OpenTable

Opentable used to be a terrific program. When they updated it they forgot that users want to book table, not fight with the horrible interface. It does not understand addresses (google does...). You cannot search on the map. It is slow.

Now day I just go directly to the resto where they us the open table backend.

In the old days I went to restos more because opentable was so good. Nowdays I am so upset after using it I have reduced going out or get my office staff to reserve. They really need better programers.

Don't waste your money. OT Gift Certificates are useless! I got one for $120 for a friend as a birthday present and when she tried to use it, she was treated as a fraud. It was very embarrassing for her at the moment, in front of friends and families, and embarrassing for me when she gave it back to me. Still fighting with customer server for a refund. They proposed to give me another gift cert and when I refused they proposed to add another $20. How can $20 pretend to compensate for such wrong doing?!

To begin with, in order to earn a $20 rewards, you had to dine at 20 restaurants - spending almost $2000 - in order to receive that $20 check - That's a $0.01 return on every dollar you spend! But at least, you had the CHOICE of where you wanted to spend that $20.

Now, OpenTable no longer provides a check. Instead, they have a list of restaurants that you select from, and then they provide you a $20 gift certificate for that one restaurant and you can't change it once you've declared it. It's tough enough to earn the 2,000 points and now this simply adds insult to injury.

Give me the $20 and I'll decide at what restaurant I want to spend it, not OpenTable. This new practice alone will make me slowly exit out of Open Table.

We booked the Rickshaw bar through open table. We were 4 people and 2 were from new York. I booked this in march for april 14th and received a confirmation from open table. We wanted to increase the amount of people to 6 so I called the restaurant on april 13th. They told me they weren't open on the 14th. The person also told me she called me on her cell a day or two ago, but didn't leave a message! Who doesn't let the consumer know you aren't open? I have voice mail on my phone! Never never never again!

I can't comment on free meals, coupons and that sort of stuff. But their reservations page is a mess. Took me 4 tries to get a table for 4 at a certain time, on a certain day. The reservation page consists of several buttons that look identical but perform different tasks. Number of individuals either doesn't work or needs a secret process to get what you want out of it. I just repeatedly selected 4 until it finally confirmed for party of 4 instead of 2. Of course, the only way to know its wrong is to make a reservation, then modify it. 4 times to finally get what I asked for.

For a reservations site, OpenTable is a pain to use.

They entice members with a rewards program, however it is extremely difficult to find restaurants that honor the reward, in addition good luck trying to get it back if you happen to lose it in your email. Tried calling customer service, always on hold for more than 30 minutes, gave up. Then tried emailing, fast acknowledgment of receipt, no response to question, going on 2 weeks and still waiting..

This review is of the Open Table Gift Card, not Open Table, which I actually like. Like others, I made the huge mistake of thinking that by buying a gift certificate that it could be redeemed at any restaurant that accepts open table. WRONG. There is a very limited list of Open Table restaurans which actually accept the gift card and once activated at that restaurant the total amount of the card must be used only at that restaurant. Additionally there is online activation and a special activation card you have to print to pay for the meal and all sorts of other difficulties.
Do yourself, as especially the people you are gifting, just go to the store, buy a gift card that can be used anywhere and give that to them. They will appreciate the gift a lot more and you will save your friendship. This is the worst gift card I ever purchased,

OpenTable's recent downgrade of its dining rewards program makes the whole thing a sham. You used to be able to use the points at any restaurant in the OT network... now, you can only use the rewards at a relatively small number of restaurants, thus making the points virtually worthless. Who do they think they are, an airline? And don't think you can call them to complain... you'll be put on endless hold, and no one... no one... will ever answer your call.

We made reservations to celebrate Valentine's Day at Table 29 through OpenTable. We made reservation at Table 29 because on the same premises, there is a spa. I planned a romantic afternoon to have lunch at Table 29 and then walk to our massage/facial appointment thereafter. We arrived on time at Table 29 to find out the restaurant was closed. Complete disappointment! We ended up having lunch at a Sonic burger join. How unromantic! Needless to say, I have brought this to OpenTable's attention 5 days ago and to date, no one has responded to my message. Completely embarrassing and unprofessional.

We came in and ordered appetizers. The food was awesome so we decided to sit at the bar and order dinner. Service was great and the food was amazing. Then, we paid a tab that was over $200 and literally the SECOND we signed, a bald headed server came over and rudely asked us to move so that two people could sit in our spot. What truly killed me was that there were open seats at the bar. He was catering to someone he either knew or someone who wanted OUR seats.

- my wine glass was full and we moved our seats but we're completely disregarded.

I reported this to the manager (who was very sorry) but at that point my husband had already walked out and our experience was ruined.

DO NOT PURCHASE gift certificates from Open Table they are a shambolic mess. I bought a $100 dollar gift certificate for Mr Chow's in Beverly Hills for friends. After 5 days they had still not received either an email or the postal certificate. I emailed and called them and in spite of their promise of a 24 hour response I am still waiting 5 days later. They do not respond to email or it seems their help line. Fell completely duped and now not able to get resolution, shambolic and dishonest.