Recently started using the InKind app.

It reminds me of a modern day passbook savings or even People Book for Aggies in the 90s. Man I miss the Cow Hop coupon.

Here's the deal. Restaurants options are just ok in InKind pool but it sees to be growing not shrinking. But if you happen to be eating at one of them it is a no brainer.
(1) they send you $20 or $10 coupons all the time
(2) you can buy gift cards from Costco for $75 that give you $100 credit
(3) if you just don't have Costco and just pay straight out they still give you 20% back in the form of future credit
(4) it's super easy. I always hated the whole coupon things and weird restrictions. Literally you just have to use the app at the end to pay. That's it.

I recently took family out at local place. Knew bill would be over $100. Ordered Costco credit right before leaving. Then got a $20 coupon so in effect got $45 off.

Some nice places. Some chain places. Not amazing selection. But worth checking out. At one point Costco was selling the gift cards for $65 and that was a no brainer.

Here a code to get you $25 if you're so interested. https://app.inkind.com/refer/RQPMVSZE

Do I think this is the most amazing thing? No
If there's places you eat at regularly is it worth trying out? Yes. It is zero risk and almost certain savings.

Here how to look up if there are restaurants you would be interested in: https://inkind.com/explore

Not a ton of places in west Houston but several places we go pretty often.

Thanks!

Costco has GC specific for InKind App?

Confirmed can buy from Costco app and load.

Sazerac said:

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Costco has GC specific for InKind App?

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Yes. At one point it was $65 for a $100 InKind card. Now its $75.

I always wonder who eats the discount? Restaurants typically have very small profit margins.

Is it solely Costco using this as a loss leader to get you in the door?

One of the perks from T-MOBILE is cash back at lots of restaurants. You sign up for TM dining and at least around me there lots of options. I cashed one yesterday I didn't even know.

Only Lick Ice Cream and Crust Pizza in BCS.

Garrelli 5000 said:

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I always wonder who eats the discount? Restaurants typically have very small profit margins.

Is it solely Costco using this as a loss leader to get you in the door?

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The restaurant probably looks at it as if you weren't going anyways, they were getting $0 from you. If you use the coupon and go back, they have a new customer.

What percentage of gift certificates go unused?

AI says it's like 10 to 20%.

Plus you get cash back at end of year if you use your Costco credit card to buy the gift cards

This is a different program than most
(1) you get real savings. 20% is significant. Many mileage or other programs give you 1-3% in mileage or cash back
(2) there is no risk. You don't have to buy the Costco cards. I just do it right before I go to a restaurant

The restaurant business is weird.

They are running a deal where you can buy credits and get a bonus. Example I paid $299 and got $420 in my account.

So I have $200 credits from GC (paid $150) and the $420.

I used it tonight and
1. You have to pay the tip through the app with your credit card on file. You can't use any of the credits.
2. I don't think you get the 20% credit if you pay the bill with any credits. You have to pay in full with credit card through the app.

So you can get 20% back as a credit OR you can use the "bonuses up credits" from GC / pre buying, but not both. And say you pay directly enough times for the 20% to be paid as credits, when you use those credits to pay you then don't get the 20%.

So it's not quite as good as I was thinking....

Still worth using though.

At first I thought you could stack discounts but no.
Basically you get worst case a 20% discount (which is paid in credits). Or up to 40% if you prepay. Except for the tip which is not discounted.

But 20-40% discount if you would have eaten that anyway is significant.