Restaurants can change Dining for Miles requirements
 

Don't ignore those updated Dining for Miles books in the mail.

If you regularly dine at particular restaurants, check to see their requirements remain the same.

After I didn't get miles from a restaurant I eat at regularly, I found out it changed from awarding miles "anytime" to Sunday-Thursday.

One way to combat the Sunday-Thursday problem: Buy gift certificates during the week and then use them on the weekend.

I second the recommendation. Also if you give them a call, the program will likely make a one time exception for you for upto a few months after a change.

Also check iDine's website listings before you go. They even say in the quarterly book they send you that things can change between publications, so do a web check, especially if you're going to be spending a lot and expecting a large mileage bonus.

THIS IS REPLY IS PART TO THE I-DINE QUESTION POSTED ABOVE, SAYS THREAD CLOSED WHILE I WAS COMPOSING THE RESPONSE.

Yes this is a new and very irritating aspect of the program. I attempted to use these reservations twice fairly recently and swore off them ( at least the places so listed)
Here goes:
Restaurant 1: Went to the website and clicked the link for the time desired, site locked up but I was able to print the color tab indicating the time. Ate at the restaurant, miles did not post. Called idine they said to fax the confirmation and my reciept "and they would refer it the commitee to see if they can give me credit but I should not expect miles unless I got a confirmation on the website.."
Faxed twice no miles posted, gave up on that one.
Restaurant 2: saw a dim-sum place in Chicago listed near the Drake were we were staying.
No response using online link, phoned i-dine and was told " no more available slots at that restaurant today .."
Gave them a piece of my mind regarding the crappy system/options which seems to be appearing more and more with their new listings.
I believe the time is linked to the time of the "confirmed " reservation you must have.

So in short there appears to be limited slots per hour for some places and if not available and/or you do not get some sort of confirmation you get no miles.
The other really irritating thing about this is that most of these places are only available at non-peak times and on weekdays
Mike

[This message has been edited by MIKESILV (edited 08-26-2002).]

Well I just got off the phone with a very snotty CSR at I-dine who says they are NOT going to give retro-credits anymore if a restaurant leaves a program yesterday and you visit today - no credit.

In tha past you could get credit if the restaurant (leave the program but) is listed in the current book.

" You need to call us everytime you dine out to confirm that conditions havent changed .." he said.

I am not sure he knows what he is talking about and I was a little taken aback since every time I have spoken to i-dine I have found the personnel very courteous and helpful.
Asked for a supervisior and was told one would call me back in 48 hours.
Sure hope this is not a further sign of a deterioration of the quality of the program.
Mike

How about when a restaurant decreases the number of Miles per dollar. Here in Tucson, several have reduced the 10/$ to 7/$ or even 5/$. Fortunately most of those are the "Places to be Seen" rather than quality restaurants. But it bugs me. I might try one or two of the more expensive places but not if they are going to reduce the award.

Wow, I've been part of the program since it first started and even participate regularly, but I've never gotten a book in the mail. Is it something extra I need to sign up for and request?

I've gotten it since I've signed-up. They claim you should get a book as long as you've had account activity within the last five months. Do they have your correct address?

Yeah, they have my correct address. Oh well.

Is the book anything special? Does it provide any additional offers not listed on the web site? I'm assuming the web site is more up-to-date so I'm not going to worry about the book. I don't need something extra to clutter up my room. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Nothing in the book thats not on the websites
but not all airlines in the program have websites. The book comes out every quarter and is the size of the old printed airline skeds ( remember those?) so its quite handy when travelling.
Recently in Chicago while staying at the Hilton Towers I wanted somewhere to just get a drink and maybe a burger( not in the hotel) checked the book and found a place the next block over, got my miles.
Mike

Recently, I have noticed rapid turnover of the restaurants I frequent in the SMF & SFO areas. A couple times recently I have gone to a regular destination (such as Andale in SFO), only to find it dropped out.

Likewise, the Una Mas restaurants in SMF have been in the program forever, but are not in the most recent book. OTOH, I got credit for a visit to Una Mas this week! A rare case of a mistake in my favor?

Starting in the May to July 2002 aa.idine book, Una Mas and other fast food places, were in a separate section, titled "Restaurants on the Run Listings". This continued in the AA August to October book as well.

Also note, that Unas Mas is not alphabetically listed in that section, but is near the top, mixed in with Pollo Rey,...possible same owners?

Sometimes restaurants are put in the wrong location and might look like they are no longer in, but actually are still in the program. Doing a search in this case is helpful because it will show up. Needed to grab a bite to eat before leaving the Seattle-Do a few weeks ago. Roxy,- came home to find they were new to the program. Nice bonus and fitting for a flyertalk rendez-vous.

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Ms.DtG

Perhaps you registered as iDine program (through www.idine.com) didn't you? You'd be
able to have it through airline dine programs.

In my case, as a member of iDine, I've never received a book. One day I reregister to AA dine (www.aa.idine.com) using different card and account name to get 'creating profile' bonus, which was only offered to AA. Then they sent the book and 250 bonus mile http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif The book is useful for short trip etc.

I'm an IDine member as well as an airline member and get books for all of them. While you're right that checking the web is useful (and some restaurants you have to visit the web for credit) I find the book(s) most useful when I'm on the road. Also I try (am not always succesful) to check before I head out of town - if I'm going to be somplace for a few days - which restaurants have ZAGAT listings and select those with good ratings. I then make notations in the book so I remember which are worth visiting as circumstances or culinary desires change.

You may want to call customer service if you want the book and aren't receiving it.