idine and restaurant gift certificate purchase
Dec 14, 2002 | 11:39 pm
#31
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<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by andrzej:
I don't see what the problem would be with that? What would you do if the bill was exactly $50? I round off all my restaurant bills to a nice round number with the tip.
[This message has been edited by andrzej (edited 12-11-2002).]</font>
I don't see what the problem would be with that? What would you do if the bill was exactly $50? I round off all my restaurant bills to a nice round number with the tip.
[This message has been edited by andrzej (edited 12-11-2002).]</font>
MeWantMoreMiles
Dec 14, 2002 | 11:42 pm
#32
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<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by pinniped:
Just make sure you buy the certificates on a day that awards points at that restaurant.
(This is my one beef about iDine: the ridiculous and ever-changing rules about when you can eat at a restaurant and get miles.)
For example, if you want to get a bunch of certs at a restaurant that doesn't award miles on the third Tuesday of every 31-day month unless there's a full moon and the date is a prime number, don't buy your certificates on that day!
And check the website IMMEDIATELY prior to buying the certificates, because it may have changed!!</font>
Just make sure you buy the certificates on a day that awards points at that restaurant.
(This is my one beef about iDine: the ridiculous and ever-changing rules about when you can eat at a restaurant and get miles.)
For example, if you want to get a bunch of certs at a restaurant that doesn't award miles on the third Tuesday of every 31-day month unless there's a full moon and the date is a prime number, don't buy your certificates on that day!
And check the website IMMEDIATELY prior to buying the certificates, because it may have changed!!</font>
MeWantMoreMiles
Dec 14, 2002 | 11:46 pm
#33
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<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by andrzej:
Marathon Man,
I'm sorry, but what the hell are you guys talking about? Without knowing the figures, my best educated guess is that most people round off the bill when tipping, at least that's what I experienced in my younger days as a bartender. The last thing that Idine would care about is whether you purchased a cert or actually ate at the restaurant. After all, the cert HAS to be used at the restaurant, and if for some reason it's not, I BOLDLY predict that the restaurant would not file any complaints.
[This message has been edited by andrzej (edited 12-12-2002).]</font>
Marathon Man,
I'm sorry, but what the hell are you guys talking about? Without knowing the figures, my best educated guess is that most people round off the bill when tipping, at least that's what I experienced in my younger days as a bartender. The last thing that Idine would care about is whether you purchased a cert or actually ate at the restaurant. After all, the cert HAS to be used at the restaurant, and if for some reason it's not, I BOLDLY predict that the restaurant would not file any complaints.
[This message has been edited by andrzej (edited 12-12-2002).]</font>
Dec 14, 2002 | 11:53 pm
#34
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<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Marathon Man:
I know the debate was not about extra change ontop of large tips but I guess I wanted to stress that in case my (or others') theory is at all true, then certainly, tipping something extra is also nice to do. So if hiding the costs WAS necessary here, why not pass this off to the bar keep's pocket?
If the bill was $25 and I left say, 5bucks and then even a few cents more, then that is great for them at the bahhh (to sound like Cliff Clavin, also from Boston) and me, the mile-earner. The total idine purchase is $30+change which may, if someone were wondering, "look better."
Anyway, you may be right: The idine management may never have a way to KNOW about certs vs non certs. Let's also hope not. BUT they told me "NO." They must want to TRY to say no to people so the masses do not somehow abuse the program.
How is the buying of certs abuse? I do not yet know, nor would I care to know at this point, because like most people, I actually eat. I chose where I eat but often times it DOES have to do with idining. In fact I think I am hungry right now and it's just past lunch time...
+++
This part below is just theory talk so please entertain a thought as to WHY someone may worry about this stuff:
Maybe idine only wants to try to promote the use of the restaurants for eating and not just some guy coming in to each one of them to buy tons of certs for some other alternative gain. Such a person may never really care to experience the place or its atmosphere, etc. That also brings in more customers, which both the place and idine wish to see.
Again, I do not yet know how such a person would then benefit from the certs bought other than just getting miles, because they still have a huge $ value that can be later used. (say, $600 worth of $10 or $25 certs bought at 5 idine places in a few months time to get tons of miles).
Maybe people like this do something with them or even try to send them back to the corporate head quarters of some rest/bar chain to try to get back money? THAT might actually work, but who knows! (I have suggested similar schemes in here before but did not try any of these). I am not doing that with idine, nor are any of this thread's posters, I imagine.
