lounges, Priority Pass lounges (enrollment required), Plaza Premium Lounges, and many more!
• 5x points per dollar spent on flights purchased directly with the airline or with AmexTravel.com (up to $500,000 per year)
• 5x points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels booked with AmexTravel.com
• Annual and monthly statement credits upon enrollment (airline credit, Uber Cash and Uber One, Resy, Saks Fifth Avenue credit, lululemon credit, streaming credit, prepaid hotel credit on eligible stays, Walmart+ credit, CLEAR+ credit, and Equinox credit)
• TSA PreCheck or Global Entry credit
• Access to American Express Fine Hotels and Resorts and Amex International Airline Program
• Access to Amex transfer partners
• No foreign transaction fees (rates and fees)

 

Cons

• $895 annual fee (rates and fees)
• Airline credit does not cover airfare (only incidentals like checked bags)

 

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Card Highlights

• You may be eligible for as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards^® points after you spend $12,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
• Get more for your travels with 5X Membership Rewards^® points on all flights and prepaid hotel bookings through American Express Travel^®, including Fine Hotels + Resorts^® and The Hotel Collection bookings. You earn 5X points on flights purchased directly from airlines or through American Express Travel^® on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year.
• With over 1,550 airport lounges - more than any other credit card company on the market* - enjoy the benefits of the Global Lounge Collection^®, over $850 of annual value, with access to Centurion Lounges, 10 complimentary Delta Sky Club^® visits when flying on an eligible Delta flight (subject to visit limitations), Priority Pass Select membership (enrollment required), and other select partner lounges.* As of 07/2025.
• $200 Uber Cash + $120 Uber One Credit: With the Platinum Card^® you can receive $15 in Uber Cash each month plus a bonus $20 in December when you add your Platinum Card^® to your Uber account to use on rides and orders in the U.S when you select an Amex Card for your transaction. Plus, when you use the Platinum Card^® to pay for an auto-renewing Uber One membership, you can get up to $120 in statement credits each calendar year. Terms apply.
• $300 Digital Entertainment Credit: Experience the latest shows, news and recipes. Get up to $25 in statement credits each month when you use your Platinum Card^® for eligible purchases on Disney+, a Disney+ bundle, ESPN streaming services, Hulu, The New York Times, Paramount+, Peacock, The Wall Street Journal, YouTube Premium, and YouTube TV when you purchase directly from one or more of the providers. Enrollment required.
• $600 Hotel Credit: Get up to $300 in statement credits semi-annually on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts^® or The Hotel Collection* bookings through American Express Travel^® using the Platinum Card^®. *The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
• $400 Resy Credit + Platinum Nights by Resy: Get up to $100 in statement credits each quarter when you use the Platinum Card^® to make eligible purchases with Resy, including dining purchases at U.S. Resy restaurants. Enrollment required. Plus, with Platinum Nights by Resy, you can get special access to reservations on select nights at participating in demand Resy restaurants with the Platinum Card^®. Simply add your eligible Card to your Resy profile to book and discover Platinum Nights reservations near you.
• $209 CLEAR+ Credit: CLEAR+ helps get you to your gate faster by using your face to verify you are you at 55+ airports nationwide. You can cover the cost of a CLEAR+ Membership* with up to $209 in statement credits per calendar year after you pay for CLEAR+ with your Platinum Card^®. *Excluding any applicable taxes and fees. Subject to auto-renewal.
• $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees, such as checked bags and in-flight refreshments, are charged by the airline to the Platinum Card^® Account. American Express relies on airlines to submit the correct information on airline transactions to identify incidental fee purchases. If you do not see a credit for a qualifying incidental purchase on your eligible Card after 8 weeks, simply call the number on the back of your Card. Qualifying airlines are subject to change. See terms & conditions for more details.
• Start your vacation sooner, and keep it going longer. When you book Fine Hotels + Resorts^® through American Express Travel^®, enjoy noon check-in, when available, and guaranteed 4PM check-out.
• $300 lululemon Credit: Enjoy up to $75 in statement credits each quarter when you use the Platinum Card^® for eligible purchases at U.S. lululemon retail stores (excluding outlets) and lululemon.com. That’s up to $300 in statement credits each calendar year. Enrollment required.
• $155 Walmart+ Credit: Receive a statement credit* for one monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) after you pay for Walmart+ each month with the Platinum Card^®.* Up to $12.95 plus applicable local sales tax. Plus Ups not eligible.
• Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
• $895 annual fee.
• Terms Apply.

