Rewards Network Reviews 

Our restaurant signed up with Rewards Network because we were hoping the program would bring us new customers. Unfortunately, based on my experience, I would not recommend this program to other restaurant owners.

One of my biggest concerns is how restaurants are charged. From what I understand and experienced, if a customer pays with a card that is linked to the Rewards Network or one of its participating rewards programs, the restaurant can be charged—even when Rewards Network had absolutely nothing to do with bringing that customer to the restaurant.

A perfect example happened with a private event at our restaurant. I personally worked with this customer for approximately two months to organize her event. She was already my customer and the event had nothing to do with Rewards Network. After she paid for the event, Rewards Network charged us for the transaction because the card she used was apparently associated with their network.

I even contacted the customer directly. She told me she had no idea what Rewards Network was and, to her knowledge, she did not receive any reward from the transaction. Yet our restaurant was still charged.

After experiences like this, I submitted a cancellation request. The cancellation process itself took approximately 30 days. The communication I received indicated that there might still be one or two additional charges afterward. Our cancellation became effective in late July, and as of August 5, we are still seeing charges.

I contacted customer service again and was told that we may even receive another charge because diners who visited while we were participating still have to be rewarded.

For me, this defeats the entire reason we joined. I expected to pay for business that Rewards Network actually generated for our restaurant—not to pay fees connected to customers we already had, private events we personally organized, or people who walked into our restaurant independently and happened to use a card associated with their network.

This has been a frustrating and expensive experience. Restaurant owners considering Rewards Network should carefully understand exactly how the charges are triggered, including what happens when an existing customer uses an eligible card, and carefully review the cancellation terms before signing up.

Based on my experience, the program was a waste of time and money for our restaurant, and I would not sign up again. I sincerely hope the charges now stop. If unauthorized charges continue after the cancellation has been fully processed, I will address them with my bank.

This is my second review…vendor requested more info, would do if Trustpilot provided me with a reference number. So here’s my info:
Previous review: 7/10/26; Again: rewards network employs incompetent phone help and online help.
-Evidence: 3 months to get my email changed.
-Evidence: no confirmation when reservation is placed on the AADining site.
-Evidence: nasty response from the online human (has to be bc robots aren’t nasty)
-Evidence: require patrons to link their credit card, so RN can harvest data and sell it.
Evidence-restaurant owners who have worked with RN agree-just look at the reviews.
TRUSTPILOT: my experience w/RN spanned a full month of attempting to contact RN to resolve all their many mistakes.

I have been a customer of Rewards Network for over two years, and my experience has been extremely disappointing. They have continued charging my business month after month, but I have seen very little value in return.

Their customer service is one of the worst I’ve dealt with. Every time I call, it’s difficult to get real help, and the representatives are often rude, dismissive, and unwilling to resolve problems. Instead of helping restaurant owners, it feels like they only care about collecting their monthly fees.

As a small business owner, I expected a partnership that would bring customers and support my business. Instead, I ended up paying thousands of dollars with little benefit and terrible customer service.

I would not recommend Rewards Network to other restaurant owners. Before signing up, read every part of the agreement carefully and make sure you understand exactly what you’re paying for. Based on my experience, I regret ever joining.

These people are scammers!!

They promise you can exit at any time, but apparently you CAN NOT!!

They will say they are trying to resolve the constant dinging of your account however, no results take place.

I have been trying for MONTHS to get this shutdown!!

DO NOT EVER USE THIS COMPANY. SCAMMERS.
This company attempted to sell us a merchant cash advance/loan. After reviewing the terms, I declined the offer because I believed the terms were predatory. Despite my refusal, the company allegedly used our banking information to enroll us in a program that I did not authorize. Funds were subsequently withdrawn from our business account without my consent.

Additionally, I discovered that the company communicated with one of my employees and obtained signatures on paperwork without my knowledge or authorization. As a result of these unauthorized actions, our business has suffered financial losses exceeding $15,000.

Very frustrating that my miles earned have not been posted to my account. Constant calls and emails don't seem to help resolve the issue

DO NOT TRUST THIS COMPANY. They had me sign some paperwork and then sent over more paperwork to sign. None of the relevant information is on the initial paperwork; there's a link to what the real relevant financial info is, that you find out about after wanting to cancel. They said they'd bring in new customers and charge me 15 percent for every "new" customer they brought. What actually happened was they charge 15 percent on almost all credit card purchases. I then cancelled immediately and was taken off there program, only to find out that they continue to take 15 percent of all credit card charges for another month, as well as a 500 dollar cancellation fee. DO NOT TRUST THIS COMPANY.