+++
Idine says "no," but there is no way for them to really know.
Similarly, BofA MAY say "NO" to the you-know-whats, but that too is still a legit. 'purchase' and so no one really knows or cares what you bought using their money making marketing scheme...
As i said, I am hungry now.
</font>
I know the debate was not about extra change ontop of large tips but I guess I wanted to stress that in case my (or others') theory is at all true, then certainly, tipping something extra is also nice to do. So if hiding the costs WAS necessary here, why not pass this off to the bar keep's pocket?
If the bill was $25 and I left say, 5bucks and then even a few cents more, then that is great for them at the bahhh (to sound like Cliff Clavin, also from Boston) and me, the mile-earner. The total idine purchase is $30+change which may, if someone were wondering, "look better."
Anyway, you may be right: The idine management may never have a way to KNOW about certs vs non certs. Let's also hope not. BUT they told me "NO." They must want to TRY to say no to people so the masses do not somehow abuse the program.
How is the buying of certs abuse? I do not yet know, nor would I care to know at this point, because like most people, I actually eat. I chose where I eat but often times it DOES have to do with idining. In fact I think I am hungry right now and it's just past lunch time...
+++
This part below is just theory talk so please entertain a thought as to WHY someone may worry about this stuff:
Maybe idine only wants to try to promote the use of the restaurants for eating and not just some guy coming in to each one of them to buy tons of certs for some other alternative gain. Such a person may never really care to experience the place or its atmosphere, etc. That also brings in more customers, which both the place and idine wish to see.
Again, I do not yet know how such a person would then benefit from the certs bought other than just getting miles, because they still have a huge $ value that can be later used. (say, $600 worth of $10 or $25 certs bought at 5 idine places in a few months time to get tons of miles).
Maybe people like this do something with them or even try to send them back to the corporate head quarters of some rest/bar chain to try to get back money? THAT might actually work, but who knows! (I have suggested similar schemes in here before but did not try any of these). I am not doing that with idine, nor are any of this thread's posters, I imagine.
+++
Idine says "no," but there is no way for them to really know.
Similarly, BofA MAY say "NO" to the you-know-whats, but that too is still a legit. 'purchase' and so no one really knows or cares what you bought using their money making marketing scheme...
As i said, I am hungry now.
</font>
Dec 14, 2002 | 11:57 pm
#35
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<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Marathon Man:
Why help me with the CCrit then?
Are you my copy editor or something? Do I get paid (or get miles) for this?
Why should it matter how long something is if it has helpful info in it? AND IT DID!
Honestly. Do we have a server space problem?
Many threads or messages involving promos ARE long by nature. Some have hundreds of tiny posts with NOT ENOUGH info in them each. Many ideas or theories do get big. I am not the only one and yet...
Anyway, I will NOT defend my nature because it harms NONE (until you try to get me upset for no reason but possibly for some online momentary glory).
Why cant you just be normal or nice about this stuff?
If what I say IS too much for you to fathom, do not read it. It is there to help others. I highlight and praise others. Do you?
And, if you (or anyone) have a prob with me or anyone, email me off line. I do NOT have probs with people but apparently, I am in a minority!
I will not get into a pissing match about this stuff but sure dont appreciate this! Moderator may chime in here but hopefully to either stop this extra-razzing from going on in the first place (which changed my happy smile into a sad one) or scold YOU for using the lord's name in vain, etc... perhpas.
Where's YOUR email address on here anyway?
I stand by MY post.
Sincere thank you's.
(you could also just say NOTHING, you know--unless you have something NICE to say, right?!)
I am sorry for the actions of people like CP who got me like this. I will try to go forward without being pissed off now.
you can appologize and we will be DONE with it and in return I will try to make you happy. Your call/
BACK TO MILES TALK!!!!!!!!! That is what it is about!-not picking on someone or taking sides. </font>
Why help me with the CCrit then?
Are you my copy editor or something? Do I get paid (or get miles) for this?
Why should it matter how long something is if it has helpful info in it? AND IT DID!
Honestly. Do we have a server space problem?
Many threads or messages involving promos ARE long by nature. Some have hundreds of tiny posts with NOT ENOUGH info in them each. Many ideas or theories do get big. I am not the only one and yet...
