InKind Dining App: How It Works, Why I Love It, And My Experience

Sorry it had to come to this.

E tu, Brutus?

Just signed up, quite a few restaurants in there that I frequently go to. Thanks Ben!

I have used this app before and it blows every single one of it's competitors outta the water. Don't knock it until you try it, you brute.

You're not saving anything if you go more often.
Credit card rewards from spending on groceries, gas, childcare etc is real money back in your pocket because those were purchases you would of made anyways.

Going to a restaurant because you got a $25 off $50 coupon is a straight $25 loss.

Very city specific. Great in NYC, poor in NYC.

Buy credit from Costco for a discount - https://www.costco.com/p/-/inkind-one-egift-card-thousands-of-restaurants-100-value/4000233859?langId=-1

And stack with this $25 off $50 offer by signing up using my referral: https://app.inkind.com/refer/Y63PURGE

Thanks

Because you otherwise wouldn’t eat at all that night? Check your math. Food isn’t free, no matter where you get it or who prepares it.

The problem with InKind in my experience is using the Toast platform. Too often when you ask for the check the waiter just reads their kiosk and gives you a verbal amount owed. When you ask if you can get a check, they show you their handheld device with a total on it, and then stand over your shoulder as you enter a tip. And although you can customize that, some restaurants start the suggested tip amount at 22%. When you tell them you need a paper ticket so you can expense the meal, they roll their eyes and take their time getting back to you. Occasionally you'll get someone nice who doesn't mind printing a check for you, but in my experience that's in the minority.

Looks dope but I've already got fatigue from all the tools I use at the office, not sure I need the same vibes from my leisure time needing too many tools as well

I use it often and...

"There’s not even any confusion, since you actually pay the bill on your end, without even interacting with the server. That’s because all InKind restaurants use the Toast platform for payments, so it’s all connected pretty nicely on the backend"

This hasn't been my experience at all.

Some places have a QR code on the paper bill.

Others require you enter the check number.

Others require you enter the total.

Last week the server asked to take a photo of my phone showing I paid because their system didn't show it

Costco sells inKind gift cards routine for $75 for $100. Occasionally they have a promo and sell $65 for $100.

I regretted it after Buying it for a few months (It looked almost as Bad as "Open Tables" By Chase) But now they seem to have added a lot of new restaurants and have decided to Buy more at Costco.

We've saved a bunch using InKind. 37x in 13 months. Even all the California Pizza Kitchens are on it and there's some awesome restaurants in many cities, including a bunch of Jose Andres' restaurants.

Here's our link. We'd love it if you'd use it to get your free $25 and we get a bonus too. Win win for us both.

https://app.inkind.com/refer/DFNXTTC4

Fortunately, their website lets you see participating restaurants. They have places I'll never go (CA Pizza Kitchen), a local casual chain that's decent at fair prices (that I haven't been to in at least 5 years), and a bunch of properties that cost 50% more for the same food as places with lesser egos. That is, of course, based on my tastes and relates to the only two dozen locations in my 2+ million SMSA.

Does it work for takeout?

And nice to sometimes pick a more expensive restaurant (knowing 35% off with Costco).

Overall, I love inKind - good restaurants in their network, super-convenient to use, and fantastic discounts. But two warnings about buying credit directly from inKind (versus buying discounted gift cards from Costco). First, and the biggest problem - I was told by my credit card company (Chase Sapphire Reserve) that when buying credit directly from inKind, it codes as a cash advance, not as a credit transaction. Which means the transaction is subject a number of additional charges - a high cash advance fee and interest charges that kick in right away (no grace period). Second, even putting aside the cash advance fees, buying the Costco gift card is almost always a better deal. The Costco gift card is quoted as a discount, the inKind offers are quotes as a bonus. For example, an inKind bonus of 40% sounds better than a Costco gift card discount of 35% (the typical discount when Costco runs an inKind promotion, the normal discount is 25%). But for example, getting a 40% bonus when buying $100 from inKind, means you’re getting $140 - mathematically, that translates to a discount of 29% (140/100=71). Between those two factors, you’re always better off buying the Costco gift card. And even if you don’t have Costco membership, given steep cash advance fees, you may be better off just taking the normal inKind 20% discount at the time you dine instead of buying inKind credit.

Unless you're in a very large place the selection is restaurants is extremely limited. My options are far from home and still not even places I want to eat. Which makes the fact that my local Costco sells gift cards even more amusing. I literally have one coffee shop within 10 miles of my house, no restaurants closer than that. I can appreciate good value coming from them and I'm happy for those who have a good assortment close to home. But, as others have mentioned, check out their restaurant map before putting any money into this

Can you use it for takeout?

Wondering if anyone else had this experience: I wanted to use rewards (cash back) in my wallet (earned at a restaurant and from 2 referrals). When I went to use those “points” I couldn’t pay the rest of my bill from my InKind cash appearing in my wallet. The only option was to pay the rest of the bill with my credit card which kept getting rejected- the same card that previously worked on the app and with a zero balance. So I had no choice but to use my InKind cash- no rewards could be applied. Anyone know how to do this- use cash back or any rewards and pay the rest with InKind cash? Anyone else have a perfectly good credit card rejected? Thanks!

Thank you so much for the heads-up on the cash advance fee. InKind is offering 40% bonus again but no idea how this would post

InKind just changed their policy to no longer stack Cash with Rewards, it’s now either/or

I’ve been with in kind since its inception in dc. Love that they include Michelin starred restaurants. I like to buy at 40 or even 50% off. Makes restaurants much more affordable. Also fun to try new places!

I like the app so far. Very easy to use and if you aren't satisfied with an experience, the customer service is very understanding. In some cases I got my money back. I also like how I can use it on to go orders. There is one caveat though that the tip is going to be taken off from a credit card on file.

If you want to try it out, use my link. I appreciate it. You'll get 25 off of $50. Thanks you! https://app.inkind.com/refer/IUSMSMH3

In Kind has now gone to “dynamic” pricing, and the discount has been reduced for most places from 20% to 10% on some or all days.

Yeah, it was too good to be true. Great while it lasted though.

SCAM SCAM SCAM. Here in Las Vegas, I was suckered into installing the app to get $20 off a $60 order at Rebellion pizza. Placed the order, never saw the $20. Immediately deleted the app, and advised the restaurant they lost a customer. I do not buy from businesses that affiliate with scammers

E tu, Brutus?

I have used this app before and it blows every single one of it's competitors outta the water. Don't knock it until you try it, you brute.

Because you otherwise wouldn’t eat at all that night? Check your math. Food isn’t free, no matter where you get it or who prepares it.

You don't need to do anything on their handheld - just ask for the check number to enter into your own app and then you do the transaction on your own phone. A receipt is emailed to you.

Yeah, that is a no from me dawg.

I am not jumping through all those hoops to give restaurants my money.

Generally, yes, as long as the merchant uses their normal POS for takeout. Several of my local places are coffee shops and an asian pancake place that are counter-service only.

Thank you so much for the heads-up on the cash advance fee. InKind is offering 40% bonus again but no idea how this would post

Check when traveling too: Disney Springs in Orlando and Las Vegas, for example, have participating restaurants.

InKind just changed their policy to no longer stack Cash with Rewards, it’s now either/or