Credit card issuers have had to respond recently to the changing spending habits of their consumers. Over the past few months, Chase has made several permanent and temporary improvements to its credit card portfolio. Now American Express is making news with changes to some its most popular cards.

Uber Eats Pass

Earlier this year Chase partnered with DoorDash to bring free DashPass memberships to its Ultimate Rewards-earning credit cards. Now American Express is doing something similar in a partnership with Uber.

Amex is now offering U.S. cardholders of The Platinum Card® from American Express, the American Express® Gold Card and the American Express® Green Card, 12 months of complimentary access to Uber Eats Pass. This new benefit, valued at $9.99 a month, must be activated by December 31, 2021.

Eats Pass members get unlimited free deliveries, plus 5% off restaurant orders over $15.

Uber Cash Credit

In addition, American Express also announced that Amex Gold cardholders will receive up to $120 annually ($10 per month) in Uber Cash, which can be used on Uber Eats orders and Uber rides in the U.S. This will work similarly to the existing Uber credit that Amex Platinum cardholders enjoy.

This new benefit goes live in early 2021 and will essentially replace the recently discontinued airline credit.

Just last week American Express announced that Amex Gold Card’s $100 airline credit will be retired effective December 31, 2021.

Bottom Line

It’s easy to see that credit card issuers are trying to keep up with the rapid change in consumer spending habits. Dropping a travel benefit for a food benefit makes a lot of sense for Amex. Travel does not look like it’ll recover anytime soon, but people will continue to order lots of carryout and delivery. Thus most cardholders will get more value with the new Uber credits, plus Eats Pass, then they’d have gotten from the airline credit.

This also further solidifies the Amex Gold Card as the leader in “dining” credit cards. It earns 4x points on restaurants and grocery purchases and already had a $120 annual ($10 per month) dining credit. That credit, which can be used at Grubhub/Seamless, The Cheesecake Factory, Ruth’s Chris Steak House and participating Shake Shack locations, will continue. If you maximize the existing dining credit and Uber credit each year, your $250 annual fee becomes just $10. Add in all the other card benefits, and it basically pays for itself. Now that’s quite a deal!

If you don’t have this amazing card yet, American Express is currently offering an increased 60,000 point sign-up bonus. You can apply for the American Express® Gold Card here.