Dining Rewards: "once per month" limit
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2007
Programs: AA.RewardsNetwork
Posts: 1
Dining Rewards: "once per month" limit
Hello everyone,
Obviously I'm a newbie here.
In the terms and conditions for AA's Dining program, I've noticed the stipulation of one visit per restaurant per calendar month. However, so far I haven't faced this limit in my dining experience. Is this something you guys and gals have faced in your dining experience or is this limit not enforced for the most part?
Cheers,
and glad to be here
p.s. Are there any advantage dining opportunities internationally? I couldn't do a city search outside the US on the main page.
Obviously I'm a newbie here.
In the terms and conditions for AA's Dining program, I've noticed the stipulation of one visit per restaurant per calendar month. However, so far I haven't faced this limit in my dining experience. Is this something you guys and gals have faced in your dining experience or is this limit not enforced for the most part?
Cheers,
and glad to be here
p.s. Are there any advantage dining opportunities internationally? I couldn't do a city search outside the US on the main page.
#2
Moderator: New York City and FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2007
Programs: AA PLT, Natl EC
Posts: 10,855
In the terms and conditions for AA's Dining program, I've noticed the stipulation of one visit per restaurant per calendar month. However, so far I haven't faced this limit in my dining experience. Is this something you guys and gals have faced in your dining experience or is this limit not enforced for the most part?
I've never noticed this in the RN T&C, but have never had a problem with multiple dines per month (up to 9 last month!), unless the individual restaurant specifically stipulates this in their Details.
#3
Moderator: American AAdvantage
Join Date: May 2000
Location: NorCal - SMF area
Programs: AA LT Plat; HH LT Diamond, Maître-plongeur des Muccis
Posts: 62,948
And it shall be done, dstan and KublaKhan. (Wow, we should list him in the celebrity thread... )
Welcome to flyerTalk, KublaKhan, and take a good look around - there is a sticky with some good ways of maximizing your AA iDInes, and lots of information (including critical stuff on how the program changes Jan 1 2008, and elite status shortcuts.)
Most iDine restos allow dining as many times as you wish in a month's time as long as you are registered and logged in, etc. to a limit of $600 or $1,000 a month. A very few limit it to one a month, or require you to use a special process to book your miles request (which is not a reservation to eat.)
Welcome to flyerTalk, KublaKhan, and take a good look around - there is a sticky with some good ways of maximizing your AA iDInes, and lots of information (including critical stuff on how the program changes Jan 1 2008, and elite status shortcuts.)
Most iDine restos allow dining as many times as you wish in a month's time as long as you are registered and logged in, etc. to a limit of $600 or $1,000 a month. A very few limit it to one a month, or require you to use a special process to book your miles request (which is not a reservation to eat.)
#4
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: LAX (I want BUR back!)
Programs: AA, Marriott
Posts: 178
It actually depends on the the restaurant. Some allow unlimited visits up to the maximum monthly dollar value while others allow only credit miles for the first visit each month up to the minimum dollar value.
You have to be very careful with this. If, for example, you grab a drink at the bar and close out out before visiting your table, you don't get credit for the miles for your meal.
You have to be very careful with this. If, for example, you grab a drink at the bar and close out out before visiting your table, you don't get credit for the miles for your meal.
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: RSW
Programs: Delta - Silver; UA - Silver; HHonors - Diamond; IHG - Spire Ambassador; Marriott Bonvoy - Titanium
Posts: 14,185
Kubla:
Rewards Network dining miles can only be earned in the U. S. and Canada.
As mentioned, most joints allow unlimited visits for dining credit - usually up to $600 (including tax/tip) spending/month, some $1000, and a rare few have no limit at all. As you may be aware, RN offers periodic promotions for extra "bonus" miles. The recent ones for American Airlines have had a condition that one could only get credit once per restaurant per calendar day (towards the bonus); at first I thought that was what you meant in your post, but it seems not.
