Save Money on Your Valentine’s Day Date With Restaurant Loyalty Apps
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What is the main topic discussed in this episode?
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Here's your money briefing for Friday, February 14th.
How can restaurant loyalty apps reduce the cost of a Valentine's Day dinner?
I'm Mariana Aspuru for The Wall Street Journal. A dozen roses, a heart-shaped box of chocolates, along with a romantic Valentine's Day dinner can add up. But scoring that hard-to-get reservation could be cheaper and easier with the help of restaurant loyalty apps.
If you dine out a lot, then you should go for the app that offers significant discounts because you are spending a lot of money at restaurants. And then if you're a person who enjoys having perks like getting a free cocktail from time to time or that extra course, then I think that one of these apps might be for you as well.
We'll talk with Wall Street Journal contributor Kathleen Squires about how diners can get the most out of these apps after the break.
Listen at schwab.com slash washingtonwise.
Users flock to restaurant loyalty apps hoping to improve their dining out experience and maybe save some money. But which one is right for you? Wall Street Journal contributor Kathleen Squires joins me.
What core features do restaurant loyalty apps like Blackbird, inKind and Dorsia offer?
Kathleen, what do loyalty apps specifically for restaurants offer?
Restaurant loyalty apps can offer easy payment. You can pay your check right on the app and then just get up and go. You don't have to wait for the check. There's no back and forth with the server bringing you the check. running your credit card, bringing it back.
How should you choose an app based on how often you dine out?
Another thing that these loyalty apps offer are significant rewards and discounts. And some of these apps also offer access to hot tables.
At like sought after restaurants, I'm thinking like Carbone here in New York. Anything else come to mind?
What perks and clubs does Blackbird provide for regular neighborhood diners?
Yes. Carbone, the corner store. Think any place that Taylor Swift would dine. You can get a table.
Listen, I like anything with Taylor Swift. But your story discusses the top three restaurant loyalty apps.
How does inKind's prepaid credit model deliver 25–33% savings?
What are the main criteria someone should consider when choosing one?
Think about how often you dine out.
What does Dorsia’s access‑focused model and minimum‑spend requirement mean for diners?
If you dine out a lot, then you should go for the app that offers significant discounts because you are spending a lot of money at restaurants. Let's say that you have a client in town to impress. Then I would go for... an app that gives you access to a hard-to-get table. And then if you're a person who enjoys having perks like getting a free cocktail from time to time or that extra course, then I think that one of these apps might be for you as well. And you run through three of these in your story. The first one you mention is Blackbird.
What are the downsides and membership considerations to weigh before signing up?
Who does this app appeal to?
The Blackbird app appeals to people who tend to be regulars at neighborhood restaurants. You check in when you enter the restaurant and you amass their currency. And then that can be used for perks such as a free cocktail, could be used also to pay your bill. Blackbird also has special clubs. There's one called the Burger Club. They have a breakfast club. The Breakfast Club, for example, you pay $25 a month and you get a cup of coffee daily, discounts on breakfast, and some merch. So just think about the coffee alone. At $25 a month, the average cup of coffee today is $3 to $5. So for $25, you're getting a value of $90 to $150 worth of coffee.
The next app you mentioned in your story is Inkind. What are some of the top features there?
You get the check on your app. You pay it. You get up and go. I also like how Inkind offers really significant discounts, especially if you prepay for credit. you can get 25 to 33 percent off your bill. And if you dine out a lot, that's really significant. The last one you mentioned is Dorsia. Tell me about how this one differs from the two we just talked about. It focuses on access. Through Dorsia, you can score that really hot table. at the types of restaurants, let's say, that celebrities go to. What's interesting about Dorsia is that you have to commit to a minimum spend. So, for example, I recently went to Teresi, a very popular restaurant in New York City, and it was $300 minimum spend per person.
You can see your tab live as you're eating. So if you've blown through that $600 and you're concerned about it, then maybe you can skip dessert.
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Chapters
8 chapters
1
What is the main topic discussed in this episode?
0:01–0:32
2
How can restaurant loyalty apps reduce the cost of a Valentine's Day dinner?
0:32–2:07
3
What core features do restaurant loyalty apps like Blackbird, inKind and Dorsia offer?
2:07–2:31
4
How should you choose an app based on how often you dine out?
2:31–2:47
5
What perks and clubs does Blackbird provide for regular neighborhood diners?
2:47–3:00
6
How does inKind's prepaid credit model deliver 25–33% savings?
3:00–3:07
7
What does Dorsia’s access‑focused model and minimum‑spend requirement mean for diners?
3:07–3:41
8
What are the downsides and membership considerations to weigh before signing up?
3:41–8:49
Speakers
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