Seated App to Switch to Card-Linked System, Must Pay with Linked Card

🔃 Update (Mar 19, 2925) – Seated sent out emails this week informing users that soon you will need to have a card linked in your account in order to earn rewards. Here’s the text of the email:

“In a few weeks we will be transitioning to a completely card-linked system. With this update, you will no longer have to worry about uploading receipts or waiting on approvals – rewards will be tracked automatically when you pay with your linked card.

We’d love for you to continue enjoying Seated rewards! If you haven’t already, we encourage you to link your card in the app to keep earning. It only takes a few seconds, and we’re here to help if you have any questions.

To link a card within the app, click HERE. As a reminder, we never charge your card, and only use it to verify that you enjoyed a meal at one of our restaurant partners. We appreciate you being part of the Seated community and are always here to help. Let us know if you have any other questions!”

🔃 Update (Feb 17, 2925) – Seated has launched a new way to earn Seated rewards. You can simply link a card to start earning a minimum of 5% back in rewards whenever you enjoy a meal at one of our restaurant partners, no booking required.

While this new option makes it easier to always earn rewards at eligible restaurants, it might make it impossible to double-dip with some other similar programs. Seated uses the Rewards Network, a dining rewards program that operates many other programs such as Bilt, United MileagePlus Dining, AAdvantage Dining and more.

🔃 Update (Jan 20, 2025) – Seated is now in 12 cities with the addition of Seattle, Phoenix, and Denver. You can download the app here and earn a $10 bonus (with code TERESA252) when you dine out for the first time.

Seated App Review

I have talked about the Seated app in the past here on the site. It’s an app for foodies and really anyone else that goes out to restaurants and bars occasionally. In this Seated app review I will go into more details about how it works, how to use promotions, and go over the process of earning and using rewards.

The Seated app helps you make a restaurant reservation, but the most important feature is that it pays you every time you go to one of the establishments listed in the app. Delivery and pickup were also added as options during the pandemic, and even offer higher rewards in some cases.

What is Seated?

Seated gives you a percentage of your restaurant bill back in the form of rewards, usually anywhere from 5-30%, but during certain promotions we have seen some restaurants offer as high as 50% back.

It gets even better when they have promotions that give you extra rewards in addition the regular rewards rate. And keep in mind that all you need to do is usually spend less than $10 at a bar or restaurant to earn those rewards.

There are also stacking opportunities to save even more. You will obviously get your credit card rewards, but you can also get 5x from Bilt Dining, or cash back from Upside etc. if restaurants are listed on multiple platforms.

What Cities is Seated Available In?

Before you continue reading any further though, I need to tell you that the app is available in select cities. So this app is only useful if you live in or near those cities, or if you plan to visit them.

Here’s the list of 12 cities where seated is currently available:

• Atlanta
• Boston
• Chicago
• Dallas
• Denver
• Los Angeles
• Miami
• New York City
• Phoenix
• San Francisco
• Seattle
• Washington DC

But there are a ton of restaurants listed, and most of them are highly rated on Yelp. They say they will be in many more cities across the U.S soon. You can find more details here.

Using Promo Codes

Here is a restaurant that I visited last night with a friend. It offered 37% back in rewards. I usually wait until they offer some kind of extra promotion. These promotions that earn you additional rewards, work for new and existing users. To enter a promo code, click the gift box on the top left corner in the app, and then ‘Add Promo Code’ on the top right. The promo code is saved in the app and is automatically applied as long as you dine out, order delivery or place a pickup order before the expiration date.

So at bar Beau in Brooklyn, NY for example, I earned 37% back which came out to $32 on a $87 bill. Plus another $12 thanks to the promotion pictured above. That’s a total of $44 back that I redeemed for Amazon gift cards. That’s over half of the bill, before taxes and tip. But you can do much better with less expensive meals. I am just amazed every time at the value you get through the Seated app.

As for the restaurant itself, it had a small menu, but great food. Huge selection of cocktails and wine, and few beers on tap. They did have Sixpoint Bengali IPA, so I was happy. It was a bit pricey, but with the Seated app it was a great meal at a great price.

Chat Support

Seated has an excellent in-app chat support that you can message to help make any adjustments to your reservations or if you have any issues. In one instance I forgot to check in in the app before dining, and the chat support agent actually awarded me the rewards for that meal. You can also send them a message and ask for restaurant recommendations.

How To Earn Rewards

You use the app to reserve a table at a specific time, or you can click the walk-in button on a restaurant’s page in the Seated app. You show up, and enjoy your meal. Just know that a walk-in is not a reservation, so be sure to arrive early to avoid waiting.

When you finish your meal, save the receipt. You take a picture of it and upload it in the app. Within a few minutes you will receive confirmation of the rewards you have earned.

Make sure to check each specific restaurant for a minimum purchase requirement. Some don’t have one at all, while others might have a minimum of a few dollars per person. Also save the receipt until rewards post to your account, just in case there are any issues.

Forgot your receipt? Don’t worry. Seated also gives you the option to submit a screenshot of your credit card statement to prove that you made a purchase at that specific restaurant.

As of 2024, Seated is making it even easier to earn rewards. Some users can now link their credit card in the app to earn rewards automatically when using it to pay the bill at a Seated reservation. That means that you don’t need to get a receipt and snap a pic, or send in a screenshot of the charge in your credit card account. This could negate rewards from other apps, so I still do the picture upload.

Rewards Expiration

Rewards that are already in your account will remain in your account as long as you are actively using the App. Your rewards may expire and be removed from your account if you fail to do either of the following during any 90:

• Make a booking through the app and have your purchase receipt or other spend verification approved by Seated.
• Redeem any of your rewards for gift cards, service rewards or unique experiences.

If you let your rewards expire, Seated will not replace them.

How to Use Rewards

Making Reservations

The booking feature on the Seated app is also quite useful. You select one of the eligible restaurants and pick a time, and the number of people. Here’s an example for Paul’s On Times Square, which has both the walk-in option, or reservation.

Once you tap a desired time for the reservation, you will then have the option to choose the number of guests, confirm the rewards that you will earn and reserve your table.

It is quick and easy, and you get a confirmation of your reservation usually within a few minutes. Just make sure to cancel the reservation if you no longer plan to visit that restaurant. 

Keep in mind that most places also have the option to just walk in without making a reservation. You will still earn the points, as long as you tap “walk in” in the app, before placing your order. Also note that rewards may vary if you choose walk-in instead of making a reservation.

$10 Signup Bonus for New Users

If you have never tried this app, you can download it here and earn a $10 signup bonus (with code TERESA252). It can even stack with cash back or points from other apps, since with Seated you just take a picture of the bill and upload it to the app.

Also check out, Bilt Dining, Chase Dining, Upside, T-Mobile Tuesdays or other shopping portals that offer cashback for restaurants for stacking opportunities.

If you are in two player mode then you should sign up and then refer your P2. Then use the P2 app for all dining rewards, and you will get $1 or $2 every time they dine with the Seated app.

Seated App Review: Guru’s Wrap-up

Almost everything I write about in the site I have tried myself. And Seated is yet another example. I check it all the time now when I am in areas where they have tons of restaurants.

For NYC they’re mostly in Manhattan, Brooklyn and some parts of Queens. For the other cities where Seated is available, check the app and see if it makes sense for you. Even if you don’t live in these cities, the app could be useful when you visit. 

Restaurants in NYC for example are quite expensive. So having the Seated app and an option really makes dining out more affordable. Make sure to also stack savings with other apps such as inKind, Bilt Dining, Upside or any other shopping portals.

Let me know if you have used the app, or if you have anything to add to this Seated review!