Favorite French Restaurant Just Dropped the Program
Feb 11, 2010, 12:26 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: Santa Cruz, CA USA
Programs: AA, UA, WN, HH, Marriott
Posts: 7,290
Favorite French Restaurant Just Dropped the Program
For quite some time I had earned only an occasional small dribble of miles from UA dining. But 2 years ago a new, terrific French restaurant in our area joined the program, and with our once/month visit, coupled with various promotions, we really began to accumulate a substantial number of miles.
I just learned they have dropped out effective Feb 1.
They really were the only restaurant in the area we like on a regular basis that participated. Back to the dribbles.
Add that to the Safeway termination, we are really suffering.
I just learned they have dropped out effective Feb 1.
They really were the only restaurant in the area we like on a regular basis that participated. Back to the dribbles.
Add that to the Safeway termination, we are really suffering.
Feb 15, 2010, 5:55 pm
#3
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: New Berlin, WI, USA
Posts: 4,101
A Mexican restaurant in our area dropped out of the program, and we usually ate there at least twice a month. As soon as I saw they left the program, I sent the owner an email saying that I was sorry to see that they left the program, as we usually ate there twice a month and sometimes took friends with us. Then, every time we went out and would have considered going there, I sent an email saying that we had dined elsewhere at a restaurant that was in the Rewards Network program and stated how much we had spent. About three months later, they were back in the Rewards Network program. I don't know if this will work for you, but you could try.
Also, in the future, keep an eye on the listing of restaurants that are leaving the program. You can stock up on gift certificates before they leave.
Also, in the future, keep an eye on the listing of restaurants that are leaving the program. You can stock up on gift certificates before they leave.
Feb 21, 2010, 5:14 pm
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: Santa Cruz, CA USA
Programs: AA, UA, WN, HH, Marriott
Posts: 7,290
They joined the program when they first opened to try to drum up business. They dropped out because they weren't getting any more new customers from the program and were just paying to have regulars like us who would come anyway.
Mar 9, 2010, 6:16 am
#5
Join Date: May 2000
Location: San Francisco, CA, USA
Posts: 1,960
It's simple: I just don't go back, or go very infrequently. And I tell them why. Sometimes it makes a difference.
You can't really expect the hottest restaurant around to pay for this promotion forever, can you? But when business falls off, the program worked once, so there's no reason it can't work again. I have one place that comes back on about once every 18 months, just for 3 months. I go there then, and tell them so. Repeat as necessary. Of course, this works much better in a town full of iDine restaurants--- I've always got some more choices.
You can't really expect the hottest restaurant around to pay for this promotion forever, can you? But when business falls off, the program worked once, so there's no reason it can't work again. I have one place that comes back on about once every 18 months, just for 3 months. I go there then, and tell them so. Repeat as necessary. Of course, this works much better in a town full of iDine restaurants--- I've always got some more choices.