iDine/Rewards Network - Jan - Feb 2009 VIP AA bonus miles from RN; AA VIP for $150 ends Mar '09

(From OP on thread regarding demise of "Rate Your Dine Bonus": It looks like SDS search's warning was well advised as the United link above now shows that the page has been withdrawn.)

In addition, I just saw a bonus offer from AAdvantage dining that provides a bonus of 1,500 miles for $400 in dines (cumultive) by 2/28/09.

The above bonus combined with the Fast track bonus and the now 5 miles/$ just scrapes by at 10 miles to the $1 if you complete all the terms and conditions.

Bottom line -- they have definitely cut back on the program and I won't be utilizing them as much this year. :td::td:

(Moderator note: This post has been copied from the "Rate Your Dine Bonus" expiry thread, as it deals with this bonus; other posts have merely been moved in most cases.)

This is wierd:confused:...

On the left the side the site says spend $300
When you bring up the full promotion it says spend $150

Here's the language in the full promotion:

We'll help you get the New Year off to a great start with 2,000 AAdvantage® bonus miles during our VIP Select Bonus* available only to select VIP members.
Here's how to jumpstart your 2009 dining miles:


1. Register for the VIP Select Bonus by logging in above.

2. Spend $150 at participating restaurants by 2/28/09.

3. That's it. You'll automatically earn 2,000 bonus miles ... on top of the 750 regular miles you'll earn as a VIP dining member!

Now do we get to stack the fast track promotion on top of this?

SInce it says it's available on to "select" VIP members, it may be targeted.

And, in particular, the amount required to spend may be targeted. I got $400 like NJUPINTHEAIR, while 236Dakota got something else. (236Dakota, what did your invite message, over in My Messages, day the required cumulative was?)

But hold on about the stacking with the Fast Track bonus:

From the VIP Exclusive Bonus T&Cs: "Offer is not combinable with other AAdvantage DiningSM bonuses."

What exactly does that mean? Does that mean the first four $25+ dines don't count toward your $150 or $300 or $400, because they only count toward your Fast Track bonus? Or that no dines count until you've finished Fast Track if that's what you registered for first?

(I seem to remember something similar happening with two competing Delta SkyMiles Dining bonuses late last year, but I don't think the circumstances were exactly identical.)

Not combining the bonuses is even worse than I thought, although it is anybody's guess how they will interpret that language and I just don't care enough to contact them on this issue.

I certainly will be -- and have been -- cutting back on Idine restaurants I patronize.

There is, however, one double miles restaurant near me, as well.

A lousy 5 miles to the dollar or even 5% cash back is not enough for me to bother much with them.

10 miles to the dollar and sometime bonuses were sufficient for me to accumulate miles/points, even though the airline FF programs have been devalued what with the fuel and baggage surcharges, etc. Now, it really is not very much worth the trouble to go out of one's way to dine at these restaurants, I am sorry to say.

Instead, I will just broaden the restaurants that I dine in and likely will put on an equal footing with IDINE those restaurants where one can earn a discount via Restaurant.com (and their deep discounts of now up to 80% -- they at least have been discounting the cost of their certs in greater and greater amounts) and the Entertainment book, as well as simply those restaurants that might have a better price point for my dining needs.

Bottom line, my pursuit of the almighty FF mile/point will be much more constrained and likely be earned more by using my affinity charge cards and less by IDINE affiliated restaurants. :td:

It was nice while it lasted but not really worth the trouble now.

We'll help you get the New Year off to a great start with 2,000 AAdvantage® bonus miles during our VIP Select Bonus* available only to select VIP members.
Here's how to jumpstart your 2009 dining miles:


1. Register for the VIP Select Bonus by logging in above.

2. Spend $150 at participating restaurants by 2/28/09.

3. That's it. You'll automatically earn 2,000 bonus miles ... on top of the 750 regular miles you'll earn as a VIP dining member!
VIP Select Bonus Details
*This bonus is open to select VIP members only who have received a special VIP Select Bonus email invitation directly from the AAdvantage DiningSM program. Invited members must opt in to receive emails in order to qualify, so make sure you have elected to receive emails from the AAdvantage DiningSM program and that you have provided us with a valid, deliverable email address when you register. You must continue to satisfy other VIP level criteria to maintain VIP status.
To qualify, dines must be at participating restaurants, bars or clubs after your advance online registration in the VIP Select Bonus (via the link above) and by February 28, 2009. Dines must be on days when benefits are being offered, and must be paid for with a credit or debit card registered in the AAdvantage DiningSM program. Offer is not combinable with other AAdvantage DiningSM bonuses. Limit one VIP Select Bonus per member. All account inquiries related to this bonus must be received by April 28, 2009. Please allow 6-8 weeks for any bonus miles to post to your AAdvantage® account.

Some restaurants offer mileage awards only on certain days of the week, times of the day or up to a maximum spending amount per month. For complete program Terms and Conditions, guidelines and restrictions, and the latest benefit schedules, visit aa.rewardsnetwork.com. Other limitations may apply.

This one appears variable. Our "VIP Exclusive Bonus" offers are 1500 mi for $400. :(

Looks like I wasn't even a "select member". I got nothing, again! Is there a link?

There is no link. This afternoon I received an Email about this offer in my inbox at the AA RN website.

I got the 2000 for $150 and registered. I plan on getting a few take-out meals and GCs for later use.

I registered for the $150/2000 as well - it was there under "bonuses".

SInce it says it's available on to "select" VIP members, it may be targeted.

And, in particular, the amount required to spend may be targeted. I got $400 like NJUPINTHEAIR, while 236Dakota got something else. (236Dakota, what did your invite message, over in My Messages, day the required cumulative was?)

But hold on about the stacking with the Fast Track bonus:

From the VIP Exclusive Bonus T&Cs: "Offer is not combinable with other AAdvantage DiningSM bonuses."

