What would happen if you just said "no." As in: "No, we can't put it all on one card. These credit cards are valid forms of payment for the meals, and we would like to use the cards to pay. Since this rule was not stated on the menu or told to us before we ordered, we're sorry but we cannot comply with your request for a single credit card." Nicities aside, who is technically in the right here? I believe that a restaurant saying that they won't divide checks is similar to them saying that they won't make change for a $100. And I believe that if push comes to shove, if you're going to either demand that they divide the check or walk out without paying, that they'll do it. I'd rather the situation not get that ugly, but I think you were treated unfairly. At the very least, a talk with the restaurant manager should have cleared things up. Bruce