Tastecard
 | This article may rely excessively on sources too closely associated with the subject, potentially preventing the article from being verifiable and neutral. (February 2017) |
 | |
| Founded | 2006 |
|---|---|
| Founder | Matt Turner |
| Headquarters | Huddersfield , UK |
Area served | United Kingdom and Ireland |
| Products |
|
| Website | tastecard |
tastecard is a discount card accepted by many restaurants in the UK and Ireland offering typically a 50% discount or two meals for the price of one at participating restaurants;[1] details and restrictions vary from restaurant to restaurant and are listed on the website. It is implemented by a physical card the same size as a credit card or a "digital card" on a mobile phone. Both chain and independent restaurants, some with a Michelin star, accept tastecard. Discounted pizza delivery and cinema tickets are also available. The price of annual membership as of 2023[update] was £34.99, often with a trial period available free or at nominal cost.
Restrictions may apply: some restaurants allow discounts to no more than two diners; cards may not be accepted at peak times such as Fridays or Saturdays, or December; it is usually necessary to book beforehand.
It was originally set up in 2006 as tastelondon by founders Matt Turner and Jamie Milner,[2] and re-branded in 2010 to encompass the rest of the UK and Ireland. In June 2014 tastecard reported over 7,000 participating restaurants[3] and over 800,000 members. It claims to be "the UK's biggest dining club", but no longer lists numbers of members and restaurants.[4]
Restaurants in the scheme are required to offer a discount to members, but the restaurants do not receive a share of the membership fee. The tastecard website and smartphone app allow users to search for participating restaurants near a specified location. Members can also use the smartphone app to access their digital card, write restaurant reviews and see their total savings. The app is available on Apple[5] and Android devices.[6] User reviews[7] and [8] are available via a Web search, and on the review sections of the app pages.
As of 2023 most memberships are digital and auto-renewing, requiring a mobile telephone and without a physical card. Reviews on the Play Store for the Android version report difficulties logging into the app, so that it cannot be used, or cancelled.[6]
tastecard+
[edit]The company launched special offer platform tastecard+ in May 2013, which became available as a payable add-on to annual tastecard membership, offering discounts on fine dining, hotels, cinema, theatre, live music, comedy and family days out, and competitions and giveaways.[9] In 2023 tastecard+ was not mentioned on the tastecard Web site, and many non-restaurant offers were available to all card holders.
Charity
[edit]In 2012 and 2013 the company supported Mary's Meals, an international charity that initiates school feeding projects in some of the poorest communities of the world. In that period tastecard donated £5 to Mary's Meals for every tastecard membership sold.[10] As of 1 November 2013 they had donated £230,148.00 to the charity over the preceding 18 months.[11] A page about Mary's Meals was included in the tastecard Web site until 2021.[10]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "tastecard - 50% Off or 2 for 1 Discount at Restaurants". Tastecard. Retrieved 12 February 2023.
- ^ Zientek, Henryk (31 May 2010). "Business Profile: Matt Turner and Jamie Milner of Taste Marketing Ltd". Huddersfieldexaminer. Retrieved 12 February 2019.
- ^ "50% off or 2 For 1 at 7000+ Top UK Restaurants". tastecard Diners Club. Archived from the original on 25 June 2014. Archived 25 June 2014.
- ^ "About Us - The tastecard tale". tastecard. Retrieved 20 March 2023.
- ^ "tastecard dining discounts". App Store. Retrieved 12 February 2023.
- ^ a b "tastecard". Retrieved 4 March 2023 – via Google Play Store. App version of 1 February 2023.
- ^ "Read Reviews on Tickiwi.com Before You Buy". tickiwi.com. Retrieved 29 August 2024.
- ^ "Read Reviews on Tastecard.co.uk Before You Buy". reviews.io. Retrieved 20 March 2023.
- ^ "tastecard+ Dining, Hotels & Entertainment Offers - tastecard Plus". Tastecard. Archived from the original on 5 August 2021.
- ^ a b "Our Chosen Charity - Mary's Meals". Tastecard. 2021. Archived from the original on 1 August 2021.
- ^ "tastecard members have raised over £100,000 for Mary's Meals". PRWeb. 1 November 2013.