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
Dec 11, 2012 | 3:39 pm
#94
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: MLB
Programs: some
Posts: 459
Older thread, but might give you some inside what others experienced
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/dinin...opentable.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/dinin...opentable.html
Dec 11, 2012 | 10:53 pm
#95
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: SEA
Programs: Atmos Gold, Bonvoy Gold
Posts: 1,989
Dec 12, 2012 | 7:51 am
#96
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Pasadena,Ca.,US.
Programs: AA, Delta, United, SPG plat, Hyatt dia
Posts: 7,140
I have been an OpenTable VIP for three years running.
I have never receivied any specil offers.
I might(probably do) get better tables as a perk-which is great- but nothing else.
I usually end up with a check for $100 per year which I put towards a family event.
I have never receivied any specil offers.
I might(probably do) get better tables as a perk-which is great- but nothing else.
I usually end up with a check for $100 per year which I put towards a family event.
Dec 14, 2012 | 11:57 am
#97
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: ACT/GRK/DAL/ABI/MIA/FLL
Programs: OMNIArchist, OMNIArchy!, OMNIIDGAS
Posts: 23,478
Sep 11, 2013 | 12:09 am
#98
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: May 2002
Location: YEG
Programs: HH Silver
Posts: 57,017
As a solo traveller I'm finding the 1,000 point reservations on OpenTable are for two diners but does anyone actually check how many dine? Could I make a reservation for two at a 1,000 point times, show up and say the second person couldn't make it? Would I only be credited with 100 points or none at all?
Edit to add: just tried to make a reservation for two and the fine print says:
Upon dining, you will receive 1,000 Points. Please note that Bonus Points apply only to specific reservation times, and do not apply to all holidays or in conjunction with other offers or promotions. Two or more people must be seated, and each person must order a minimum of one entre. If you change your reservation or arrive outside of the stated qualifying Bonus Point Reservations schedule, your reservation may no longer qualify for 1,000 Points.
Edit to add: just tried to make a reservation for two and the fine print says:
Upon dining, you will receive 1,000 Points. Please note that Bonus Points apply only to specific reservation times, and do not apply to all holidays or in conjunction with other offers or promotions. Two or more people must be seated, and each person must order a minimum of one entre. If you change your reservation or arrive outside of the stated qualifying Bonus Point Reservations schedule, your reservation may no longer qualify for 1,000 Points.
Last edited by tcook052; Sep 11, 2013 at 12:16 am
Sep 14, 2013 | 10:07 am
#99
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: SEA
Programs: Atmos Gold, Bonvoy Gold
Posts: 1,989
As a solo traveller I'm finding the 1,000 point reservations on OpenTable are for two diners but does anyone actually check how many dine? Could I make a reservation for two at a 1,000 point times, show up and say the second person couldn't make it? Would I only be credited with 100 points or none at all?
Edit to add: just tried to make a reservation for two and the fine print says:
Upon dining, you will receive 1,000 Points. Please note that Bonus Points apply only to specific reservation times, and do not apply to all holidays or in conjunction with other offers or promotions. Two or more people must be seated, and each person must order a minimum of one entre. If you change your reservation or arrive outside of the stated qualifying Bonus Point Reservations schedule, your reservation may no longer qualify for 1,000 Points.
Edit to add: just tried to make a reservation for two and the fine print says:
Upon dining, you will receive 1,000 Points. Please note that Bonus Points apply only to specific reservation times, and do not apply to all holidays or in conjunction with other offers or promotions. Two or more people must be seated, and each person must order a minimum of one entre. If you change your reservation or arrive outside of the stated qualifying Bonus Point Reservations schedule, your reservation may no longer qualify for 1,000 Points.
Sep 19, 2013 | 2:21 pm
#101
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Charlotte, NC
Programs: AA lifetime gold, Marrriott Platinum
Posts: 191
The reservation defaults to two people. When I was dining alone at 1000 point tables, I didn't bother to change it to one, and I never got busted, although they may have caught on by now.
As a solo traveller I'm finding the 1,000 point reservations on OpenTable are for two diners but does anyone actually check how many dine? Could I make a reservation for two at a 1,000 point times, show up and say the second person couldn't make it? Would I only be credited with 100 points or none at all?
Edit to add: just tried to make a reservation for two and the fine print says:
Upon dining, you will receive 1,000 Points. Please note that Bonus Points apply only to specific reservation times, and do not apply to all holidays or in conjunction with other offers or promotions. Two or more people must be seated, and each person must order a minimum of one entre. If you change your reservation or arrive outside of the stated qualifying Bonus Point Reservations schedule, your reservation may no longer qualify for 1,000 Points.
Edit to add: just tried to make a reservation for two and the fine print says:
Upon dining, you will receive 1,000 Points. Please note that Bonus Points apply only to specific reservation times, and do not apply to all holidays or in conjunction with other offers or promotions. Two or more people must be seated, and each person must order a minimum of one entre. If you change your reservation or arrive outside of the stated qualifying Bonus Point Reservations schedule, your reservation may no longer qualify for 1,000 Points.
Sep 21, 2013 | 10:32 am
#102
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: SEA
Programs: Atmos Gold, Bonvoy Gold
Posts: 1,989
Not sure if its targeted, but I occasionally get "double point" windows (200 point dining options instead of the regular 100; not eligible for 1000 point dines). I was also asked to be part of an Open Table focus group but declined. Perhaps everyone got these emails, and VIP is a whole lot of nothing...
Oct 1, 2013 | 1:02 pm
#105
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Erie, CO USA
Programs: UA, M&M, AA, AS, Marriott, et al
Posts: 1,565
As a solo traveller I'm finding the 1,000 point reservations on OpenTable are for two diners but does anyone actually check how many dine? Could I make a reservation for two at a 1,000 point times, show up and say the second person couldn't make it? Would I only be credited with 100 points or none at all?
And while I can understand that restaurants would prefer two people to a table instead of one, they should also prefer one person to an empty table. And if I have a list of restaurants to choose from when I put in one person, I will probably do so rather than seeking other restaurants that may have single dining blocked on OT.