lawgirl28

I just got the idea from you guys of buying a $25 GC for a qualifying iDine visit - this will be very helpful with that Delta deal for 5 visits and the bonus. My bright idea is to buy 2 $25 GCs in two different months for 2 qualifying visits (since there are a limited number of restaurants that I like here that participate in the program).

Question is: Does it always work? Has anyone ever had a problem?

pgary

Why $25? And why in two different qualifying periods? As I read the rules, any NWA iDine counts as a partner credit.

Oops. You did say Delta, didn't you.

Points Scrounger

Not a bad idea, lawgirl - the rules don't say anywhere (that I could find) that you need to actually consume food/drink for a visit to "qualify".

To clarify -- these are once-a-month-restricted joints, correct? And $25 is the minimum to qualify for the Delta promo? So, you get two (of the five required) dining credits now, and do the eating later in the year.

dmanphoenix

I have purchased gift certificates many times. YOu are still spending the money so they don't care. AS a matter of fact it is better for them because they are getting additional float and you know how those things go sometimes they never get used. I have not done it by itself it has always been purchased with a meal. With America West right now giving 20 miles per dollar by June 30 I need to get some certs for my employees

lawgirl28

Thanks for the info you guys. Yes, I am doing the Delta - sorry, I didn't realize there was another deal out there since I'm focused on Delta Yes, there is a $25 minimum doe a visit to count and the restaurants in question are one-visit-per-month ones. Also, buying GCs might be a way to get credit for eating at a place on a Friday night when the place only gives credit for Mon-Thurs dining (i.e. a couple places would be good date places for a weekend, so I can run by and pick up a GC on Mon-Thurs, then go back and use it on Fri or Sat and still get my points and a "date night").

Thanks for the feedback on my giftcertificate plan for racking up my 5 $25 minimum qualifying visits at once a month restaurants - appreciate it! Off to find another restaurant or two to buy GCs for

lawgirl28

I just received the email from Delta Skymiles iDine that I had a qualifying visit from the visit when I bought the GC. Thanks to this forum for the idea!

detouring

Great ideas! GC for the self and others! Thanks

jessej

I also use the GC mode at a local restaurant.
This restuarant prints buy 1 get one 1/2 meal coupons on the back of the local grocery store reciepts
but if you use your credit card and the coupon, there is no i-dine credit and no miles

so i buty the GC
then come back and use the GC in conjunction with the buy 1 get 1/2 price coupon

with tax and tip it works out to $33 and change
so i just buy $30 GC

and you know i feel bad about losing(?) 30 miles per transaction

paradocs

Why do you say that? The restaurant has no way of knowing that you are using a credit card attached to Idine. You can get miles when you use a coupon, just not as many.

lawgirl28

I agree. I don't think it keeps you from getting iDine miles to use a coupon. I almost always use one as it seems that most of the iDine places are also in the Entertainment book.