I received my $50 "dinner & a movie" card in the mail about a week ago.

Just so you know, it's a type of stored value AMEX card produced by the American Express Incentive Services division. The card is worth 50 "points," and is accepted only at specific chains (1 point = 1 dollar, of course). According to their website, RewardBalance.com, they may redeemed at the following merchants:

AMC Theaters
Bonefish Grill
Carrabbas Italian Grill
Chart House Restaurants
Fandango.com
Fleming's
Hard Rock Cafe
Landry's Seafood House
Legal Seafoods
Olive Garden Italian Restaurant
Outback Steakhouse
Rainforest Cafe
Red Lobster
Roy's
Saltgrass Steak House
Smith & Wollensky
Chotchkie's
Waffle House
Hooters
Chuck E. Cheese's
GetCashForPointsAndMiles.com

It took so long to type out all those chains, I got bored and made up the last five listings. Or perhaps I got a little cynical after reading the lengthy guide and T&C. The last one on the above list is completely fabricated. I wouldn't type that url in your browser, btw.

Seriously though, it's kind of a weird program. The instructions appear to be a little tricky for the average non-FTer. One of the "important tips" from the guide warns that restaurants typically obtain authorization to charge 20% more than your actual bill when they first swipe any plastic, so that they know you've got enough credit line to cover the tip. Even if you split your bill between two cards.

You just know some schmo is gonna look like a chump in front of their date/spouse after a few drinks and dinner for two at any of these establishments. And forget the "movie" part. It would seem to work OK for most business travelers going solo while on the road, however.

In any case, the card is valid thru 11/09, and it even has the Priority Club Logo on it. Interestingly, right below where one's name is embossed on the card, it states "Q2 STAY TO EARN PROMO."