How many use restaurant.com?? Are the certificates legit?

[edk35]

We are staying at SSR in July and I think it was on this board I remember someone saying they use certificates from that site for their Disney trip when eating offsite. I have never tried this but I see there are quite a few in the downtown area and we will have our van this trip. I was thinking of ordering a few off the webisite. I am a bit nervous though. LOL Are there service fees associated with this site?

 

[Luvchefmic]

We are staying at SSR in July and I think it was on this board I remember someone saying they use certificates from that site for their Disney trip when eating offsite. I have never tried this but I see there are quite a few in the downtown area and we will have our van this trip. I was thinking of ordering a few off the webisite. I am a bit nervous though. LOL Are there service fees associated with this site?

Nothing to be nervous about, promise, I have the certificates (haven't personally used them yet) but friends have many times and had no problems. I don't remember all the details BUT the certificates don't expire & there is no fee involved (you print the certificates out right on your printer) They have a certificate for the House of Blues in DTD (FYI-just NOT for the Gospel Breakfast)

I stand corrected re-expiration---honest mistake

 

[mum4jenn]

It is a great way to save money. Also when you buy them do a google search beforehand to look for online coupons. Right now with the code FLAG you can save an additional 80%.

Each certificate at the restaurants have guideline to follow so make sure you read those before making a final selection. For example some are for lunch only, some for certain days only and there is a minimum purchase at the restaurant. If purchasing a $50 cert. you usually have to have a $100 food purchase and then you would get the certificate amount off the meal. Also alcohol is not included in the minimum purchase amount and many places add the tip to your total.

Read the rules for each and you should have no surprises. We use restaurant.com everytime we go to Orlando and we are using cert. for 3 different places next wek when we go.

 

[MagiKitty]

I've used the certificates before, but not in the Orlando area. I've never had a problem, although you should tell the server you're going to use it, just in case.

Just read the fine print for each certificate. Some have blackout dates (like not for use on Friday nights), or limits--like must have two diners, or does not include alcoholic beverages. Some only allow one certificate per table.

I've discovered some great restaurants this way that I'd otherwise never know about! I'd use them again. Its a great way to save money. Have fun on your trip!

 

[HaleyB]

Ditto
I use them all the time and never have any issues.
Never order them with less than a 50% off code and for the ones that do not run out quickly I hold out for the 80% off codes which come out fairly often.

You can only use one per location per month (not 30 days, it is based on the 1st of the month).

Always ask before ordering, in case there are any issues. I have only once had one and it was mine, I was at the wrong location

 

[DisneyFan32WI]

Totally legit. We use it all the time.

 

[gigi1313]

CERTIFICATES DO EXPIRE!!!
read the fine print... most are good for one year, a few have different expiry dates...

we use them here at home all the time... i have a women's group that goes out to dinner once a month and our criteria for where to go is that they must offer a cert on restaurant.com!

also, get on their email list... they start the month w/50% off codes... mid-month it's 70% off... end of month, 80% off... can't be beat!!!

ENJOY!

 

[hugabearjo]

Used them all over during traveling, just not in Orlando (we tend to be there for free dining )

Never had a problem, just read the rules as mentioned above some have restrictions sun-thur is common. I have only had one time where the business had gone out of business and I promptly recieved an email from the website giving me credit toward an addition certificate.

I always use them and recommend it highly.

 

[edk35]

Nothing to be nervous about, promise, I have the certificates (haven't personally used them yet) but friends have many times and had no problems. I don't remember all the details BUT the certificates don't expire & there is no fee involved (you print the certificates out right on your printer) They have a certificate for the House of Blues in DTD (FYI-just NOT for the Gospel Breakfast)

They also have an OUTBACK one that is a great deal too.

 

[edk35]

It is a great way to save money. Also when you buy them do a google search beforehand to look for online coupons. Right now with the code FLAG you can save an additional 80%.

Each certificate at the restaurants have guideline to follow so make sure you read those before making a final selection. For example some are for lunch only, some for certain days only and there is a minimum purchase at the restaurant. If purchasing a $50 cert. you usually have to have a $100 food purchase and then you would get the certificate amount off the meal. Also alcohol is not included in the minimum purchase amount and many places add the tip to your total.

Read the rules for each and you should have no surprises. We use restaurant.com everytime we go to Orlando and we are using cert. for 3 different places next wek when we go.

Which locations are you using it for? I was thinking of House of Blues and Outback. We will be staying at SSR so we are close to these.

 

[dfchelbay]

We are staying at SSR in July and I think it was on this board I remember someone saying they use certificates from that site for their Disney trip when eating offsite. I have never tried this but I see there are quite a few in the downtown area and we will have our van this trip. I was thinking of ordering a few off the website. I am a bit nervous though. LOL Are there service fees associated with this site?

