Firewind

...from what I understand from this board, it's still helping the establishment to pay down its loan. And they don't state a minimum purchase.

Any comments on the economics of buying a sandwich with a RN credit card? Or to put a finer point to it, a taco?

Your opinion?

Points Scrounger

Many RN joints have minimum credit card charges ($10 usually).

I had a bartender once refuse a card for a $4 beer: "Management wants a $5 minimum (no posted sign)." I replied, "It'll be $5 with a $1 tip." He ran it, but it came through as $4.00 in the end.

bunkeyair

there should be no limit when a using credit card at any establishments is what i was told by a manager. The restaurant could lose the ability to accept cc.....So next time you get any grief-just offer to report them!

sdsearch

McDonalds switched to taking credit cards as soon as they found that with new technology it was faster than accepting cash. The average RN restaurant is not as obsessed with payment speed as McDonalds, but the point is that McDonalds didn't care that people buy cheap sandwiches with credit cards, they only cared whether it was speed-efficient.

What's the cost of a sandwich compared to a USA Today? I buy one at 7-11s with a credit card all the time (I get 4+ UA miles/dollar that way, so I never pay cash at a gas/grocery/drug if I can help it, no matter what the amount). They used to balk at some locations when it was 50c, but when it went up to 75c (it's now $1) they stopped ever complaining.

The point is that the cost of food is pretty nebulous at restaurants. It's been "rounded" by much more than the credit card processing fee.

And I dine at some RN restaurants where the average item is under $5, and yet they not only take credit cards, but take ones like Amex that charge a higher processing fee! Most restaurants that take credit cards realize that some customers won't eat places where they can't pay with plastic (for a variety of reasons, not just FTers). And unlike Arco, restaurants in the US don't seem to have the technology (or is interest?) to say "debit only".

pinniped

If a restaurant accepts credit cards and you use cash, you're subsidizing everyone else's points and miles.

If there's a CC accepted at all, I'm using a CC.

I look at it this way: for a generic fast food restaurant, if one chain took CC's and one did not, I'd never set foot in the one that did not. Therefore, I don't feel "guilty" using my CC at any of them, now that they all accept cards.

Open Jaw

Well I can never just have one slice or one taco so I never feel badly for using a CC.

One time this guy started to yell because I paid for my burgers with CC. I told him that my CC bill helps me keep track of all my spending, and that I earn enough FF miles to fly to Mexico in business class every year for "FREE".

Exiled in Express

My normal fix is the "mileage burrito" at a Qdoba knockoff, ~$8 with drink. I have no problem swiping for that amount. The place also does a AAA discount, I have not combined that with RN, yet.

Restaurants have perishable inventory and the places on RN are likely to be low volume. Most are also medicore and would not see us if not for the miles. It is better for them to get some revenue for that product than not sell it and have it go bad.

nonesuch flyer

I to dine at one or two RN places where the average item is a few dollars. Low cost way of achieving VIP status.

JDiver

I agree with some of the statements made here - if they agree to take credit cards, I am happy to use my credit card. We're not in Japan, we're in the USA.

camargo

I'm laughing along with this thread.

Yesterday, I tried a Qdoba for the first time ever (only because it was listed in RN) and bought a steak taco for $2.29. I quickly calculated that I could renew VIP status for about $27.50.

Of course the bigger question is whether or not my stomach can endure 11 more of those little suckers.

Firewind

Nobody ever said you have to eat it...

JDiver

With a handle like yours, I'd guess you did.

Sorry, I couldn't resist. But seriously, the merchant has chosen to accept credit cards and factored that into the margins. I am happy to oblige.

Firewind

Guess I opened to that. <<<.....

Points Scrounger

Don't you guys ever run into joints with cc minimums? Those and surcharges seem rampant these days!

Firewind

Can you describe what you mean by this? This isn't a challenge -- I really don't know what you mean. Thanks.