If you’ve got an Amex Platinum or Amex Gold, you’ve probably seen the Resy credit and thought, “Cool… for fancy restaurants in big cities.” And sure, that’s where most people will use it.
But the more I look around the Resy platform, the more I keep finding places that don’t fit the usual “hot new bistro” stereotype. And one of the most surprising clusters of Resy options I’ve seen lately is… Universal Orlando Resort.
Quick recap: what the Resy credits are
Amex Platinum: up to $400 per year (quarterly)
The Platinum Card now offers a $400 Resy Credit, split into up to $100 in statement credits each quarter when you make eligible Resy purchases (including dining at participating U.S. Resy restaurants). Enrollment is required, and credits may take weeks to appear.
Amex Gold: up to $100 per year (semi-annual)
The Gold Card offers a $100 Resy Credit, split into up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually (also enrollment required).
Translation: Platinum is a “use it every quarter” perk, while Gold is more like “make sure you use it by mid-year and end-of-year.”
Where I didn’t expect to see a ton of Resy restaurants
Universal Orlando Resort.
Universal’s on-site hotels (including the new Epic Universe-area hotels), are operated by Loews Hotels — and a whole bunch of the hotel restaurants and bars are showing up on Resy.
That means your Resy credit may not just be for a “special night out.” It could also be for:
- a pre-park dinner
- a resort lunch
- a cocktail at a hotel bar
- or even a random “let’s eat before we drive home” meal
Examples of Resy-listed Universal hotel spots
Just from poking around, I found a ton of options inside Universal’s hotel bubble, including:
- Mama Della’s Ristorante (Loews Portofino Bay)
- Trattoria del Porto (Loews Portofino Bay)
- Orchid Court Lounge (Loews Royal Pacific)
- Islands Dining Room (Loews Royal Pacific)
- Jake’s American Bar (Loews Royal Pacific)
- Strong Water Tavern (Loews Sapphire Falls)
- Amatista Cookhouse (Loews Sapphire Falls)
- The Kitchen (Hard Rock Hotel)
- Flora Taverna (Universal Helios Grand Hotel)
- Bar Helios (Universal Helios Grand Hotel rooftop bar)
And then there’s the one that made me laugh a little…
Yes, even the bowling alley restaurant
Galaxy Bowl at Universal’s Cabana Bay shows up on Resy. So in theory, you could be earning/using your Resy credit while you’re ordering food during a bowling session.
Not everything is on Resy (a couple notable exceptions)
It’s not 100% universal (no pun intended). A few independently operated spots don’t appear to be on Resy — for example:
- The Palm (Hard Rock Hotel)
- Bice (Portofino Bay)
So: check before you go, and don’t assume every restaurant at every hotel will qualify.
What to do before you count on the credit
- Make sure you are enrolled in the Resy credit inside your Amex account (Platinum and Gold both require enrollment).
- Confirm the restaurant is on Resy (ideally showing up as a Resy restaurant in the listing).
- Watch the calendar:
- Platinum: up to $100 per quarter.
- Gold: up to $50 Jan–Jun and up to $50 Jul–Dec.
Bonus Orlando-area surprise (even if you’re not doing Universal)
Resy’s Orlando footprint has grown enough that you can find options outside the parks, too. One example: Four Flamingos at the Hyatt Grand Cypress near Disney also shows up on Resy.
Final Thought
I still think of Resy as a “date night in the city” kind of perk — so seeing it pop up all over Universal Orlando’s Loews hotels was a surprise. If you’ve got an Amex Platinum or Gold, this is one of those rare credits that can be easy to use without going out of your way… as long as you remember to check the restaurant on Resy and use the right card before the quarter (or half-year) runs out.
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