Nov 29, 2015, 9:49 am
Last edit by: crabbing
opentable wiki
the basics:
1. create an account at opentable.com. i believe you assign your default metro area when you make your account.
2. use the website to find restaurants in the neighborhood of your choice. you can pick a specific neighborhood if you know it. there is a hidden map feature, accessed through an upside-down raindrop.
3. pick the location, time, and number of people in your party. note that some places impose min/max party size.
4. you can also find 1000-point times for certain locations, which appear on the list of times with a "+."
using points:
tips and tricks:
the basics:
1. create an account at opentable.com. i believe you assign your default metro area when you make your account.
2. use the website to find restaurants in the neighborhood of your choice. you can pick a specific neighborhood if you know it. there is a hidden map feature, accessed through an upside-down raindrop.
3. pick the location, time, and number of people in your party. note that some places impose min/max party size.
4. you can also find 1000-point times for certain locations, which appear on the list of times with a "+."
using points:
- start here to access the list of restaurants that accept opentable gift cards.
- gift cards are sent via email.
- OT gift cards are either tied to a specific restaurant, or you can choose a generic card that can be redeemed later (if anyone has done this, please update the wiki as to whether you still have to choose the restaurant and redeem online)
- note: the number of restaurants that accept OT gift cards is significantly smaller than the number of restaurants that award OT points.
tips and tricks:
- if a location is not busy or the receptionist is forgetful, they might not remember to check you in, so it doesn't hurt to ask.
- you often can be early or late and still get points, but the flexibility depends on the specific restaurant.
- sometimes they can be flexible on the party size - this is particularly useful if it's just yourself (for places with a min of 2), or you have a large party.
- if a place doesn't credit, usually an email to OT will get it credited. you might need a receipt as proof.
- some places credit your points as soon as you check in with the restaurant, while some can wait until several hours later.
- some restaurants allow reservations but do not award points. some have point-earning times and non-point-earning times. and some really sneaky places give points made through OT, but not through the OT/reservations link on the restaurant's own website. worse, they may set a "session cookie" that ensures your reservation is flagged "no points," so your best bet is to close and reopen your browser to reset the session cookie before making the reservation (or canceling and rebooking).
- don't forget that OT has nothing to do with how you pay for a meal. so it "stacks" with chase first friday bonuses, rewards network, restaurant.com certificates, coupons, etc.
Consolidated "Open Table" thread
Jan 28, 2018 | 1:33 pm
#151
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: San Diego Area
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Posts: 1,871
Here is an article from Sept 2017 that implies the OT business model is failing ... in part because it is so expensive for the restaurant.
Jan 30, 2018 | 5:55 pm
#152
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Chicago
Programs: World of Hyatt Explorist; Bonvoy Platinum
Posts: 282
Yes Open Table is losing lots of restaurants who can't afford to participate in their service any longer. Many are switching over to Resy, Reserve, Yelp and other platforms which are less costly to the restaurant and still offer good service to the customer.
Mar 1, 2018 | 7:21 am
#153
Moderator: CommunityBuzz!, OMNI, OMNI/PR, and OMNI/Games & FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: ORD (MDW stinks)
Programs: UAMM, AAMM & ExPlat, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott lifetime Plat, IHG Plat, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 24,168
Here is an article from Sept 2017 that implies the OT business model is failing ... in part because it is so expensive for the restaurant.
Jun 25, 2018 | 7:12 pm
#154
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Pennsylvania
Posts: 8,142
I didn’t receive my 100 point awards for the last three reservations I completed last week. Recently I’ve noticed, on the reservation, I had to click YES if I wanted to receive points which I did. I’m three away from 10,000 points. Has anyone had any issues with points being awarded recently? Think I might move to another reservation platform after this.
‘’Bobette
‘’Bobette
Jun 26, 2018 | 7:55 pm
#156
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: San Diego Area
Programs: UA Gold MM, AA Gold MM, FB Gold, Marriott Plat LT, HH Gold, IHG Plat, WoH Discvst, Hertz PC
Posts: 1,871
Why on earth would a user NOT opt IN? I can postulate that OT nefariously would like users to not opt in (or forget to opt in) to save OT $$$,
Also, at least historically, if you made a res through the OT link on a restaurant's web page, then you would NOT get points. You had to make the res on the OT web site. Other than saving OT $$$, I've never understood the logic of OT giving zero points for reserving through the restaurant's web page.
Jun 30, 2018 | 8:22 am
#158
Moderator: Delta SkyMiles, Luxury Hotels, TravelBuzz! and Italy
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 27,020
In Southern Ca, more and more high-end restaurants have switched to RESY. No points awarded, but excellent reservation system. Permits user to see exactly what times are available. I definitely prefer the RESY system to Open table.
