iDine - Is it worth it?
Dec 28, 2002 | 2:28 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: none
Posts: 393
iDine - Is it worth it?
Is idine worth it? Any experiences favorable or not? Soory if I have put this in the wrong place.....
Dec 28, 2002 | 3:57 pm
#2
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: KAVL/Jack of Daniel
Programs: AA 2MM LT PLT, DL DM 2MM, MC LT Titanium, IHG Spire, HY Glbist
Posts: 1,562
Is it worth it? It's FREE miles. If FREE miles aren't what you're after, what are you doing here?
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Not sure where I'm going, but I'm getting there fast.
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Not sure where I'm going, but I'm getting there fast.
Dec 28, 2002 | 4:14 pm
#3
Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: Where the wavin' wheat can sure smell sweet
Posts: 1,679
There's absolutely no downside to signing up. Even if you don't change your dining behavior at all, you'll still probably get miles occasionally that you weren't expecting. How can you beat that?
Dec 28, 2002 | 5:08 pm
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: none
Posts: 393
It sounded too good to be true. As always, if it sounds too good to be true, then it probably is.....
What is the downside? What do they get out of the deal?
Thanks again
What is the downside? What do they get out of the deal?
Thanks again
Dec 28, 2002 | 5:56 pm
#5
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Portland, OR
Programs: DL MM Plat, PC&HH Gold
Posts: 2,602
Upside for us is free miles. Downside is that highly rated restaurants rarely participate in idine.
Upside for the restaurant is new customers. I suspect that since business travellers tend to spend more (expense accounts and all) that idine sells the restaurant that the program will be cash positive for them.
I registered my cards with idine and occasionally I score miles from it. But, I never choose a restaurant based on idine participation. If I get the miles it's pure luck.
My preference for choosing a restaurant is based on the review from Zagat
[This message has been edited by doglover (edited 12-28-2002).]
Upside for the restaurant is new customers. I suspect that since business travellers tend to spend more (expense accounts and all) that idine sells the restaurant that the program will be cash positive for them.
I registered my cards with idine and occasionally I score miles from it. But, I never choose a restaurant based on idine participation. If I get the miles it's pure luck.
My preference for choosing a restaurant is based on the review from Zagat
[This message has been edited by doglover (edited 12-28-2002).]
Dec 29, 2002 | 12:37 am
#6
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: tokyo, japan
Posts: 2
Where do you sign up for Idine?
Dec 29, 2002 | 7:07 am
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: DCA
Programs: AMC MovieWatcher, Giant BonusCard, Petco PALS Card, Silver Diner Blue Plate Club
Posts: 22,314
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by david mccoy:
Where do you sign up for Idine? </font>
Where do you sign up for Idine? </font>
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More Room Throughout Coach: the Website of Free Miles and Free Markets
Dec 29, 2002 | 10:46 am
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Worcester, MA, BOS, PVD, BDL, MHT, ??ORH??
Programs: Delta Platinum, HHonors Diamond, PC Platinum
Posts: 11,928
There are some restaurants near where I live that participate in I dine. A few of them are good restaurants that I would frequent without miles, so occasionaly I go, but I certainly don't go out of my way to get there on the first of every month just for the miles.
In fact, it has been several months since I have used a local idine restaurant. We have our favorite restaurants and the food and service win out over the miles.
On the road, however, if you have to choose a place to eat, the idine program can help tip the balance. You have to eat somewhere right? Especially if you don't have a guide, why not give the idine restaurant a shot? Otoh, there are places on the road that i frequent that I like and i don't care about missing the miles.
The restaurants can be hit or miss. Last year in Newport Beach (2800 miles from home), 11 of us in 3 cars drove directly to an Italian restaurant listed in the book. My brother wanted to know how I knew we were coming up to this restaurant, after all we were on the road. I said idine. The meal was passable, but the kids were happy and 2,000 miles later so was I.
Several nights later, we tried a restaurant in San Diego listed in the book, drove to it, took one look and drove away as fast as we could to a Shakeys or some such fast food. A free airline ticket couldn't have gotten us into that restaurant, not if we still wanted our car to be there when we got out.
In fact, it has been several months since I have used a local idine restaurant. We have our favorite restaurants and the food and service win out over the miles.
On the road, however, if you have to choose a place to eat, the idine program can help tip the balance. You have to eat somewhere right? Especially if you don't have a guide, why not give the idine restaurant a shot? Otoh, there are places on the road that i frequent that I like and i don't care about missing the miles.
The restaurants can be hit or miss. Last year in Newport Beach (2800 miles from home), 11 of us in 3 cars drove directly to an Italian restaurant listed in the book. My brother wanted to know how I knew we were coming up to this restaurant, after all we were on the road. I said idine. The meal was passable, but the kids were happy and 2,000 miles later so was I.
Several nights later, we tried a restaurant in San Diego listed in the book, drove to it, took one look and drove away as fast as we could to a Shakeys or some such fast food. A free airline ticket couldn't have gotten us into that restaurant, not if we still wanted our car to be there when we got out.
