Morton's VIPs please share your experiences here
 

Just wanted to chat with some fellow Morton's VIPs and see what sort of perks you've received over the years, as well as see what perks you receive each time you visit. I'm interested in knowing the details of your "standard" VIP perks, but more curious about things that you get personally that are not part of the standard package.


Also, please state if you have a wine locker or just a VIP card.

I'll kick it off...

I am a lifetime Morton's VIP card holder and have a wine locker.

Each time I dine, I receive the following:
- Standard complementary after-dinner drink tray (with the option to order anything from the bar as well)
- 10% discount on all purchased wine anytime
- No corking fees for any wine brought (although I RARELY bring my own bottle, I've only ever done it a few times)
- Guaranteed table without reservation


Over the years I have received the following:
- Free bottles of my favorite wines
- Invitations to wine locker stocking events (usually a wine tasting) with a 20% discount on any wine purchased that evening
- Misc comp'd meals, parts of meals, etc...

Gift cards, wine decanter, Mortons corkscrew.

The Mortons on Connecticut Ave in DC treated us great for years. Plenty of after dinner cognacs and cigars.

They would get my friends great tables even when I was out of town.

I had a falling out with them about a year and a half ago and haven't been back since. I had some friends in from out of town and we had a great dinner. The problem came at the end when it seems they sent their coat room girl home early and two of my friend's overcoats were stolen from the coat room. It was the dead of winter. The manager was not there at the time but I called him the next day to let him know what happened and he basically told me that it's not their problem. One of my friends was a federal agent and he had his personal pda in the pocket, don't worry no business info was on it. His coat was a very expensive gift from his wife. My other friend was in from Arizona and had just bought his overcoat at Nordstroms because he didn't have one with him.

We had to contact corporate, who was very apologetic, to get the situation resolved. I still frequent plenty of Mortons but I'll never go back to Connecticut Ave.

Do tell. How does one receive such an honor? Do you apply? Is there a fee? Is this offered to frequent diners?

As far as I know, you cannot apply...

There is no fee.

The General Manager will simply add you as a VIP if you are a frequent diner I suppose... That was was happened to me one day... The GM came to my table and asked if I'd like to have a VIP card, etc... I gave him my business card and the rest is history...

I'm proud to be a Morton's VUP, which is fine since the place is not so great. :D

What I remember from when I worked at Morton's is that you'll get a VIP invitation if the manager(s) notice your dinning pattern after a couple of times...they told us that if we knew of anyone who was a regular dinner at Morton's, we could nominate them for VIP by letting the manager know;)

I've removed a not so complimentary post and the responses to said post.

Lets play nice please.

Just a quick note to let you know what I've gotten lately as a VIP.

1) $100 gift card valid for the month of my b-day
2) Free Decanter
3) Extra wine storage space in climate controlled environment for my nicer bottles (don't know if this is "VIP" per se, but thought I'd mention it)

It sounds like being in a casino with the pit boss looking at how much you order and (possibly) eat! :eek:

I'm just wondering how they track you - as the manager isn't likely to remember people who just come in a couple of times. (or maybe (s)he is?)

I'm a VIP by virtue of the business I send them (and some personal business), and I've received rounds of drinks, percentages off dinner, full comped dinners, and I was also invited to a chef's tasting that the Sales Manager put together for her top 16 clients. The Morton's in MCO was told that I would be celebrating my engagement there last week, and we were seated at a table with glitter spread about and champagne on the house. Every time I'm there, we get the after-dinner drinks. We once got the bar bites filet finger sandwiches sent out. Parties that I refer get cordials as well, and the management at my local Morton's has no problem buying a round for someone if I ask.

This is one area in which Morton's outshines anybody. Palm, Capital Grille, Ruth's Chris, etc. all IMO do not as well thought out of a VIP program as Morton's. This coming from a Morton's VIP who has his caricature on the wall at the Palm down the street.

No VIP card, no wine locker.

Annual or ... ?
 

Just got my VIP card in the mail and I have a question: does this "status" expire, or is it valid indefinitely? I don't notice an expiration date on the card..

Wow..... I didn't even know such a program existed!! Thank you for enlightening me!! I guess I better start frequenting our local Morton's!!

My very first card had an expiration, it expired, but I still kept getting the benefits, then like 1 year later they sent me one without any date... It just has my name, and the restaurant location and phone #. They told me it's a lifetime card...

