Restaurant.com is offering a 80% off with the coupon code SANTA until 12/25 , resulting in a $25 “certificate” for just $2. (Update: Promo code CHEER is good until December 31st, 2009.)
Despite my initial skepticism about these things, many readers responded that they indeed found these certificates very useful in savings some money.
Here’s how the savings math might work out. You find a restaurant on the list that you like that usually runs around $20 + tip per person (~$48 for a couple). You buy a $25 certificate for $2, which usually comes with a $35 minimum purchase + 18% required gratuity on full price.
Minus $25 certificate = $15
Plus cost of certificate ($2) = $17
Plus 18% gratuity on menu price = $7.20Total price = $24.20, or $12 a person including tip
$12 including tip is pretty good for a dine-in restaurant, with the primary caveat being that you find one on their list that you like (or the gift recipient likes).
The Best Credit Card Bonus Offers – March 2024
Big List of Free Stocks from Brokerage Apps
Best Interest Rates on Cash - March 2024
Free Credit Scores x 3 + Free Credit Monitoring
Best No Fee 0% APR Balance Transfer Offers
Little-Known Cellular Data Plans That Can Save Big Money
How To Haggle Your Cable or Direct TV Bill
Big List of Free Consumer Data Reports (Credit, Rent, Work)
FYI: You can get and give free $10 Restaurant.com certificates up until Christmas by going to this Web site:
http://feeditforward.restaurant.com/
Bill
I have used a few of these. You have to be really careful and have an idea if you like the place or not. At one place, our tip was figured on the tax also, which living near a large city, was high. You shouldn’t be charged a tip based on tax. Also, the food at one place was horrible.
I have used these for restaurants in chicago and have saved a ton of money. Ebates also has 15% rebate on the gifts certs. Thats only 30 cents, but still. Then combine that with the rebate from Upromise, United miles and any other dining programs, and you get even more off.
Take Tazitaro in chicago. Buy a 25$ cert for 1.70$ wtih a min purchase is 35$. So after tip, tax, and cost of cert its about 47. Less gift cert, its now 22. Upromise gives you 8% of the 47 so that is 3.75, now down to 18.25. United will give you between 235 and 470 miles, and they add up. Finally combine that with a credit card rebate and the final bill is about 18 bucks.
Any other dining rebate programs that could bring this down further?
I agree with Lisa, the food selection in the San Diego area listings is pretty bad, and the mandatory 18% tip practically negates any savings from the certificate (I always tip ~15%). I’ve found that the only reason why restaurants sign up for the service is because they never get any repeat customers.
Although when I travelled to San Fran, the certificates came in handy and the restaurant selection was very nice.
One of our favorite restaurants particpates. I read the blog, secured the $25 gift certificate, and our family of 4 was out the door for about $40 this evening. Slick as that and we’ll do it again. Thanks for the tip.
“the mandatory 18% tip practically negates any savings from the certificate (I always tip ~15%).”
Really? 3% additional tip “negates” any saving? How the heck much are you spending?? You do realize that on a $100 bill, 3% is … $3. When these restaurant.com deals run (the only time you should buy coupons) most/many of the coupons cost LESS than $3 (and are worth far more than $3, eg $25!)
In conclusion, your statement on its face is either false, or I’m missing something? Even if you bought full priced certificates, 3% is such a paltry difference, it just doesn’t makes sense.
Lastly, if the restaurant options are bad, don’t go to bad restaurants. End of story. Some people not liking some restaurants hardly negates using certificates to go to restaurants that others do like! Read the fine print, pick good restaurants, and buy coupons when they are in sale. Saved a ton of money this way.
@Bill – Thanks for the tip. I would just add that you have to weigh the benefit of getting a $10 certificate for free or simply buying a $25 certificate for $2 since most restaurants have a minimum purchase requirement and you can only use one certificate per visit. If the restaurant requires any purchase over $12 (and most do), you’re better off just spending the $2.
beware of minimum purchase requirement. the one i got only showed the minimum purchase of $150 after i submit my payment info, and when i call up to cancel they would say no way because the term says no cash back!