Rewards Network - dining discounts

I'm very surprised this program has not been mentioned at all on this site, but after receiving recent rebates at Pasta D'Arte and Sweets and Savories, I thought I should spread the word. I can't recall any specific instance in which I elected to go to a restaurant based on it belonging to Rewards Network, but the choice of restaurants and the rebates offered (I get cash back but you can opt for airline miles) make it worth joining.

One of the great things about the program is that you don't need to know whether or not a restaurant is part of the program -- if you pay with a credit card at certain restaurants, you just might learn that you received a reward (i.e., cash back or airline miles). Although I notice that they apparently now charge new members a $49 annual fee, that is only if you choose "cash back," and the amount is apparently deducted from your first $49 savings -- so if you don't spend at RN restaurants, you don't have to pay the fee.

The rewards typically range from 8-15% rebates, which take the form of a credit on your credit card account (not sure exactly how the miles program works), and which are processed at or about the same time as the actual credit card charge. You should note that dining rewards are not available every night.

I notice that Rewards Network lists 216 restaurants in the city of Chicago, including the following notables: Avenue M, Bistro Campagne, Cafe Spiaggia, Calvin's Smokehouse, Gioco, Kitsch'n, Le Lan, Marche, Meritage, Noon O Kebab, Opera, Pasta D'Arte, Pat's Pizza, Red Light, Renaldi's, Riques, Saltaus, Santorini, Santullo's, Spiaggia, Sweets & Savories, Taqueria La Oaxaquena, Uncommon Ground and Volo.

There are also a number of suburban restaurants listed, and they also offer hotel discounts.

Rewards Network

It actually has been mentioned briefly in a few other threads for example, the Taqueria la Oaxaquena one, although I'm not sure if TlO is still a member of the network.

I've always been a bit curious about it, thanks for the reminder..

gleam wrote:It actually has been mentioned briefly in a few other threads for example, the Taqueria la Oaxaquena one, although I'm not sure if TlO is still a member of the network.

I've always been a bit curious about it, thanks for the reminder..

I just noticed that it's been listed before -- not sure how I missed that. In any event, TLO is still listed, so presumably it's still part of the network, but you raise a very good point. If you're going out hoping to get a discount or miles, it's a good idea to check the Rewards Network site before you go to make sure that the restaurant is part of the network, and that rewards are offered for the night you are dining out.

And some restaurants, for whatever reason, give you up to 40% off. Very few, and not usually worthwhile, but Continental Cafe, the Romanian place on Elston, was at this level for a little while.

I had the fortune of getting a deal with a credit card maybe eight years and two name changes ago. Grandfathered in, I still don't pay any annual fee and get an occasional bonus surprise. A good deal if you eat out regularly, or if it's free.

Aaron Deacon wrote:I had the fortune of getting a deal with a credit card maybe eight years and two name changes ago. Grandfathered in, I still don't pay any annual fee and get an occasional bonus surprise. A good deal if you eat out regularly, or if it's free.

I guess I'm in the same boat -- it says I've been a member since 1996, and I also don't pay an annual fee. But I've never received a "bonus surprise." Am I not spending enough at these restaurants??? Just when I thought I had a good thing going . . .

Aaron Deacon wrote:And some restaurants, for whatever reason.

geli explains the reasoning here:
http://lthforum.com/bb/viewtopic.php?p=27930#27930

It's just a matter of the restaurant wanting to pay down their loan quicker.

BR wrote:But I've never received a "bonus surprise." Am I not spending enough at these restaurants???

I think Aaron is referring to the fact that sometimes you'll go out and pay with your credit card at a participating restaurant without knowing it, and get a "surprise" credit back.

I first signed up for this service as "idine" with my Chase Perfectcard.

I don't pay an annual fee, and I think my membership was free and part of the rewards offered with the credit card.

However, once I had to get the original card replaced due to a fraudulent charge that appeared, I was charged a $10 membership fee by rewards network for the new card number (which they just deducted from my rewards, so I paid nothing out of pocket).

$49 would be a bit steep to me for these kickbacks -- but if you can get them for free or at a reduced rate through a credit card or frequent flier program, its a nice perk.

As a lurker, you can see which places offer discounts, but I don't think you can see the exact percent bonus for each day until you become a member. Most places give you 10%, often excluding weekends.

I was excited to see Calvin's Smokehouse on Armitage was recently added (10% everyday)

Some others that offer more than 10% are:
Cafe Laguardia offers 15% mon-fri
Coco 20% everyday
Pizza Metro on Division 20% everyday
India House downtown 20% except Sat
Le Peep 20% M-F
Kitschn 20% M-F
Fireside (Ravenswood) 20% sun-thu
Pasta de Arte is 15% sun-thu

40% back are "hot deals" and are usually newly added/opened/re-opened places trying to build a clientele and look busy

Currently the hot deals for Chicago are Gunter Murphy's on Roscoe
and Spot 6 Night Club in Wrigleyville -- both seem to be bars/clubs and not dining destinations which is a new category of venue to offer bonuses on this network.

There have been some good destinations in the 40% bonus including Darwins back in 2004.

As noted in the thread on restaurant.com, some of the same restaurants (like Sweets & Savories) offer discounts on restaurant.com, if you get a coupon for 60% off, plus the rewards network bonus, its like they are paying you to eat! well almost

eatchicago wrote:I think Aaron is referring to the fact that sometimes you'll go out and pay with your credit card at a participating restaurant without knowing it, and get a "surprise" credit back.

Yep, I was.

Aaron Deacon wrote:

eatchicago wrote:I think Aaron is referring to the fact that sometimes you'll go out and pay with your credit card at a participating restaurant without knowing it, and get a "surprise" credit back.

Yep, I was.

Just when I thought I was missing something . . .

FYI for folks who are members of Rewards Network

They are offering an additional 5% back on dining from 3/20/07 to 4/30/07

As far as I could tell, you just need to register online to get the extra 5%.
I didn't see anything lurking in the fine print

Extra 5% Bonus Offer Terms and Conditions

*Qualified dines are dines after registering for this promotion and which occur from 3/20/07 - 4/30/07 at participating restaurants during a valid benefit period and are paid for with a credit or debit card registered with Rewards Network. Hot Deals restaurants are excluded from this offer, and other limitations may apply. Offer only valid for Rewards Network members who have already set up an online account (by creating a Login ID and Password) at rewardsnetwork.com. Offer not available to employees of Rewards Network Inc.

For those of you who are wondering if you should join or not, I say do it.

I was a little skeptical, even with the nothing to lose policy (fee comes out of your rewards, etc.). I figured it was a waste of time and I’d never happen to go to one of the restaurants. Turns out I was wrong, I frequent Pizza Metro, and Taqueria La Oaxaquena (which I may add as of now still has 20% off), and a few others. I’ve already saved $25 in the first month without changing my eating habits.

Also I found this deal, which makes the deal even sweeter:
“Special Savings for "GMA" viewers: GMA viewers can get a free three- month membership by visiting www.rewardsnetwork.com/friends* and using the code "GMA" in the Enrollment Code box. If you like the trial, GMA viewers can get an annual membership after the three-month trial for only $19 with the same "GMA" code. Anyhow, that code is GMA you just put that in when you sign up and you get the deal.”

Of course you all watch Good Morning America... right? I won't tell anyone...

I just logged into my idine account, and Lo and Behold there it was, Lao Shanghai now has a 20% off discount! $11.25 off our $56 meal, nice!

And no I don’t work for rewards network, I just love saving money and i get a little excited sometimes...