If you have an AMEX card (starpoints for example), secondary cards have a different account number, so each card can be attached to a different program. The program doesn't even have to match the name on the card. So a spouse's card could be a different airline in your name, or a kid's name. This is true for Diner's club as well - additional cards have a different number. I have begun to write in my appointment book, the restaurant and which card I used, because I have a lot of cards and it is sometimes hard to remember if in a particular month I ate in a restaurant and which card I used, so I have begun to write it down in my appt book for quick reference. I also printed a list of family member's name, card and which FF program and family member will earn miles from that meal. I have a DC, AMEX and Visa (AA) which go to my AA acount since that is primary for me.

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DtG

Actually it was when I was signing up for United's they informed me that I already had the card registered in other Idine programs and could not use it again unless I combined the account. Not a huge deal, the cash back to me is worthless, it's spent without thinking about it, so I moved them all to United with the no annual fee, and the miles have to accumulate to be used.

Hoangb, thanks for the info. You are probably right, but it's interesting you can sign up for their other FF dining programs on their site, but not Dividend Miles.

thanks

If find it easier to remember which credit card is associated with which airline by writing the airline two letter designator on the edge of the signature line. This way with my wife carrying 3 cards and me carrying 4 cards we have all the major ff accounts covered.

You realise, I presume, that you have just stated something that everyone knew already (that you can't use the one card in multiple programmes) and also have no in any way answered my question?

I'm sorry for trying to help. I won't waste your time with any further replies. I was simply pointing out that you can not register separatly for the idine and the United program incase that was what you were implying, as your question was not clear. Forgive the assistance, and I totally appreciate your wit and sarcasm.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by cordelli:
[B]
so I moved them all to United with the no annual fee,

What, what, what? What United card has no annual fee?

The Idine program, if you are going for a cash refund for all your meals has a $49 annual fee (shich they are currently waiving for a year). If however you go for points or miles, there is no annual fee. The no annual fee was referring to the Idine programs, not a United card. Though that would be a very nice thing...


[This message has been edited by cordelli (edited 08-22-2001).]

This is not true. You sign up for UA's one at www.united.com/dining and one of the others at www.idine.com.

What is this need to do everything on-line. With one phone call to i-Dine (one) you can sign up any credit card with any of the dining programs. It is really very easy and takes less time than trying to sign up at a web-site. Also, they now accept Diner's Club even though they do not list the card as an accepted card. Also, sometimes they will allow 4 even though they officially say they will only allow three. Now I have spread them out. Only for myself do I have 3 cards with AA - my DC, my starpoints AMEX and my citibank VISA. All other programs have 1 card attached. This way we will get miles on multiple trips to the same restaurant within a month.

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DtG

I'd agree that signing up on the phone is easy. However, the useful thing about doing it all online isn't the signing up part, it's the tracking part. Idine, like all other programmes, misses things at times.

If you can't check your activity online, then you have to wait for several months to see if the credit hits your frequent flyer account or not. I don't usually keep credit card receipts after the credit card bill comes in that contains those transactions, so I would have to keep a special file of receipts to keep for Idine.

By signing up online, it's possible to check transactions, which post to Idine's own system within 10 days of dining. Saves a whole heap of extra work.

One wrinkle in this whole thing regarding posting and why you MUST keep your reciepts until they post with the airlines.
1) Early last year I visited a restuarant and after a few months miles did not post
called Idine/Dining miles they said credit has been sent to NWA so should post soon.
One month later - no post, called Dining for miles, the called me back said that they had definately sent the miles on to NWA.
Two more calls, then they asked me to fax them the credit card receipt - still no post.
One more call, spoke to supervisior then miles posted a week later, would not have bothered much but was 2500 miles.
2) 3 months ago ate at another restuarant - no post called and they said to fax receipt still no miles. Called once more and they said place no longer participating - no miles
Asked to speak to a supervisor and made the point them that when I visited the place was listed in booklet, was then asked to fax receipts again and miles posted shortly after.
In short even though I-dine/dining for miles might show you as due miles until they post
with the airline its not a done deal.
Mike

[This message has been edited by MIKESILV (edited 08-24-2001).]

Personally I prefer the IDine Prime program (IDine has two one called IDine prime and one Idine (FF miles accumulation)

You get 20% off each time you dine at a participating restauraunt. Vox Populi in Boston is really the best! I highly reccommend it. Basically it ends of paying for the tip in the end, when you dine with 2 people with drinks, appetizers, main courses, and dessert.

They will also accept a copy of your CC statement if you don't have the receipt.

I was only referring to the original sign-up being easier to do with 1 phone call - especially if you wish to sign up different credit cards for different airline programs and perhaps different people. Once you do that you can go to the respective web-sites to do your tracking. I haven't done it yet, but I plan to and I think that is a great addition.

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DtG