What exactly does that mean? Does that mean the first four $25+ dines don't count toward your $150 or $300 or $400, because they only count toward your Fast Track bonus? Or that no dines count until you've finished Fast Track if that's what you registered for first?

(I seem to remember something similar happening with two competing Delta SkyMiles Dining bonuses late last year, but I don't think the circumstances were exactly identical.)

I got my invitation by looking in my Idine mail box.

FYI, I did bother to call Idine about combinability. This is what I was told:

The VIP Select is the prioity bonus. After 3 $25 dines you get 2,000 miles.
After that the Fast Track to VIP kicks in and after $25 more dollars are spent you get the 500 additional miles, even though I'm already a VIP.

I asked if I could "take that to the bank" or is this subject to further review.
He said "You can take it to the bank"

We'll see.

I also see there is now another thread on the VIP Select Bonus.

Maybe this needs to be combined.

Looks like I wasn't even a "select member". I got nothing, again! Is there a link?

I did not get an email - ours were under "Bonuses" as well.

We'll help you get the New Year off to a great start with 1,500 AAdvantage® bonus miles during our VIP Exclusive Bonus* available only to select VIP members.

Here's how to jumpstart your 2009 dining miles:


1. Register for the VIP Exclusive Bonus by logging in above.
2. Spend $400 at participating restaurants by 2/28/09.
3. That's it. You'll automatically earn 1,500 bonus miles... on top of the 2,000 regular miles you'll earn as a VIP dining member!

I did not get an email - ours were under "Bonuses" as well.

Nothing in my messages, and the only thing listed under Bonuses is the Fast Track to VIP Bonus.

Offer is not combinable with other AAdvantage DiningSM bonuses. Limit one VIP Select Bonus per member. All account inquiries related to this bonus must be received by April 28, 2009. Please allow 6-8 weeks for any bonus miles to post to your AAdvantage® account.bolding mine: I am registered for the fast track bonus and this bonus, and I suspect many of us have registered for both bonuses.

Will both be awarded if one spends >$150 over four dines? If this is truly not combinable, which bonus will be awarded? I'd hope the 2000 miles rather than 500 obviously?

If both, $150 over four dines could result in 3250 miles (750 + 2000 +500)--almost 22 miles/$--not bad, and it won't even require rating dines with the same tired blather.

Edit to add: The question of combined Fast Track and VIP select bonuses has been raised and addressed in this thread also:http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/idine-rewards-network/903995-rate-your-dine-2009-a.html

I got my invitation by looking in my Idine mail box.

FYI, I did bother to call Idine about combinability. This is what I was told:

The VIP Select is the prioity bonus. After 3 $25 dines you get 2,000 miles.
After that the Fast Track to VIP kicks in and after $25 more dollars are spent you get the 500 additional miles, even though I'm already a VIP.

I asked if I could "take that to the bank" or is this subject to further review.
He said "You can take it to the bank"

We'll see.

I also see there is now another thread on the VIP Select Bonus.

Maybe this needs to be combined.


Wife's AA account which is a less heavy user than mine got 2,000 miles offer for $300 spend.

I guess Dakota got the best offer = a cumaltive $75 spend in only three $25 increments, yields a 2,000 mile bonus.

However, it still stinks for most of us. :td:

I am registered in both VIP 2000/$150 and the VIP Fast Track. Let's see what happens with both bonuses. The gift card idea is great. Happy dining to all. :)

I got my invitation by looking in my Idine mail box.

FYI, I did bother to call Idine about combinability. This is what I was told:

The VIP Select is the prioity bonus. After 3 $25 dines you get 2,000 miles.
After that the Fast Track to VIP kicks in and after $25 more dollars are spent you get the 500 additional miles, even though I'm already a VIP.

I asked if I could "take that to the bank" or is this subject to further review.
He said "You can take it to the bank"

We'll see.

I've pasted this from my 2009 Rate Your Dine possible extension thread reply.

FYI, I did bother to call Idine about combinability. This is what I was told:

The VIP Select is the prioity bonus. After 3 $25 dines you get 2,000 miles.
After that the Fast Track to VIP kicks in and after $25 more dollars are spent you get the 500 additional miles, even though I'm already a VIP.

I'm more confused than ever. 3 $25 dines is $75 total spend. I thought you needed at least $150 total spend for the 2000 miles? So how is it that just 3 $25 dines does it?

Second, are you saying that after the VIP Select is done, it counts back to see how many $25 dines you did, and then requires you only to increase that count to 4 (if it isn't already), rather than starting from scratch? That would imply that they are combinable, which it says they aren't!

Boo...mine was the VIP Exclusive $400/1500 miles. Even though I dine more than enough to satisfy the $400 in two months, the lack of VIP Rate Your Dine to make it 10 mi / $1 makes RN less interesting :td:

FYI, The summarry of the award cost on the side of my web page showed spend $300. When I opened the full announcement it stated $150.

Wonder if I'm excluded from this promo because I have a Cdn address. Anyone other Cdns want to chime in as to whether or not they got a bonus promo?

Also, tried to go to the website to change my address to my brother's in Texas, but I can't seem to find how to do that!!! I know I've done it before so must have something to do with the updated website. Is it there and I'm just missing it?

Wife's confirmation e-mail says spend $300 to get 2,000 miles.

Bonuses listed on her bonus tab indicates only a $150 spend.

Great job IDINE, not only is it unclear whether the bonuses are combinable or at least be completed in a serial fashion (still waiting for the miles from DL's two ongoing bonuses last yeaer) but now it is unclear what her threshold spend really is.

Wallets mostly closed. :td:

FYI, The summarry of the award cost on the side of my web page showed spend $300. When I opened the full announcement it stated $150.Mine originally showed $300 in the summary on the side, too, while the full page and email confirmation both showed $150. Today, it shows $150 in the summary on the side.

I got my invitation by looking in my Idine mail box.

