Could someone please explain how to claim the Amazon credit using Open Table points?

I can't find clear instructions for this on the Open Table web site, and their user discussion area is even more disjointed and difficult to parse than FlyerTalk, which is why I'm posting my query here.

Once you have enough points go to my profile and you can redeem. But Amazon is not the "best" use of OT points.

Thanks for replying? How many points do I need to redeem for Amazon? I have 3,500 points and the only thing that comes up in "My profile" is a Dining Cheque reward. Where is the Amazon order option?

2,000 pts is the minimum reward and is a 20 dollar dining credit or 10 dollar amazon card.

Here is more info: https://community.opentable.com/t5/D...oints/ta-p/109

I don't know why it is not showing up for you. Maybe try e-mailing them.

I've sent a query in to OpenTable and will report back. Perhaps it's a problem because I'm based in Canada? They've got Dining certificates of different value in Canada, but Amazon may not be available outside the US? I'll report back on their response.

I think that this is it!

I've now received a reply from Opentable that the Amazon reward option is only available to users based in the U.S. Foreign users only get the option of the watered down dining rewards. Boo! :td:

Honestly the Amazon rewards and even more watered down. Although have you considered getting a open table us account to use in Canada?

I experienced the same. My server, who had been gracious to my party throughout the night, instantly became irate and condescending when I showed him a QR-coded OpenTable gift card on my phone.

I had not noticed the instructions to present the gift to the server before dining. My fault, but that was not his gripe. He insisted the gift card had to be printed; he insisted every restaurant in the world would need it to be printed.

The restaurant did ultimately take the gift card. I still tipped 20%, forgiving the rudeness, because I was in Washington DC where I was unsure whether this server would be considered rude by the local standard.

Uh... I don't apply a "local standard" for rudeness. If a service professional treats me in a manner that I find to be rude/unprofessional and it's uncalled for, I apply my standard.

Regards

I don't use Open Table all that much and only redeemed once for $20 when you could redeem anywhere.

Apparently the program changed and there are very limited places to use the gift certificate.

I am assuming that I'm better off getting the general gift card that I can use anywhere rather than selecting a specific restaurant. Is there a downside to that?

Also, given that I live in NJ and OT only has the NY Tri-State area (apparently it doesn't think NJ is a state) is there a way to search by zip code?

I received an email from Open Table that includes the following:

Any ideas what changes are in store? I kind of assume that the changes won't be to give me more flexibility or more value for my open table points.

I skimmed the FAQ and it looks like there will be some kind of "variable pricing" for award redemption. Some awards will require more points, such at a very popular restaurant during a busy time slot, and others will require fewer points.

So I would agree, it appears they are further diluting the value of points.

Is it just me, or are more and more places ditching OpenTable? I have several restaurants I had used OpenTable to book previously which now use alternate services (granted, most of them are high-demand or starred restaurants). Don't get me wrong; there are tons of places in the WAS area which still use OpenTable. But a quick scan of the Washingtonian Top 25 for 2018, and discounting those which don't do any reservations at all, only about a quarter of them use OpenTable. I know several of those used to as they show up in my dining history, too, FWIW.

I actually only use it for its convenience, not the points. I have enough points now for the first level certificate, and I'm totally turned off by the requirement to use it in specific places. None of them are nearby.

But I will continue to use because of the convenience.