dgordon:

Thank you for the warning re: more problematic mileage postings since the merger. BTW, do you happen to know when the merger took place? I haven't charged a qualifying meal since November 2000, & haven't recvd a hard copy update that reflects the Diamond restaurant mileage earning enhancement. Had I not read this thread, & subsequently learned of iDine, I wouldn't know there had been a change to the program.


Family flyer & pshuang:

Thank you for the confirmation re: gift certificates. I'll likely be taking advantage of such in the future.


Question involving another twist to the gift certicate aspect: has anyone purchased a BeMyGuest dining-specific AmEx gift card (functions like a prepaid gift card--but looks & "functions" like a credit card, & has an expiration date) & registered it w/ an airline mileage-earning dining program--& earned miles? Can anyone confirm the 10-miles-per-$ viability of using a BeMyGuest card (including use for the purchase of a gift certificate)?

Thanks...

OK, this has probably come up before, but I haven't been able to find any threads dealing with this issue specifically...

My favorite restaurant in town awards 10 miles per $1 for only the FIRST visit of the month. So, since I have three credit cards, if I register as follows:

MC - Continental
VISA - United
AmEx - US Airways

... will I get 10 miles/$1 in each of these mileage programs the first time I use each of my cards each month? Or since they all go through iDine, is the program smart enough to say, "Hey! You already visited this restaurant this month but used a different card. No miles for you!"

- Hungry for Miles <grin>

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"What do you mean you didn't get miles for that?!"

You'll receive credit for each of the mileage programs the first time you dine at the same rest. within the same month. So each program, regarless that Idine operates them, are different from each other.

Yes, just use a different registered credit card on each visit and you will get the miles.

I think Idine is an effortless and generous way to accumulate miles. You even get miles on the tax and tip.

The DL/UA dining program (and any other ones that belong to the same company) have changed their rules. I am not sure of the exact changes, but I do know for sure that there is no longer a 1 time per month visit max. Perhaps it is just now $600 per month.

I know this for a fact with the DL program as I use the same card at several places each month. I keep getting the credits for all usage (I have never exceeded $600 in a month.) I called the dining mileage company and they told me the rules changed and there is no longer a one time per month limit.

Hope this helps.

JRF - Actually, doesn't it depend on the restaurant? Some restaurants specifically indicate in their iDine profile that only the first monthly visit will count towards any miles. Others (most?) make no such specification, allowing each visit to accumlate airline miles in the program.

In any case, thanks for the responses. I can now enjoy my meals, and more of them.

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"What do you mean you didn't get miles for that?!"

Actually, from what the person on the phone told me (I actually spoke to someone who knew the difference between a toaster and a telephone - something very nice for a call center) that the softare the company is using no longer looks at how many times per month you visit the eating establishment. Just that you do not exceed your monthly maximum per place.

Going back and looking at my room mates statement and the idine website, several places he ate at say one time per month, but he has mutliple credits in the same months.

So, FYI - test it out and find out for yourself, but what I have said should prove to be correct.

Glad to be of help!