iDine losses and sudden defections (consolidated)
#1
Moderator: American AAdvantage
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2000
Location: NorCal - SMF area
Programs: AA LT Plat; HH LT Diamond, Maître-plongeur des Muccis
Posts: 62,948
iDine losses and sudden defections (consolidated)
We can maintain a consolidated list of iDine / Rewards Network restaurants and chains that have left the fold to this thread. I will maintain this post with an updated listing as necessary.
Code:
Bennigan's, Steak and Ale (March 1, 2008) Paragon Steakhouses (February 1, 2008) post #2 lists subsidiary restaurants)
Last edited by JDiver; Mar 6, 2008 at 9:53 am Reason: copy / add / transform
#2
Moderator: American AAdvantage
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2000
Location: NorCal - SMF area
Programs: AA LT Plat; HH LT Diamond, Maître-plongeur des Muccis
Posts: 62,948
iDine losses and sudden defections
All of Paragon Steakhouse Restaurants are ALL suddenly gone - Cliff House of Folsom, Hungry Hunter Steakhouse, Carver's Steaks and Chops locally for me, as well as Hunter Steakhouse, Mountain Jack's Steakhouse, Carvers Creek. No warning, no notice, just GONE.
#3
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: DFW; Allen, TX
Programs: AA EXP/2MM, SPG Lifetime Platinum, Marriott PLT, National Exec Elite
Posts: 1,083
All of Paragon Steakhouse Restaurants are ALL suddenly gone - Cliff House of Folsom, Hungry Hunter Steakhouse, Carver's Steaks and Chops locally for me, as well as Hunter Steakhouse, Mountain Jack's Steakhouse, Carvers Creek. No warning, no notice, just GONE.
#4
Moderator: American AAdvantage
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2000
Location: NorCal - SMF area
Programs: AA LT Plat; HH LT Diamond, Maître-plongeur des Muccis
Posts: 62,948
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: RSW
Programs: Delta - Silver; UA - Silver; HHonors - Diamond; IHG - Spire Ambassador; Marriott Bonvoy - Titanium
Posts: 14,185
I've run across joints that go in and out of the program like a Hokey Pokey dancer! I did have luck last time this happened as RN took pity on me, ruling that a brief period between enrollments did not constitute "having left the program" and gave me the miles (as a goodwill gesture).
#6
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: ATL
Programs: AA Gold, HH Diamond
Posts: 1,061
FYI: Bennigan's, Steak and Ale Pulling Out 3/1
After only a few months in the program it seems that all those chain restaurants are out of the program this Saturday, 3/1- too bad.
Although sometimes the benefits alert icon shows up and they wind up taking it off because the contract was renewed or something similar, but it's only been a few months so I don't think that is the case. We'll see....
Although sometimes the benefits alert icon shows up and they wind up taking it off because the contract was renewed or something similar, but it's only been a few months so I don't think that is the case. We'll see....
#7
Moderator: American AAdvantage
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2000
Location: NorCal - SMF area
Programs: AA LT Plat; HH LT Diamond, Maître-plongeur des Muccis
Posts: 62,948
Another two good-sized chains bite the proverbial dust, with Paragon Steakhouses. Sorry to hear that, but if this isn't a clarion call for gift certs, I don't know what is... just be sure, IMO, to document the fact the restos you buy from are still on iDine when you buy with a PDF or screen print.
(I'll merge this thread into the sudden defections thread after a week or so...)
(I'll merge this thread into the sudden defections thread after a week or so...)
#8
Senior Moderator and Moderator: American AAdvantage & TravelBuzz
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: BOS
Programs: AA EXP, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 10,413
Sigh...I even have a $5 off next purchase for Bennigan's saved up. Too bad I won't get points for them now.
(I just checked the idine site and the Boston Bennigan's is now no longer listed.)
(I just checked the idine site and the Boston Bennigan's is now no longer listed.)
#9
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: DFW; Allen, TX
Programs: AA EXP/2MM, SPG Lifetime Platinum, Marriott PLT, National Exec Elite
Posts: 1,083
Sorry guys... it might be all my fault. I consistently knocked the local restaurant for atmosphere, as they are one of the few bastions of restaurant smoking in our area, and I used RewardsNetwork as a means to get them to outlaw it.
#10
Original Member and FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Kansas City, MO, USA
Programs: DL PM/MM, AA ExPlat, Hyatt Glob, HH Dia, National ECE, Hertz PC
Posts: 16,579
Ponderosa, which is owned by the same company, does not appear to have pulled out however.
#11
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: DFW
Programs: AA Gold, HH Diamond, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 320
So glad I saw this about Bennigan's. I had never eaten at the one in my 'burb until they joined RN. Ate there on 2-29 and topped of the check with a GC to put the total just over $25. I would not have even looked them up to see if there were still a part since they seemed to have just joined. Well, time to burn the GC's and find another local place to earn AA the bonus!
#12
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: west of DFW airport
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Posts: 11,074
29 Degree Tavern in Ft. Worth dropped off the list over night!
Fair warning to those who were piling up IDine miles for a couple beers!
Fair warning to those who were piling up IDine miles for a couple beers!
#13
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Toronto
Programs: UA 1K, AC MM E75, Marriott LT Ti, IHG Dia Amb, Hyatt Glob
Posts: 15,510
Pacific Grill in Tacoma gone
Here's the text of an e-mail I just sent to Pacific Grill today.
I am from out of town and periodically go to Tacoma to visit customers. I've taken them to Pacific Grill three times (group of 6-8 people) in the last year since I usually stay at the Marriott Courtyard or the former Sheraton Tacoma. I discovered you through the Rewards Network/I-Dine program. (And none of my customers who live in the Tacoma area were familiar with your restaurant, but liked it very much and planned to return.)
I will be in Tacoma on March XXth and will be taking a group of 6 out to dinner. I was disappointed to see that you dropped out of Rewards Network. So last week, I checked the Open Table Reservations web site and saw that you were participating with them. Not as good as Rewards Network, but I was still going to take my group to dinner to your restaurant, but unfortunately didn't make my reservation right away as our meeting plans weren't finalized yet. I tried to make my reservation today, and see that you've dropped out of that program as well!
Oh well, it's off to The Fondue Pot down the street for us for 1000 pts with Open Table.
You should never underestimate the power of loyalty programs …
I will be in Tacoma on March XXth and will be taking a group of 6 out to dinner. I was disappointed to see that you dropped out of Rewards Network. So last week, I checked the Open Table Reservations web site and saw that you were participating with them. Not as good as Rewards Network, but I was still going to take my group to dinner to your restaurant, but unfortunately didn't make my reservation right away as our meeting plans weren't finalized yet. I tried to make my reservation today, and see that you've dropped out of that program as well!
Oh well, it's off to The Fondue Pot down the street for us for 1000 pts with Open Table.
You should never underestimate the power of loyalty programs …
Last edited by margarita girl; Mar 7, 2008 at 11:07 am
#15
Senior Moderator and Moderator: American AAdvantage & TravelBuzz
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: BOS
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Glad you had a great example to share with them too! Hopefully your note will get read by the right folks and perhaps cause them to re-evaluate.