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
Nov 17, 2021 | 12:44 am
#166
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2008
Location: San Francisco
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I just chatted with them. They at first resent me the activation link but I told them I didn't want to use it as a dining certificate. They canceled the certificate and reissued the points back to my account. I don't want to have the same issue with another restaurant in the future...
Amazon gc is probably the best way to use but seems like using on Kayak would give you double value up to $80?
Amazon gc is probably the best way to use but seems like using on Kayak would give you double value up to $80?
I dont kayak - Im fine with missing out.
Nov 17, 2021 | 6:41 am
#167
Join Date: Jan 2021
Posts: 942
glad you got your points! Definitely recall issues with a restaurant.com discounted certificate and ultimately decided that Id rather just eat at restaurants without using online certs and discounts even if everybody else around me is doing it. I tend to prefer the same places and I depend on their continued existence.
I dont kayak - Im fine with missing out.
I dont kayak - Im fine with missing out.
Same here, I used to like restaurant.com but it became so complicated to use it. I used to really like OT's real paper certificate. I could use it at any OT participating restaurants.
As far as making a restaurant reservation, are Resy and/or Tock better than OT nowadays? I've used them to make restaurant and winery reservations but not so often like I've done with OT....
Nov 17, 2021 | 4:27 pm
#168
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2008
Location: San Francisco
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they are all great. Plus Yelp reservations. Or calling the restaurant. All that matters is which platform the restaurant uses. If its a restaurant that I desire, then Ill book the reservation per their platform. Tock also allows a payment service so that restaurants can sell taste menu / tickets. This means that by the time Im dining, all has been paid!
Dec 22, 2021 | 3:23 pm
#169
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: SF
Programs: United-GOLD, AA
Posts: 174
open table won't activate my reward points
I have 20K points on opentable expiring on 1/1/21 and it wasn't easy to get them. Now every 3 months 400 points expire. I redeemed the 20K for a reward certificate today, but never got the "email confirming reward". 2 hours on chat (no other customer support option) from obviously a call center that knows nothing about OT.
Anyway, since they are now owned by "Booking Holdings" looks like they won't honor restaurant rewards & (I'm just guessing) that the restaurants won't honor the reward certificates either, certainly not at the OT level.
Guess all I can do is get a $100 Amazon certificate (last thing I need)---thoughts? Advice? I'm guessing Booking Holdings is just making it so difficult that eventually no one will even get points.
Thank you for your compassion...
Anyway, since they are now owned by "Booking Holdings" looks like they won't honor restaurant rewards & (I'm just guessing) that the restaurants won't honor the reward certificates either, certainly not at the OT level.
Guess all I can do is get a $100 Amazon certificate (last thing I need)---thoughts? Advice? I'm guessing Booking Holdings is just making it so difficult that eventually no one will even get points.
Thank you for your compassion...
Dec 23, 2021 | 10:53 am
#170
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2008
Location: San Francisco
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I would just select the amazon gift card despite loss of value. It became less fun to use an open table dining certificate so I just changed use of points.
I also tend to select the $10 amazon gift card at every 2,000 points level instead of letting it build up.
I also tend to select the $10 amazon gift card at every 2,000 points level instead of letting it build up.
Jun 29, 2023 | 4:06 am
#171
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Miami, FL
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Posts: 6,174
Is the Premium Access program still live? https://www.opentable.com/blog/premium-access/
I recall years back that I needed to keep a base number (~2000-2500) of points in my account to book Premium Access tables. However, I haven't seen this program pop up for me in some time so wondering if it's still ongoing. If not, I can redeem those points
I recall years back that I needed to keep a base number (~2000-2500) of points in my account to book Premium Access tables. However, I haven't seen this program pop up for me in some time so wondering if it's still ongoing. If not, I can redeem those points