The Platinum American Express Dining Credit: How to Get £100 Abroad and £100 in the UK Every Six Months

We aren’t really a couple for “date nights”. Cute concept, not us! But we do love nice food, and better than that, we love food where we don't have to pay! 

Queue one of the best perks of the Platinum American Express Card. The annual dining credit.

Giving cardmembers the chance to enjoy world-class meals at a wide range of participating restaurants, and with £400 in statement credits available every year, split into £100 for use abroad and £100 for use in the UK every six months, this benefit can significantly offset the cost of the card while enhancing your dining experiences around the world.

Yesterday saw us hop on the train to Guildford for a dinner at The Ivy. Yes, we could have chosen somewhere way more glam but this close to Christmas we are a little bit booked up and getting up to town (aka London) was looking rather challenging between our jobs and everything in between.

What Is the Platinum American Express Dining Credit?

The Platinum American Express dining credit is a benefit available to UK-issued Platinum cardholders. The credit provides:

• £100 to spend at participating international restaurants every six months

• £100 to spend at participating UK restaurants every six months

This means you can claim up to £400 in total dining credits each year (£200 abroad and £200 in the UK). The credits are applied automatically as statement credits when you use your card at eligible locations.

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How the Six-Monthly Cycle Works

The dining credit is issued in two six-month periods:

• 1 January – 30 June

• 1 July – 31 December

During each period, cardmembers receive two separate credits:

1. £100 for participating UK restaurants

2. £100 for participating international restaurants

If you do not use the credit within each six-month window, it does not roll over, so it is wise to plan ahead and make sure you claim the full value. When I was in New York back in May I made sure to use that 6 months worth of international dining credit by having a very decadent meal at Benoit, which if you enjoyed the Sex and the City spinoff "And Just Like That", this is where Aidan and Carrie have a catch up. Ignoring that they serve excellent French cuisine!

Where You Can Use the Dining Credit

One of the most appealing aspects of the Platinum American Express dining credit is the flexibility it offers. You can use your credit at any participating restaurant that feature on this list.

American Express updates its list of participating restaurants regularly, and availability can vary by country, so it’s a good idea to check the most recent listings before booking.

How to Redeem Your Dining Credit

Using your Platinum dining credit is straightforward:

1. Save the offer to your card. You need to add both the Local Dining Credit and Abroad Dining Credit to your Platinum Card before you pay in order to receive the benefits.

2. Choose a participating restaurant in the UK or abroad.

3. Pay with your Platinum American Express Card at the end of your meal.

4. Receive an automatic statement credit within a few days.

It is important to note you must pay with the primary card, supplementary cards do not work.

Our Night Out 

Having started off at a separate bar for a couple of drinks we headed on over to The Ivy in the pouring rain. We opted for a bottle of The Ivy Cuvée, and English Sparkling Wine made in Kent, it was very nice, then got down to the difficult task of choosing what to eat.

I would say there are two schools of thought when it comes to the dining credit. First up, you try and keep it under the £100 limit. Easy when you are on your own like I was in New York. Or, you basically use it to supplement your meal and opt to go for things a little more pricey. We went with the latter option.

For starters I had a smoked steak tartare (my absolute favourite starter) and Sam opted for the French Onion Soup. For mains, he had the Truffle Burger, and I had Chicken Bourguignon with a side of mashed potatoes. All the food was great, and the service was top notch also. We were so full, however, from all of this that we decided to forgo dessert and just finished sipping the sparkling wine.

Final Thoughts

The Platinum American Express dining credit is one of the most practical and rewarding perks available to UK Platinum cardmembers. With £100 to spend abroad and £100 to enjoy in the UK every six months, the benefit provides up to £400 in annual value, making it a powerful tool for reducing dining costs while exploring exceptional culinary experiences.

You will honestly be surprised by the breadth of restaurants on offer both in the UK and abroad.

Whether you enjoy fine dining or prefer relaxed international eateries, this credit makes the Platinum Card more appealing than ever. With a bit of planning, you can ensure you never miss a credit, turning your meals into genuine savings throughout the year.

Helena

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