Restaurant.com
Questions & Answers

How do you use the card?

Asked by Robin F. on 8/31/2015

5 Answers
Joe S.12/28/2015

I don't think people realize how this whole "scheme" works. (Optionally) First, you acquire a restaurant.com gift card that you or someone else purchased for you. Typical cost is $4 cash per $25 restaurant.com gift card. You then proceed to the restaurant.com website where you realize, soon enough, that your $25 gift card is no more than a coupon to purchase a $25 coupon from a "participating" restaurant. Without a gift card, their direct (no gift card) website prices are typically, $10 cash per $25 restaurant coupon. If all of this is confusing, I'm sure it's meant to be. Continuing, $25 is not really $25. Typically, the said restaurant will require you to spend double the face value of the redeemed coupon, in REAL, out of pocket cash at the restaurant to pay the balance due. NOTE: The restaurant.com gift card is NOT directly redeemable at the restaurant! So, armed with a $25 coupon/voucher you purchased from the restaurant.com website, you must order $50 worth of food (drinks may or may not be included in the purchase requirement). This will ultimately cost you $4-10 (for the restaurant.com gift card/voucher) + $25 of REAL, out of pocket cash. And, all of the above assumes that the restaurant you want to patronize is even on their "participants" list. Further, even if they are supposedly a "participant", they may not be, as reported by MANY commenters. Many restaurants have never heard of restaurant.com and (respectfully?) decline the presented coupon. If you make it through all that, the restaurant is most likely distressed, financially shaky or overpriced to begin with. BUYER BEWARE, BIG TIME! Also notice all the 1 star reviews. They would probably be 0 stars if that was an option. At least you can now make a more informed decision. Good luck.
D L.9/3/2015

If it is a card, I believe it has to be registered on the site and the amount will be shown. It takes a bit to learn how to use the site. Then you choose a restaurant and print out the paper to take with you when you go there.
dee M.9/2/2015

What I received was a gift card to wine.com (doesn't sound like a restaurant to me). You had to redeem it within 30 days. It was a certificate for $100... But could not be redeemed unless you bought $160 from wine.com. We had anticipated a restaurant certificate based on offer
Joel B.9/1/2015

It's not really a card, you print out a sheet for each certificate you buy and give that to the restaurant. As mentioned - read the requirements and limitations.
Marie T.8/31/2015

You give it to the restaurant you chose. Be sure to read the requirements and limitations.

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