Dec 30, 2002 | 9:04 am
#9
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: New York, NY
Programs: UA 1K, AA EXP, Hilton, Marriott Rewards,SPG
Posts: 1,134
I signed up for Idine about 4 months ago and completely forgot about it.
Took out my staff for Christmas dinner. I got an email a few days later saying I was granted almost 3000 miles.
Went out to dinner with friends in NYC. Picked up the check with my card and collected cash.
A few days later got an email saying I got 1600 miles.
DO sign up but don't change your eating habits just to get miles. If the restaurant you frequent happens to participate take advantage. I have a Chase CO credit card so in essence I got miles for using the card and miles from Idine.
Took out my staff for Christmas dinner. I got an email a few days later saying I was granted almost 3000 miles.
Went out to dinner with friends in NYC. Picked up the check with my card and collected cash.
A few days later got an email saying I got 1600 miles.
DO sign up but don't change your eating habits just to get miles. If the restaurant you frequent happens to participate take advantage. I have a Chase CO credit card so in essence I got miles for using the card and miles from Idine.
Jan 2, 2003 | 9:54 am
#10
Join Date: Aug 1999
Location: Alexandria, VA, USA NW Platinum Elite Since 1999, United GoldMM, Hyatt Discoverist, SPG Gold, Hilton Diamond, Hertz #1 Gold, IC Ambassador
Posts: 7,451
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by joebeenyc:
A few days later got an email saying I got 1600 miles. </font>
A few days later got an email saying I got 1600 miles. </font>
Jan 2, 2003 | 10:54 am
#11
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: MSP, PSP
Programs: UA 1P, Rapid Rewards, SkyMiles
Posts: 1,079
Upside: Miles, trying new restaurants
Downside: Can't think of one.
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Downside: Can't think of one.
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Jan 5, 2003 | 7:01 pm
#12
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: KAVL/Jack of Daniel
Programs: AA 2MM LT PLT, DL DM 2MM, MC LT Titanium, IHG Spire, HY Glbist
Posts: 1,562
Email rec'd today:
Dear Bonzaiflyer,
Congratulations on earning WorldPerks miles for your recent meal
at a participating WorldPerks Dining for Miles restaurant:
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Restaurant Name: Beethoven's Grille
Address: 3061 Mallory Lane
Franklin, TN 37067
Date of Transaction: Tuesday, 12/31/2002
Miles Awarded: 509
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These miles will be added to your WorldPerks account
123456789 within the next 6 to 8 weeks. Keep dining at
participating restaurants to earn more miles and get
that much closer to your next award travel vacation!
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Not sure where I'm going, but I'm getting there fast.
Dear Bonzaiflyer,
Congratulations on earning WorldPerks miles for your recent meal
at a participating WorldPerks Dining for Miles restaurant:
------------------------------------
Restaurant Name: Beethoven's Grille
Address: 3061 Mallory Lane
Franklin, TN 37067
Date of Transaction: Tuesday, 12/31/2002
Miles Awarded: 509
------------------------------------
These miles will be added to your WorldPerks account
123456789 within the next 6 to 8 weeks. Keep dining at
participating restaurants to earn more miles and get
that much closer to your next award travel vacation!
------------------
Not sure where I'm going, but I'm getting there fast.
Jan 5, 2003 | 10:01 pm
#13
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: none
Posts: 393
I even know that resturant! I have eaten there before. What part of BNA you from? I lived there for 20 years....
Jan 6, 2003 | 8:02 am
#14
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: KAVL/Jack of Daniel
Programs: AA 2MM LT PLT, DL DM 2MM, MC LT Titanium, IHG Spire, HY Glbist
Posts: 1,562
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by kb0fhp:
What part of BNA you from?</font>
What part of BNA you from?</font>
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Not sure where I'm going, but I'm getting there fast.
Jan 6, 2003 | 10:38 am
#15
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: May 2002
Location: YEG
Programs: HH Silver
Posts: 57,058
My only beef with idine, pardon the pun, is the length of time it takes to post to the FF account. Sometimes I've noticed it takes between 1-3 months. In this technologically advanced world, still don't see why it should take this long.
Also, short of printing out the confirmation emails you get from idine and cross-referencing that against when the points actually post, there's no real way to be sure you're getting all you should, especially if you have dozens of visits in a few month span. Luckily or unluckily for me, I only have a few each quarter.
But I know no system is perfect and the time to post lag is just something to live with. At first I was skeptical about idine also, but now embrace it as getting miles for something I'm doing anyway: eating.
Also, short of printing out the confirmation emails you get from idine and cross-referencing that against when the points actually post, there's no real way to be sure you're getting all you should, especially if you have dozens of visits in a few month span. Luckily or unluckily for me, I only have a few each quarter.
But I know no system is perfect and the time to post lag is just something to live with. At first I was skeptical about idine also, but now embrace it as getting miles for something I'm doing anyway: eating.