The Infatuation's Text Recommendations Arrive in LA, Thanks to Delta
Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.
There are more than 10,000 restaurants in Los Angeles, according to TripAdvisor. And with so many to choose from, we understand the daunting decision-making process that visitors and locals go through. Fortunately, Delta SkyMiles members can use Text Rex LA, a new service that launched last week offering free, personalized restaurant recommendations in the City of Angels through January 2018.
The original service, which launched in the New York City area in 2015, came into fruition after the founders of The Infatuation, a website with guides and reviews on food, discovered that rather than using automated chat "bots," personal recommendations by other humans resulted in deeper connections with its readers.
Using Text Rex is a simple process; since it's a text-based service, all users have to do is send a message with a question about where to eat. After that, trained team members use The Infatuation's categorized food database to come up with suggestions based on your situation, asking simple questions like what the occasion is, what you're craving and what your ideal location would be. Today, Text Rex's NYC service answers over 500 foodie-related questions each day and caters to more than 35,000 users.
"Our support of The Infatuation and bringing Text Rex exclusively to SkyMiles members in LA lets us engage our customers in a relevant way by providing more of what they value," Julieta McCurry, Delta's managing director of US marketing communications, told Adweek.
After multiple scandals in the aviation industry, airlines are finally starting to understand the importance of forming more personal relationships with its customers. With Text Rex, members of Delta's loyalty program can explore Los Angeles with some insider knowledge. When explaining the partnership, McCurry added: "We understand the importance of being locally relevant to prove to Angelenos we want to be their airline of choice."
Next time you have a date night in West Hollywood or brunch in Venice Beach, perhaps give Text Rex a try. After all, Delta SkyMiles membership is free — and the only prerequisite for joining the service. As always, be sure to use a credit card when dining out to make the most of your meal. Certain cards — including the Chase Sapphire Reserve (3x Ultimate Rewards points), Premier Rewards Gold Card from American Express (2x Membership Rewards points) and Citi Prestige Card (2x ThankYou points) — offer a great return on restaurant purchases.
Has Text Rex helped you find a new place to eat? Let us know in the comments, below.
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| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 5X | New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Valuable dining and food-related credits
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- No foreign transaction fees
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Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
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- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
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- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
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- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.