how does restaurant.com work?

[tripletots]

Can someone tell me how this works........If I buy one now, can I use it in August on vacation? Some say must spend $35.00, is that above and beyond the $25 certificate or is that including the $25.00? We are a family of 7 so spending 35 will not be a problem. Do I give it to the server before I order? Sorry for all the questions............

 

[HayGan]

Restaurant.com certifictes are easy to use. Most of the certificates have the stipulation that you have to spend a certain amount to use the certificate. For instance, I recently bought one for B.B. King's in Orlando. The certificate was for $50 off a minimum purchase of $100. All we had to do was order $100 worth of food/drinks for the certificate to be valid. The minimum purchase is just that - the minimum you must spend. The minimum is not an amount above your certificte value. I always inform the server before we order that we have a restaurant.com certificate. That way they can tell me if there are any restrictions on its use (no alchol permitted is usually the restriction.) Most restaurants also require that the minimum purchase is before tax and tip and many of them will add on an automatic gratuity (usually 18% to your bill.) The certificate is then applied as a method of payment towards your bill (just like if you had any other gift certificate.)

Also, unless you are going after a really popular certificate (that sells out onthe first or second of each month) I would wait for a coupon code for them. They put them out every month for anywhere from 40% to 80% off. My certificate for B.B King's was only $4! Not bad to save $50!!! I believe that there currently is an 80% off code listed in the other restaurants.com thread here today.

 

[ambgoph]

They are good for 1 year from the date of purchase.

 

[kaytieeldr]

I believe that there currently is an 80% off code listed in the other restaurants.com thread here today.

I think 80% expired yesterday. I have an e-mail from them today for 60% plus a free gift. Hold on... oh. Never mind. The free gift is a $15 certificate for a Lobster Gram. Sounds good, except the minimum purchase on that is $75. Go back to ignoring me. Thanks!

 

[CTdiznymom]

Love restaurant.com! We just used a $25 certificate that I paid $2 for. Can't beat that! We had a fabulous meal in a brand new Spanish restaurant that we will definately be returning to.

 

[tripletots]

Since I don't need my certificates until mid-August I'll just wait and hope for codes to come out. I registered hoping for a code, but no such luck. I can't believe I just missed the 80% code by one day. My luck. Thanks guys for your help, I feel confident in using the certificates now.

 

[kaytieeldr]

tripletots - is 'your' restaurant's certificate sold out for the month? There are a couple in Las Vegas that I know if I want the certificates I have to buy them some time on the first of the month, otherwise they're gone. Codes don't come out until a week or more into the month, so I have to pay full price for these.

Go register at the site anyway. I get e-mails from them when they have sales.

 

[distherapy]

Have you tried the codes at retailmenot.com?
They have a few that look active now...

 

[tripletots]

katieeldr - I'm looking at several restaurants in St. Augustine. One of them is sold out, the other two are available for $25.00.

I went to retailmenot and that code didn't work when I remember about Upromise. So I did that and they have a code that does work. It's DAD and I got 2 - $25.00 certificates for $4.00 each.

Thanks guys! You're the best!

The code DAD expires on 6/21.

 

[pamrob]

there are usually savings codes for restaurant dot com on the site gottadeal dot com

 

[corie161]

tripletots - is 'your' restaurant's certificate sold out for the month? There are a couple in Las Vegas that I know if I want the certificates I have to buy them some time on the first of the month, otherwise they're gone. Codes don't come out until a week or more into the month, so I have to pay full price for these.

Go register at the site anyway. I get e-mails from them when they have sales.

If you have time to wait for another % off code and restaurant availability you can buy a gift certifice to restaurant.com when the have the 80% off rate and then the first of the month you can redeem that certificate for the restaurant of your choice, so you don't have to pay full price. Just click on Give Gift on the home page under Gift Center, then buy the quantity of certificates you want in the value you want. From there you can enter the discount code. When your restaurant is available you can redeem them.