iDine and Catering?
Jul 28, 2003 | 4:58 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: PDX
Programs: HHonors Gold since '02, Hertz President's Circle since '07
Posts: 3,228
iDine and Catering?
I'm curious about iDine miles earning opportunites for large catered events. I did an FT search and found nothing posted.
On the iDine website it says:
I called Member Services, and the person I talked to said that some restaraunts specifically excluded catering, but most don't. She also pointed out, though, that most put a $600 (or, occasionally $1000)monthly cap per person on their spending, so that at most places I'd be limited to only 6,000 miles.
Has anyone any experience with catering large functions?
[This message has been edited by Rut Dog (edited 07-28-2003).]
On the iDine website it says:
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">iDine rewards are not available when used with other dining programs such as coupons, discount cards, restaurant promotions or planned events such as large business functions, parties and/or any situation where a special pricing arrangement has been negotiated directly with the restaurant. Your benefit may be reversed if you do not have prior consent from the restaurant to receive your iDine benefit in addition to your negotiated deal. You may contact Member Services for assistance with future plans for large functions.</font>
Has anyone any experience with catering large functions?
[This message has been edited by Rut Dog (edited 07-28-2003).]
Jul 28, 2003 | 6:37 pm
#2
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Programs: United Premier, American Airlines
Posts: 896
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Rut Dog:
I'm curious about iDine miles earning opportunites for large catered events. I did an FT search and found nothing posted.
On the iDine website it says: I called Member Services, and the person I talked to said that some restaraunts specifically excluded catering, but most don't. She also pointed out, though, that most put a $600 (or, occasionally $1000)monthly cap per person on their spending, so that at most places I'd be limited to only 6,000 miles.
Has anyone any experience with catering large functions?
[This message has been edited by Rut Dog (edited 07-28-2003).]</font>
I'm curious about iDine miles earning opportunites for large catered events. I did an FT search and found nothing posted.
On the iDine website it says: I called Member Services, and the person I talked to said that some restaraunts specifically excluded catering, but most don't. She also pointed out, though, that most put a $600 (or, occasionally $1000)monthly cap per person on their spending, so that at most places I'd be limited to only 6,000 miles.
Has anyone any experience with catering large functions?
[This message has been edited by Rut Dog (edited 07-28-2003).]</font>
http://aa.idine.com/site/restaurant/...=DAAA&ID=49685
But given I've seen restaurants drop in and out quickly (some within one month), I guess some figure quickly that IDINE might cost them too much. Given that IDINE is probably in existence to increase dining traffic, not catering business, I can see why you might not earn miles. I've never tried catering with IDINE, but do suggest telling the restaurant first, to verify your mileage eligibility.
Jul 28, 2003 | 7:47 pm
#3
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Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Easton, CT, USA
Programs: ua prem exec, Former hilton diamond
Posts: 31,801
have the restaurant split the charge. Put something under the $600 or $1,000 or whatever their limit is on an Idine card, the rest on one that isn't. As long as the restaurant doesn't maintain two merchant accounts you shouldn't have any trouble.
it's not like you are asking for the miles, you are paying for a service with a credit card. It's up to them to figure out if you get them or not.
it's not like you are asking for the miles, you are paying for a service with a credit card. It's up to them to figure out if you get them or not.
Jul 29, 2003 | 10:57 am
#4
Join Date: Sep 2002
Posts: 873
Or you could go the gift certificate route: if the event you want to have catered is still a couple of months away, you could buy GF's starting this month, and each next month till the event, for the maximum miles earning amount ($600 or $1000 apparently) and use the GF's to pay the catering.
Of course this only works if there are still a couple of months to go before the event and if the restaurant accepts GF's for catering.
Some checking is recommended (also on finding out if that restaurant's GF's will earn you miles).
Of course this only works if there are still a couple of months to go before the event and if the restaurant accepts GF's for catering.
Some checking is recommended (also on finding out if that restaurant's GF's will earn you miles).
Jul 29, 2003 | 2:56 pm
#5
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Atlanta, GA
Programs: Delta, United, AirTran
Posts: 41
Recently I hosted a work related celebration at an idine cafe our tab of $214 translated to 2,141 miles which put me over the hump for a trip to Europe! I did negotiate a special price with the cafe and the miles came up as usual (this cafe offers unlimited visits per month). This paticular transaction makes me very pleased with the usefulness if idine. I look forward to hitting a trip to New Zealand next! But the thanks really goes to Jakes Ice Cream & Sorbet in Atlanta.
[This message has been edited by pointspanic (edited 07-29-2003).]
[This message has been edited by pointspanic (edited 07-29-2003).]