If you're new to the program, it takes 12 "dines" by 12/31/2007 to make elite status through 12/31/2008. If you need to scramble for that, it is okay to do multiple charges at the same joint on the same visit for that purpose (unless, of course, you're at one of those once-per-month places). Say, drinks at the bar, close out the tab, and then use the same card at the table again for a second transaction; charge drinks separately ("No tab, please ring it up .. oh, I guess I'll have another drink."); asking the server to ring up your check as two charges (slightly less awkward if you have a second card linked to your AA dining account).
You do know that you can join as many Rewards Network partner programs as you have credit/debit cards for? There are several airlines and one hotel chain to choose from.
Regards,
Points
Oneant: yes, unless the restaurant listing specifies one visit per month.
Rewards Network dining miles can only be earned in the U. S. and Canada.
As mentioned, most joints allow unlimited visits for dining credit - usually up to $600 (including tax/tip) spending/month, some $1000, and a rare few have no limit at all. As you may be aware, RN offers periodic promotions for extra "bonus" miles. The recent ones for American Airlines have had a condition that one could only get credit once per restaurant per calendar day (towards the bonus); at first I thought that was what you meant in your post, but it seems not.
If you're new to the program, it takes 12 "dines" by 12/31/2007 to make elite status through 12/31/2008. If you need to scramble for that, it is okay to do multiple charges at the same joint on the same visit for that purpose (unless, of course, you're at one of those once-per-month places). Say, drinks at the bar, close out the tab, and then use the same card at the table again for a second transaction; charge drinks separately ("No tab, please ring it up .. oh, I guess I'll have another drink."); asking the server to ring up your check as two charges (slightly less awkward if you have a second card linked to your AA dining account).
You do know that you can join as many Rewards Network partner programs as you have credit/debit cards for? There are several airlines and one hotel chain to choose from.
Regards,
Points
Oneant: yes, unless the restaurant listing specifies one visit per month.
#7
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Here! (Or there - I'm not sure)
Programs: Peon in all
Posts: 4,358
Even for the same meal, I have asked the server to run a $55 bill as a $27 charge and a $28 charge. I got 2 "dines" and qualified for 2 bonuses!
Obviously I'm a newbie here.
In the terms and conditions for AA's Dining program, I've noticed the stipulation of one visit per restaurant per calendar month. However, so far I haven't faced this limit in my dining experience. Is this something you guys and gals have faced in your dining experience or is this limit not enforced for the most part?
In the terms and conditions for AA's Dining program, I've noticed the stipulation of one visit per restaurant per calendar month. However, so far I haven't faced this limit in my dining experience. Is this something you guys and gals have faced in your dining experience or is this limit not enforced for the most part?
Personally, I haven't, but I would say that idine would notice! (Actually their computers would notice.) The computer is programmed to noticed that (for example) two charges from the same restaurant for the same day of $25 each may be a duplicate - run by the server "because the machine did not work"! (That's why I vary my charges to something simple like $25.00 and $25.20 - it will register as 1/3/5 mile(s) different.)
