Resy
FreeRestaurant reservation platform owned by American Express featuring curated restaurant recommendations, exclusive access events, and waitlist notifications.
What does this tool do?
Resy is a restaurant reservation platform owned by American Express that functions as a discovery and booking engine for upscale dining establishments. The platform aggregates restaurants across major cities globally and allows users to search, discover, and reserve tables with real-time availability. Beyond basic reservations, Resy differentiates itself through American Express integration, offering exclusive benefits like the Platinum Card's $400 annual Resy Credit (up to $100 quarterly back on purchases) and Platinum Nights access, which provides guaranteed reservations at participating restaurants on select evenings. The platform also curates editorial content through stories, guides, and hit lists to help users discover new restaurants, positioning itself as a lifestyle guide rather than just a booking utility.
AI analysis from Feb 23, 2026
Key Features
- Real-time restaurant availability and table reservation booking across multiple cities
- Curated editorial content including The Hit List, dining guides, and restaurant stories
- Platinum Nights exclusive access program for Amex Platinum Card members
- Resy Credit cashback integration ($100 quarterly for eligible Amex Platinum cardholders)
- Nearby restaurant search and browsing by location and cuisine
- Events section for special dining experiences and tastings
- Global Dining Access program for international restaurant discovery
- Resy OS restaurant management platform for partners to handle reservations and operations
Use Cases
- 1Luxury dining discovery: Find and book Michelin-starred and high-end restaurants in major cities worldwide
- 2Travel planning: Secure restaurant reservations in advance when visiting unfamiliar cities like Barcelona, Hong Kong, or Miami
- 3American Express cardholder benefits: Leverage Amex Platinum Card perks for exclusive dining access and cashback rewards
- 4Special occasion reservations: Book reservations for celebrations when standard open availability is limited
- 5Dining trend research: Access curated editorial content (The Hit List, guides, stories) to understand what's popular in your city
- 6Restaurant management: Restaurants use Resy OS to manage reservations, optimize table turnover, and analyze booking patterns
Pros & Cons
Advantages
- Strong Amex integration provides real financial incentives: Platinum Card members get $100/quarter back on Resy purchases, directly reducing dining costs for premium cardholders
- Global coverage across 24+ major cities with curated editorial content that adds discovery value beyond basic reservation functionality
- Exclusive access feature (Platinum Nights) removes friction for premium diners by guaranteeing availability at popular restaurants that typically have long waitlists
- Mobile-first experience with iOS and Android apps makes on-the-go browsing and booking seamless
Limitations
- Limited to restaurants already partnered with Resy—many excellent independent and neighborhood restaurants not on the platform, creating incomplete city coverage
- Pricing and commission structures for restaurants using Resy OS are not transparent to consumers, and some restaurants have abandoned the platform citing high costs
- American Express ownership creates a walled ecosystem where benefits primarily flow to Amex cardholders, potentially limiting platform appeal to non-Amex users
- Waitlist feature mentioned in description is not prominently featured on the homepage, suggesting it may be underdeveloped compared to core reservation functionality
Pricing Details
Pricing details not publicly available. The platform appears free for consumers to browse and book restaurants, with revenue generated from restaurant partnerships and American Express collaboration. Amex Platinum Card members receive up to $100 quarterly back on eligible Resy purchases, but specific restaurant commission rates or Resy OS pricing for restaurants are not disclosed on the public website.
Who is this for?
Affluent diners aged 25-55 with American Express (especially Platinum Card) membership seeking high-end restaurant experiences in major metropolitan and destination cities. Secondary audience: upscale restaurants and hospitality venues looking to optimize reservation management and attract premium diners through the Amex ecosystem.