Flyertalk’s S.P.A.M. forum is home to discussion of off-beat or nontraditional loyalty programs, such as e-Rewards and other programs offering miles for surveys and clicking. Then there are also loyalty programs that have nothing to do with the travel industry. And sometimes freebies slip in. Some recent mentions there include restaurant offers —

Red Lobster has a Overboard Club loyalty program, sign up and get a coupon for a free appetizer or dessert with the purchase of 2 adult entrees.

McCormick and Schmick
has a loyalty program as well. It costs $25 to join but you get a $25 dining certificate plus program benefits —

• Priority seating (call ahead for the next available, non-reserved table)
  
• For your birthday, you’ll receive a certificate for a complimentary entree
  
• Complimentary dessert with dinner (150 points)
  
• McCormick & Schmick’s Cookbook (500 points)
  
• Lunch for two (500 points)
  
• Dinner for two (1,000 points)
  
• Dinner for six at Chef’s table (4,000 points)
  
• Private 2-hour cocktail and appetizer reception for 20 people (10,000 points)
  
• Oregon Wine Country 3-day trip for two (20,000 points)

You get 200 points for paying your $25 membership fee with a Mastercard.

Morton’s also has their $99 steak and seafood dinner for 2 through September 30th. You get steak, shrimp or crab, salad, vegetable, and dessert. Most locations are participating (the earlier similar offer for $89 had only a few locations).

It’s my birthday next week and I’ve been getting lots of free meal offers and discounts, my inbox is full from the likes of Red Robin, Hard Times Chili, and Silver Diner…