The POS system that handles the checks (IIRC Morton's uses Micros) is tied in with OpenTable - that combination makes for a pretty good database.

I don't think the VIP expires..

Ditto to all the other posters in terms of what is offered...

I visit frequently 1-2 times per month.. all the employees know me.. including the chefs.. very nice touch..

You get invited to their VIP type events, wine tastings, dinner with the Ravens (football team), charity events, etc

I usually bid on the silent auctions and have won such things as Morton's coming to my house to cook dinner for myself, wife and 6 friends, dinner with Jonathan Ogden, etc...

The wine tastings are awesome..

We thoroughly enjoy our experience... It's also nice to know that you can get a reservation anytime, anywhere, with no notice.

It's also very reasonable with all the discounts, free stuff, (after dinner drinks, etc) and the offerings you get via email.

The charity events and dinners with football teams, etc, those are all pay per person events right? (Only the wine tastings are free AFAIK)

I received my VIP packet in the mail today.

Background: I've been dining at Morton's regularly for well over ten years. My significant other and I are about once-a-month customers (a little less lately due to the economy). About six months ago, we befriended one of the servers and started requesting her when making reservations. About two months ago, she asked me for my business card and mentioned that I'd be receiving a card in the mail. I was aware of the program, as some of my college classmates were VIPs about ten years ago.

Like I said, two months went by and, honestly, our preferred location is kind of hit or miss when it comes to management, so I was sort of doubtful the card would even show.

The envelope has a Chicago postmark and return address. Inside the envelope is a smaller inner envelope. Inside that is a nice letter from the GM of our preferred location.

The card is plastic, colored brown, with my name, my preferred location and their VIP phone number. It has the Morton's logo on it, but nothing else. No expiration date. The back of the card is blank. The VIP directory looks just like the small folding directories they give out in the restaurants, but it is gold on black. The questionnaire asks for basic contact info and birthdate. Interestingly, there's no 'fine print' or any real mention or description of the benefits. Kind of makes it seem more exclusive, I think.

Anyway, I'm a big fan of Morton's (obviously), and I'm real happy they're recognizing my business. I look forward to reaping the benefits soon!

Congrats jbatl and welcome to the club :D

Morton Discount Coupon's
 

USA Today ran a story about 6 weeks ago about Morton's giving out $25 discount coupons at select restaraunts.

I signed up at Morton's web site but never received any information about this offer. I also directly emailed a Morton's, that I occassionally eat at but they did not respond .


Anybody get a Morton's discount coupon?

You are correct... but my Morton's knows I like them, so they save my favorite table and make sure I know about it..etc...

No.. but I buy several grand worth of gift cards.. get my $100 for each one..then order the 2 for $99 special and love every minute of it..

So, I basically eat free at mortons during the months of jan, feb, march..

Just found out about the Mortons VIP card on this thread. There is a Mortons in our condo building and we frequent the bar 2-3 times a week. Last night I asked a server about the VIP card and she promptly brought me a "info" sheet requesting the standard stuff on my address, family names and birthdays, etc.. She said I would receive a "package" in the mail. Will soon see what benefits we receive.

Question about the wine lockers.
When you stock it, do you purchase wine from mortons at retail prices or at morton's menu prices?

Depends. I believe the standard VIP deal is 10% off menu prices, but sometimes they do 20% off for special locker stocking events.

However, I've also been offered wine at 10% over cost on even more "special" occasions.

Just got one in the mail...

Brown plastic card with 5-stars on top, Morton's Logo, My name, The city location I live in misspelled and location phone number.

Card came with location directory and letter from local manager as well as a postcard requesting further contact information... Mailed from Chicago, IL...

No information on benefits...

UPDATED:

Called local location... they faxed this to my office...

As a Morton's VIP member you will receive the following benefits:

VIP Reservations – Simply walk into any Morton's, show them your VIP card, and you and your guests will be seated at the first available table. Or you may use the Morton's private directory to call any Morton's with your VIP number and arrange an immediate reservation.

Private Directory – The private numbers for each of Morton's worldwide locations only issued to VIPs.

Morton's Reserve – Lifestyle publication for Morton's VIPs only. Full of articles on taste and style, inside news, and VIP profiles.

Personal Preferences Upon Arrival – Everything from seating preferences to your preferred beverages will be waiting for you when you make a VIP reservation.

