Amex Gold vs CSP for Dining: 4x vs 3x Plus $220 in Dining Credits (2026)
Dining is where the Amex Gold has its strongest case. Higher earn rates plus $220 in dining-related credits make it the clear winner for restaurant spending. But CSP has advantages too.
Earn Rate: 4x vs 3x
Amex Gold earns 4x Membership Rewards at restaurants worldwide, capped at $50,000/year. CSP earns 3x Ultimate Rewards on dining (including restaurants, bars, fast food, and coffee shops). The 1x difference translates to real money over a year.
| Monthly Dining Spend | Gold Points/Yr | Gold Value | CSP Points/Yr | CSP Value | Gold Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $200/mo | 9,600 | $144 | 7,200 | $108 | +$36 |
| $500/mo | 24,000 | $360 | 18,000 | $270 | +$90 |
| $800/mo | 38,400 | $576 | 28,800 | $432 | +$144 |
| $1,200/mo | 57,600 | $864 | 43,200 | $648 | +$216 |
Amex Gold Dining Credits: $220/Year
$120 Dining Credit
$10/month at select merchants:
- Grubhub - Food delivery (easiest to use)
- Cheesecake Factory - Dine-in and takeout
- Goldbelly - Specialty food delivery
- Wine.com - Wine delivery
- Milk Bar - Bakery and desserts
$100 Resy Credit
$50 biannually at Resy-booked restaurants:
- Book a table through the Resy app or website
- Pay with your Amex Gold card at the restaurant
- Credit applied as a statement credit
- Best coverage in NYC, LA, Chicago, SF, Miami
- Limited coverage in smaller cities and suburban areas
Combined with the earn rate advantage, Gold provides roughly $310 more in annual dining value at $500/month spend: $90 from the extra 1x earn rate, $120 from the dining credit, and $100 from the Resy credit.
CSP Dining Strengths
Broader Dining Definition
Chase defines dining to include restaurants, bars, fast food chains, coffee shops, bakeries, and food trucks. The 3x category is broader than some competitors. This means your Starbucks runs, McDonald's stops, and bar tabs all earn 3x UR.
DoorDash DashPass
CSP includes a complimentary DoorDash DashPass membership (worth roughly $120/year retail). This waives delivery fees on orders over $12, saving $5-10 per order. If you order delivery twice per month, you save $120-240/year in fees. This is CSP's answer to Gold's dining credit.
Visa Acceptance
Visa is accepted at virtually every restaurant in the US and abroad. Amex acceptance, while improving, is still limited at some small independent restaurants, food trucks, and many international venues. If you frequently dine at places that do not take Amex, CSP is the safer choice.
Total Annual Dining Value at $500/Month
| Component | Amex Gold | CSP |
|---|---|---|
| Dining points value (1.5cpp) | $360 | $270 |
| Dining credit | $120 | $0 |
| Resy credit | $100 | $0 |
| DashPass value (est.) | $0 | $120 |
| Total dining value | $580 | $390 |
Dining FAQ
How does the Amex Gold dining credit work?▾
What is the Amex Gold Resy credit?▾
Does CSP earn 3x at fast food and bars?▾
Updated 11 April 2026