Restaurant.com 80% off promotion

[Karen G]

Promo code: MEAL
good through Monday, January 31

 

[ricoba]

Karen,

Explain this to me on how it works.

If I buy a certificate, do I print it at home right away (or does it have to come in the mail)?

Can I use as many certificates as needed to pay for a meal or is it 1 per meal?
(What's the maximum you can use the certificates for?)

I was thinking of purchasing one recently for a trip over to Vegas this weekend.

thanks

 

[Karen G]

You print it at home immediately and it has no expiration date. You can normally use just one per meal.

 

[kjsgrammy]

You print it at home immediately and it has no expiration date. You can normally use just one per meal.

And unless they've changed the rules, you can only use one at the same restaurant once a month. Don't buy 2 certificates for the same restaurant and expect to use them both within the same month.

Another restriction/rule is that you can't use more than one certificate per table (no split checks).

Again, be sure to read the restrictions carefully as the above may have changed.

 

[Karen G]

(What's the maximum you can use the certificates for?)

Each restaurant may have their own restrictions. You will be allowed to purchase just what shows on the restaurant's page, such as a $25 certificate good on a minimum bill of $35 or $50. Be sure to check what the limitations are for any restaurant you are considering.

 

[ricoba]

Thank you both for your responses.

My assumptions were what you pointed out, but I wanted to ask since I have never used it before.

Thanks again.

 

[DeniseM]

Instead of buying the coupons when they are 80% off, I bought 3 $100 restaurant gift cards at 80% off ($20) and I use the card to pick up coupons as I need them. That way I get the discount, whether or not they are having one of their sales.

 

[Boochi]

Instead of buying the coupons when they are 80% off, I bought 3 $100 restaurant gift cards at 80% off ($20) and I use the card to pick up coupons as I need them. That way I get the discount, whether or not they are having one of their sales.

I totally would do the same thing... except that I would purchase through the ebates.com website and get an extra 15% cash back in addition to the 80% off gift cards

 

[Passepartout]

I sure don't need any more, but I buy generic gift certificates- not tied to any restaurant- when, like now, they are 80% off. That's $2 for a $25 GC, or 5 for $10 with no shipping cost. I probably have 15 or so in my account. They don't expire. Then when we want to redeem one, we go to rest.com, select an establishment and print a coupon for that restaurant. The only difficulty can be finding a printer, but most hotels have one you can use.

Since 2008, we've saved several hundreds of $$ on dining out. Restaurants are thrilled to get them, and we enjoy trying new places. Win-win all around.
Jim Ricks

 

[dioxide45]

I sure don't need any more, but I buy generic gift certificates- not tied to any restaurant- when, like now, they are 80% off. That's $2 for a $25 GC, or 5 for $10 with no shipping cost. I probably have 15 or so in my account. They don't expire. Then when we want to redeem one, we go to rest.com, select an establishment and print a coupon for that restaurant. The only difficulty can be finding a printer, but most hotels have one you can use.

Since 2008, we've saved several hundreds of $$ on dining out. Restaurants are thrilled to get them, and we enjoy trying new places. Win-win all around.
Jim Ricks

Something I learned from FlyerTalk and what Denise mentioned, is that you are better to buy fewer $100 generic certs than to buy more $10 or $25 generic ones. One $100 certificate is cheaper to buy than four $25 ones. You can convert the $100 certificate over time to four $25 or ten $10 restaurant specific ones (any combination of $100 will work). So for the next time you have to stock up, buy the big dollar generic certs. I have this in mind for our next Restaurant.com purchase.

Note: At one time buying four $25 generic certs cost the same as one $100 one. Though fairly recently Restaurant.com changed the pricing on their lower tier generic certs. So it is now better to buy the $100 to maximize the dollar.

 

[kjsgrammy]

Something I learned from FlyerTalk and what Denise mentioned, is that you are better to buy fewer $100 generic certs than to buy more $10 or $25 generic ones. One $100 certificate is cheaper to buy than four $25 ones. You can convert the $100 certificate over time to four $25 or ten $10 restaurant specific ones (any combination of $100 will work). So for the next time you have to stock up, buy the big dollar generic certs. I have this in mind for our next Restaurant.com purchase.

Note: At one time buying four $25 generic certs cost the same as one $100 one. Though fairly recently Restaurant.com changed the pricing on their lower tier generic certs. So it is now better to buy the $100 to maximize the dollar.

