JDiver

New members - welcome! Please click here for more information (opens in new window,) or scroll to Post #2.


Using Search

Using Search to look for posts addressing your questions are strongly recommended prior to starting a new thread (and reviving old threads - generally over two years old - is also not recommended.) Advanced Search has been changed with a new and very imperfect, but temporary, process (originally accessible under Advanced Search as the "IB Beta Search.) Try using unique words for your search - e.g. "Francisco Burger" might work for San Francisco Burger Basket, as you don't need redundant words to clog the search; or if posted in thread titles, for searching by “title only” - and using "Francisco+Burger" with a plus sign between words will make it even more efficient. Be aware three letters (“DFW” or “JFK”) will work for searching. Also, please note if you are not registered and logged in, you may not have access to the search capability.

For further information on current Search issues and challenges, read

this post relating to FlyerTalk system slowness and the old Search and about the current temporarily available Search. As well you can read more in the Technical Issues Forum.



Google - use the Search Site function, or use "site:www . flyertalk . com[" without the spaces and followed by the search words you want to use.

Boardtracker - link


Disclaimer: This Unofficial Guide is for your convenience only. Always be sure your information source is up to date and accurate before acting on it. Information on Rewards Network sites (see first thread link below) will generally supersede information you find here.

iDine / Rewards Network Program Rules Effective Jan 1 2008 - VIPs only earn FIVE / 5 miles per dollar spent, plus bonus offers - currently 5 more miles per dollar for rating your dine ended January 1, 2009![/COLOR]) for a total of 10 points, plus other bonus offers you can find via the "iDine bonus program thread" linked to below.


Some Useful iDine / Rewards Network Forum tools / sticky threads:

Links to Resources

Links To Your Favorite iDine / Rewards Network Dining Affinity Program site (started by NJUPINTHEAIR)

The new iDine® DINING WITH BENEFITS™ cash rebate program (as of Sep 27 2009)

New miles earning rules in 2008 - how we earn 5X5 Miles is changing Older thread discussing changes to be implemented in 2008; we now normally earn 5 miles as VIPs.

RN / iDine bonus program thread - check or add the latest bonus here! (Thanks to NJUPINTHEAIR)

Tips and tricks to maximize earnings

Links to Threads of Interest

Avant Go and any other downloadable iDine listings

"Benefits Alert" on restaurant listing - what does it mean?

Cash Back membership programs discussion

Earning miles on multiple programs for same dine?

Fast track to RN / iDine Elite thread

RN / iDine for newbies - any reason to join?

RN / iDine Hotel Questions - Reserve via site to get miles? and other

RN / iDine problems, bugs, faults and fiascoes - read others' problems, and post your problem here

RN / iDine promotes Gift Card "loophole"

RN / iDine Searches - tips and tricks

Minimum charges on credit card - is it legal?

Referring / getting or nominating a restaurant to join Rewards Network Dining / iDine... possible?

Shared RN / iDine Bonuses

"Stacking" RN / iDine and Entertainment - can it be done?

Restaurants

Restaurants leaving iDine / Rewards Network / losses and defections (consolidated)

Restaurant chains with gift certificate opportunities

(Some) Restaurants credit only Elite / VIP or Engaged members

Restaurants exercising restrictions of various types - listing (Thanks to PatFlyer)

Restaurant Fast food RN / iDine Places: e.g. BK in Quakertown, PA

Restaurants Great iDine Restaurants Thread (started by gardener)

Restaurants - Exceptional RN / iDine restaurants / dines

(iDine) Restaurants in airports

Restaurants - The Dish on New York Restaurants

Restaurants restricting awards (airlines, credit card, etc. restrictions list)

Restaurants That Will Not Award iDine Miles If You "Double Dip" With Another Discount


Note: this sticky is under construction. Please submit recommendations, corrections or suggestions using the "trailing" thread linked to here.

Many thanks to iDine / Rewards Network Forum members, whose contributions and sharing make for a much more "rewarding" dining experience!

JDiver

POST #2 – Especially for new members:
Last modified February 5, 2008

Especially for new members:

Welcome to FlyerTalk’s iDine / Rewards Network Forum. If you use Rewards Network programs for dining and earning miles, or are thinking of it or the hotels program, you will find lots of helpful information and "insider" undocumented advice here.

Before posting, please familiarize yourself with some of the resources and tools provided for your benefit. These will answer many questions new members might have, such as FlyerTalk’s Guidelines and Rules, our “netiquette,” how to use Search and when / how to post, etc.

Remember too, when it's just" the 'net and there is an established community, what you initially post will often shape an "image" of who you are to those reading (in marketing terms, you are positioning yourself) - so using civility, thanking those who reply to your questions, etc. gets you off on the right foot, so to speak, and earns you positive virtual karma.


FlyerTalk New User’s Guide (leads to popup)

FlyerTalk Rules

FlyerTalk searchable FAQ

FlyerTalk Glossary (and link to airport code lookup)


Search: Brief information and a link to more in depth information are in the “Unofficial Users’ Guide” post above. You can do a general search or advanced search to find by Title, Author, Forum or Thread, etc. Not every browser works with Search in every situation, but it has been much improved recently, and we recommend giving it a few tries first, to see what it will do for you – the question you have may already have been answered in detail. You must be logged on to make use of Advanced Search; short search phrases must be wrapped in quotation marks - e.g. searching for NYC would require "NYC" to work.

A good post to look at for an example of Searching before posting is this one: RN / iDine for newbies: any reason to join? Instead of just jumping in, the OP (Original Poster) searched and found some previously posted helpful answers, thought about how to formulate a short but accurate question and an eye-catching thread title – and avoided using two and three-letter abbreviations.

Unofficial Users’ Guide: A list of links to useful tools and information on FlyerTalk and off is under construction and growing are in the "Unofficial Guide" that constitutes the first post in this thread.

Trolls: We have trolls or spammers come on board on very rare occasions, fortunately. Please use the "Report Bad or Misplaced Post" function (triangle with exclamation point logo) to report these (as well as other posts violating TOS / Guidelines and Rules or containing seriously incorrect information,) rather than confronting or replying - Quaeso, troglodytes noli pascere is our motto on these - "Please do not feed the trolls."

JDiver

There is a FlyerTalk Glossary of Terms commonly used on FlyerTalk. (A very few are listed below.)

There is also a FlyerTalk Airport Code Lookup feature.

In addition, you may find some terms used specifically on the iDine / Rewards Network Forum that may not be used commonly elsewhere, or commonly used abbreviations used on Internet fora and boards not in the main glossary (B.B. This is a work in progress):