Dollars saved with discount card

“It is catching on, and I think a lot of that is due to the current economy. People are looking for great deals,” said Julie Brakenbury, with the Greater Raleigh Convention and Visitors Bureau.

The idea behind the ZSpotCard is to reward customers so they will frequent the same restaurants, bars, salons and service providers.

The ZSpotCard has been around since September. It costs $20 for the year; however, since 2009 is half over, the price is just $10. Brakenbury said the initial cost is quickly recouped in savings.

"There's buy-one-get-one-frees, there's percentages off, (and) one of my favorites: free desert with an entree,” Brakenbury said.

"In these times, everybody's talking about the recession. Yes, I want to save money,” Cary resident, Dan Ragna, said about using the card.

The card can be used at 210 Triangle businesses, with more establishments frequently opting in to try and lure in repeat business.

"There are a lot of people that are taking advantage of it (ZSpotCard), and it's good for us,” restaurant owner, Michael Lee, said.

“We believe it also encourages a repeat visit. They can keep the card when they come back again,” Brakenbury said.

ZSpotCard is not the only membership program of this type in the Triangle. The Entertainment Book and Citipass offer similar discounts.