FlyerTalk Forums - View Single Post - RN = Really Nearly Moribund?
View Single Post
Old Oct 3, 2013, 11:59 am
  #13  
ElmhurstNick
FlyerTalk Evangelist
 
Join Date: May 2000
Location: RDU
Programs: AA LT Gold, DL SM, HY Disc, Marriott LT Gold
Posts: 12,502
I think that the lower interest rates as well as the proliferation of OpenTable and Groupon certainly have something to do with RN's misfortunes, although only as a contributing factor. Access to working capital is a lot cheaper than it used to be, so RN can't possibly be making as much return on their deals. That leaves less miles to buy, which makes the program less interesting to new entrants because it's not really going to boost business.

Thus, a little death spiral tendency tossed into the general malaise of the program.

These days, when I'm in a mid-sized city alone for work and want dinner out, I tend to look to OpenTable first, and RN second. The OpenTable restaurants are generally pretty good if you dodge the hotel restaurants and pay a little attention to the ratings. While $1 won't make me rich, I get a nice lunch at my favorite place once a year from the program - and I would only make about 50-60 AA miles per visit anyway.
ElmhurstNick is offline