6 Ways to Dine Out on a Dime

Enjoy more meals out via smart scheduling, rewards programs and exclusive discounts

Friends Enjoying a Meal at Restaurant

by NEA Member Benefits

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Dining out can take a bite out of your wallet, especially if you go to restaurants often or if you have a big family. With a little research and some savvy scheduling, you can get some great restaurant deals that can save you money and stress.

These six money-saving tips will have you enjoying meals out more often—even if you’re on a tight budget.

1. Buy discounted gift cards and certificates

Money-saving sites such as Restaurant.com and Groupon team up with eateries to offer discounted gift certificates that help you stretch your dining dollars. Check for Restaurant.com certificates through NEA Discount Marketplace. You may also be able to earn cash back when purchasing them.

2. Join a rewards program or a frequent diner club

Reap savings based on how often you eat out. Many restaurants have programs that reward your patronage, whether it’s one free dessert for every 10 meals or a points card that tallies up your expenditures (usually excluding alcohol) and later rewards you. Inquire at your favorite spot.

Lettuce Entertain You, a frequent dining club, gives diners a $10 dining reward card every time they rack up 140 points worth of food and beverages (or save up points for bigger rewards) at more than 70 participating restaurants in select states.

3. Stay informed about deals

Flip through local newspapers or penny-saver ads and tear out regional deals and coupons—especially when you’re vacationing or in an unfamiliar locale. Check Valpak, too.

Trolling well-respected “foodie” websites—such as Eater or Grub Street—keeps you in-the-know on free tastings, happy hours and prix fixe meals in several metropolitan areas.

Restaurants often advertise discounts via social media sites. If you’ve dined somewhere—and loved it—become a Facebook fan and follow the eatery on Twitter to get the quick scoop on hot deals. 

4. Use smartphone apps

LocalEats doles out mobile coupons in more than 50 U.S. cities. Some apps with location-based services, such as Yelp and FourSquare, unlock deals when you check in while dining out.

5. Make a reservation

Just reserving a table via free online-booking agent OpenTable helps you save. Every standard reservation made garners 100 points, and for every 2,000 points earned, a $20 OpenTable Dining Cheque is awarded.

6. Share your opinions

Providing feedback can reap rewards when you fill out restaurant surveys with iDine. After eating at participating restaurants and answering a few questions about the experience, you’ll earn back a percentage of your bill and rack up points for future dining excursions.

More ways to save