The field Irish Pub in North Beach is the 20 mile option for San Francisco.

The nice thing about this is that if you go in for a few quiet glasses of Guiness and put your credit card over the bar each time you "bend the elbow" you'll be adding about 80 miles to your account.

My experience with these places is that they do not differentiate between food and drink charges.

Crabby Kenny's 200 Main St Ste 101 A (actually around the corner from Main St) Huntington Beach CA (714) 969-6551 Ate there Friday - funky place, full bar, decent seafood, burger, and steaks.

Momo's Mexican 211 Main St Huntington Beach (714) 960-5282 Not open for lunch - call for hours of operation Haven't checked it out yet

Josh Slocum's Steak / Seafood 2601 W Pacific Coast Hwy Newport Beach (949) 642-5935 Not open for lunch - call for hours of operation Haven't checked it out yet

Crabby Kenny's might be good for a FlyerTalk lunch - anyone interested?

Hello everyone. This is my first post... Tyler Dikman recommended this site to me (youngest Centurian cardholder).

I have a couple things to say. First, I love iDine and visit several Bay Area iDine restaurants religiously. However, I think if you eat out quite a bit, you should upgrade to iDine prime. It only costs $50/yr, and instead of getting an average of 10 miles/dollar, you get a 20% discount. I value my miles at a penny a mile, so I would rather get 20 cents back for every dollar I spend than 10 miles. As previously mentioned, there are also restaurants that give you a 40% discount (or 20 miles for every dollar). I save about $100 a month thanks to iDine.

Second, in response to:
"Be sure to make sure the restaurant exists. We tried going to the 20 mile / $ place in Palo Alto, CA and not only was it not there, it appeared that it hadn't been for some time"

When I saw a 40% iDine discount at a sushi restaurant in Palo Alto, I ran their immediantely (I'm a big sushi fan). I was very disappointed to find out that the restaurant was replaced by the Edge nightclub and restuarant. I said "what the hell, gotta eat somewhere" and decided to try out the Edge restaurant. I spent about $40 including tax and tip on a killer filet mignon topped with portabella mushrooms, a fried banana desert, and a couple of excellent sake-based martinis. In all, it was a very pleasant experience and well worth the $40. I was shocked to find out that a few days later, iDine awarded me a $16 credit to my credit card. It turns out that the Edge is under the same ownership (and merchant account) as the old sushi place that was there, and you can still nab a sweet 40% discount (or 20 miles to the dollar) at the Edge nightclub.

Sorry for the long post. If I find any other good 40% discount restaurants in the Bay, I'll let everyone know. There are at least 10, but I've only tried the Edge restaurant in Palo Alto.

-Josh

We tried the 20 miles per dollar Mexican place in Antioch, CA the other night. Very casual and quite tasty, but I didn't feel so well afterwards. I guess that means it must've been authentic Mexican food.

btw, Welcome to FlyerTalk!

Welcome Josh.

I was a member of the get cash back group for a very long time, but to be honest with you getting money every month or so just gets spent. Never have any clue where, but if I get a $50 or $60 idine check, it gets deposited and ends up paying the telephone bill or something. Nothing wrong with that, the bill needs paying, but there's no reward.

I switched to getting miles. Miles are used for traveling, and for me almost always for personal use. When I turn in miles to get a club membership, or a business seat, I know some of it (though a small portion) is from those diners and restaurants I accumulated miles at. It just feels better knowing they aren't for the telephone bill, or to feed the cats, or whatever.

I'm sure many here do it for the same reason, or have both accounts, whatever, but for me, it's more of a reward getting miles instead of cash, and when three of my favorite places in my home area drop out all at the same time, I'm not out a membership fee with way fewer places to eat.

I'm with you, Cordelli! There is no thrill in getting a few dollars back. There is quite a thrill in getting free first class tickets OTOH!

[This message has been edited by paradocs (edited 04-20-2003).]

On Delta?????????????

(Couldn't resist)

Under the Diners Club thread it looks like their replacement dining program is going to be IDine with the 20% back. If that is the case, for anyone who is signed up for the $49 a year IDine, then the DC card is $49 cheaper since it comes free with the card. I have to say that once I become lifetime Platinum with AA it will be a tough choice. Will probably do 3 small cost restaurants for the 500 bonus, and any large checks do the 20%. It suppose to be coming this summer.

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Ms.DtG

Does the NY contingent have any interest in getting together?

Time to meet people, exchange ideas, mend fences if need be..

Any "20/pers" in Dallas? Is it possible to search the iDine site by "reward" amount?

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AA EXP, 1MM, Hyatt Diamond, Marriott Platinum, Hilton Diamond, Starwood Platinum

If I come, I'm bringing a fence (or a section of one, anyway.)

Not anything good.

Indian Food-Kalachandji's
Pool Hall-CJ's Billiard Palace
Putt Putt-City Golf & Caddy Shack
Bar-Bronco Bowl

Double miles have appeared on a local restaurant from breakfast. 480 for a $24 meal. The only problem is that there is another breakfast spot we frquent more often where we get 10 miles, and breakfast for 3 was about half the price. So as much as I like those double miles...I think I may stick with the restaurant that's cheaper and I like better, and it's more convenient!

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Ms.DtG

Well !!! Just checked the area I'll be visiting this weekend April 25-26, none of my fav restaurants are giving points but if I can get to one on Thursday the 24th I can earn 20 points per $$.

Why not plan to come with a good attitude?
No fences are needed. Live it at home.