Buying restaurant coupons from Restaurant.com, which is frequently advertised online, might seem a leap of faith. I know I was initially hesitant to pay for a discount up front because I couldn't be sure it would be honored at the restaurant.
But I tried it, and have never had a problem with a certificates' acceptance. And so my family goes out to eat more frequently than we would without them.
How Restaurant.com Works
Customers buy a gift certificate online for a specific amount to a specific restaurant, but pay a fraction of its face value. Customers print out their discount certificates, which are good for one year, and bring them to the restaurants. (Certificates are not sent by regular mail.)
For instance, a $25 certificate might only cost $10. Most certificates give at least a 50 percent discount. Often Restaurant.com offers special discounts that give an additional percentage or dollar amount off. Sign up for its newsletter to get info on these extra discounts.
Shop for Restaurant Coupons at Restaurant.com
Conditions and Exclusions
When purchasing these restaurant coupons, you must read the fine print. However, the fine print is quite prominently displayed. Prior to purchase, you should know the conditions of the discount. Some of Restaurant.com's general conditions include:
- One redemption per party, per month, per restaurant.
- Certificates expire in one year. (This one has gotten me. Now I buy when I'm ready to walk out the door to go to the restaurant so I don't forget about the certificate.)
- Can't be combined with other discounts.
- No refunds, but gift certificates can be exchanged at Restaurant.com within 90 days of purchase.
All of the certificates have some additional conditions. Some of the most common ones are listed below, though I have not seen any restaurants with all of these conditions.
- Minimum purchase (excluding tax and tip) - This is the most common condition. If you change the certificate amount, the minimum will change too.
- Weekends, holidays or other dates excluded
- Alcohol excluded
- Dinner only
- Lunch only (less common)
- Automatic gratuity added to pre-discounted bill
- Dine in only
Steps for Purchasing Restaurant.com Certificates:
- Browse restaurants in your area. The easiest way is to use your zip code.
- Choose a restaurant. Read conditions and exclusions in the grey box on the right of the screen. Click on restaurant name and read description.
- Choose an amount (notice that the conditions, usually the minimum purchase, might change). Add to cart. If you have a discount code, enter it and hit "Apply."
- Register, if you are not already registered. You will need to provide your email for a confirmation to be sent.
- When you are done shopping, proceed to checkout. Enter billing address. (Remember certificates will not be mailed to this address.) Pay using credit card, Pay Pal or Give Anything. Submit order.
- Confirmation and details will be emailed to you. (No need to take the survey that pops up at the end of the process.) If you have any trouble accessing your email, you can always go back to Restaurant.com, click on "My Account" in upper right, then click "View and Print Certificates."
- Print certificate and bring to restaurant. It is always best to mention the certificate to your server when you are seated. The restaurant must call to activate your certificate.
