Restaurant
Discount Cards
We enjoy eating out and
patronize the Boston area's best
restaurants as often as we can. From
fresh lobster on the North Shore, to
burgers at a Cambridge brew pub, to dim
sum in Chinatown,
we love it all! Let's face it though:
eating out in Boston can be very
expensive. Still, it seems a shame not to
take advantage of the city's culinary
delights as often as your wallet will
allow.
One way we have been able to
stretch our restaurant buying power is to
sign up for one of the restaurant
discount cards which seem to be
proliferating around the city. The
following is a summary of what each one
costs, what it offers, and where to go
for more information.
Bon appetit!
Rewards Network
Price: $49/year.
How it works: Eat at any
participating restaurant and charge the
cost with one of the credit cards you
have registered with the Rewards Network
(Visa, MasterCard, American Express or
Discover). Within 10 days you will
receive a credit on your credit or debit
card statement for 20% of the total cost
(including tax, tips and beverages) you
have charged.
Number of restaurants participating: Thousands
nationwide.
Advantages: Since you pay with your
regular credit card, no one has to know
you're saving money but you! In addition
to saving money in restaurants, you can
receive a 15% rebate on hotels, too.
Disadvantages: Some restaurants limit the
days/time of their Rewards Network
participation, so check the listings
carefully.
Sign up: at their website or
by calling 1-877-491-3463.
In Good Taste (IGT)
Price: 2 levels: free
or $25/year.
How it works: Eat at any
participating restaurant and charge the
cost with your IGT card. Your monthly
statement will show a discount of 25% of
the total cost of all food and beverages.
Number of restaurants participating: 2,000
in major US cities.
Advantages: No restrictions on time
or day of week. Membership also includes
savings on rental cars, magazines,
restaurant certificates, and long
distance phone calls.
Disadvantages: Not
as discreet as the Rewards Network
program since you use a special card.
Sign up: at their website or
by calling 1-800-4-IGT-USA.
A Key Consideration
The main disadvantage to
both of these programs is the constant
change among the participating
restaurants. Since each establishment
that participates must pay a high
commission to the program provider
(usually 50%), most restaurants only sign
on when they are new and trying to
attract business. Once they develop a
following, they often drop out of the
program. This constant change among
participating restaurants may not be a
problem for you if you are an adventurous
diner and enjoy trying new places all the
time. But if you sign on hoping to get a
discount at all your favorite spots, you
may be disappointed.
Other Discount Deals
Buying a discount card is
not the only source of discounts on
restaurant dining in Boston. You may also
want to find out if your employer makes a
discount program available, or if your
status as a student or senior citizen
brings any special savings.
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