OpenTable Testing Ability to Pay Restaurant Checks In-App

OpenTable is testing a new feature to allow customers to pay their restaurant checks in the OpenTable iPhone app. The feature is being beta tested at select restaurants in San Francisco, but the company says it does plan a broader launch in the future, including Android support.

We're pleased to announce that it will soon be just as easy to pay for your meal. Rather than waiting for a check or, worse yet, being late for the theater, with the new OpenTable payments feature, you will be able to tap to pay – and be on your way.

OpenTable mobile payments are currently being tested by diners at select restaurants in San Francisco. Over the next few weeks, we will be adding more diners to the test program and will provide you a way to request access. If you receive an email invitation to be part of our pilot program, you can get started by making a reservation at a participating restaurant. Simply add a credit card in the OpenTable iPhone app before your meal and you’ll be able to view and pay your check. There’s no scanning or bar codes involved.

In addition to its online reservation system, OpenTable offers a full table and guest management platform to restaurants, including POS integration, meaning rollout of an online-payment system should be a relatively straightforward feature addition for the firm.

Supported restaurants include Jardiniere, Dosa on Fillmore, Out the Door on Bush Street, Boxing Room, Chouquet's, Radius, Bask, Chambers, Café Bastille, Plouf, and Garcon -- though users must have a beta invite to try it.

OpenTable is a free download for the iPhone and it is also available through Siri. [Direct Link]