Anyway, I will NOT defend my nature because it harms NONE (until you try to get me upset for no reason but possibly for some online momentary glory).
Why cant you just be normal or nice about this stuff?
If what I say IS too much for you to fathom, do not read it. It is there to help others. I highlight and praise others. Do you?
And, if you (or anyone) have a prob with me or anyone, email me off line. I do NOT have probs with people but apparently, I am in a minority!
I will not get into a pissing match about this stuff but sure dont appreciate this! Moderator may chime in here but hopefully to either stop this extra-razzing from going on in the first place (which changed my happy smile into a sad one) or scold YOU for using the lord's name in vain, etc... perhpas.
Where's YOUR email address on here anyway?
I stand by MY post.
Sincere thank you's.
(you could also just say NOTHING, you know--unless you have something NICE to say, right?!)
I am sorry for the actions of people like CP who got me like this. I will try to go forward without being pissed off now.
you can appologize and we will be DONE with it and in return I will try to make you happy. Your call/
BACK TO MILES TALK!!!!!!!!! That is what it is about!-not picking on someone or taking sides. </font>
I don't mean it to be rude, but the fact is you do ramble on at times.
Honestly, I kinda got a kick out of what cactus said.
Dec 15, 2002 | 12:00 am
#36
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<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by pinniped:
Perhaps MM should reincarnate himself as Half-Marathon Man or 10K Man, thus yielding much shorter posts.
(Just kidding MM: I don't have any problem with your posts. There are lots of wordy people here...)
The simple reason that iDine states that gift certs don't earn miles is because they are a quick way to circumvent the restricted-days rules in place at certain restaurants. You want to have a nice dinner on Saturday night at an iDine place that only awards points on Mondays? No problem: buy a $100 cert on Monday, use it on Saturday, earn 1000 miles!
As for doing other things besides eating at the restaurant with the certs, that's not a concern for iDine or the restaurant because they've already been paid. Donate the certs to a charity auction, give 'em away as a gift, sell 'em on eBay (where the same guy who pays $50 for 1000 AA miles might buy your $20 cert for $80), or whatever. It's not relevant. Having said that, I imagine that 90% of the cert-buying is to eat at the restaurant a few days later on a day that otherwise wouldn't earn miles. That would explain why iDine isn't keen on the idea.</font>
Perhaps MM should reincarnate himself as Half-Marathon Man or 10K Man, thus yielding much shorter posts.
(Just kidding MM: I don't have any problem with your posts. There are lots of wordy people here...)The simple reason that iDine states that gift certs don't earn miles is because they are a quick way to circumvent the restricted-days rules in place at certain restaurants. You want to have a nice dinner on Saturday night at an iDine place that only awards points on Mondays? No problem: buy a $100 cert on Monday, use it on Saturday, earn 1000 miles!
As for doing other things besides eating at the restaurant with the certs, that's not a concern for iDine or the restaurant because they've already been paid. Donate the certs to a charity auction, give 'em away as a gift, sell 'em on eBay (where the same guy who pays $50 for 1000 AA miles might buy your $20 cert for $80), or whatever. It's not relevant. Having said that, I imagine that 90% of the cert-buying is to eat at the restaurant a few days later on a day that otherwise wouldn't earn miles. That would explain why iDine isn't keen on the idea.</font>
I do not see it "written" anywhere that you cannot buy certs when using the idine program. They can "say" anything they want on the phone, but until I see it written by them I will continue to do it.
Dec 16, 2002 | 12:26 pm
#37
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: WI
Posts: 66
If you are hosting a large dinner/party at an Idine restaurant and expect the tab to be more than $600, go to the restaurant the month before and buy gift certificates for the amount of the excess. That way you get miles for the GCs the month before and for the $600 charges for the dinner/party. Gets around the 6000 mile maximum.
Dec 16, 2002 | 1:53 pm
#38
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LisaA said she was liking the thread because of its tips on idining but did not appreciate the mean digs (thanks LisaA).
Even though I made a point to make peace with him by indicating that I agree with an earlier post in here, MeWantMoreMiles says to me that I just ramble on and that he/it loves what CactusPete said to me. What a buzz-kill, huh?
So, now when I see that name:
"Mewantmoremiles..."
I start t think, "Hmmm, that sounds a bit like a grammatically incorrect run-on in itself, dont you think?"
yes it does. No bother responding to this class act anymore!