Another thing to remember about the "once a month" joints is that it is "once per calendar month! (Dines on November 30 and December 1 are in 2 months! )
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: RSW
Programs: Delta - Silver; UA - Silver; HHonors - Diamond; IHG - Spire Ambassador; Marriott Bonvoy - Titanium
Posts: 14,185
Kubla, oneant (and everyone else):
Save your "customer copy" credit card charge slip until you see the meal credited at your Rewards Network account! If the transaction goes "lost in the system" you'll need to send a copy of it (or your credit card bill showing the transaction) to Rewards Network for retroactive credit
Save your "customer copy" credit card charge slip until you see the meal credited at your Rewards Network account! If the transaction goes "lost in the system" you'll need to send a copy of it (or your credit card bill showing the transaction) to Rewards Network for retroactive credit
#9
Moderator: New York City and FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2007
Programs: AA PLT, Natl EC
Posts: 10,855
Save your "customer copy" credit card charge slip until you see the meal credited at your Rewards Network account! If the transaction goes "lost in the system" you'll need to send a copy of it (or your credit card bill showing the transaction) to Rewards Network for retroactive credit
#10
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Nashville, TN
Programs: AA PP; Bonvoy SE
Posts: 265
I signed the wife up for the 3,000 mile bonus on iDine with a new account. I went and bought a small lunch last Wednesday, charged it, and grabbed a cookie on the way out (charged it again). Both hit iDine within a week. I hope they both qualify for 1,000 miles each. I went back on Monday and swiped the card twice, at the same place, so now I'll have 7 dines towards the elite status (2 + 2 + 3 from online sign up)
#11
Moderator: American AAdvantage
Join Date: May 2000
Location: NorCal - SMF area
Programs: AA LT Plat; HH LT Diamond, Maître-plongeur des Muccis
Posts: 62,948
When Lady JDiver awoke from her blissful slumber and realized where the award miles and upgrades were coming from and decided airline and iDine status were good and useful things, we visited an iDine brewpub resto and 1) drank a couple of beers, 2) had lunch, 3) decided we wanted coffee and dessert, and 4) purchased a sixpack and a tee shirt on the way out. All paid separately with her registered credit card, of course - 4 of 12 "dines" / purchases needed for elite status. We had supper out that day too... 1) light meal, 2) whoops, forgot the drinkies, and 3) dessert at a next door iDine resto.
The only restriction that restaurant had was a limit of $600 per month. She was delighted, and earned enough miles (along with other sources) to slam dunk American Airlines Platinum for life.
The only restriction that restaurant had was a limit of $600 per month. She was delighted, and earned enough miles (along with other sources) to slam dunk American Airlines Platinum for life.
#12
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Los Angeles, CA, USA
Programs: AA Plat, BA, DL, Frontier, NWA, SWA, UA, HHonors Gold, Priority Club Plat, Choice Priv, BW, Diners
Posts: 1,554
Some (but not all) promos have set a limit on one visit per restaurant per day to earn the bonus. You still earned the regular miles if you did multiple visits, but may not have earned the particular bonus that said this on both dines.
Also, you should avoid having two dines at the same restaurant on the same day that have the exact same dollar amount. Make them at least slightly different (different number of cents), or is splitting a bill onto two charges don't divide them into equal halves. Othewrise, their processing may assume that it was the same dine that cam through twice, and then your second dine won't post until you convince them that it was indeed a separate transaction.
#13
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Pacific Northwest
Programs: UA Gold 1MM, AS 75k, AA Plat, Bonvoyed Gold, Honors Dia, Hyatt Explorer, IHG Plat, ...
Posts: 16,797
Is the "once per month" limitation really a "once per month per program" limitation? For one of my regular restaurants, the restriction reads "Mileage Plus® Miles awarded up to the maximum spending of $1000 per month, 1 visits per month." Same wording when I am logged into my AA account (substitute AAdvantage for MP Miles, of course).
So is it safe to assume that I can dine once for United miles, then once for AA miles, then once for Delta...?
So is it safe to assume that I can dine once for United miles, then once for AA miles, then once for Delta...?
#14
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: RSW
Programs: Delta - Silver; UA - Silver; HHonors - Diamond; IHG - Spire Ambassador; Marriott Bonvoy - Titanium
Posts: 14,185
Is the "once per month" limitation really a "once per month per program" limitation? For one of my regular restaurants, the restriction reads "Mileage Plus® Miles awarded up to the maximum spending of $1000 per month, 1 visits per month." Same wording when I am logged into my AA account (substitute AAdvantage for MP Miles, of course).
So is it safe to assume that I can dine once for United miles, then once for AA miles, then once for Delta...?
So is it safe to assume that I can dine once for United miles, then once for AA miles, then once for Delta...?