FYI, I did bother to call Idine about combinability. This is what I was told:

The VIP Select is the prioity bonus. After 3 $25 dines you get 2,000 miles.
After that the Fast Track to VIP kicks in and after $25 more dollars are spent you get the 500 additional miles, even though I'm already a VIP.

I asked if I could "take that to the bank" or is this subject to further review.
He said "You can take it to the bank"

We'll see.

I also see there is now another thread on the VIP Select Bonus.

Maybe this needs to be combined.I got the $150 -> 2000 miles deal. But the T&C for that one do NOT mention any minimum spend (like other promotions do). Just a total of $150.

I got the "Earn 2000 bonus miles when you spend $150 by 2/28/09" message in my RN message box, too.

Though I did notice that Item 3 says:

"3. That's it. You'll automatically earn 2,000 bonus miles ... on top of the 750 regular miles you'll earn as a VIP dining member!"

So that goes off of the usual 5 x $150 calculation - no rating bonus mentioned. :(

My "VIP bonus offer" is possibly the worst - $400 spend by 28 Feb for 1,500 miles. (Add this with the VIP / elite 500 miles for $150 per month, it means I could spend $400 in two months and earn 2,000 miles for dining, plus 2,500 bonus miles. Assuming they haven't also cancelled the 500 for $150 monthly VIP bonus. (Well, Lady JDiver joins me on this specific offer.)

"Dear JDiver,

Start off the new year with a bang. You can earn 1,500 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles. Follow these steps to earn your AAdvantage® miles:

• Log in and register for the VIP Exclusive Bonus.
• Spend a total of $400 at participating restaurants by 2/28/09.

That's it! You'll automatically earn 1,500 AAdvantage® bonus miles on top of the 2,000 AAdvantage® miles you'll earn when you spend a total of $400."

Nice reward for being a loyal member in 2008 - a lesser offer than those who dined less. :p

My "VIP bonus offer" is possibly the worst - $400 spend by 28 Feb for 1,500 miles. (Add this with the VIP / elite 500 miles for $150 per month, it means I could spend $400 in two months and earn 2,000 miles for dining, plus 2,500 bonus miles. Assuming they haven't also cancelled the 500 for $150 monthly VIP bonus.:p)



No, I got the worst. I got NO OFFER at all!

I even changed my address from Toronto to Texas yesterday (by calling RN) to see if that would trigger a bonus. NADA!

While some of you have stated that you can get close to 20 miles to the $1, that is based on the assumption that you only have to spend $150 and not the originally stated $300 in dines, and that the promotions are cumulative.

As you should know by now, the heaviest ;) diners are the ones who got the least incentive bonus. Even you allow that you will stop at the $150 or $300 threshold, as well.No, I totally agree. I wouldn't spend a cent if I were only getting 5 miles per cent, and little or nothing if it were more like 10 cents. At nearly 20 cents, I'll spend what it takes to hit the bonus and stop there.

Speak with your actions and they'll get the picture. If your bonus offer (or lack thereof) isn't motivating, boycott iDine until they offer you one that is. Once they realize that these low-mileage earnings don't motivate us to action (or at least not to the action they want), they'll change their ways.

I'm more confused than ever. 3 $25 dines is $75 total spend. I thought you needed at least $150 total spend for the 2000 miles? So how is it that just 3 $25 dines does it?

:oVery bad math on my part! 3 $50 dines, the I'd need 1 $25 dine for the other 500 miles.

I agree with the majority here, bad move on Idine's part.

All posts regarding this specific "VIP Bonus Miles" for Jan - Feb 2009 have been moved to this thread, resulting in some post displacement, but roundin' up all them skittish dogies and herdin' them here to this thread for ease in following the discussions.

Apologies for any disruption.

Once again, this year Rewards Network takes this VERY "engaged" member and throws cold water on the program (between us, we scored over 140,000 miles on the various programs this year. My weight shows it.) An outrage: cut our awards in half, and expect us not to notice! Not an email (among the zillions they send each year, for each program, to each spouse.....)--- no, just let the second 5 miles "expire". Well, I'll tell you what: I'm going to let Rewards Network expire. At least some of the time.

I HAVE NOW SPENT -YEARS- DINING IN $HITHOLE ESTABLISHMENTS AND DODGING THE VARIOUS COMINGS AND GOINGS OF iDINE/RewardsNOT-WORK'S EVER-CHANGING LIST OF SOME-DAYS-WE-DO-SOME-DAYS-WE-DON'T EATERIES, AND I'M *TIRED* OF THESE PEOPLE'S IDEA OF A MOUSE MAZE. As I said last year on here (paraphrasing):

Thank you, RewardsNetwork, for simplifying my dining out. I eat out almost every meal. I have been forced to run to my computer to find out where and when I can eat, and now I can relax. It is a RELIEF to just FORGET about your program, as it is no longer worth it. I look forward to eating out at interesting restaurants I find in all parts of town, not just the ones your rep happened to visit. I look forward to ignoring what day of the week it is, and never having to "click" and get a receipt from you, and not caring what dollar amount I spend, and never having to reconcile my dines according to you with my dines according to my various credit cards, and call you when inevitably some of them fail to post. In short, I look forward to recovering my mealtimes to ME AND MY STOMACH, and leaving REWARDS NETWORK, UA, AA, BA (RIP), DL, AS and NOW WN and PC out of it. Good riddance RN. Good luck keeping that stock price above a dollar, by the way.
***************
"Bonuses" my eye. The more this program gets cute, the less they've got to attract me. Oh, and by the way: count on me to rate any of your restaurants that I dine at out of force of habit or because of an accident with a cutting, biting edge. Now that you've got me writing reviews, you can COUNT on me skipping the effort to write nice stuff when I don't get miles to do it---- but ALSO COUNT on me telling you DOUBLE BARRELLED when the place deserves a good kicking for the poor service or cold meal. Oh yes, swords will be sharpened for that! I can't wait to hear the reaction your reps get about the program when the only people writing the reviews really have something to write about......

