dining programs
Apr 15, 2001 | 4:16 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: you can't affordably get there (anywhere) from here (central MT)
Posts: 345
dining programs
Hello to all. I've been lurking for quite a while, and have picked up some very valuable advice from my lurking. I have a question about dining programs. I've read about idine.com on the NW board, but since the program partners with other airlines, I thought my question was best asked here. As I live in the middle of nowhere (actually, not nowhere, but Montana, which has very poor -- read "non competitive" -- air service!), so I work like the dickens at every ff angle I can learn about! My question: if I already am signed up with NW WP "dining for miles" can I "double dip" by entering another credit card with idine.com, thus receiving twice the miles? I'm thinkin' not, but thought I'd ask . . . Thanks!
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[This message has been edited by mudgal (edited 04-15-2001).]
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[This message has been edited by mudgal (edited 04-15-2001).]
Apr 15, 2001 | 4:51 pm
#2
Suspended
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Tampa, Florida, U.S.A.
Posts: 7,664
The answer is yes and no. What I do which is what I would recommend, is to sign up different cards for different programs.
I get NWA miles with my personal AMEX,
DELTA miles with my Small Business AMEX, UNITIED miles with my Visa and USAirways miles with my Optima. This allows me to visit the same restaurant 4 times a month I just use a different card each time. It is perfect if you have say a favourite bar or place you may visit a lot.
But you will NOT get say 2 credits for one visit to a restaurant by signing up the same card in two different programs.
Mike
I get NWA miles with my personal AMEX,
DELTA miles with my Small Business AMEX, UNITIED miles with my Visa and USAirways miles with my Optima. This allows me to visit the same restaurant 4 times a month I just use a different card each time. It is perfect if you have say a favourite bar or place you may visit a lot.
But you will NOT get say 2 credits for one visit to a restaurant by signing up the same card in two different programs.
Mike
Apr 15, 2001 | 5:47 pm
#3
In Memoriam
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Easton, CT, USA
Programs: ua prem exec, Former hilton diamond
Posts: 31,801
I am not clear by what you are trying to do. You can certainly have different cards registered with different programs, even if they are administered by the same company. But you can usually only have one card registered with any one administrator of the programs, so for example I can't register the same card with United, Idine, and Transmedia, since they are all the same program.
You wouldn't be able to double dip on two cards for the same meal unless you paid for it twice. You would be able to get around the one visit per month rule this way, if the cards are registered for different programs. I would expect as they merge all their data files that will go away at some point in the future.
You wouldn't be able to double dip on two cards for the same meal unless you paid for it twice. You would be able to get around the one visit per month rule this way, if the cards are registered for different programs. I would expect as they merge all their data files that will go away at some point in the future.
Apr 15, 2001 | 7:48 pm
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: you can't affordably get there (anywhere) from here (central MT)
Posts: 345
Thanks to both MIKSILV and cordelli for answering this question. Answers were as I had presumed they'd be (like I said I live in the land of hefty air fares, and am constantly looking for ways to enhance my ff miles position!) The idea of the dining cos merging their data bases and eliminating different credit cards with diff prgms isn't a welcome one! Thanks again!
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Apr 17, 2001 | 11:07 am
#5
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Celia Cruz, you live forever in our hearts.
Posts: 2,052
well, something I wanted to try out was to charge a pre-dinner drink with one card and then dinner with a different one. This way I can get NW miles for both myself and my boyfriend who does not have a card of his own! Means I/we only have to visit five restaurants not 10. too late now that I've already finished but next time!
[This message has been edited by CozumelJen (edited 04-17-2001).]
[This message has been edited by CozumelJen (edited 04-17-2001).]
Apr 17, 2001 | 11:21 am
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: you can't affordably get there (anywhere) from here (central MT)
Posts: 345
Thanks, CozumelJen! I'm thinkin' this tip might be useful on the 20/20K promotion -- the one that I and many others are very much wondering about/looking forward to finding out the details.
Apr 17, 2001 | 4:00 pm
#7
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Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: USA
Programs: HH Diamond, SPG Gold, PC Platinum Ambassador, Marriott Silver
Posts: 15,249
Along the same lines, what is anyone's experience with switching airlines re: a specific card. For example, I have an AMEX registered with NW, but now want to register it with AA. Do I need to cancel the NW registration and, if so, will it jeopardize the miles that are pending?
