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
Oct 3, 2015 | 8:39 pm
#121
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: Santa Cruz, CA USA
Programs: AA, UA, WN, HH, Marriott
Posts: 7,293
Thanks- I was hoping it was simpler than it seemed.
As O2K said Downgrade. 
Nov 29, 2015 | 10:59 am
#124
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
I don't have enough "data" to add this to the Wiki, but if you want the points (in addition to the convenience of making the reservation), be sure to make the reservation directly with OpenTable (web site or app), NOT through the OpenTable reservation link on a restaurant's web site.
That is, I have had several experiences where I have made a reservation through the OpenTable link on a restaurant's web site, and found a note in the confirmation that I would NOT be receiving any points for the reservation. I then cancelled that no-points reservation, closed my browser, re-opened the browser, and went directly to OpenTable to make the reservation ... and the confirmation stated I would get points.
I say "close the browser" because the first time I tried re-booking directly through the OpenTable web site, it seemed to know/remember (cookies?) that I had previously made (or tried to make) a reservation through the restaurant's web site, and again the confirmation said "no points". YMMV.
P.S. to crabbing: Thanks, for starting the Wiki.
That is, I have had several experiences where I have made a reservation through the OpenTable link on a restaurant's web site, and found a note in the confirmation that I would NOT be receiving any points for the reservation. I then cancelled that no-points reservation, closed my browser, re-opened the browser, and went directly to OpenTable to make the reservation ... and the confirmation stated I would get points.
I say "close the browser" because the first time I tried re-booking directly through the OpenTable web site, it seemed to know/remember (cookies?) that I had previously made (or tried to make) a reservation through the restaurant's web site, and again the confirmation said "no points". YMMV.
P.S. to crabbing: Thanks, for starting the Wiki.
Dec 20, 2015 | 7:20 pm
#126
In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Durham, NC (RDU/GSO/CLT)
Programs: AA EXP/MM, DL GM, UA Platinum, HH DIA, Hyatt Explorist, IHG Platinum, Marriott Titanium, Hertz PC
Posts: 33,856
This is a first for me. On the 18th I went to make a reservation for Esca in New York on Opentable for a dine on the 21st. I had to input a credit card number and I was told if I didn't cancel by 6 PM on the 19th, the credit card would be charged. Is this common?
Dec 20, 2015 | 8:30 pm
#127
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: SEA
Programs: Atmos Gold, Bonvoy Gold
Posts: 1,989
This is typical for holidays, especially New Years Eve. Not sure in your case if its the restaurant or something else that triggered it.
Dec 20, 2015 | 8:33 pm
#128
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
Not common, IMHO, but I have run into it with a couple of Michelin-starred or very high demand/low capacity restaurants.
When offered that "condition of reservation", I have always elected to find another restaurant.
When offered that "condition of reservation", I have always elected to find another restaurant.
Dec 23, 2015 | 12:28 am
#129
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 214
Dec 23, 2015 | 10:37 pm
#130
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: Santa Cruz, CA USA
Programs: AA, UA, WN, HH, Marriott
Posts: 7,293
Dec 24, 2015 | 3:36 am
#131
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: London & Sonoma CA
Programs: UA Plat, MM *G for life, AY Plat, BA Silver
Posts: 10,533
I think it's perfectly reasonable. Why should the restaurant bear the loss of revenue from customers who make multiple reservations?
Dec 24, 2015 | 6:43 am
#132
In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Durham, NC (RDU/GSO/CLT)
Programs: AA EXP/MM, DL GM, UA Platinum, HH DIA, Hyatt Explorist, IHG Platinum, Marriott Titanium, Hertz PC
Posts: 33,856
Dec 31, 2015 | 10:58 am
#134
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: NYC
Programs: Delta Gold, Marriott Platinum, Former Amtrak Select, Former Hilton Gold
Posts: 425
The new points redemption is awful. Very few restaurants are eligible for the gift cards and you only get half the value if you take an amazon gift card ($10 GC for 2,000 points).
I also used a gift card for the first time last week and it took 2 managers and 20 minutes for them to figure out how to apply it vs the usual 1 manager and 5 minutes it used to take them to figure out how to take the gift checks.
It's barely worth using OT anymore.
I also used a gift card for the first time last week and it took 2 managers and 20 minutes for them to figure out how to apply it vs the usual 1 manager and 5 minutes it used to take them to figure out how to take the gift checks.
It's barely worth using OT anymore.
Jan 3, 2016 | 4:58 pm
#135
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: ORD
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 16,934
The new points redemption is awful. Very few restaurants are eligible for the gift cards and you only get half the value if you take an amazon gift card ($10 GC for 2,000 points).
I also used a gift card for the first time last week and it took 2 managers and 20 minutes for them to figure out how to apply it vs the usual 1 manager and 5 minutes it used to take them to figure out how to take the gift checks.
It's barely worth using OT anymore.
I also used a gift card for the first time last week and it took 2 managers and 20 minutes for them to figure out how to apply it vs the usual 1 manager and 5 minutes it used to take them to figure out how to take the gift checks.
It's barely worth using OT anymore.