("I laugh my evil laugh", as someone has said before....)

:oVery bad math on my part! 3 $50 dines, the I'd need 1 $25 dine for the other 500 miles.
But I'm still confused. You said they said it's not combinable, which would imply that either:

(a) The first 4 $25+ dines do not count toward your $150 for the VIP Exclusive bonus, or

(b) Any $25+ dines in your first $150 do not count toward your 4 $25 dines for the Fast Track bonus.

But you're giving an example where 3 of your dines count toward both bonuses at the same time!

How it that "not combinable"? And what happens if instead of having 3 $50 dines, you have 6 $25 dines? Did they say that in one swoop would give you both bonuses?

But I'm still confused. You said they said it's not combinable, which would imply that either:

I don't see that in my post.

[/QUOTE](a) The first 4 $25+ dines do not count toward your $150 for the VIP Exclusive bonus, or?[/QUOTE]

The first four would count.

[/QUOTE](b) Any $25+ dines in your first $150 do not count toward your 4 $25 dines for the Fast Track bonus.?[/QUOTE]

They would count.

[/QUOTE]But you're giving an example where 3 of your dines count toward both bonuses at the same time!?[/QUOTE]

See reply to first quote above

[/QUOTE]How it that "not combinable"? And what happens if instead of having 3 $50 dines, you have 6 $25 dines? Did they say that in one swoop would give you both bonuses?[/QUOTE]

They told me it was combinable

Hey, these are a goofy combination of bonuses and I'm not entirely sure that either RN or I understand them either.

I guess SST is mad! ;)

But he/she has a right to be.

It was indeed shabby for RN not to give nay sort of heads up concerning these changes -- even the airlines give some notice.

I will continue to dine at some of the restaurants I have done so over the years not out of foce of habit to RN but more out of loyalty to those restauarant owners. However, as for new restaurants, I doubt that I will even search out RN restos.

Whereas I would first consult RN if there was a resto in the area that I had planned to be in, now I will just go to Yelp, etc, and see what intrigues me at my price point. 10 miles to the $ and bonuses were enough to get me to check RN first.

5 miles to the $ -- Fugheddaboutit!

If the resto is on RN, so much the better and I will get something I was not expecting. However, it is not worth the trouble to check anymore for a measly 5 miles to the $.

Please feel free to convey this message to your boss, Stacy Delgado!!!

Ok, a data point!

This morning my first dine of the year showed up at AAdvantage Dining ("pending", of course). It was for exactly $25.

Yesterday my dines to (renew) VIP Membership was showing 10 (why 10 and not 11, I have no clue; did the dine that was on 12/30 but posted after 1/1 count?!?).

Today my dines to (renew) VIP Membership is showing 3. This clearly indicates to me that my $25 dine counted toward my Fast Track (at least the requal portion of it).

Yaay! (I've already had two more dines since then, and have made both $25+, in hopes of seeing if the Fast Track would work with my first dines.)

I don't see that in my post.

They told me it was combinable.

That's good to know. I was confused because you didn't say that in your original post about the conversation (now post #11 on the first page of this thread).

You also said there:

"This is what I was told:

The VIP Select is the prioity bonus."

Of course, it could still be confusion over the definition of "combinable". I guess in one interpretation, combinable does not necessarily mean "stackable". (It could mean you can do both promos together, without meaning that a single dine can count toward both promos at the same time.)

If they are truly stackable, neither has priority! One having priorirty over the other implies that they are not stackable!

If they are stackable, both have equal priority, in that a dine that is over $25 satisfied both promos at the same time.

So maybe they were telling you the bonuses are combinable but not stackable (ie, that you have to fullfill one before you can start on the other)?

:confused:Quien sabe

Once again, this year Rewards Network takes this VERY "engaged" member and throws cold water on the program (between us, we scored over 140,000 miles on the various programs this year. My weight shows it.) An outrage: cut our awards in half, and expect us not to notice! Not an email (among the zillions they send each year, for each program, to each spouse.....)--- no, just let the second 5 miles "expire". Well, I'll tell you what: I'm going to let Rewards Network expire. At least some of the time.

I HAVE NOW SPENT -YEARS- DINING IN $HITHOLE ESTABLISHMENTS AND DODGING THE VARIOUS COMINGS AND GOINGS OF iDINE/RewardsNOT-WORK'S EVER-CHANGING LIST OF SOME-DAYS-WE-DO-SOME-DAYS-WE-DON'T EATERIES, AND I'M *TIRED* OF THESE PEOPLE'S IDEA OF A MOUSE MAZE. As I said last year on here (paraphrasing):

Thank you, RewardsNetwork, for simplifying my dining out. I eat out almost every meal. I have been forced to run to my computer to find out where and when I can eat, and now I can relax. It is a RELIEF to just FORGET about your program, as it is no longer worth it. I look forward to eating out at interesting restaurants I find in all parts of town, not just the ones your rep happened to visit. I look forward to ignoring what day of the week it is, and never having to "click" and get a receipt from you, and not caring what dollar amount I spend, and never having to reconcile my dines according to you with my dines according to my various credit cards, and call you when inevitably some of them fail to post. In short, I look forward to recovering my mealtimes to ME AND MY STOMACH, and leaving REWARDS NETWORK, UA, AA, BA (RIP), DL, AS and NOW WN and PC out of it. Good riddance RN. Good luck keeping that stock price above a dollar, by the way.
***************
"Bonuses" my eye. The more this program gets cute, the less they've got to attract me. Oh, and by the way: count on me to rate any of your restaurants that I dine at out of force of habit or because of an accident with a cutting, biting edge. Now that you've got me writing reviews, you can COUNT on me skipping the effort to write nice stuff when I don't get miles to do it---- but ALSO COUNT on me telling you DOUBLE BARRELLED when the place deserves a good kicking for the poor service or cold meal. Oh yes, swords will be sharpened for that! I can't wait to hear the reaction your reps get about the program when the only people writing the reviews really have something to write about......

