There is a company, iDine, that gives the registered participants a 20% rebate on all meals, tip and tax that they spend at participating restaurants or other businesses. All the participant does is register his/her credit card numbers with iDine and at the end of the month he receives a credit on his credit card bill. The consumer wins because he gets the discount with out the hassle or embarassment of coupons. The business wins because it brings in new customers who seek out participating establishments. And, iDine wins because it takes an ounce of flesh out of every transaction.
My idea revolves around who receives the rebate. In my case and a lot of others, a hundred dollars at the end of the month as a credit to your bill is great, but it's not going to make or break me. I would rather see that money go to the charity of my choice. So, for example, I name CARE as my charity, and I eat at 5 participating retaurants during the month for a total of $500 (business or personal doesn't matter). At the end of the month CARE's account is credited with $100. So, as I am feeding myself that big, fat steak, I am also feeding the hungry.
This would bring iDine hundreds of thousands of new participants as charities rush to sign up their existing donors. Also, many more establishments would participate knowing that the money was going to a good cause.
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Excellent idea. Have you contacted iDine?