Jun 30, 2018 | 8:25 am
#159
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: MSP
Programs: UA 1K, QR Gold, DL Plat, AC 25
Posts: 4,483
Agreed, and Ive talked with some restaurant managers who love RESY because you can keep a lot more detailed info on diners
Jul 19, 2019 | 7:52 am
#160
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2001
Location: MSY; 2-time FT Fantasy Football Champ, now in recovery.
Programs: AA lifetime GLD; UA Silver; Marriott LTTE; IHG Plat,
Posts: 14,814
I've never redeemed points, and now I'm sitting on 5000+ points. Looking for the latest info since last year's devaluation.
As I understand it, I can redeem 5K for an OpenTable $25/50/60 dining reward, or for a $25 Amazon GC. But it looks like there's no way to see what restaurants qualify as "great deal" $50 value or "best deal" $60 value, until after I have committed and redeemed the points.
If there's a decent selection of $50 restaurants here in NOLA, then that seems like the best deal, but if most spots only offer $25 value, I'd rather just get the $25 Amazon gift card, which is simpler and easier to use.
As I understand it, I can redeem 5K for an OpenTable $25/50/60 dining reward, or for a $25 Amazon GC. But it looks like there's no way to see what restaurants qualify as "great deal" $50 value or "best deal" $60 value, until after I have committed and redeemed the points.
If there's a decent selection of $50 restaurants here in NOLA, then that seems like the best deal, but if most spots only offer $25 value, I'd rather just get the $25 Amazon gift card, which is simpler and easier to use.
Sep 27, 2019 | 12:00 am
#162
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Danville, CA, USA;
Programs: UA 1MM, WN CP, Marriott LT Plat, Hilton Gold, IC Plat
Posts: 18,130
I've never redeemed points, and now I'm sitting on 5000+ points. Looking for the latest info since last year's devaluation.
As I understand it, I can redeem 5K for an OpenTable $25/50/60 dining reward, or for a $25 Amazon GC. But it looks like there's no way to see what restaurants qualify as "great deal" $50 value or "best deal" $60 value, until after I have committed and redeemed the points.
If there's a decent selection of $50 restaurants here in NOLA, then that seems like the best deal, but if most spots only offer $25 value, I'd rather just get the $25 Amazon gift card, which is simpler and easier to use.
As I understand it, I can redeem 5K for an OpenTable $25/50/60 dining reward, or for a $25 Amazon GC. But it looks like there's no way to see what restaurants qualify as "great deal" $50 value or "best deal" $60 value, until after I have committed and redeemed the points.
If there's a decent selection of $50 restaurants here in NOLA, then that seems like the best deal, but if most spots only offer $25 value, I'd rather just get the $25 Amazon gift card, which is simpler and easier to use.
Nov 13, 2021 | 10:11 am
#163
Join Date: Jan 2021
Posts: 946
Has anybody used Opentable dining rewards recently? I think this was my first time that I used it since they change it to more complicated way to use this certificate.
I chose 5,000 points to spend at their participating restaurants. I booked one through Opentable that showed $50 reward sign, so I got a digital $50 prepaid card. The restaurant told me they were not participating this program when I showed the $50 card
Its pretty frustrating and Im not sure if this is something frequently happen Not seems like this $50 cert is trash
I chose 5,000 points to spend at their participating restaurants. I booked one through Opentable that showed $50 reward sign, so I got a digital $50 prepaid card. The restaurant told me they were not participating this program when I showed the $50 card
Its pretty frustrating and Im not sure if this is something frequently happen Not seems like this $50 cert is trash
Nov 16, 2021 | 8:37 pm
#164
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2008
Location: San Francisco
Programs: GM on VX, UA, AA, HA, AS, SY; Budget Fastbreak; GM with hotels; Waymo; Honda crv; iOS
Posts: 36,765
Send OTable a message about this and they should take care of problem.
I had a similar issue except I just never bothered to use the certificate. So I switched to amazon gift card at half value because it’s easier to use. I love open table and value the reservation more than the points.
I had a similar issue except I just never bothered to use the certificate. So I switched to amazon gift card at half value because it’s easier to use. I love open table and value the reservation more than the points.
Nov 16, 2021 | 9:02 pm
#165
Join Date: Jan 2021
Posts: 946
Send OTable a message about this and they should take care of problem.
I had a similar issue except I just never bothered to use the certificate. So I switched to amazon gift card at half value because its easier to use. I love open table and value the reservation more than the points.
I had a similar issue except I just never bothered to use the certificate. So I switched to amazon gift card at half value because its easier to use. I love open table and value the reservation more than the points.
Amazon gc is probably the best way to use but seems like using on Kayak would give you double value up to $80?
