Dining Rewards - Don't Even Think About Paying Cash for Dinner

From my NYC trip at the beginning of the month, I have a good example of why you should never pay with cash for dinner.

I was checking account balances yesterday and noticed that my HHonors balance was a few thousand points higher than the last time I had checked.  I knew that points from my Hilton Amex and the points from my New Year's Eve stay had already posted as I mentioned in Friday's post.

It turns out that the points in question were from the HHonors Dining program.  Now I knew there would be a few points coming from dining in NYC, and I knew that the Gelato Stand in Grand Central Terminal is a participating business, but I had absolutely no idea that the restaurant we had went to for dinner on New Year's Eve was even part of the program.

My girlfriend had actually made the reservation at Megu Midtown through OpenTable, and earned OpenTable points for the reservation, so it appears possible double dip on reservations like this one.

I hadn't spent much cash so for the trip up until that point so I was considering leaving cash until I reminded myself to put it on my Chase Sapphire Preferred card since it earns double points on dining.  Overall, I ended up earning 2 Chase Ultimate Rewards points plus 8 HHonors Points per dollar spent.  It normally wouldn't be enough to have me going out of my way to pick a restaurant, but It's a nice bonus when you can get it.

In this case, it was a perfect scenario  This was by far the most expensive meal we ate in NYC, the food was excellent, and then later I find out I earned HHonors points.  Awesome.

Sashimi Cave at Megu Midtown

I'll likely be back to Megu on a future New York Trip, and you can bet I'll be making sure my card is registered with HHonors Dining.

If you already use a Dining Rewards program, now's a good time to double check that all of you credit cards are enrolled.  If you're not already using a dining program, there are several to choose from and the links are below.  I personally use HHonors Dining, but something else may work better for you.  I'll be doing a write up covering all of the programs in the next week or so to help you make your decision.

HHonors Dining
AAdvantage Dining
Mileage Plus Dining
SkyMiles Dining
Rapid Rewards Dining
Priority Club Dining

Gift Card Sale at Chase Ultimate Rewards

Chase is currently running a promotion where you can redeem points for select Gift Cards at either a 10% or 20% discount depending on the brand.  It's scheduled to run through the end of September so there's no real rush, just an interesting redemtion alternative to consider.

Keep in mind that I'm not necessarily recommending redeeming in this way, I'm fully aware that transfering the ultimate rewards points to airline or hotel programs can provide a better value but this still works out to 1.25c per point (on the Lands End and Gap GCs) and could be very handy if you need something and are short on cash.  Land's End GCs are redeemable at Sears, and I would certainly consider redeeming for them if I was low on cash and needed something like an appliance or a new grill. Similarly, if I needed to do back to school shoping I would consider the Gap giftcards as they can be used at Old Navy, Gap, Banana Republic, and their outlet stores.

I won't personally be taking advantage of this offer, largely because I'm not in the market for anything from these particular stores right now but also partially because I redeemed most of my Ultimate Rewards points earlier this year for roughly $1800 worth of Southwest Airlines flights.  I mention this because, I full well knew that I could get more "value" by redeeming for high end hyatt hotels or business class international flights, but these weren't things I needed.  I needed (or I should say wanted since I could have chosen not to travel) 6 Southwest Airlines tickets and couldn't or at least didn't want to spend the cash on them. 

My point here is simple; Always consider the best value for you when making redemptions and keep in mind this can change over time.  This year, my best value for UR points was Southwest flights, next year it could be first class international tickets or it could be giftcards.

Free Miles/ Points - Audience Reward Trivia update 08-20-2012

Audience Reward Trivia update 08-20-2012

There seems to be a change in the Audience Rewards program; where we previously had different sets of questions for each of the partner programs, there is now one set of questions which is listed on each of the partner sites.  The questions can only be answered once, so you need to pick which partner program you want to earn the points in.  I’ve listed all 4 links below; though personally, I’ll be using the SPG link as I value their points more than Delta or US miles.

Delta Skymiles (08-20-2012)

US Airways Dividend Miles (08-20-2012)

Starwood Preferred Guest 08-20-2012

Best Buy Reward Zone (08-20-2012)

Your Trivia Questions and Answers for 08-20-2012:

§  In what year did the novel that the play War Horse is based on come out?

1982

• Which of the Following Broadway regulars in NOT in Nice Work If You Can Get It?

