Using Abroad Dining Benefit with Pocket Concierge for Japan – Timing?

[RK228]

Hi there,

I have a question concerning the dining credit when used with Pocket Concierge in Japan.

If we book now for a date in 2024, against which year would the dining credit be applied? For 2023 or 2024?

We have used the credit previously in Japan on my wife’s card and I think it was applied when we made the booking, so I am thinking that the credit would count against my credit for this year, which I have not yet used on my card.

Before booking though, I wanted to check if this reflected others experiences. Any thoughts on this?

[zapato1060]

If you book for 2024, itll be 2024 credit.

[meta]

It will depend on when they take payment. If it’s taken now, it will come from 2023 credit.

[DonLee]

Just booked 2 days ago for a date in 2024. Payment posted today and redeem email confirming I have used my Abroad Dining Benefit right after the booking. Hope that helps

[RK228]

Thanks for responses. It sounds like it will probably be applied for 2023 then, so that would be good.

Anyone aware of the cancellation or rebooking options/terms if our plans change unexpectedly? The website mentions cancellations and refunds in the FAQ, so there must be some capability to make changes, but I don’t see where relevant terms or policies in this regard are clearly laid out.

[Reney]

Any recommendations for Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Hakone or Hiroshima for pocket concierge?

[RK228]

Reney wrote:

Any recommendations for Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Hakone or Hiroshima for pocket concierge?

My wife, 4-year-old son, and I went to Ginza Kushikatsu Bon last summer. We really enjoyed the food and the experience. Staff were very helpful and great with our son. They also have a location in Osaka, I think.

[Saltrams]

DonLee wrote:

Just booked 2 days ago for a date in 2024. Payment posted today and redeem email confirming I have used my Abroad Dining Benefit right after the booking. Hope that helps

Hi @DonLee, great job, I was looking for this exact subject & found this thread. Where did you book please (which restaurant) and how is it you elected to pay up front? I’m looking to use my benefit in Japan in March 24 and the prospect of using 2023 credit is very enticing!

ありがとうございました。

[DonLee]

Saltrams wrote:

Pocket Concierge

Hi @Saltrams, I think the restaurant is irrelevant as Pocket Concierge always charge instantly when you book.

[Reney]

DonLee wrote:

Saltrams wrote:

Pocket Concierge

Hi @Saltrams, I think the restaurant is irrelevant as Pocket Concierge always charge instantly when you book.

Sorry for a basic question, are they all fixed menu is that how they change in advance?

[meta]

With Pocket Concierge you can’t book more than 3 months in advance, but I think it also depends on the restaurant.

[Saltrams]

I tried booking right away but, as @Meta says, the booking wasn’t open for my dates yet. Set a reminder for Christmas Day to check for 25th March! @Reney, I haven’t used Pocket Concierge yet but from what I can make out yes, everything is set menus. I laboriously checked all the locations listed on Pocket Concierge to find that 90% are in Tokyo but just listed by areas I hadn’t heard of.
I hope to try Tsunahachi Tsunohazuan in Tokyo for tempura (nothing that can’t be made more delicious by battering & frying 😂).

[cin3]

Can confirm pc charges immediately.

And there are hundreds of restaurants outside of Tokyo. You can easily scrape to a spreadsheet.

[KevinC]

We haven’t been able to use Pocket Concierge on this trip but my son is staying on in Tokyo and being joined by friends. Can I book a restaurant for him and use my credit? Do you need to physically present the card at the venue?

[meta]

I’m not sure you can change the name on the Pocket Concierge reservation when booking. You don’t need to present the card though from my experience.

[lucabix]

Works fine in 2025, booked a restaurant in Tokyo and Amex charges immediately for your set menu (extras like drinks get charged on the day you visit) got my email saying I redeemed the benefit on the same day and it showed on on my account the next day… lots of choices in Japan and very useful if you want to use the benefit at the end of the 6 month period for a booking in the future

[bowenm187]

Good to know, I was thinking I would lose the H1’25 benefit but can now potentially use it for a Japan trip in November. If my plans change, is the pre-paid amount refunded if I cancel?

[memesweeper]

bowenm187 wrote:

Good to know, I was thinking I would lose the H1’25 benefit but can now potentially use it for a Japan trip in November. If my plans change, is the pre-paid amount refunded if I cancel?

I think the cancellation policy varies by establishment. You’ll have to check the T&Cs when booking, and — as with anything like this you may later want to rely on — you’d be wise to take a screenshot, in case new terms are applied at the time of cancellation.