We've used them before...it's all good. If it makes you feel less nervous, you can call the restaurant directly and ask them about using a restaurant(dot)com certificates. Their menu is on the website. They'll let you know how they handle it. They'll probably tell you to tell your server before ordering because it goes into their computer/cash register differently that's all. We use them at our favorite restaurant...and so does everyone else...because they are always SOLD OLD

 

[mandypandy818]

Totally legit. I used the one for House of Blues on our trip last month and had no issues. Our server was very familiar with the certificates.

 

[edk35]

So is it better to get these certificates at different times of month??? Do they offer better ones at the beginning of the month?? I mean I can grab some today or should I wait until tomorrow?? Thanks again

 

[HaleyB]

We've used them before...it's all good. If it makes you feel less nervous, you can call the restaurant directly and ask them about using a restaurant(dot)com certificates. Their menu is on the website. They'll let you know how they handle it. They'll probably tell you to tell your server before ordering because it goes into their computer/cash register differently that's all. We use them at our favorite restaurant...and so does everyone else...because they are always SOLD OLD

They add them on the 1st of the month, so check tomorrow if they are sold out today.

 

[edk35]

This just seems to good to be true. OMG....I picked out three places. Two are at Disney and one is here at home. I am buying THREE 25 dollar certificates and only paying 7 bucks. IS THAT RIGHT??????? LOL I put in the code FLAG.

 

[chobie]

They also have an OUTBACK one that is a great deal too.

It's not the chain Outback, FYI. It's an individually owned place. Different menu.

 

[Dizneydaz]

This just seems to good to be true. OMG....I picked out three places. Two are at Disney and one is here at home. I am buying THREE 25 dollar certificates and only paying 7 bucks. IS THAT RIGHT??????? LOL I put in the code FLAG.

No, not too good to be true. I have used 2 certificates recently at the HOB at DTD in Anaheim and didn't have a problem. With the FLAG discount the $25 cert. was only $3 (reg. $15) I got our total, before discount to be $35.42 (yes, I am good ) and the total for our meal came to just under $20. It was $10.42 for the balance on the meal, 18% for tip-$6.38 and tax (around $3). Total for the $45 meal (inc. tax and tip) came to $23-a savings of almost 50%. ($20 for the meal plus $3 for the cert.).

I've used them at several restaurants here in So Cal as well as a couple on a recent trip to San Fran.

Here's my one hint-watch your total-first time we went to HOB I ordered more than I needed to and ended up taking food home as well as paying a little more.

Both time at HOB the servers were really nice about it. One of them even gave me a running total before we ordered dessert (the Key Lime Pie is soo gooood!). Just think about it, the servers are getting a guaranteed 18% tip.

As far as the expiration dates-it varies by state. Here in California they can't expire. However, that's not the case in most states. The expiration date will print on the cert, I believe it's one year in FL.

As PP have stated, each restaurant sets their own rules. Some allow you to inc. beverages in your req. min. purchase, others don't. We usually order waters anyway.

Have fun, don't worry, they work great.

And never buy them at less than 50% off. I usually do it at 60% , 70%, or 80%. One time they were 90% off. .

 

[bumbershoot]

CERTIFICATES DO EXPIRE!!!
read the fine print... most are good for one year, a few have different expiry dates...

Yep.

I have only had one time where the business had gone out of business and I promptly recieved an email from the website giving me credit toward an addition certificate.

I've had that experience too. Or the company leaves the program. Either way, if you set up an account and have an email address with them, they email you as soon as they find out, so you can get a different place.

My area seems to have restaurants leaving the program ALL the time.


If you belong to any "rewards" websites, check to see if you can click through them to restaurants; get money back while spending so little money!

 

[Mickey527]

just another warning if you haven't read the one someone else wrote.
The OUTBACK they advertise in Orlando is not the chain. It is a very expensive steakhouse. You can go to restaraunt.com and check the menu, it might not be a bargain if you go there.
I have used the HOB with my sister. I had the $25 off $35 or more. We both had lunnch and drinks and they put the alcohol toward the meal. I think our meal with drinks came to $40, I just remember I put in $20 for the balance and tip.
If you have a car get a coupon for Cricketeer Arms. That is one of my favorites. It is over at the Mercado Shopping Center on International Drive. Cute Irish pub, great food, and lots of different types of beers and mixed drinks.
I have also tried Le Creperia. It was ok for brunch, but I didn't like my lunch meat on crepes.
Others have gone to BB Kings. I had a coupon for them but tried twice and both times they were closed for private parties. So I traded that coupon in for HOB.
Alot of people will buy a coupon for a place they don't plan on eating at using the 80% discount code and then trade that coupon in for another at the beginning of the month when they are 40% off. If you get a $25 coupon for 80% it is still worth $25 when you trade it in. The really busy restaraunts will sell out of coupons before they offer the 80%. I do have to trade in a few every once in a while so I am hoping the few who do this don't ruin it for everyone.

 

[edk35]

It's not the chain Outback, FYI. It's an individually owned place. Different menu.

OH really. Didn't even notice. I guess I better check that out.