Thanks for this info. I currently have a number of $25 generic certificates in my account, but will check into the $100 certificates once those are gone. Every little savings helps! Who knows, the couple of bucks I save on these certificates may get me another timeshare off ebay:rofl:

 

[Passepartout]

I was not aware that one could buy $100 GCs then just get $25 coupons from the total as needed. I had shied away from the C note ones because we have a hard enough time spending the minimum (usually $35 in food) to utilize a $25 coupon.

Thanks for the info. Next time I'm increasing my stash, I'll go for the bigger ones..... Jim

 

[dioxide45]

I was not aware that one could buy $100 GCs then just get $25 coupons from the total as needed. I had shied away from the C note ones because we have a hard enough time spending the minimum (usually $35 in food) to utilize a $25 coupon.

Thanks for the info. Next time I'm increasing my stash, I'll go for the bigger ones..... Jim

I must mention that I have not yet broken down a C-note in to multiple smaller certificates. I did read about it on FlyerTalk. Perhaps Denise can confirm if she has done this.

It should also be mentioned, that you can't even buy generic $10 certificates, so being able to do this with larger domination generic certs will be fantastic.

 

[DeniseM]

You use the $100 gift card to buy the certificates from the website - in any denomination you choose - you don't take it to the restaurant.

 

[dioxide45]

You use the $100 gift card to buy the certificates from the website - in any denomination you choose - you don't take it to the restaurant.

Correct. But you can use that $100 certificate to buy say 5 $10 certs and 2 $25 ones? You don't have to blow it all at once on a $100 restaurant specific certificate?

 

[DeniseM]

Correct. But you can use that $100 certificate to buy say 5 $10 certs and 2 $25 ones? You don't have to blow it all at once on a $100 restaurant specific certificate?

It's not a $100 certificate - it's a plastic gift card that they actually mail to you - you use it to buy what ever you want on the website and the unused balance stays on the card.

 

[dioxide45]

It's not a $100 certificate - it's a plastic gift card that they actually mail to you - you use it to buy what ever you want on the website and the unused balance stays on the card.

I see, though I think you could do the same thing with ther generic electronic certs that are not the plastic card?

 

[DeniseM]

I see, though I think you could do the same thing with ther generic electronic certs that are not the plastic card?

I think they are one and the same?

 

[Passepartout]

OK, Like I really needed it, I ordered the $100 card for $8. Now my silly question is, can I just use the Rest.com card like any other card at a (rest.com) restaurant, or just for the smaller amounts ($10, $25, etc)?

We have used the coupons, converted from GCs fairly often, but not the card.

Jim Ricks

 

[LAX Mom]

It's not a $100 certificate - it's a plastic gift card that they actually mail to you - you use it to buy what ever you want on the website and the unused balance stays on the card.

Denise,

I don't understand the advantage of buying a plastic card over an e-card. If you buy the e-card can't you use it the same as the plastic card, but there is no risk of losing it?
I worry I would lose the actual card (like I lose the certificates once I print them off). But with a lost certificate I just log on to my account and print it again.

 

[dioxide45]

OK, Like I really needed it, I ordered the $100 card for $8. Now my silly question is, can I just use the Rest.com card like any other card at a (rest.com) restaurant, or just for the smaller amounts ($10, $25, etc)?

We have used the coupons, converted from GCs fairly often, but not the card.

Jim Ricks

You still have to convert the plastic card to restaurant specific certs on the Restaurant.com website. You can't use the plastic card at restaurants.

 

[DeniseM]

Carol - They sent me the cards - not sure why. There is no need to carry them around with me, so I'm not concerned about losing them.

 

[dioxide45]

Denise,

I don't understand the advantage of buying a plastic card over an e-card. If you buy the e-card can't you use it the same as the plastic card, but there is no risk of losing it?
I worry I would lose the actual card (like I lose the certificates once I print them off). But with a lost certificate I just log on to my account and print it again.

I have wondered the same thing. My understanding was that you could order the plastic cards if you want to send them to friends and so they will have a cool card to hold in their hands. If one is just buying it to use themselves, I would think the e-cert is far better.

 

[djs]

MEAL Code still working

Just used the promo code that Karen originally posted today and it worked for 50% off. Got a $25 certificate to the restaurant I was planning on going to this evening for $5. No weekend restrictions noted on the GC.

 

[dioxide45]

Just used the promo code that Karen originally posted today and it worked for 50% off. Got a $25 certificate to the restaurant I was planning on going to this evening for $5. No weekend restrictions noted on the GC.

Using SPRING would have saved you 70%