Megan Hilty

§  Prior to Nice Work If YouCan Get It, which of the following shows did NOT play the Imperial Theatre?

Shrek The Musical

• In Avenue Q, “If You Were Gay” is sung by which characters?

Nicky and Rod

• At what theatre is Rebecca, The Musical set to open this fall ?

The Broadhurst Theatre

• What is the female lead’s name in Once?

Trick Question – we never learn her name

• True or False? While Disney is involved with the stage musical version of Newsies, it was not involved in the movie version.

False

• Which of the following tracks is often played by a non-minority actor in the cast of the Lion King?

Scar

Audience Rewards Trivia for 08-09-2012

Audience Reward Trivia update 08-09-2012

For some reason I was expecting these on Monday but it appears we are back to the new questions every 10 days schedule.

There seems to be a change in the Audience Rewards program; where we previously had different sets of questions for each of the partner programs, there is now one set of questions which is listed on each of the partner sites. The questions can only be answered once, so you need to pick which partner program you want to earn the points in. I’ve listed all 4 links below; though personally, I’ll be using the SPG link as I value their points more than Delta or US miles.

Delta Skymiles (08-09-2012)

US Airways Dividend Miles (08-09-2012)

Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG) Points (08-09-2012)

Best Buy Reward Zone (08-09-2012)

Your Trivia Questions and Answers for 08-09-2012:

§  True or False? Old Jews Telling Jokes has two acts, and one intermission.

False

·         Aside from winning the 2012 Tony Award for Best Play, what other famous award did Clybourne Park win in 2011?

The Pulitzer Prize

·         Which of the following movies was Nicholas Hytner NOT involved in?

Shakespeare in Love

§  True or False? Both Celia and Andrew Keenan Bolger went to the University of Michigan.

True

§  Michael Morpurgo wrote the book that what Broadway play is based on?

War Horse

§  True or False? Bring It On, The Musical is based on a movie.

True

§  What show won the Tony Award Best Book of a Musical in 2012?

Once

§  True or False? "When Your Mind's Made Up" has two versions in Once. One is as is, and one replaces "Made" with a swear word.

True

§  In the show, Newsies, there is a big dance number that famously involves what prop?

 Newspapers

§  Which of the following shows has Kristin Blodgette not worked on?

Billy Elliot

10 free Delta Airlines Miles - Audience Rewards Trivia 05-16-2012

For some reason there were no Delta Trivia Questions up early this morning, but it seems that they were posted at some point during the day.   Delta is back with 5 more Audience Rewards Trivia Questions worth 10 Delta SkyMiles:

Delta SkyMiles - Audience Rewards Trivia

In How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, Hedy LaRue is who? 
          Biggley’s mistress
The Banks family lives on what street in Mary Poppins? 
          Cherry Tree Lane
What city has The Lion King NOT performed in? 
          Sao Paolo
Which of the following songs by The Four Seasons isn’t featured in Jersey Boys? 
          Marlena
True or False? Peter and the Starcatcher is based on a book of the same title. 
          False

12 Free US Airways Miles and 10 Free Starwood (SPG) Points - Audience Rewards Trivia - 04-28-2012 / 04-29-2012

I was traveling for a few days and ended up being without a laptop, so I wasn't able to get these trivia questions up in a timely fashion.  On the off chance that Someone looking for the answers hasn't already went elsewhere to find them, Here are the questions and answers for the latest Audience Rewards Trivia Questions for US Airways and Starwood (SPG) Hotels:


US Airways Audience Rewards Trivia Questions and Answers from 04-28-2012

US Airways Audience Rewards Trivia

What year did the novel of War Horse come out?
          1982
Which of the following Broadway regulars is NOT in Nice Work If You Can Get It?
          Megan Hilty
Which of the following films was Janus Cercone NOT involved in?
          Death to Smoochie
Venus in Fur deals largely with which of the following issues?
          Masochism
True or False? Evita takes place entirely in one country.
          False
Where did Mamma Mia! originally premiere in the U.S.?
          San Francisco



SPG Audience Rewards Trivia Questions and Answers from 04-29-2012

Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG) Points - Audience Rewards Trivia

In what famous sitcom did Linda Lavin star?
          Alice
True or False? With Lin-Manuel Miranda, Thomas Kail wrote the closing rap for the 65th Tony Awards telecast on June 12, 2011.
          True
The opening of the second act of Peter and the Starcatcher features the cast dressed as what?
          Mermaids
What was the last show that Matthew Broderick was in on Broadway?
          The Philanthropist
What production company was behind Leap of Faith?
          Paramount

12 Free US Airways Dividend Miles Audience Rewards Trivia 04-18-2012

US Airways is back today with fresh Audience Rewards Trivia Questions; 6 questions today for a total of 12 US Airways Dividend Miles.  Like always, its not a ton of miles, but if nothing else it keeps your account active and only takes seconds to answer the questions.