("I laugh my evil laugh", as someone has said before....)

LOL, and how true: If I was Idining at last year’s pace I’d be at around 7,500 AA miles my now, but nary an Idine for me in ’09. Don’t get me wrong, I’ll do the minimum to get the maximum benefits, but I won’t prowl for 5 miles per dollar. It’s liberating to not be enslaved by Idine, taking my lunch a day or two a week is good for my wallet, and hitting the gym during lunch is good for what surrounds my wallet.

I guess my million lifetime Idine miles will have to wait.

I'm a VIP and received the 2,000 miles for $150 in dining bonus by 2/28/09.

There are Two (2) separate outstanding questions that still require definitive answers in this thread:

1). Which Bonus takes precedence?; and

2). Can those who initially received a bonus offer of $300 in spending for 2,000 miles only to see it later converted by RN to a $150 spend for 2,000 rely upon that later bonus offer?

I have asked via PM, Stacy Delgado who made an inital posting to this forum under the Rewards Network handle to answer these questions by a public posting.

It is clear what we all expect the response to the later question to be, and I have argued that the Fast Track bonus -- as the first announced and for many of us, first registered bonus, take precedence, especially since I have no intention of completing the terms of my other bonus: $400 in dines for a measely 2,000 miles. I had already started to fulfill the terms of the earlier Fast Track bonus -- then in the belief that the Rate your Dine bonus was still extant -- and therefore, to expect me to only receive that bonus, after I spend $500 is ridiculous, and I expect others are in this same situation.

The fact that RN has had a presence on this board for a couple of weeks now, and still has yet to weigh in on these issues, is appalling in my opinon.

I ask you to contact the Rewards Network Representative with PMs seeking clarity with respect to the above -- It is high time that they respond to their extremely disapointed formerly loyal membership.

NJ

After numberous e-mails with a supervisor at i-dine, she finally confirmed that the bonus was for US residents only. I changed my address to my TX one, but that did not trigger a bonus.

After a few more e-mails, finally today the supervisor confirmed that I had been manually registered for the 2000 mile bonus for $150 spend between Jan 16 and Feb 28!

I just sent another e-mail asking for clarification on which bonus takes precedence per NJUPINTHEAIR's request.

I just sent another e-mail asking for clarification on which bonus takes precedence per NJUPINTHEAIR's request.


I hope you post their response as I am confident that we will not hear from Stacey Delgado in connection with this matter.

Ok, an actual data point. I registered for Fast Track first, but registered for both before my first dine. As I mentioned before, I started out with 4 $25+ dines, and saw my "dines to requalify" count down (from 10?!?) to 9, 8, then disappear.

Well, Wednesday (yesterday) morning at AA I saw "DINING 500 BONUS MILES" attrributed to 1/9, the date of my fourth $25 dine.

And this morning (Thursday) it's also showing up at AAdvantage Dining, as "BONUS - FAST..." (no way that I see to click on it to get the full description, but obviously it's "FAST TRACK" :) ), 500 miles, attributed to 1/9, paid 1/20.

So at the very least we now know that Fast Track works while registered for VIP Select, at least if you registered for Fast Track first, at least if you did all your Fast Track dines before any non-Fast Track dines. :)

(Whether the same dines work for both promos I doubt I can be the first to announce, because I'm in the $400 spend required category, so I presume one of the $150 spend people will figure that part out first.)

Ok, an actual data point. I registered for Fast Track first, but registered for both before my first dine. As I mentioned before, I started out with 4 $25+ dines, and saw my "dines to requalify" count down (from 10?!?) to 9, 8, then disappear.

Well, Wednesday (yesterday) morning at AA I saw "DINING 500 BONUS MILES" attrributed to 1/9, the date of my fourth $25 dine.

And this morning (Thursday) it's also showing up at AAdvantage Dining, as "BONUS - FAST..." (no way that I see to click on it to get the full description, but obviously it's "FAST TRACK" :) ), 500 miles, attributed to 1/9, paid 1/20.

So at the very least we now know that Fast Track works while registered for VIP Select, at least if you registered for Fast Track first, at least if you did all your Fast Track dines before any non-Fast Track dines. :)

(Whether the same dines work for both promos I doubt I can be the first to announce, because I'm in the $400 spend required category, so I presume one of the $150 spend people will figure that part out first.)

This is good news and thanks for sharing. I am hopeful that the Fast Track will be the operative bonus for me.

I believe it was another poster who had advised that the VIP Select bonus would take precedence, but given the track record of that other poster in connection with his reporting on this issue, I am hopeful that he is wrong.

I have VIP Status now.

Two bonuses show:

Fast Track to VIP Bonus
*Dine four times at participating restaurants by 2/28/09 and spend $25 or more each time.
*You'll be upgraded to VIP dining status through 12/31/09 and begin earning 5 miles for every dollar spent - tax and tip included. Plus you'll receive 500 bonus miles ... our way of saying "congratulations"!
So $100 spending = 500 bonus miles +500 earned miles. = 1,000 miles.

VIP Select Bonus
Spend $150 at participating restaurants by 2/28/09.
That's it. You'll automatically earn 2,000 bonus miles ... on top of the 750 regular miles you'll earn as a VIP dining member
So $150 in spending = 2000 bonus miles + 750 Earned Miles = 2,750 miles

These two cannot be combined?, right? Cause that would be pretty good.

Too bad only 3 places around here are good - but expensive, and I don't have tons of $$$. Might go for buying some gift cards at these places and spread it out :/

...These two cannot be combined?, right? Cause that would be pretty good....

This very subject is discussed earlier in this thread. Read it.

