First on TPG: Amex unveils fall cardholder events, including a floating NYC restaurant and more

Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available.

Sometimes, credit card rewards aren’t just about points or cash back.

From Peloton partnerships to lounge access, card issuers know that experiences are effective ways to get cardholders engaged.

Two years ago, Amex’s acquisition of restaurant reservations platform Resy was a step towards making dining out a key cardholder value proposition.

And earlier this summer, Amex and Resy launched the Global Dining Access program for premium cardholders, including those with The Platinum Card® from American Express, that can help them secure hard-to-book tables and gives them access to exclusive events. This coincided with the card’s major refresh, which included several other new perks but also an increase to the card’s annual fee to $695 (see rates and fees).

Now, Amex is taking it a step further with new foodie events this fall exclusively for those with the Amex Platinum and American Express® Gold Card. Here’s what cardmembers have to look forward to.

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Amex Gold Pop-Up Diners

The Amex Gold card is a TPG favorite for earning points at U.S. supermarkets and restaurants.

You’ll earn 4x Membership Rewards points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 in spending per calendar year, then 1x) and at restaurants. The card also comes with up to $240 in annual statement credits that are dining-focused. Enrollment required for select benefits.

As first reported by TPG, this fall, Resy is introducing the “Pop-Up Diner,” a traveling outdoor restaurant with weekend-long stops in four cities between Sept. 10 and Oct. 3, 2021.

Amex Gold cardholders have exclusive access to this reimagined dine-in experience while the general public can order takeout. Dining in will include four-course prix fixe menus and outdoor seating within the pop-up.

In addition, Gold Card members can play “The Goldball Machine,” a massive gumball machine filled with gold balls instead of gumballs — with each ball denoting a prize including travel gift cards, Broadway tickets and more.

Here’s the Pop-Up Diner schedule:

• Chicago
  • Restaurant: Andros Taverna
  • Sept. 10-12, 2021
• Philadelphia
  • Restaurant: Osteria
  • Sept. 17-19, 2021
• Washington D.C.
  • Restaurant: Anju
  • Sept. 24-26, 2021
• New York
  • Restaurant: Rezdôra
  • Oct. 1-3, 2021

Dine-in tickets go on sale on the Resy platform on Aug. 10 at 10 a.m. ET exclusively for Amex Gold cardholders (make sure to link your Amex card to your Resy profile). Tickets are $75 per person for a four-course menu including beer, wine and gratuity.

Earlier this year, Amex and Resy put on several restaurant-related events including a drive-thru dining experience and picnic. This activation continues on with the theme, emphasizing just how much of a powerhouse the Gold card is for foodies.

Amex Platinum Coast

The more premium Platinum card is having a week-long event of its own, and you can experience it on a floating restaurant right on New York City’s East River.

Dubbed “Platinum Coast,” Amex and Resy are creating a fine-dining experience from Sept. 17-21 with several award-winning chefs such as Michael Solomonov and Nancy Silverton.

The waterfront dining event will effectively be an in-person celebration of the aforementioned Amex Platinum card refresh and launch of Resy’s Global Dining Access.

Resy says that 20 different menus will be served over the course of the five-day dining event, with the opportunity to make a reservation for lunch, aperitivo, dinner or late night. Prices range from $95 up to $250 and are inclusive of drinks and gratuity.

Related: VIP events access is back: Here’s how to unlock them with your credit cards

Based on the renderings provided by Resy, this looks to be quite the swanky affair with DJs, cabana-like seating and a lush, tropical ambiance.

Tickets go on sale on Aug. 18 at 10 a.m. ET and, similar to the Amex Gold diner events, your Platinum card must be linked to your Resy account in order to purchase a ticket.

Bottom line

Although they are among the most premium rewards cards around, the Amex Gold and Platinum card both enjoy a wide swath of appeal. With in-person experiences coming back, Amex is trying to be top of mind for every aspect of a cardholders’ life, including dining out.

In 2021, Amex and other issuers will continue to push to be a one-stop shop for travel, dining and lifestyle-like benefits, so hopefully, we will see them add even more frequent and creative in-person events for their cardholders.

For rates and fees of the Amex Platinum, please click here. 

Featured photo courtesy of Resy.