Financial Snapshot

• APR: See Pay Over Time APR
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

American Express Membership Rewards

 

Resy Credit

The Amex Platinum card provides up to $400 in annual Resy statement credits upon enrollment, issued as up to $100 per quarter. While $100 doesn’t go too far at a higher-end restaurant, I’ve found a workaround.

Rather than dining out every quarter, I purchase restaurant gift cards directly from participating Resy restaurant websites. Those purchases have consistently triggered the statement credit for me, allowing me to save the gift cards and use them for a future meal whenever I choose.

I’m very fortunate that in my small town with a population of less than 16,000, we have 10 Resy restaurants (a foodie haven, if you will). That said, this strategy has been super easy to use.

Uber Cash

The Amex Platinum card also offers up to $200 in Uber Cash each year, $15 per month from January through November, and $35 in December. You just need to add your card to your Uber account.

Uber rides aren’t practical where I live, so I use my Uber Cash almost exclusively for Uber Eats pickup. I also check the app regularly for purchase offers, which stack nicely with the monthly credit. The latest offer was 30% off a $25 order!

Bottom Line:

My Amex Platinum card offers generous dining perks, making it worth keeping in my wallet. When fully maximized, my card’s up to $400 Resy credit and up to $200 Uber Cash can deliver up to $600 in annual value.

Chase Sapphire Reserve^®

I’ll admit I was sceptical about the dining credits on my Chase Sapphire Reserve card, but after digging deeper, I’ve found they offer excellent value.

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Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

Chase Sapphire Reserve^®

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

A top player in the high-end premium travel credit card space that earns points on travel and dining while offering top luxury perks.

Apply Now(at Chase's secure site)

Chase Sapphire Reserve^®

A top player in the high-end premium travel credit card space that earns points on travel and dining while offering top luxury perks.

Welcome Offer

Earn 125,000 bonus points after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

125,000 points

UP's Offer Valuation*:

$2,500

Annual Fee

$795

APR

19.49% - 27.99% Variable

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.

Excellent

Why We Like This Card

If you’re looking for an all-around excellent travel rewards card, the Chase Sapphire Reserve^® is one of the best options.

The card combines elite travel benefits and perks like worldwide airport lounge access, with excellent point earning and redemption options. Plus, it offers top-notch travel insurance protections to cover you at home or on the road.

Don’t forget the more than $2,000 in annual credits, which can offset the annual fee!

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 8x points on all Chase Travel purchases
• 5x points on Lyft rides
• 4x points on flights and hotels booked directly

Cons

• $795 annual fee

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Card Highlights

• Earn 125,000 bonus points after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
• Get more than $2,700 in annual value with Sapphire Reserve.
• Earn 8x points on all purchases through Chase Travel℠, including The Edit℠ and 4x points on flights and hotels booked direct. Plus, earn 3x points on dining worldwide & 1x points on all other purchases
• $300 annual travel credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year.
• Access over 1,300 airport lounges worldwide with a complimentary Priority Pass™ Select membership, plus every Chase Sapphire Lounge^® by The Club with two guests. Plus, up to $120 towards Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck^® every 4 years
• Get up to $150 in statement credits every six months for a maximum of $300 annually for dining at restaurants that are part of Sapphire Reserve Exclusive Tables.
• Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Coverage, Lost Luggage Insurance, no foreign transaction fees, and more.
• Get complimentary Apple TV+, the exclusive streaming home of Apple Originals. Plus Apple Music — all the music you love, across all your devices. Subscriptions run through 6/22/27 — a value of $250 annually
• Member FDIC

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 19.49% - 27.99% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

Chase Ultimate Rewards

Sapphire Reserve Exclusive Tables Dining Credit

The card offers up to $300 annual dining credit, split into $150 from January through June, and $150 from July through December, valid at select participating restaurants.

Since eligible restaurants are limited to select major cities (mine not included), I wasn’t planning to use the credit, but that changed when I learned that my nephew in Chicago had access to several eligible restaurants.

I tested the credit by purchasing a small e-gift card online from an eligible restaurant and received the statement credit a few days later. After that, I bought a larger e-gift card for the remaining dining credit and emailed both to my nephew.

Heads Up: In my experience, restaurants using Toast’s point-of-sale system for gift card processing have qualified for the credit, but results could vary.

If there’s an eligible restaurant near you, try purchasing a gift card in person. That way, you can control the timing and potentially use several gift cards at a single meal.