Both my wife and I received the 2,000 miles in our AA accounts today for spending $150, which we each did. Neither of us have have met the terms of the Fast Track bonus yet, four $25 dines, but we will by the end of next month. We'll let everyone know if and when those miles hit.

Both my wife and I have received our Fast Track bonus which is good news as we first registered for this bonus prior to the less appealing later bonus being offered to us.

This means that the Fast Track and its bonus takes precedence over the other bonus -- at the very least for those who first registered for it over the other bonus.

Both my wife and I received the 2,000 miles in our AA accounts today for spending $150, which we each did. Neither of us have have met the terms of the Fast Track bonus yet, four $25 dines, but we will by the end of next month. We'll let everyone know if and when those miles hit.

FYI: We signed up for the Fast Track promotion first. So far its going according to what RN CS told me on the phone.

I just got my 2000 bonus miles for the $150 spend by 2/28/09 VIP select bonus. I thought RN would have waited until the end of the promo and even a few weeks after that but apparently not.

I just got my 2000 bonus miles for the $150 spend by 2/28/09 VIP select bonus. I thought RN would have waited until the end of the promo and even a few weeks after that but apparently not.
Did you also register for the Fast Track bonus or only this one? If also the Fast Track, did you do your 4 x $25 spend already and get that too? And if so, did the same 4 x $25 also count toward your $150, or did the $150 have to not include the 4 dines that went into Fast Track?

Background: I began the year as VIP from last year's 40+ dines. Naturally, I registered for both bonuses--

I crossed the $150+ threshold on 1/20/09. I received the 2,000 miles for the VIP Exclusive Bonus a few days later. (FYI- I never received an E-mail about this bonus, but was offered the bonus at the $150+ level in "My Messages" on the AAdvantage Dining site).

Had my fourth $25+ dine on 1/25/09 and received the 500 bonus miles for the Fast Track to VIP bonus yesterday...so both bonuses worked concurrently and miles already posted on AA.com.

Remaining question (also raised by JDiver): is the 500 mile bonus for spending $150+ in a month still alive?

Remaining question (also raised by JDiver): is the 500 mile bonus for spending $150+ in a month still alive?

It darn well should be -- AA.com says its valid through the end of February 2009 (http://www.aa.com/aadvantageplatinum --> special offers, for example). The better question is whether it'll get renewed for the next elite year.

Havesting today's emails:

Bonus - Vip Exclusive Bonus

Date: 01/24/09
AAdvantage® Bonus Miles Awarded: 1500



Bonus - Fast Track To Vip

Date: 01/24/09
AAdvantage® Bonus Miles Awarded: 500

Havesting today's emails:

Bonus - Vip Exclusive Bonus

Date: 01/24/09
AAdvantage® Bonus Miles Awarded: 1500



Bonus - Fast Track To Vip

Date: 01/24/09
AAdvantage® Bonus Miles Awarded: 500



Jailer --

How much in dines did it take you to get the 1,500 bonus miles. I thought you were given a bonus of 2,000 miles for a $400 spend? :confused:

FWIW -- My spouse appears to have benefitted from at least some of her dines counting towards both bonuses.

OK -- Here is my take on both the AA dining Fast Track and VIP bonuses.


They are combinable -- However, if you signed up for the Fast track prior to the VIP bonus and had a dine before registering for the VIP bonus (which is understandable as the VIP bonus, I think was announced on 1/5/09 and the Fast Track on 1/1/09) then the dine(s) you had prior to your registration for the VIP bonus likely will not count for both bonuses.

I am fairly certain of this as my spouse crossed the threshold for her VIP bonus before I expected her to do so -- she still would have had to have another dine of $50.00, if they were not combinable.

In addition, from what I have seen from the other RN dining programs that I am heavily invested in, most permit the elite diners -- with bonuses, when they are present -- a return of 10 miles to the $1.00.

That is the return I currently receive from United.

I received a 1,500 bonus miles for $400 spend from AA for my VIP bonus. I thought that paltry -- and still do.

However, if all my dines in AA had occurred after registering for both bonuses -- sadly they do not -- then my net return from both bonuses and my elite status for a $400 spend would have yielded 10 miles/$1.00 =

1). 2000 elite miles due to $400 X 5 miles/$1.00;

2). 500 bonus miles due to the Fast Track bonus (assuming you broke it down into a $25 mile dine the first of four times);

3). 1,500 bonus miles for a $400 spend

Since I had one $25 dine prior to registering for my VIP bonus, I calculate that the other $75 in dines I had accumulated since should also count towards my VIP bonus. This is enough for me to now decide to shoot for my AA bonus, for although it will be less than 10 miles/$1.00 I normally am accustomed to, it still should be doable for me with Valentine's Day coming up and the month still young.

I hope my analysis, if correct, will help others in deciding whether or not to shoot for their VIP bonus. :)

Jailer --

How much in dines did it take you to get the 1,500 bonus miles. I thought you were given a bonus of 2,000 miles for a $400 spend? :confused:

FWIW -- My spouse appears to have benefitted from at least some of her dines counting towards both bonuses.

My bonus was kinda lame:

We'll help you get the New Year off to a great start with 1,500 AAdvantage® bonus miles during our VIP Exclusive Bonus* available only to select VIP members.

Here's how to jumpstart your 2009 dining miles:


1. Register for the VIP Exclusive Bonus by logging in above.
2. Spend $400 at participating restaurants by 2/28/09.
3. That's it. You'll automatically earn 1,500 bonus miles... on top of the 2,000 regular miles you'll earn as a VIP dining member!

Today I received 2000 AA miles for spending $150 and 500 AA miles for the VIP FAST TRACK.

Today I received 2000 AA miles for spending $150 and 500 AA miles for the VIP FAST TRACK.

When did you cross the threshold? I crossed mine on Jan 27th (dine Jan 27, miles posted Feb 3) and the bonus miles still haven't posted. (Mind you, they had to manually register me for this promo, so I may have to call.)

