California Express Card

They do not update their vendors booklet with the active participants. I was yelled at several times when, arguing with restaurant owners who claim they no longer participate in this program. Not a savory experience

Doesn’t work anywhere that is listed in the book. Embarrassing to keep whipping it out and getting denied. Over it!

For me it was a waste of money buying the card. I tried using it at 10 different businesses that were listed in the book and only 2 would accept the card. It got me a 15% discount on my dinner tab and it let me cut in front of the line at a bar. Most people had no idea what it was or they told me they don’t do those deals anymore (even though the card says Good Thru December 1, 2012).
Their website is awful, it was really difficult finding what businesses would actually accept the card online. You have to walk around with their directory booklet whenever you want to use it.

This company left a small plastic card under my windshield wiper balde which in my opinion is littering. Leaving flyers, cards, etc… on people’s cars is bad business practice and pollutes the environment.

I would give them NO stars if I could. This company does not understand the meaning of customer service… I have support this company in the past by purchasing their vipcards and renewing them season after season because it can be quite useful. but my latest experience with them was pretty bad.
I ordered their new card through a friend, and when he went to pick up the box of cards he found out that three cards were missing, including mine. He contacted the company who said they would «take care» of it and contact him once they found a solution. It’s been three weeks and we still haven’t heard back from the company. So I decided to take the matter into my own hands and call them up. I had to call them five times within three days before anyone picked up the phone. I also emailed but, no reply at all.
When the lady answered the phone, she was pretty rude to me. She blamed the missing card on my friend and said he was the one who lost it, not them… I mean. seriously? The cards weren’t in the freaking box to begin with. What company does that, blames another person for something that is their responsibility. She is a horrible customer service rep, totally lazy too. She even said she saw my email but how come I didn’t receive a reply (or a phone call because I left them my number)?
SO, because she didn’t know ANYTHING about the company that she works for, she said she would take down my information and direct me to another lady who came into work the next day… Next day, I didn’t hear from them so I called them again, same lady picked up and said that the person I needed to talk to was on a lunch break… at freaking 4 30 pm in the afternoon and she promptly HUNG UP on me…
They should fire her ass, whoever she is.
It’s over a month later, and I still don’t have that damn vipcard. But, forget that. This company is complete bullshit and I’m done supporting them.

Got the card for free cos of working for some company. It’s pretty good. BOGOF Ice cream at Coldstones, half price golf (the lads like it, not my thing) and free appetizer at Broken Yolk. There’s tons of discounts.
I do agree with the first poster though, if I get another sodding flier stuck to my window, I might remove the window myself, break it, and then post the shards of card-​stained glass back to the company. Call it ‘return to sender’.

Stop it! My car is not a garbage disposal! I do not appreciate your cards being placed on my car all the time! This is at least the 3^rd or 4^th time these ads were put on my car and I never asked for them! I never gave you permission to touch my car. I’m pretty sure placing trash on my property is illegal. If you want exposure, advertise on Unilocal or some other good site, not on my car! Companies that place fliers on cars are automatically trash in my book. STOP NOW!

Definitely second Devon’s review.
I first got an Elite VIP card last summer — went as part of a big group of people (about twenty of us) and got a group discount at $ 40 — they were charging $ 75 at the time for the standard card.
There are so many deals you get with this card, at first I thought it was some kind of hoax. First time I walked up to the front of a looong line at On Broadway with my VIP card and a friend (you can skip the lines at most clubs), I thought the doorman was going to have no idea what I was talking about. Instead, he apologized for not realizing sooner I had a VIP card, and ushered me into the club. Wow.
I primarily use it for skipping the line at bars and clubs. Want to go to Taco Tuesday at PB Bar and Grill but don’t want to wait in that super long line? No problem, whip out your VIP card. Plus, it’s free entry before 10:30 at most places. Not having to worry about guest lists and $ 20 covers makes nightlife a lot more fun and hassle free.
If you go out to nightclubs regularly — or restaurants — or even strip joints — this card will pay for itself in a month. And it’s good for a year.
And you can use it at the same places again and again. Use it at Typhoon Saloon on Friday, and go there again the next day and use it again.
VIP Card, you’re a good friend.

If you haven’t heard of Elite VIP, I suggest you take a look at their website. (
) Depending on what time of year you purchase your discount card, it can cost anwhere between $ 40-​$ 70, and at whatever price you pay I guarantee it’s worth your investment.
They provide you discounts to hundreds of restaurants, bars, theme parks, shops, stores, salons, limos, services, etc. and you more than make up for the cost of the card in a very short amount of time.
For example, you and a guest get free entry into tons of places downtown, which will usually set you back about $ 10-​$ 20 per time, and you also get front of the line VIP to a lot of these places so it saves you wait time. Also for example, at Dave & Busters you get free entry and for every $ 10 of game play that you purchase you get $ 10 free. A lot of the restaurants that are listed in their booklet offer buy one get one free discounts or % off your meals, which will also help you recoup the cost of your card.
I first heard about this company last year while working at a credit union and a member gave me a free membership card. I have since renewed and plan on renewing every year from here on out. If you go out in the San Diego area, I suggest you at least check this out because it is a great investement.