Good dig, mate, but I think your attempt to get a laugh here is just a stab at temporary recognition on the FT because you cant go big-time. Careful: I may have to call the New York Times or something and get them to run a story on how some people are so into this miles game that they are down right jerks about it to their fellow award earner.
This weekend I idined with clients (that I can get reimbursed for) for $300 in one place and $250 in another. The 5,500 miles will go onto--you guessed it:
Alaska Airlines (so you dont need BofA debit cards all the time to get miles on that airline).
In the end, I find idine to be one of the better programs out there for earnings of any size on any major.
MM
------------------
If speed is not your thing, distance may as well be. Enjoy and embrace it all!
Even though I made a point to make peace with him by indicating that I agree with an earlier post in here, MeWantMoreMiles says to me that I just ramble on and that he/it loves what CactusPete said to me. What a buzz-kill, huh?
So, now when I see that name:
"Mewantmoremiles..."
I start t think, "Hmmm, that sounds a bit like a grammatically incorrect run-on in itself, dont you think?"
yes it does. No bother responding to this class act anymore!
Good dig, mate, but I think your attempt to get a laugh here is just a stab at temporary recognition on the FT because you cant go big-time. Careful: I may have to call the New York Times or something and get them to run a story on how some people are so into this miles game that they are down right jerks about it to their fellow award earner.
This weekend I idined with clients (that I can get reimbursed for) for $300 in one place and $250 in another. The 5,500 miles will go onto--you guessed it:
Alaska Airlines (so you dont need BofA debit cards all the time to get miles on that airline).
In the end, I find idine to be one of the better programs out there for earnings of any size on any major.
MM------------------
If speed is not your thing, distance may as well be. Enjoy and embrace it all!
Dec 16, 2002 | 2:58 pm
#39
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<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by MeWantMoreMiles:
As I have said many times....
I do not see it "written" anywhere that you cannot buy certs when using the idine program. They can "say" anything they want on the phone, but until I see it written by them I will continue to do it.
</font>
As I have said many times....
I do not see it "written" anywhere that you cannot buy certs when using the idine program. They can "say" anything they want on the phone, but until I see it written by them I will continue to do it.
</font>
I'm just pointing out why they would take a "don't buy certs" position when asked. It is well established that you CAN buy certs and that nobody will know the difference.
Dec 16, 2002 | 3:45 pm
#40
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with UAL, at least, you can redeem 10,000 MP miles for a $50 dining cert or 15,000 MP miles for a $100 dining cert.
Now that's a deal!
ha.
Want a 'churn' I'll never do? Use the MP Visa to BUY thousands of certs and get miles, and then use the miles to get these above meals.
Now you've got tons of certs too, and a free meal generated out of that.
:MM
Now that's a deal!
ha.
Want a 'churn' I'll never do? Use the MP Visa to BUY thousands of certs and get miles, and then use the miles to get these above meals.
Now you've got tons of certs too, and a free meal generated out of that.
:MM
Dec 16, 2002 | 3:51 pm
#41
Join Date: Oct 2002
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<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by hackman:
If you are hosting a large dinner/party at an Idine restaurant and expect the tab to be more than $600, go to the restaurant the month before and buy gift certificates for the amount of the excess. That way you get miles for the GCs the month before and for the $600 charges for the dinner/party. Gets around the 6000 mile maximum.</font>
If you are hosting a large dinner/party at an Idine restaurant and expect the tab to be more than $600, go to the restaurant the month before and buy gift certificates for the amount of the excess. That way you get miles for the GCs the month before and for the $600 charges for the dinner/party. Gets around the 6000 mile maximum.</font>
MeWantMoreMiles
Dec 16, 2002 | 3:56 pm
#42
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: OMA
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<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Marathon Man:
LisaA said she was liking the thread because of its tips on idining but did not appreciate the mean digs (thanks LisaA).
Even though I made a point to make peace with him by indicating that I agree with an earlier post in here, MeWantMoreMiles says to me that I just ramble on and that he/it loves what CactusPete said to me. What a buzz-kill, huh?
So, now when I see that name:
"Mewantmoremiles..."
I start t think, "Hmmm, that sounds a bit like a grammatically incorrect run-on in itself, dont you think?"
yes it does. No bother responding to this class act anymore!