US Airways Audience Rewards Trivia


Here are the Audience Reward Trivia Questions and Answers for today:

What was the last play that Thomas Kail directed on Broadway?
          Lombardi
Dick Latessa, of The Lyons, was in all but which of the following films?
          The Bourne Identity
Where does Rosemary fantasize about moving with her future husband in How to Succeed Without Really Trying?
          New Rochelle
True or False? Christian Bale is reportedly NOT a fan of the Newsies film.
          True
How many shows has the director of Once directed on Broadway, not including Once?
          0
Kevin Del Aguila, currently in Peter and the Starcatcher, wrote the book for what successful Off-Bway (Broadway) musical?
          Altar Boyz

500 Free US Airways Dividend Miles - Download and use Shopping Toolbar

Dividend Miles Storefront Page

US Airways is currently offering 500 free miles for downloading and using their shopping toolbar.  This is apparently different than the previous toolbar, so you should be able to get the miles even if you've used a similar toolbar in the past.  You don't actually need to make a purchase to earn the miles, using the toolbar to complete web searches also fulfills the requirements to get the free miles.

10 free Delta Airlines Miles - Audience Rewards Trivia 04-16-2012

Delta SkyMiles - Audience Rewards Trivia


Besides, Mamma Mia!, which of the following musicals has songs by ABBA members?
          Chess
Which of the following countries has Chicago NOT been performed in since 1996?
          New Zealand
What musical has Mark Brokaw directed on Broadway?
          Cry-Baby
John Dossett, of Newsies, is married to what Broadway actress?
          Michelle Pawk
Which of the following is the correct spelling?
          Kelli O’Hara

Free Delta SkyMiles for Surveys - TheWhiteboard.com

Free Delta SkyMiles for Surveys - TheWhiteboard.com

There isn't a whole lot going on in the Points / Cash / Miles game this morning so I thought I'd do a piece on a (relatively) new site I've been checking out.  I would have posted about it sooner but I wanted to try the site out for myself before passing along the information.  I haven't actually received miles from them yet but I don't have any reason to believe there would be any problem getting the miles.

Basically This is site where you respond to surveys and are rewarded with points that can be redeemed for Delta Skymiles.

Redeem for SkyMiles at these levels:
2500 points = 500 miles
5000 points = 1000 miles
7500 points = 1500 miles
10000 points = 2000 miles

Since the redemtion rate is the same 5 points to 1 Mile, I'm not sure why you wouldn't just always redeem at the 2500 points level, I'll be doing this as soon as my pending points show up as redeemable.

They claim to be invitation only, but there is a join button on the website that asks for your name and email address "for review". I'm not sure as I didn't try it out myself, but I'm guessing this will generate an invitation.  Also check your emails from Delta, My invitation came directly from the Airline back in February.

12 free US Airways Dividend Miles - Audience Rewards Trivia

https://www.audiencerewards.com/usairways/trivia.cfm


Where did Jersey Boys have its original U.S. premiere?
          San Diego
True or False? Ashley Wallen, choreographer of Ghost, has worked with many pop stars on their videos and tours.
          True
True or False? Both Celia and Andrew Keenan Bolger went to the University of Michigan.
          True
Who plays Larry Bird in Magic/Bird on Broadway?
          Tug Cooker (Coker)
True or False? “When Your Mind’s Made Up” has two versions in Once. One is as is, and one replaces “Made” with a swear word.
          True
Linda Lavin has starred in all but which of the following shows on Broadway?
          Seminar

10 free Delta Airlines Miles - Audience Rewards Trivia

Delta SkyMiles - Audience Rewards Trivia 04-06-2012


How many women are onstage in Peter and the Starcatcher? 
          1
True or False? Caissie Levy did NOT originate the role of Molly (Ghost: The Musical) in London. 
          False
Which of the following is the correct title of the show?
          Magic/Bird
Who is directing The Lyons on Broadway?
          Mark Brokaw
True or False? Chicago, the musical, is based on a play. 
          True