Greetings,

I am new to iDine, as there are no participants in Quebec, but we're traveling to NY and we will try to maximise our use of the program while there...

I have researched for a few hours, reading all about the program and the entire board here on FT. If I ask my question, its because I did not find an answer, only similar, but not pertaining to my exact question.

1. I will be booking the hotel thru AA iDine, (because Continental iDine no longer has hotels).

2. I will be using my aeroplan credit card to purchase the room. Thus accumulating aeroplan miles for my purchase.

3. The chosen hotel usually gives 250 FF miles (your choice of airlines) per stay when you give your FF number at check in. I would give my aeroplan FF number. Will I still get rewarded these miles?

4. I will be using the Continental iDine for NY resto's by simply returning my Aeroplan credit card back to my CO iDine account. Since the hotel would be already pre-payed thru the AA iDine, would there be a problem to switch this same Aeroplan credit card from AA iDine to Co iDine after the hotel has been purchased? I know credit card switches are permitted between programs but I am wondering whether the hotel will still want to swipe my Aeroplan credit card in order to accumulate the AA iDine miles, or is the miles posted to iDine system upon reserving the room?

Ah its complicated, hard to explain, I hope I am getting my point across ok.

Thanks for your feedback, its as always very much appreciated!

I have not had any stays through Idine hotels, so these answers may or may not be correct. But based on my past experiences, they seem correct. If they are not, other FT'ers will correct me.

I think that maybe the room MAY be only RESERVED through Idine, but MAY NOT be PAID for until you check in. (I could be wrong about that.) Either way, if the charge is posted to your credit card ON A DIFFERENT STATEMENT from your Idine restaurant dines, it may be OK and be posted on different FF accounts. But if you change your registered FF account before the charge posts, it may count for the wrong account (AA = xxx miles, CO = -0- miles).

Another consideration is in #4 you said that you would be changing you CC preference from the AA Idine to the CO Idine before your trip. Do you have more than 1 CC? Otherwise, you can not do this.

I had a problem with this when I tried to change my VI from the DL Idine to the NW Idine. When I tried to sign up my Visa card on the NW site, it said it could not be done because "that card is registered to another (Idine) account". But because I had another CC, I could add my AX to my DL Idine account, then remove my VI from the DL account and add it to my NW Idine account. There must always be at least 1 CC registered to each airline's Idine account you have. (I have yet found a way to remove all CC from the account and close it out.)

I currently have 4 CC, and registered each to 4 different Idine accounts. (AX to DL, VI to NW, another VI to UA and MC to US) But because I do not have another CC, I could not register any CC for (say) the CO Idine.

Hope this explanation helps - and is correct. If not, someone will post to let you know.

Have fun in NY!

I believe that closing an account entirely (and thus freeing up that linked card) can only be done by calling or writing Rewards Network. Cannot be done by the diners themselves at their end.

#3: I doubt whether the hotel will give you those 250 miles, as pre-paid usually is not "qualifying" in that sense. From their prespective, you are not the "direct" purchaser of the room; the iDine consolidator (whose name will probably appear on your bill) is the one they consider to have "bought" that room. They will not care which card you give them at your arrival for incidentals, etc.

#4: I think removing the Aeroplan credit card from your AA iDine account before the hotel stay has posted is risky. However, if you want to try that then you should be certain to return the Aeroplan card to AA as soon as the last CO meal posts online for you at the Rewards Network website.

The_traveler and Points Scrounger (love that nick) thank you both very much for your feedback. Much appreciated!

Ouille! After viewing your point, I too think it may be a bit risky to play around with my cc's from one account to another, timing may not be on my side by doing this... Drats!

The_traveler, yes, I have registered different cc's with my 2 iDine accounts. But I was planning on using mainly my aeroplan card, changing it from one account to the other, but I am not going to do that now...

I think that my 250 miles bonus are probably better than using the AA iDine (if I can't get the bonus 250). After reading your comments points scrounger, makes much sense to me. I actually never looked at it the way you point it out. I figured I'm the buyer, but no, actually it would be iDine who interacts for my purchase. So, I guess I'm out of luck on that one. Thanks for the heads up!

Purchasing the hotel thru the AA iDine, would have actually cost me a little bit more than what I already have reserved (not pre-paid, so changeable), so I will actually be better off saving and getting my 250 miles. So I guess I am making out ok after all.

While I'm in NY I guess I will end up just working the max only on the CO iDine program.

I just wish the program would extend to Quebec, we do have great resto's and receive enough tourists to get the program rolling. Wonder why it has not reached our area? I see that there are other parts of Canada that have the program.... Maybe one day...

Once again thanks to both of you for your help!

(Il s'agit d'Anglais?)

I do not believe that Rewards Network is set up for Francophone customers/clients/etc.

Enjoy your trip to New York!

Your french is good Points Scrounger!

Although the english language set up could be a damper for some folks here in Qu�bec. English is used much more than french in the areas where iDine could participate. Montr�al is more an english speaking city, where as Qu�bec city is a mixture of both. Where I live its mainly french but its a rural area where iDine wouldn't even dare try... ha!!

I am looking forward to our NY quickie trip, before heading on our way to Thailand to try out the A345 nonstop JFK BKK, can't wait!!