Also, any experience with changing the FF number associated with a registered card? For example, if I want to change my AMEX from my NW FFR account to my child's NW FF account.
Also, any experience with changing the FF number associated with a registered card? For example, if I want to change my AMEX from my NW FFR account to my child's NW FF account.
Apr 17, 2001 | 4:38 pm
#8
Suspended
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Tampa, Florida, U.S.A.
Posts: 7,664
I recently changed cards my business Amex from United to Delta and my wife's Amex from United to NWA it was done quite easily over the phone no questions and we have got the miles (most of them anyway) we expect.
Not sure about changing to a child but the program handbook says nothing about an age
restriction to join so I would expect it is ok.
Mike
Not sure about changing to a child but the program handbook says nothing about an age
restriction to join so I would expect it is ok.
Mike
Apr 17, 2001 | 6:24 pm
#9
Join Date: Jan 2001
Posts: 617
mudgal:
The answer to your original question ("...if I already am signed up with NW WP 'dining for miles' can I 'double dip' by entering another credit card with idine.com, thus receiving twice the miles?") is as MIKESILV & cordelli stated, though I wanted to say something regarding the statement "I would expect as they merge all their data files that will go away at some point in the future." (re: getting around the one visit per month rule by registering cards for different programs):
Thankfully, that won't be the case...
The data is already merged -- Dining for Miles was essentially a co-branded offering of Dining a la Card--until Dining a la Card merged w/ Transmedia, to form iDine Prime. iDine is an iDine Prime derivative offering which does not include an annual fee, & allows the choice of airline miles or "loyalty points" in place of cashback rewards.
The airline affiliated dining programs are just specific airline mile earning forms of the iDine program--same customer service center, same everything.
I learned some additional details from a mistake they made w/ my parents' accounts (resulting in their "Flying Free Faster" @ a much slower rate...
) -- I registered my parents' WorldPerks accts & a single credit card each w/ Dining for Miles, & they soon received welcome materials for the US Airways Dividend Miles program -- ?! -- complete w/ US Airways FF #s (& the #s were 'n' & 'n+1' [i.e. clearly seemed to be generated in succession (& automatically, presumably from a "block" of #s)]). My parents didn't have US Airways frequent flyer accts prior to such...
Obvious conclusions = a field indicating airline is part of the iDine database (somewhat of a "duh"), & if the associated FF acct field is empty (when the record is saved, presumably), a FF# gets generated (perhaps?). I called to have the DividendMiles-instead-of-DiningForMiles mistake corrected, & seem to have confirmed my suspicions in the process (per info from the rep w/ whom I spoke) re: airline field & auto-generation of FF#. I think the automatic generation of FF #s is a ridiculous reality--if such a # wasn't provided, why credit one which the acct holder is unaware of--?!...or if the field gets zeroed out by mistake, let it be a "flag" of some kind, & follow up, accordingly. The kicker w/ my parents' program registration situation was that as soon as the rep changed the airline specification to NW, a WorldPerks # that I had previously provided (i.e. during the original phone call) appeared (for one of the accts)--it had been successfully entered during the original call, but ultimately an incorrect specification in the airline field was made (& the relational aspect of Northwest + FF#/WorldPerks# was replaced by US Airways + FF#/DividendMiles#). The other acct didn't even have the WorldPerks # I had previously provided (note to self: if I ever register another card w/ them, call them back & confirm the validity of all relevant entries [including the spelling of names, as they MUST match that of the FF acct as registered w/ the airline (for NW, @ least, though presumably for others, as well]).
The limit of what is possible re: registering credit cards w/ iDine dining programs comes down to the # of credit cards--a credit card can be associated w/ only one of their offerings, period. For example, you could have 3 cards registered w/ iDinePrime (& pay the requisite annual fee, & receive cashback for relevant dining purchases made w/ said cards), 3 other cards registered w/ Dining for Miles, 3 other cards registered w/ Dividend Miles Dining, 3 other cards w/ Delta's program, etc.
The bottom line is that you cannot receive multiple iDine-related benefits for the same credit card. That's it! Other than that, knock yourself out!