When did you cross the threshold? I crossed mine on Jan 27th (dine Jan 27, miles posted Feb 3) and the bonus miles still haven't posted. (Mind you, they had to manually register me for this promo, so I may have to call.)

Today I received 204 miles for a dine on Feb. 4. The $40.81 I spent that day put me over the $150 limit needed in order to earn the 2000 bonus miles and it also was the last dine I needed to earn the 500 bonus miles as part of the 4 dines of $25 or more.

Call RN and ask what happened. I hope that helps. Good luck! :)

Bonuses now post much slower than they used to. I find that the bonus posts approx 10 days after the dine posts. That seems to accord with what OJ states above.

When did you cross the threshold? I crossed mine on Jan 27th (dine Jan 27, miles posted Feb 3) and the bonus miles still haven't posted. (Mind you, they had to manually register me for this promo, so I may have to call.)

I would give them a call. I crossed the threshold on 1/31 & the bonus miles posted on 2/10.

Does anyone know if they look at dines retroactively without it being requested? My 4th fast track dine wasn't posted until after I emailed a copy of the receipt. I had 2 dines after that, both of which were paid at 3 pts per $$ because I wasn't moved up to VIP right away.

I also didn't know about the 500 bonus miles for spending over $150 if you're AA elite, so I'll be on the lookout for those miles from January.

I would give them a call. I crossed the threshold on 1/31 & the bonus miles posted on 2/10.

Does anyone know if they look at dines retroactively without it being requested? My 4th fast track dine wasn't posted until after I emailed a copy of the receipt. I had 2 dines after that, both of which were paid at 3 pts per $$ because I wasn't moved up to VIP right away.

I also didn't know about the 500 bonus miles for spending over $150 if you're AA elite, so I'll be on the lookout for those miles from January.

The 500 miles was not for spending over $150. The 500 miles was for VIP Fast Track. To earn the Fast Track you have to spend at least $25 on four different dines.

Good luck!

The 500 miles was not for spending over $150. The 500 miles was for VIP Fast Track. To earn the Fast Track you have to spend at least $25 on four different dines.

Good luck!

Thanks Open Jaw...yes, I did receive those points. The other points are a benefit of being an AAdvantage Elite member, which I had no clue until I was looking at the website today:

"Earn 500 bonus miles every month that you spend $150 or more at any of the thousands of restaurants nationwide that participate in the AAdvantage Dining program. A one-time bonus registration is required."

I clicked the link but it didn't give me any information about registering - just that if you are already have an AAdvantage Dining login you're automatically eligible for the bonus.

I should give them a call since I am full of questions!

When did you cross the threshold? I crossed mine on Jan 27th (dine Jan 27, miles posted Feb 3) and the bonus miles still haven't posted. (Mind you, they had to manually register me for this promo, so I may have to call.)

Maybe it's a Canadian thing. I haven't got my 500 mile bonus either. My 4th dine over $25CAD was Jan 25, paid Feb 2.

Thanks Open Jaw...yes, I did receive those points. The other points are a benefit of being an AAdvantage Elite member, which I had no clue until I was looking at the website today:

"Earn 500 bonus miles every month that you spend $150 or more at any of the thousands of restaurants nationwide that participate in the AAdvantage Dining program. A one-time bonus registration is required."

I clicked the link but it didn't give me any information about registering - just that if you are already have an AAdvantage Dining login you're automatically eligible for the bonus.

I should give them a call since I am full of questions!

No problem. :)

When did you cross the threshold? I crossed mine on Jan 27th (dine Jan 27, miles posted Feb 3) and the bonus miles still haven't posted. (Mind you, they had to manually register me for this promo, so I may have to call.)

I crossed the VIP Fast Track 4x$25 threshold on 2/2/09 and received the 500 mi bonus in the next weekly sweep on 2/10/09.

Not going to make the $400 'Exclusive' threshold, though. :rolleyes:

Maybe it's a Canadian thing. I haven't got my 500 mile bonus either. My 4th dine over $25CAD was Jan 25, paid Feb 2.

Actually, I did get the 500 mile VIP fast track bonus on Jan 27th. Interestingly it says I need 4 more dines to reach VIP status. I don't really care since I am already VIP and I will definitely have VIP status again before the end of the year!

What's missing is my 2000 mile bonus for spending $150. I was told that these 2 bonuses would be concurrent for me.

I finished my 4 x $25 bonus in Jan and had the 500 bonus miles post during this week's Tuesday posts.

I'm short about $30 bucks of hitting the "$150 for 2000 miles" bonus...hope to get that knocked out this week or next week.

And I'm still waiting for the Jan AA Elite 500 mile bonus to post. (I did go over $150 last month, but I signed up for the "$150 for 2000 miles" bonus after I already had a few dines in Jan.)

After my last dine gets credited to my account next week, I will have already earned VIP for all of 2010. :)

I got my 500 mile bonus for the Fast Track to VIP today.

My elite bonus came through fine this morning for January:

01/30/09 DINING SPEND $150 BONUS MILES 0 500 500

My elite bonus came through fine this morning for January:

01/30/09 DINING SPEND $150 BONUS MILES 0 500 500

Not showing for me yet - I really do need to give them a call.

OK -- Here is my take on both the AA dining Fast Track and VIP bonuses.


They are combinable -- However, if you signed up for the Fast track prior to the VIP bonus and had a dine before registering for the VIP bonus (which is understandable as the VIP bonus, I think was announced on 1/5/09 and the Fast Track on 1/1/09) then the dine(s) you had prior to your registration for the VIP bonus likely will not count for both bonuses.

I am fairly certain of this as my spouse crossed the threshold for her VIP bonus before I expected her to do so -- she still would have had to have another dine of $50.00, if they were not combinable.

In addition, from what I have seen from the other RN dining programs that I am heavily invested in, most permit the elite diners -- with bonuses, when they are present -- a return of 10 miles to the $1.00.