After Dinner Tray – An elegant selection of after dinner drinks poured for you and your guests. Complimentary, of course. Please note this offering is not available in the states of MA and VA due to liquor laws.

VIP Extras – Small gifts, unexpected treats, invitations to private receptions and truly special service throughout the year.

Private Dining – Morton's extends the opportunity for private dining in their Boardroom to you and your party.

VIP Wine Lockers – Morton's Wine Locker Program is an exclusive way to purchase and store your unique wine selection. Wine lockers are extremely limited and available only to VIPs on a first come, first serve basis.

If you want to "buy" Mortons VIP status, it comes with the Continental Presidential Plus MasterCard

VIP status is free. Just google the application.

We went to the original Mortons in Chicago. We received 2 after dinner drinks, and they waived the $25 corkage fee for bringing my own wine.

Morton's VIP
 

We have a VIP card, a wine locker and our picture on the wall. We have been going to the Charlotte uptown location for 2 years or so. I have also recieved gift cards and complimentary off menu items such as the Mac and Cheese which is no longer available and Filet Mignon on hoarseradish and crustini. I have eaten at most fine steakhouses on the east coast and I prefer Morton's above all else. Chophouse would be second.

The staff at Charlotte uptown treat us like family, actually better becuase they are never rude or frank. We know the entire staff and they are first class all the way.

There is only one CLT location now. Uptown, is the only one.

Also, I get gift certs, special menu items, birthday cards, after dinner drinks and a number of other things as well.

I had both the wine locker and VIP card in Vancouver, allas Morton's decided to leave Van. The benifits were much the same as most but the one thing that the staff always did for me was when my favorite drink L IIIX was near end 3_5 oz left they would always keep the rest for me in my locker thus assuring that I receive the bottle.

Question though would I still be a VIP, Morton's has been closed for over a year here. I should call and see.

Cheers..

Yep you are still VIP, it doesn't expire.

After the SF food critic's recent visit to Morton's, I have to ask whether the VIP program is even worth its free cost:

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/articl...DDFU1EULHM.DTL

Ok, first time to Morton's since receiving my card. I used the number on the card to make a reservation. No acknowledgement of the card at that stage. I asked the waitress what I am supposed to do with the card - she had never seen one before. Took it to her manager. No reaction for quite a while (a few courses) so I ended up asking whether she still had my card. Eventually comes back and tells me that it gives me a guaranteed table even when they are full, and an after dinner drink. After dessert is all finished, I asked whether we would be getting an after dinner drink, and it eventually came. All in all, not a very user friendly 'perk'.

Which location?

Did you receive your card via third party promotion as a side benefit or did you get the card directly from Morton's as a result of patronage?

In any case - the waitress should have been better trained. I have dinned at several locations on multiple occasions and all but at the Boston Harbor location - I have been ushered in and received premium service.

After a long back and forth on Twitter, where I was told the VIP program is dead... I made a reservation in Midtown Manhattan using Opentable. They couldn't have been nicer to us. Kept referring to me by name... and brought after dinner drinks without prompting. They bring out a trolley with several choices.

When I told the manager about my Twitter conversation, he told me they didn't know what they were talking about. The VIP program is still alive, and corkage is waived. ^ At this loaction, they match the names on the reservations with the VIP Club. Needless to say, they won me back. Now if only their steaks were a 10 instead of a 9.5. :D

Any insight on the one in WP? How would you rate Morton's compared to any of the better-ranked NYC estabishments?

I've only eaten at the bar in White Plains.

Mortons doesn't hold a candle to the finer steakhouses in NY. We went to the midtown location because I received a $100 gift certificate from Morton VIP program. :eek: My final bill was $80. :o

OK. That makes more sense to me now. I honestly couldn't imagine that Morton's would outshine any of the prominent NY steakhouses, but wanted to confirm.

Nevertheless, a $100 gift certificate is a nice thing.

I haven't been for a few months but in my experience, the White Plains location is the best managed Morton's I've ever been to.

My wife and I used to eat there about once a month. On every occasion, the maitre de, manager and even some of the wait staff would come over and say hello. On one occasion my wife mentioned a horrible experience she had at a different location during a business lunch the week before in casual conversation and the WP GM proactively had the regional manager where the bad experience call and apologize the next day.

We've always received amazing service and decent food at White Plains.

Anybody dined in CLE at Morton's downtown using a VIP?