Regarding cactuspete's question re: what happens if/when you change the FF# associated w/ a registered card:
Given that a change to the relevant database record is dynamic (& would be reflected in the next sweep re: mileage credits to associated accts), my suspicion was that to ensure miles originally charged for credit w/ the "original" FF acct made it into said acct, one would have to wait for the next sweep (assuming all relevant dining instances are "in the system")(the regular acct sweeps take place monthly [though they can credit accts in between such times (i.e. sending corrections, missing mileage credits, etc.)]). I called a rep to inquire about such, & was informed that that is correct; in fact, iDine's recommendation = waiting 2 months, just to be sure. What I cannot help but think, however, is that in such a circumstance, one could possibly get them to send a transmission over outside of the monthly sweep. The missing mileage credit which I called about months ago was handled in a courteous, expeditious manner; the deposit showed up within a week, & I even received a phone call from a DiningForMiles rep informing me of when the info was to be sent over, & a direct contact # should I have any questions or problems regarding (I was pleased).
The answer to your original question ("...if I already am signed up with NW WP 'dining for miles' can I 'double dip' by entering another credit card with idine.com, thus receiving twice the miles?") is as MIKESILV & cordelli stated, though I wanted to say something regarding the statement "I would expect as they merge all their data files that will go away at some point in the future." (re: getting around the one visit per month rule by registering cards for different programs):
Thankfully, that won't be the case...
The data is already merged -- Dining for Miles was essentially a co-branded offering of Dining a la Card--until Dining a la Card merged w/ Transmedia, to form iDine Prime. iDine is an iDine Prime derivative offering which does not include an annual fee, & allows the choice of airline miles or "loyalty points" in place of cashback rewards.
The airline affiliated dining programs are just specific airline mile earning forms of the iDine program--same customer service center, same everything.
I learned some additional details from a mistake they made w/ my parents' accounts (resulting in their "Flying Free Faster" @ a much slower rate...
) -- I registered my parents' WorldPerks accts & a single credit card each w/ Dining for Miles, & they soon received welcome materials for the US Airways Dividend Miles program -- ?! -- complete w/ US Airways FF #s (& the #s were 'n' & 'n+1' [i.e. clearly seemed to be generated in succession (& automatically, presumably from a "block" of #s)]). My parents didn't have US Airways frequent flyer accts prior to such...Obvious conclusions = a field indicating airline is part of the iDine database (somewhat of a "duh"), & if the associated FF acct field is empty (when the record is saved, presumably), a FF# gets generated (perhaps?). I called to have the DividendMiles-instead-of-DiningForMiles mistake corrected, & seem to have confirmed my suspicions in the process (per info from the rep w/ whom I spoke) re: airline field & auto-generation of FF#. I think the automatic generation of FF #s is a ridiculous reality--if such a # wasn't provided, why credit one which the acct holder is unaware of--?!...or if the field gets zeroed out by mistake, let it be a "flag" of some kind, & follow up, accordingly. The kicker w/ my parents' program registration situation was that as soon as the rep changed the airline specification to NW, a WorldPerks # that I had previously provided (i.e. during the original phone call) appeared (for one of the accts)--it had been successfully entered during the original call, but ultimately an incorrect specification in the airline field was made (& the relational aspect of Northwest + FF#/WorldPerks# was replaced by US Airways + FF#/DividendMiles#). The other acct didn't even have the WorldPerks # I had previously provided (note to self: if I ever register another card w/ them, call them back & confirm the validity of all relevant entries [including the spelling of names, as they MUST match that of the FF acct as registered w/ the airline (for NW, @ least, though presumably for others, as well]).
The limit of what is possible re: registering credit cards w/ iDine dining programs comes down to the # of credit cards--a credit card can be associated w/ only one of their offerings, period. For example, you could have 3 cards registered w/ iDinePrime (& pay the requisite annual fee, & receive cashback for relevant dining purchases made w/ said cards), 3 other cards registered w/ Dining for Miles, 3 other cards registered w/ Dividend Miles Dining, 3 other cards w/ Delta's program, etc.
The bottom line is that you cannot receive multiple iDine-related benefits for the same credit card. That's it! Other than that, knock yourself out!