Good dig, mate, but I think your attempt to get a laugh here is just a stab at temporary recognition on the FT because you cant go big-time. Careful: I may have to call the New York Times or something and get them to run a story on how some people are so into this miles game that they are down right jerks about it to their fellow award earner.
<IMG SRC="http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/thumbsdown.gif">
This weekend I idined with clients (that I can get reimbursed for) for $300 in one place and $250 in another. The 5,500 miles will go onto--you guessed it:
Alaska Airlines (so you dont need BofA debit cards all the time to get miles on that airline).
In the end, I find idine to be one of the better programs out there for earnings of any size on any major.
MM
</font>
LisaA said she was liking the thread because of its tips on idining but did not appreciate the mean digs (thanks LisaA).
Even though I made a point to make peace with him by indicating that I agree with an earlier post in here, MeWantMoreMiles says to me that I just ramble on and that he/it loves what CactusPete said to me. What a buzz-kill, huh?
So, now when I see that name:
"Mewantmoremiles..."
I start t think, "Hmmm, that sounds a bit like a grammatically incorrect run-on in itself, dont you think?"
yes it does. No bother responding to this class act anymore!
Good dig, mate, but I think your attempt to get a laugh here is just a stab at temporary recognition on the FT because you cant go big-time. Careful: I may have to call the New York Times or something and get them to run a story on how some people are so into this miles game that they are down right jerks about it to their fellow award earner.
<IMG SRC="http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/thumbsdown.gif">
This weekend I idined with clients (that I can get reimbursed for) for $300 in one place and $250 in another. The 5,500 miles will go onto--you guessed it:
Alaska Airlines (so you dont need BofA debit cards all the time to get miles on that airline).
In the end, I find idine to be one of the better programs out there for earnings of any size on any major.
MM</font>
When I said I kinda liked what Cactus said it was in jest. GEESH
I still think you ramble on at times.
MeWantMoreMiles
Dec 16, 2002 | 4:30 pm
#43
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fine then mewantmoremiles (who I still think is a grammatical rambling run-on in itself) I will take it as just a jest and go on from there. Good.
OK. We're done with that stuff now.
But, regarding my health no worry: I will not have heart failure over this stuff... rather, running too much without eating will probably do me in; or idining at some of the places on the list that are not so healthy after all.
Have you or anyone noticed that some of the places on there NEED to be sponsored by SOMEONE because they aint that good?
I sure have.
thoughts?
MM
OK. We're done with that stuff now.
But, regarding my health no worry: I will not have heart failure over this stuff... rather, running too much without eating will probably do me in; or idining at some of the places on the list that are not so healthy after all.
Have you or anyone noticed that some of the places on there NEED to be sponsored by SOMEONE because they aint that good?
I sure have.
thoughts?
MM
Dec 17, 2002 | 7:39 am
#44
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<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Marathon Man:
fine then mewantmoremiles (who I still think is a grammatical rambling run-on in itself) I will take it as just a jest and go on from there. Good.
OK. We're done with that stuff now.
But, regarding my health no worry: I will not have heart failure over this stuff... rather, running too much without eating will probably do me in; or idining at some of the places on the list that are not so healthy after all.
Have you or anyone noticed that some of the places on there NEED to be sponsored by SOMEONE because they aint that good?
I sure have.
thoughts?
MM</font>
fine then mewantmoremiles (who I still think is a grammatical rambling run-on in itself) I will take it as just a jest and go on from there. Good.
OK. We're done with that stuff now.
But, regarding my health no worry: I will not have heart failure over this stuff... rather, running too much without eating will probably do me in; or idining at some of the places on the list that are not so healthy after all.
Have you or anyone noticed that some of the places on there NEED to be sponsored by SOMEONE because they aint that good?
I sure have.
thoughts?
MM</font>
I have not had any problems with any of the places I have eaten under the idine choices, in my town or any other. I have hit all of the places in my area each month since joining and many in the cities I travel to for pleasure as well as business. None of my clients have had a problem with my choices, to my surprise some of them even selected a place that just happened to be an idine participant.
Moving along.....
MeWantMoreMiles
Dec 17, 2002 | 8:04 am
#45
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MeWantMoreMiles -- sounds like a relative of the Sesame Street cookie monster who always says "Me want more cookies!"
I see no problem at all!
I see no problem at all!