DoorDash

Both my Chase Sapphire Reserve card and my Sapphire Reserve for Business℠ offer up to $300 in annual DoorDash credits. Each month, I use:

• $10 non-restaurant credits (x2) at a local convenience store
• And a $5 restaurant credit at a nearby Mexican restaurant next door for takeout

Back-to-back pickup orders make these credits easy to use without additional fees.

American Express^® Gold Card

The Amex Gold card is best known for earning 4x points at U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1x) and 4x points at restaurants worldwide (up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1x).

I love the everyday earnings, but its dining credits add meaningful value as well.

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Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

American Express^® Gold Card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

This is the best card for food lovers who dine out at restaurants (worldwide), order take-out and want big rewards at U.S. supermarkets!

Apply Now(at Amex's secure site)

Apply With Confidence

Know if you're approved with no credit score impact

If you're approved and accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.

American Express^® Gold Card

This is the best card for food lovers who dine out at restaurants (worldwide), order take-out and want big rewards at U.S. supermarkets!

Welcome Offer

You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards^® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.

As High As 100,000 Points. Find Out Your Offer.

UP's Offer Valuation*:

Up to $2,200

Annual Fee

$325

APR

See Pay Over Time APR

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.

Good to Excellent

Why We Like This Card

The American Express^® Gold Card is a game-changer.

With this card, you can earn 4x Membership Rewards points at restaurants, up to $50,000 per calendar year, and you’ll also earn 4x Membership Rewards points at U.S. supermarkets on up to $25,000 per calendar year, then 1x.

There isn’t another card on the market that offers a 1-2 punch like this. Of course, there are several other benefits of the Gold Card as well, including extra monthly dining rewards and more.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 4x points per dollar at restaurants worldwide, up to $50,000 per calendar year; then 1x thereafter
• 4x points per dollar at U.S. supermarkets, up to $25,000 per calendar year; then 1x thereafter
• 3x points per dollar on flights purchased directly from airlines or at AmexTravel.com

Cons

• $325 annual fee (rates and fees)
• No lounge access

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards^® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
• Earn 4X Membership Rewards^® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
• Earn 4X Membership Rewards^® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
• Earn 3X Membership Rewards^® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
• Earn 2X Membership Rewards^® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
• Earn 1X Membership Rewards^® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
• $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards^® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
• $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express^® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
• $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express^® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
• $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express^® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
• Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
• No Foreign Transaction Fees.
• Annual Fee is $325.
• Terms Apply.

Financial Snapshot

• APR: See Pay Over Time APR
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

American Express Membership Rewards

Resy Credit

The Amex Gold card includes up to $100 in annual Resy statement credits (2 semi-annual credits of $50 each) for purchases at U.S. Resy restaurants and other eligible Resy purchases. Still, you don’t need a Resy account to receive the credit (enrollment required).

Like with my Amex Platinum card, I use these credits to purchase restaurant gift cards and save them up for a special meal.

Monthly Dining Credit

The card also offers up to $120 in annual dining credits (up to $10 per month) for select purchases made through Grubhub, Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys (enrollment required).

I typically use Grubhub to purchase wine from a local store, though many cardholders prefer buying Goldbelly gift cards monthly and stacking them.

Dunkin’ Credit

The Dunkin’ statement credit on the Amex Gold card is just up to $7 monthly, but since our newly built Dunkin’ and Baskin-Robbins combo store hasn’t opened yet, I’ve built up credits in the app.

The credits come in handy when I’m traveling, especially for my favorite airport egg-white breakfast sandwich.

The Dunkin’ credit on the Amex Gold card is up to $84 annually (enrollment required), and you can enroll by logging into the Amex Gold card online account.

Uber Cash

Finally, the Amex Gold card includes up to $120 in Uber Cash annually, issued as $10 per month, when you add your card to your Uber account. I keep the card as a backup payment method in my Uber account, so once my Amex Platinum card Uber Cash is used, the Amex Gold card’s credit automatically applies. I frequently use Uber Cash for local Uber Eats pickup.

Final Thoughts

If you’ve been struggling to use your dining credits each month or letting them expire because you don’t have time to dine out, try purchasing gift cards. It’s always wise to make a small purchase as a test, but there are plenty of data points (including my own) that show it’s possible to obtain the appropriate credits.

And, don’t wait until the last minute to use your credits. Charges that don’t post in time may fail to trigger to credit — a lesson I learned years ago on New Year’s Eve sushi order.