iDine/Rewards Network - Weird, disturbing occurance

Our selections here in SEA aren't the greatest for a city of this size. I've pretty well narrowed my dining to three reasonably convenient places with decent food. I have accounts with four dining partners.

I had not used my AS account much this year (no 2006 promos at all from them), concentrating on the other partners' bonuses instead. To my horror I noticed that all 3 of my "regulars" were no longer AS-listed; they popped up just fine on my other other three partner lists. I waited a couple of days to email RN about it, receiving a "Sorry, you're outta luck" a day later. I realize that some joints appear to opt into selected partners upon signup, but has anyone else ever had a joint drop in and out of certain of partners after being a member for a while? Only thing I can think of is that as Alaska is a popular choice here those owners have decided to keep the program without AS in order to lessen the drainoff to Miami?

I had not used my AS account much this year (no 2006 promos at all from them), concentrating on the other partners' bonuses instead. To my horror I noticed that all 3 of my "regulars" were no longer AS-listed; they popped up just fine on my other other three partner lists.

It's possible that since you have not used your AS account, they may have dropped you to the 3X level. It may be that this restraurant is not available at the 3X level, but is at the 5X level! :rolleyes:

I've noticed this happened to me last year. A certain location showed on my UA account - where I was 5X - but not on my US account - where I was 3X. As soon as I reached 5X with US, this location showed up! :D

Perhaps you are 5X for the other accounts, but only 3X with AS.

Could be that you do not have "elite" status with AS program. I know that elite status is supposed to get you access to more restaurants etc, so who knows, that could be the isue.

I am elite with AS through 12/31/06. I used it plenty during 2005; I had not used it much in 2006.

".. A certain location showed on my UA account - where I was 5X - but not on my US account - where I was 3X. As soon as I reached 5X with US, this location showed up! .."

Just tripped over this one myself: a location that a NWA 5x can use, but a 3x or 1x can't. Which seems *really* bass-ackwards...
Of course, we never spot these until AFTER dropping a wad :mad:

MzCE is gonna be SO p-i-s-s-e-d !
/.

".. A certain location showed on my UA account - where I was 5X - but not on my US account - where I was 3X. As soon as I reached 5X with US, this location showed up! .."

Just tripped over this one myself: a location that a NWA 5x can use, but a 3x or 1x can't. Which seems *really* bass-ackwards...
Of course, we never spot these until AFTER dropping a wad :mad:

MzCE is gonna be SO p-i-s-s-e-d !
/.
Well, the web sites at iDine have clearly said, since they started the multiple levels of status with them, that additional restaurants are available at each level, and are one of the TWO big differences between one level and another.

I'm not sure why you think it's backwards. You're LOOKING at it backwards (starting at highest level and then looking at lower levels). iDine doesn't expect that, they expect you to find out you're not at the highest level and work toward it, and then discover MORE restaurants. (They further expect you to log into your OWN account and thus always see what's available to YOU. Your type of problem typically happens when someone asks someone else to log in, and you're not the same status or airline as they are.)

It's all PROMOTION after all! (It's just like airlines and hotels, you get less perks if you are less active in the program, more perks if you are more active.)

EVERYONE who cares about iDine should be doing small dines until they got to the elite level. I don't see why anyone would waste a big dine on 1 mi/$ or 3 mi/$ when waiting a little while (and quickly doing cups of coffee or cokes or whatever for up to 12 dines) and then earning 10 mi/$ (while at the same time having full access to that airline's restaurants).

EVERYONE who cares about iDine should be doing small dines until they got to the elite level. I don't see why anyone would waste a big dine on 1 mi/$ or 3 mi/$ when waiting a little while (and quickly doing cups of coffee or cokes or whatever for up to 12 dines) and then earning 10 mi/$ (while at the same time having full access to that airline's restaurants).

That's assuming one has coffee/Coke joints nearby! I scrambled for "status" late last year with Priority Club by asking servers: "Please put [a small amount like $3 - $5] on the AMEX and the balance on the Visa." That has worked out okay, although there was one episode where the waitress returned with two equal charges (of about $7 each), claiming that was "the only way" she could split the tab.

I don't see why anyone would waste a big dine on 1 mi/$ or 3 mi/$ when waiting a little while (and quickly doing cups of coffee or cokes or whatever for up to 12 dines) and then earning 10 mi/$ (while at the same time having full access to that airline's restaurants).
Because some of us like to eat every day, and sometimes more than once a day!

Because some of us like to eat every day, and sometimes more than once a day!
My point is that if you were going to eat at THAT RESTAURANT anyway, then you should not be irked if you didn't check and it turned out you earned hardly anything or actually nothing.

Sure everyone has to eat, but do you really need to eat at an iDIne restaurant every day if you haven't even had 12 dines yet?

A LOT of the time most of us could eat at CHEAPER (non-iDine) restaurants (or supermarket takeout, or eat at home) if we weren't chasing iDine miles. All I'm saying is don't waste your money STEERING toward iDine restaurants for big expensive dines (like paying for a group!) until you've gotten your 12 dines in on that program on any cheaper way you can. (And then check the website YOURSELF to see if a restaurant is really participating, if only want to eat there if you'll earn miles.)