I used Opentable.com back in May for Gibson's in Chicago and it worked out fine and I got the time I wanted.

When I wanted a reservation last Sunday and went on Opentable but they showed nothing available after 4 PM. Tried it again a day later and then the website informed me it wasn't working and to try later. I ended up calling Gibson's and getting a reservation for 5 PM like I'd wanted. I think I'll stick to calling places if I can.

Opentable usually works fine for me. I like the $20 dining cheque you get in their reward program.

Many restaurants don't allow Opentable to reserve all their tables, so if the site shows no availability it's worth a phone call.

I recently read a magazine article (can't remember where) talking about Opentable from the restaurant's perspective: apparently many restaurants don't like it because it's expensive and difficult to cancel the service once it's started.

Yeah I've read a few articles about it. Especially for low margin restaurants the fees that OpenTable charges make it a poor option. GroupOn has a similar wave of destruction, a few small businesses have gone bankrupt trying to join in but I'm not sure if this was due to their own naivety or more to do with GroupOn

:( I haven't received anything either. A glass of champagne would be nice! :)

The same scenario has happened to me with several Open Table restaurants. I will check there first sometimes. If they don't have availability, I will call and usually have decent success.

What's with availability on Open Table?
 

I always use Open Table if the restaurant is listed. Lately I've been having trouble getting reservations using my iPad but I find availability using my iPhone app. Anybody else having trouble?

Bobette

Have not noticed this. Are you on ios 5?

I have seen this very limited. With no availability on Iphone but availability on the website on my pc. At the time, I was not running ios 5

Delta747

I was not running ios 5 either.

Bobette

OpenTable VIP... are there any actual benefits?
 

I can't seem to find any info anywhere as to whether or not there are actual benefits to this "status." Anyone know?

As far as I know, the only difference is that "VIP" appears next to your reservation at the restaurant. What the restaurant does with that tid-bit is their call. I always qualify, but I can't put my finger on anything positive coming from it. I suppose the best you could hope for is that, given a busy night with an unanticipated wait, you may get seated earlier rather than later.

IDine, OTOH, gives VIPs bonus miles. ^

It's a bit old, but see post thirteen in this thread

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/dinin...table-com.html

I love Open Table. It's fast, easy and I like the points, of course. I like when I can find a restaurant I like that offers 1000 points. Even though I have enough to cash in, I haven't done it yet. Make sure you're checked in though. The points usually post immediately so I check on my phone before I leave the restaurant to make sure they've posted.

Bobette

Actually, if there are no OT reservations available, you can always call. Not every restaurant has last-table availability on OT, or leaves a bit of cushion for computer error, walk-ins, hotel concierge (and other special) favors, etc.

Opentable is great. One year I was stuck without a Valentine's reservation, and I kept refreshing the OT listings every few minutes. Didn't take long for a great spot to open up due to someone's cancellation.