5 under-the-radar ways to maximize the Amex Gold's dining credits

As someone who spends a lot on food every month, I really value my American Express® Gold Card. I was apprehensive about the changes made to the card in July, but after discovering some under-the-radar ways to maximize my card's new and adjusted perks, I feel more confident about keeping it in my wallet.

Whether you already have the Amex Gold or are considering applying for it, it's important to ensure you can get enough value out of the card. Maximizing the credits you need to offset the card's steep $325 annual fee (see rates and fees) each year can feel like a chore.

If you feel like using your Amex Gold's benefits is more of a headache than anything else, here are some great lesser-known ways to take advantage of them without too much effort.

Monthly dining statement credit

This is arguably the Amex Gold's most well-known credit. You'll receive up to $10 each month (up to $120 per calendar year; enrollment is required and terms apply) for purchases made at Five Guys, Goldbelly, Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory and Wine.com. Enrollment is required.

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

If you're at the end of the month and your dining credit is still unused, 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 driver tip from your total cost, stretching your credit a bit further.

Emily Thompson, a credit cards editor at TPG, recently did this. She placed an order from CVS through Grubhub, successfully triggering her monthly dining credit despite the order not being from a restaurant.

You could also use this hack to save a little money on a larger purchase from one of the other categories of brands Grubhub offers, such as alcohol stores and convenience stores.

Related: How credit card issuers classify travel and dining purchases

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Resy statement credits

Amex Gold cardmembers receive up to $100 each calendar year (up to $50 semiannually; enrollment is required and terms apply) for purchases made at Resy-affiliated restaurants.

At first glance, it might seem like you'd need to make a reservation to trigger this credit. After all, the point of including a Resy statement credit is to encourage cardmembers to use Resy more often, which benefits Amex since it owns the service.

Surprisingly, though, a reservation isn't required to receive this statement credit. In fact, you don't have to use the Resy platform at all beyond checking to see if a given restaurant is on the platform.

When I first heard about it, it sounded a little too good to be true, so I dined at a Resy restaurant without a reservation to confirm if it would work. It did; I received my semiannual statement credit soon after. That's a big bonus for me since I know sooner or later I'd forget to make a reservation and lose out on my chance to get the credit.

If you can't dine at a Resy restaurant before the semiannual window for this statement credit closes, there is another option. Chris Nelson, a credit cards writer at TPG, was able to trigger 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 be successful at every Resy-affiliated restaurant. Still, it's worth giving it a shot; if it doesn't work, you'll still have a $50 gift card to use the next time you want to dine at that restaurant.

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

Monthly Dunkin' statement credit

When I first heard about the up to $7 monthly (up to $84 per calendar year; enrollment is required and terms apply) Dunkin' statement credit valid in U.S. locations, I was certain I wouldn't find much use for it. I live in the Pacific Northwest, where there are no Dunkin' locations. I assumed I would only be able to occasionally use this credit when traveling to places with this brand.

That was one of my biggest frustrations with the Amex Gold's benefits; I didn't like the idea of having to miss out on a major credit because of the region where I lived.

After doing further research, my initial assumption turned out to be wrong. If you're in a situation like mine, there are two alternative ways to use this statement credit.

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, has used this method to trigger his monthly Dunkin' credit.

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

You can use this method to stack your Dunkin' statement credits, in a way. Even though the Amex Gold's Dunkin' statement credits do not roll over if unused, you don't need to use the cash you load into your Dunkin' account each month.

This is a great way for me to use this credit since I anticipate being near a Dunkin' only once or twice each year.

Baskin-Robbins

A second method, albeit one with more mixed results, is to use your Amex Gold to make a purchase at Baskin-Robbins. Since Dunkin' Brands owns both Baskin-Robbins and Dunkin', some cardmembers on Reddit have found that putting a Baskin-Robbins charge on their Amex Gold successfully triggered their monthly statement credit.

I tried doing this at a stand-alone Baskin-Robbins, and it did not earn me my monthly Dunkin' statement credit. However, some Reddit users have done the same and received the statement credit, so your mileage may vary.

Other Reddit users have reported greater success by using their Amex Gold at a hybrid Baskin-Robbins and Dunkin' store or by loading cash into the Dunkin' app and using the app to pay at a Baskin-Robbins.

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

Related: Best dining credit cards

Bottom line

If you're worried about maximizing your Amex Gold benefits, hopefully trying one or more of these methods will help. Remember that each of these statement credits can take up to several weeks to post; while they usually show up after a few days, I wouldn't be worried unless more than a month passes.

Before opening or keeping the Amex Gold, ensure you can get enough real value out of the annual fee. If you're spending money you otherwise wouldn't to take advantage of its perks, then 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, then the Amex Gold can be a genuine powerhouse in your wallet.

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

Apply here: American Express Gold Card

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

For rates and fees of the Amex Gold, click here.