Dining for Miles

There is a reason these restaurants sign up for these programs. One place I went to on a date on a Friday night had 3 other couples in a giant space, and this was a well reviewed restaurant! I almost felt bad combining AA Dining with an Opentable reservation... almost.

Haven't really seen any fast food restaurants in the program around here. I'll have to look more carefully.

I find it convenient for me because the place I frequent is on the list and they have good food. It is also nice to be pleasantly surprised by an email stating you earned miles when you didn't even realize a restaurant you went to is participating. Lastly, this is an easy activity for one of the many partner promo's that many different programs run throughout the year.

The question then is - did you share this with the date? I think the reaction would be enough to seal the deal for making a marriage proposal or calling a taxi!

I'm fortunate to have a very accommodating SO. Probably going for diamond lifetime status.

Thanks for the chuckle and smile!

Diamond Lifetime is good to obtain, but requires quite a few MRs to keep year over year over year.

I just got a 1000 mile bonus with the United dining program (spend 50$ on 1 restaurant within 1 month of signing up).

Thanks! Just signed up...

Grrr... Missed the part "for new members only"

Sorry, this bonus is only available to members without a Mileage Plus DiningSM web profile.

You can also earn 60 Mileage Plus miles per reservation for booking OpenTable reservations through United's shopping portal. These should also accrue OpenTable points.

I am currently earning 8 with Priority Club, average 8 -10k points per month including the 5000 shoot for bonus and favorite restaurant is a member, was pleasant surprise, but feel I could be doing better with the airline programs, the airline 5 miles on a ratio of 3 to1 is equivalent to 15 PC points, double the value. The only problem is I redeem amex points for Aeroplan mainly and I cannot see them with a dining program in the US. Any ideas on any of the airline programs that have attractive reward charts would be appreciated.

Wanderlust
with the open table are there point benefits?

Most OT dines earn 100 points per dine, regardless of what you spend. A few places give 1,000 points, but check day and time. The accumulation benefits are:

• 2,000 points = US$20 or Can$26 or £15
• 5,000 points = US$50 or Can$65 or £37.50
• 10,000 points = US$100 or Can$130 or £75

If you book an Open Table restaurant that also happens to participate in your favorite Rewards Network Dining program (the company that runs the airline/hotel dining programs mentioned in this thread) you are able to double-dip, per wanderlust's original post.

Just signed up for the HHonors 1,100 point bonus for newbies after $30 spent.

Also, beware that many restaurants only allow 1 dine per month. I have found a deli near me that offers unlimited up to $1000 a month in spending. I'll be frequenting that place soon.

Thanks for that reminder -- I found out the hard way when miles did not post for a dine -- I called the
Dining number and they explained that each restaurant could select different limitations. Before I learned to check each one on the dining site before going, I missed out on miles two time - once for "only once a month" and one at another location for "only on certain days" and I went on a non-participating day.

Don't forget the all-powerful Quintuple Dip! Rewards Network + Open Table + CC miles + Restaurant.com certificate (80% off today) + AAdvantage Shopping portal (to buy certificate - 18 miles/$).

Actually the correct number is 11. Once you completed 11 dines in a calendar year you have VIP status. Your 12th dine will provide the higher number of miles / points.

nice tip - thanks
quintuples are rare!

Skymiles fan here. I signed up in 06 after my first Euro trip. Then I joined the dining program and now have two round trip tickets for Germany this September. I've got almost 90,000 miles leftover toward the next trip. It's a great program.

I wish I had a participating deli near me. Jealous!

Awesome.

In my travels, I've pulled this off once (in Chicago) with a 1,000 point OpenTable reservation . And my significant other understands why I do this, although she has a lot of improvement needed with money and discounts ...

Good job! I only got 500 points when I signed up. You will find restaurants, how many dines a month, spending limits, etc.. very greatly from city to city.

Hi, I am unable to find a link in UA partners...Open Table is not listed. Do you have a link? Thank you.

www.mileageplusshopping.com. Login, then click on dining reservations on the left side of the home page.