I would not use Rewards Network! You pay a monthly fee on customers that you already have. It is nearly impossible to cancel your account and they continue to charge. We have been trying to cancel our account for two months.

I am not a customer. I am a small business owner. I was "given" a loan by Rewards Network after they convinced me they just wanted to "help small businesses and make sure they survived" Well, six months later, they are still taking thousands out of my account every month with some ridiculously complicated pay back scheme that has to be criminal. DO NOT work with this company. They will tell you all sorts of wonderful things, but they are making money off of local businesses who are desperate and convinced that they genuinely want to help. THEY DON'T!

The gift that takes and takes. We looked at this as a possible new revenue stream but it didn't grow anything but their bottom line at the expense of us subsidizing the cost of guests we already had. When we cancelled they continued to bill us for months saying it was people that had dined there months ago and just turned in receipts. We have no way to verify anything. Marriot and other hotel systems have in house concierge programs that costs us 1000's less.
Spend your money there and not on the unverifiable.

The worst stay away it’s a SCAM they keep charging your business out of thin air.. DO NOT DO IT

So, it was nice to have a little funding during some slow months...but it comes at a STEEP price. Almost 40% "interest"... although they don't call it that.
Yes, you could call a part of that marketing and it does bring in some new guests, but I know many customers are people that come here already, they are just using that particular rewards credit card for the purchase.
When I complained that the weekly payment was 2 and even 3 times what they told me the average weekly payment would be, they said they could "slow down" the marketing so payment amounts would come down but it was still above what that average was supposed to be.
BUT!! HERE'S THE WORST PART!!!
When I finally finished up with the payback they of course asked if I wanted to renew, when I said no, they said ok you have to email us your 30 day notice to quit, because they have to wind down the "rewards" they offer card members. Yet, when I told them I was not renewing because I was selling the business they had said they could do it immediately if I showed them the bill of sale of the restaurant (I'm in the middle of it and hadn't completed the sale).
So they CAN stop it immediately, they just WON'T.

Now that additional 30 days of marketing that I don't even want, will cost me another 15-20% on the original amount they funded. So, total payback will be 155-160% of original amount.

So, know what you're getting into before signing.

They just keep stealing money a month after I was told two weeks that the process would be complete. After showing the CSR their own email that it would be just two weeks more of paying for their services, they keep saying I owe them money from 4 weeks past those two weeks. I think they play dumb. Not worth it. Most of their customers don't even know they are getting any kind of rewards. And you will be surprised how many of their "new customers" for you are your own regulars that you have had for years.

Business owner be careful when you sign up with Rewards Networks. This is a scammer.

Scam
Business owner please be careful and don’t sign with them or it will cost you a lot as they lie everything they say

This is a great tool for getting customers into your business for the first time or giving them a reason to choose your place rather than the competition who does not give them the rewards. It is also great to advance money if needed for cash flow or improvements. We are thankful for our collaboration with the Rewards Network program.

Donna Travisano is unbelievable. Helpful, patience and ALWAYS THERE when we have a question or need assistance. She is not a REP but a friend personally and to our establishment, Ristaurante Lucca! Words are inadequate to describe our appreciation.

Working with the rewards network has been a wonderful experience. Sarah has been so easy to work with and has personalized the experience to fit our needs. I would recommend to other colleagues and restaurant owners.

10/10

I know what you're thinking... "Rewards Network is taking my already-existing customers and charging a fee for their business." I believe that to be only partially true. Rewards Network offers a statistics database once you're onboarded, and you can see all repeat and new card swipes. If you think your repeat card swipes is a bad thing, consider this: Rewards Network is assisting in CUSTOMER RETENTION, incentivizing your guests to keep coming back and come back more often than any other restaurant. They are also assisting in customer attraction, bringing new customers into your restaurant. And finally, Rewards Network has a reviews feature, producing word-of-mouth marketing. So, you have New Customer Acquisition, Customer Retention, and Word-of-Mouth all for a very reasonable charge. If you're looking for effective marketing tactics besides Google/Meta Ads, Rewards Network is a great service to explore.

Our experience with Rewards Network has been positive. We look forward to continuing to partner with them regarding marketing and increasing sales.