I have a question. I work as a concierge, and I am able to make reservations online using Open Table. Usually I have gone to restaurants, and just use it to cover the whole/partial part of the meal. If I use the $100 gift cards, and buy a beer, are the places usually going to give me cash in return for the difference? I have about $300 worth now, and I was planning on saving it up to about $800 for a huge vacation and eating at amazing places every night. If the vacation doesn't happen, I would much rather use the money. The trip I want to go to is Montreal, and if I find a way to get the checks mailed to the place I am staying at and pick it up when I arrive, I get an extra $30 per $100. So instead of $800 I would get $1040. I could probably spend half the money on food, and the rest could pay for the discounted hotel room I get at the hotel chain I work at.

This should answer your question.

I would also not be broadcasting that you are using Open Table to make reservations for others, their terms prohibit that. You could loose all your points and checks.

I like how Open Table, stated the word 'should'.

Open Table's response: The restaurant should give you change if the bill is less than the Cheque amount.

(bolding mine) an ambiguous answer to say the least.

yes or no should be the response, not a should or likely type statement.

There is a specific OT Concierge program, which is specifically designed, as is the OT Admin program, for those who make reservations for others.

I read that, but I was wondering if anyone has actually done it first hand. And, yes I use the program specifically made for Concierge. It works great. All the places I normally would send people are already on the website, and it allows me to find availability instantly and be able to speed up the process. The guests love it to how I can at the click of a button see what's available. Oh, and the points aren't to bad either. I originally ate at all the places, then have been on a diet and tried to cut down eating out as much. I would much rather get cash and use it for a vacation instead of only on food.

Being a concierge, I would automatically assume you know people for this kind of stuff. I don't want to get too explicit because of the T&C's of FT...

Montreal would give me pause if I couldn't argue the toss in French. I've had some excellent service there but also the rudest service, called names (in French that they assumed I didn't understand!) and actually shouted at for 'not' leaving a tip - my father doesn't believe in tipping, my mother and I do as in Rome (and I live in Canada so hardly new to me) so when my father pays by card, either my mother and I discreetly (by prior ladies room visit to see who has what cash!) leave a 'correct' cash tip tucked under a water glass or similar (we even offer to 'check' the bill for my father as his sight isn't great to make sure we don't unintentionally stiff them!!!

In all my years, in all the world, never has a waiter shouted at us when the slip has read a low amount - a couple have asked whether the service was ok (and my mother and I have our routine down pat for that so everyone is happy!) but this guy in Montreal was obnoxious and I made a point of picking the cash up off the table (he hadn't noticed) and pointedly putting it in my purse while telling him why in (albeit poor!) French! I mention this because this restaurant is on opentable, and I cannot see them giving change with servers like that!!!

I have no issue with concierges using opentable but I'd also expect them to be able to call the restaurant directly to get a table if space wasn't showing free, and I don't know that a concierge would have that pull if they didn't have a direct relationship with the restaurant. I know half a dozen restaurants where I can normally secure an otherwise sold out table because I am known to them, know them by name and sight, etc. and I don't think that would happen if I didn't have a personal relationship with them / their cell phone numbers etc.

Most places I do still call and see what's available, but some places are still impossible to get. I once wasn't even able to get Bill Murray into a resteraunt. He did ask at 6:00 at night for a group of 6 people at the top place, but it took me 3 places to get him in. I still call most places, but on a Friday night when everything is booked, Open Table is your best friend for finding something. If I cash in the gift cards, I would most likely wan't to do it in another city where I don't have any relationship with the resteraunts.

I didn't realize how rude the people in Montreal are. I have always been a Hockey fan and wanted to experience the European culture and try the Foie Gras. But if I wen't to Montreal, being such a foodie city, I would likely go with a friend and just use the gift cards to pay for the whole meal each night. It's only if I wan't to go to another international city that dosen't except it I would want to have cash to go towards the trip.

Let's focus the discussion on the open table concierge program and not arguably scammy practices, thanks.

cblaisd
Moderator, Travel News

The "Open Table" is an online restaurant reservation system allowing the users to earn VIP points for every suitable reservation made through their system. these points earned can be redeemed for dining checks that you can pay your dining bill at the restaurant. You only to have make reservations and you can dine at your favorite eligible restaurant to get a dining check from open table. You can use it about 12 months before it expires.

One issue I am concerned about is if I wanted to visit Canada, I want to be able to get the points in Canadian dollars. 100pts= $130 Canadian dollars vs $100 USD. Plus I doubt I can even use USD Open Table in Canada. Anyone have any good suggestions for that type of situation? Only one I can think of is getting a B&B for my first night, talking to the owner, and seeing if he can hold the mail.