Regarding cactuspete's question re: what happens if/when you change the FF# associated w/ a registered card:
Given that a change to the relevant database record is dynamic (& would be reflected in the next sweep re: mileage credits to associated accts), my suspicion was that to ensure miles originally charged for credit w/ the "original" FF acct made it into said acct, one would have to wait for the next sweep (assuming all relevant dining instances are "in the system")(the regular acct sweeps take place monthly [though they can credit accts in between such times (i.e. sending corrections, missing mileage credits, etc.)]). I called a rep to inquire about such, & was informed that that is correct; in fact, iDine's recommendation = waiting 2 months, just to be sure. What I cannot help but think, however, is that in such a circumstance, one could possibly get them to send a transmission over outside of the monthly sweep. The missing mileage credit which I called about months ago was handled in a courteous, expeditious manner; the deposit showed up within a week, & I even received a phone call from a DiningForMiles rep informing me of when the info was to be sent over, & a direct contact # should I have any questions or problems regarding (I was pleased).
Apr 18, 2001 | 11:18 am
#10
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: Boston, MA
Posts: 321
Originally posted by MIKESILV:
The answer is yes and no. What I do which is what I would recommend, is to sign up different cards for different programs.
I get NWA miles with my personal AMEX,
DELTA miles with my Small Business AMEX, UNITIED miles with my Visa and USAirways miles with my Optima. This allows me to visit the same restaurant 4 times a month I just use a different card each time. It is perfect if you have say a favourite bar or place you may visit a lot.
But you will NOT get say 2 credits for one visit to a restaurant by signing up the same card in two different programs.
Mike
The answer is yes and no. What I do which is what I would recommend, is to sign up different cards for different programs.
I get NWA miles with my personal AMEX,
DELTA miles with my Small Business AMEX, UNITIED miles with my Visa and USAirways miles with my Optima. This allows me to visit the same restaurant 4 times a month I just use a different card each time. It is perfect if you have say a favourite bar or place you may visit a lot.
But you will NOT get say 2 credits for one visit to a restaurant by signing up the same card in two different programs.
Mike
[This message has been edited by BajanYankee (edited 04-18-2001).]
Apr 18, 2001 | 1:24 pm
#11
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: Bay Area
Posts: 367
Actually, you can double-dip or triple-dip in some cases. Things are quite straighforward when you go through Idine (including all Mileage dining programs). As described above they have one database of vendors, so on every single visit to any place you can get one 20% off or 10 miles per $.
However, there are two more dining discount programs, and some restaraunts participate in more than one of these!
The first is http://www.gusto.com
This one gives you the card, you flash it at checkout and they give you instant 20% off.
You still pay the balance with you credit card, so Idine will kick in on this stage.
But, if you pay with Amex you might get discount through their dining/shopping program too.
It is not that frequent, and you get miles only once, but I can confirm that I've got this triple combo in one case.
[This message has been edited by neophyte (edited 04-18-2001).]
However, there are two more dining discount programs, and some restaraunts participate in more than one of these!
The first is http://www.gusto.com
This one gives you the card, you flash it at checkout and they give you instant 20% off.
You still pay the balance with you credit card, so Idine will kick in on this stage.
But, if you pay with Amex you might get discount through their dining/shopping program too.
It is not that frequent, and you get miles only once, but I can confirm that I've got this triple combo in one case.
[This message has been edited by neophyte (edited 04-18-2001).]
Apr 18, 2001 | 3:32 pm
#12
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Sunnyvale, CA
Posts: 782
You must select and activate the AMEX shopping/dining sites first at:
http://home3.americanexpress.com/spe...zone=de_dining
Typically, get 20% credited back on your statement. I've notice one restaurant locally that appears in both the Iding and Amex programs, but I haven't been there yet.
http://home3.americanexpress.com/spe...zone=de_dining
Typically, get 20% credited back on your statement. I've notice one restaurant locally that appears in both the Iding and Amex programs, but I haven't been there yet.
Apr 18, 2001 | 6:17 pm
#14
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: Ashburn, VA (IAD/DCA/BWI)
Posts: 2,757
Originally posted by ed:
Are there any iDine or AAdvantage Dining restaurants at O'Hare? I'm not familiar with the area so I can't tell by the addresses.
Thanks.
Are there any iDine or AAdvantage Dining restaurants at O'Hare? I'm not familiar with the area so I can't tell by the addresses.
Thanks.
For the listing of dining programs except gusto.com, check out http://www.valueconsumer.com/dining/default.ht
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