That is the return I currently receive from United.

I received a 1,500 bonus miles for $400 spend from AA for my VIP bonus. I thought that paltry -- and still do.

However, if all my dines in AA had occurred after registering for both bonuses -- sadly they do not -- then my net return from both bonuses and my elite status for a $400 spend would have yielded 10 miles/$1.00 =

1). 2000 elite miles due to $400 X 5 miles/$1.00;

2). 500 bonus miles due to the Fast Track bonus (assuming you broke it down into a $25 mile dine the first of four times);

3). 1,500 bonus miles for a $400 spend

Since I had one $25 dine prior to registering for my VIP bonus, I calculate that the other $75 in dines I had accumulated since should also count towards my VIP bonus. This is enough for me to now decide to shoot for my AA bonus, for although it will be less than 10 miles/$1.00 I normally am accustomed to, it still should be doable for me with Valentine's Day coming up and the month still young.

I hope my analysis, if correct, will help others in deciding whether or not to shoot for their VIP bonus. :)



OK, this did work for me. I was credited with $75 in dines that I was able to apply to both bonuses, as I had suspected. Although as of this date the IDINE site does not list the bonus for me, AA.com, does, having awarded me 1,500 miles. So it works for me and both bonuses should be combinable for you, as outlined above.

Good Luck.

I guess it helps to look a little closer - I have received the 500 bonus miles for spending $150 or more in January. It posted with the date of 1/17/09 so it was further down the list.

My elite bonus came through fine this morning for January:

01/30/09 DINING SPEND $150 BONUS MILES 0 500 500

Got mine too! :)

01/31/09 DINING SPEND $150 BONUS MILES 0 500 500

Now I just need to remember to call and buy a quick GC to get me over the "$150 for 2000 miles" bonus threshold before Saturday.

I show, in addition to my dine spends and elite bonus miles:

01/08/09 DINING SPEND $150 BONUS MILES 0 500 500

02/16/09 DINING BONUS- 1500 MILES 0 1,500 1,500

It looks like we don't get that $150 spend bonus for 2009 membership year (http://www.aa.com/aa/viewPromotionDetails.do?fileName=pOffer.xml&repositoryName=PromotionContentRepository&itemDescriptor=PromotionContent&anchorLocation=DirectURL&title=platinumoffers). Boo! I'm glad we went out last night to push me over for Feb.

I also got a new March Offer (mod- do you want to update the thread title or split it out?)


Spring Break Dining Bonus
Earn 500 AAdvantage bonus miles

It's been a long winter, and for many people cabin fever is starting to set in. The AAdvantage DiningSM program is giving you a great reason to get out of the house -- 500 AAdvantage® bonus miles you can use to really get away! Here's how to collect them:

# Register for the Spring Break Dining Bonus*
# Spend a total of $75 at any combination of our locations by 4/30/09.
That's it, so register today and enjoy your bonus.

Spring Break Dining Bonus Details

*This bonus is open to Online and VIP members only. You must opt in to receive emails in order to qualify; so make sure you have elected to receive emails from the AAdvantage DiningSM program and that you have provided us with a valid, deliverable email address when you register. You must continue to satisfy Online and/or VIP level criteria to continue to be eligible for and to earn this bonus.

To qualify, a total of $75 on dines must be at a participating restaurant, bar or club after your advance online registration in the Spring Break Dining Bonus (via the link above) and by April 30, 2009. Dines must occur on days when a benefit is being offered, and paid for with a credit or debit card registered in the AAdvantage DiningSM program. Offer is not combinable with other AAdvantage DiningSM bonuses. Limit one Spring Break Dining Bonus per member. All account inquiries related to this bonus must be received by June 30, 2009. Please allow 6-8 weeks for any bonus miles to post to your AAdvantage® account.

Some restaurants offer mileage awards only on certain days of the week or up to a maximum spending amount per month. For complete program Terms and Conditions guidelines and restrictions and the latest benefit schedules, visit aa.rewardsnetwork.com. Other limitations may apply.

I got the same spend $75, earn 500 bonus miles. Not such a good deal, IMHO as last month they had the VIP Select Bonus offering 2000 bonus miles for $150 in spending. Yet another example of how RN is cutting back/devaluating the program.

Ditto! I also got the $75/500 miles bonus offer. I should be able to earn the 500 miles by this Friday if all goes well.

However, if you have 3 X $25 dines, you could earn:

3 X 125 = 375 miles
3 X 50 = 150 miles (for rating your dine)
1 X 500 = 500 miles

For a grand total of 1025 miles for a $75 spend, or 13.67 miles/$ spent. Not the 20 miles/$ we got used to, but a heck of a lot better than 5 miles/$.

The trick is not to spend more than $25/dine, and dine ONLY 3 times and ONLY in March.

Ooh. I just thought of something....

Let's say the check is >$50, do you think you could split the check between two different cards? Would that count as 2 dines?

I could split it between my debit and my husband's amex, both registered to the rewards network.

I suggested that in the Rate Your Dine thread post #74 (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/idine-rewards-network/903995-rate-your-dine-over-2009-a-5.html).

You're so smart. And I totally mean that. You are much better at the analytics than me.

I also thought of a drive-by GC purchase and then return to dine later in the week.

Not so smart. We're both thinking like true FTers! And I actually like your idea of buying a $25 gift card one day and then paying for the balance of your meal with your credit card the next. That way there is no way they can say only one bonus per restaurant per day, or something like that!

Ooh. I just thought of something....

Let's say the check is >$50, do you think you could split the check between two different cards? Would that count as 2 dines?

I could split it between my debit and my husband's amex, both registered to the rewards network.

You need to read the fine print. The rate your dine bonus states "Limit one qualified dine per participating restaurant per member per calendar day toward this bonus." So unless you split it between two different members (not cards) it won't work.