Has anyone ever noticed anyone use one of these great-deal cards? I've had one for probably going on 10 years, since they launched as the lovely card with a "bite" taken out of it! It really bugs me that people won't be getting the discount they're entitled too! Who amongst us more-educated railway users uses them? They are promoted well at SSP outlets but perhaps most people don't notice!
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BITE card
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Bantamzen
Established Member
I use mine regularly but I have to say that I rarely see anyone else using them, and at some outlets they aren't exactly well promoted so it's probably not a surprise.
SETCommuter
Member
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- 29 Jun 2012
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- 119
Generally tend to use mine when returning from Twickenham after a few beers ! Brings the price of a Railway Station Burger King down to High Street prices !!
Tetchytyke
Veteran Member
I use mine, but once in a blue moon. Even with the discount, the station prices are eye-watering.
I priced it up, but even with a work discount I could get it didn't pay for itself over the course of the year.
Plus a lot of the outlets that do them aren't places I'd choose to go. The exception being the curry house on Drummond Street for forum meals, and there are usually enough Bite Cards there for everyone to get a discount!
Plus a lot of the outlets that do them aren't places I'd choose to go. The exception being the curry house on Drummond Street for forum meals, and there are usually enough Bite Cards there for everyone to get a discount!
cjohnson
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- 3 Sep 2009
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- 603
Just had an email from BITE saying the discount is dropping to 10% from 9 June.
I haven't yet but that is ashame :/
But i have used mine a lot and never seen any other person use them at all though.
Chris
tsr
Established Member
I'm not entirely sure what you mean. My Bite card was free, and I haven't spoken to anyone who's had to pay for one...
87019Chris
Member
I've had one from the times that it had the bite missing too when I heard about them I thought its free so why not even if I only use it on a cup of tea on a station its better than nothing, and seen as it was free I thought I would receive piles of junk mail but nothing! And I have only seen another person using it once It was years back about 3 or so years back I was on trip in London and went for a Burger King and a chap in front of me produced a gold coloured card that looked like mine, it was a bite card no doubt but mine was just white, this was back in the early days when it didn't get swiped or anything just looked at them and gave you the discount. Great Bit of kit to be honest but its a shame that it will 10% soon.
306024
Established Member
Not surprised, at 20% it was too good to be true. We tried it on at Upper Crust at Gare de Lyon once, and got a firm Non!
It's only for SSP run establishments isn't it?
With a pending discount reduction, I think I'll be using mine a lot less - as in not buying anything in the station which I did mostly for the convenience, and the belief that the 20% off brought things back into line (nearly) of places further away.
Now it will be worth a short walk to somewhere outside, or me skipping grabbing a coffee or baguette until later on.
So, a reduced discount will mean zero business from me in the future. I wonder if that will be just me, or others will think the same?
With a pending discount reduction, I think I'll be using mine a lot less - as in not buying anything in the station which I did mostly for the convenience, and the belief that the 20% off brought things back into line (nearly) of places further away.
Now it will be worth a short walk to somewhere outside, or me skipping grabbing a coffee or baguette until later on.
So, a reduced discount will mean zero business from me in the future. I wonder if that will be just me, or others will think the same?
cjohnson
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There was mention of monthly 'special offers' and freebies to compensate for the reduced discount. Of course, you only get those offers if you opt back into all their marketing emails ...
I thought I had opted in for Bite emails, but can't see anything in my inbox. So either I didn't, or they're not particularly proactive and don't have any desire to push the scheme.
So it will be interesting to see if that changes, as it would require more work (and cost) than just cutting the discount and gradually letting it fall into disuse before being axed completely.
mr_moo
Member
I use mine and see several people using one in Swindon but very few in London.
Pity about the reduction although I've not had that email. Maybe they just don't like you...
Pity about the reduction although I've not had that email. Maybe they just don't like you...
A semi-regular 'watering hole' of mine is Bonaparte's Bar at Bristol Temple Meads, 20% discount was just enough to tempt me to use them over the short walk to a nearby Wetherspoons.
It'll be that short walk in future. After I've had the free Gin & Tonic offered in the email received from SSP today of course!
It'll be that short walk in future. After I've had the free Gin & Tonic offered in the email received from SSP today of course!
317666
Established Member
I've been using one for nearly five years now, but if the discount is dropping to 10% I'll be using it a lot less in future (and even then I only use it when there isn't something reasonably priced like a supermarket within five minutes of the station). Never seen anybody else use one.
I opted in when I got my card in April 2012.
I didn't get any marketing emails from them until December 2013, then I received one a week until 5th March, and nothing since then. All the marketing emails I've had have been for Camden Food Co.
causton
Established Member
Haven't got edit: any emails since July last year with a Coca-Cola promotion. Unfortunately they have deleted the image from their servers so I can't read what the promotion was anymore!
Will definitely give up using it if the discount is only 10%. Hope Tesco and Sainsbury's locals enjoy my custom more!
Will definitely give up using it if the discount is only 10%. Hope Tesco and Sainsbury's locals enjoy my custom more!
I must have opted out then, as I can't see anything.
I'd have expected to get a note about a change in the terms though (namely the drop in discount). Even when you tick a box saying you don't want promotional material, they are allowed to contact you for certain things.
Or that is my understanding anyway.
I'd have expected to get a note about a change in the terms though (namely the drop in discount). Even when you tick a box saying you don't want promotional material, they are allowed to contact you for certain things.
Or that is my understanding anyway.
ATW Alex 101
Established Member
Had mine for a few years now, probably 5 or 6 as I still remember them when it was flimsy card with a 'bite' in the corner.
They are great, but I only ever find myself using one if there's no other alternative i.e Maccy's outside. I have never seen anybody else use one though, and I'v had a few clerks tell me that it's been the first time they've ever seen one!
I notice that they are now not accepted if only buying things like crisps, however.
They are great, but I only ever find myself using one if there's no other alternative i.e Maccy's outside. I have never seen anybody else use one though, and I'v had a few clerks tell me that it's been the first time they've ever seen one!
I notice that they are now not accepted if only buying things like crisps, however.
Must be a recent update. The T&Cs said '20%' up to at least 25th March 2014.
http://web.archive.org/web/20140325235649/https://www.bitecard.co.uk/Terms
Southern gave us one when we started there many moons ago, saves providing us with any canteens. I use mine sometimes, mainly at Victoria. Burger King used to give us a staff discount, then stopped saying we had to use a bite card, and unless you have your card, wont give a discount, even if your in uniform. One night their system would not accept the bite card, so no discount at all.
And now 10%, big deal. Mind at Subway at Eastbourne today the staff discount took the price down from 3.56 to...............drum roll......3.50.
Some non ssp places give us a discount, some nothing at all. I guess some just dont want the business of a few thousand rail staff, but heh ho!
Good
Bognor statrion cafe, yum! discount and nice
Bad
FCB at Brighton station, no discount, plus your £2.95 bacon sarnie, not going back there again.
And now 10%, big deal. Mind at Subway at Eastbourne today the staff discount took the price down from 3.56 to...............drum roll......3.50.
Some non ssp places give us a discount, some nothing at all. I guess some just dont want the business of a few thousand rail staff, but heh ho!
Good
Bognor statrion cafe, yum! discount and nice
Bad
FCB at Brighton station, no discount, plus your £2.95 bacon sarnie, not going back there again.
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