The concept is simple. Corporations see diminishing returns from advertising dollars spent on TV and print. Anyone remember the Super Bowl a few years back with companies spending gazillions of dollars for ads, only to be bankrupt in 6 months? With the expansion of Internet shopping, debit cards use, and in store scanning… a person’s purchases can be monitored. In efforts to gain consumers, companies have seen positive results in giving you, the consumer, something back! Call it a rebate; call it an incentive, call it whatever you want, but in the end it’s all green! You get cash; they get consumers at a fraction of the cost. Best of all, this service is free!

It’s simple… sign in as a new member, register your credit and/or debit cards and register your “loyalty cards” (your supermarket savings clubs i.e. Von’s Club, Ralph’s Club, etc.). Begin buying items using these registered cards. Shop normally, as you always do. Monies will be deposited into your personal savings account based on what you purchased and the participating company’s percentage of return. Remember there is nothing to save or send in; money is transferred to your account automatically. How easy is that!

The gamut of purchase rebates is incredible. Everything from realty (Coldwell Banker) to grocery store items (Keebler Cookies). It breaks down into 4 general categories (the following companies being examples and not the sum total). All products, stores, services and percentages can be viewed at Upromise.com.

1. Major Purchases: This is where a company will give a specified sum based on a major purchase. Life insurance (New York Life $25 or $45), realtors (Coldwell Banker up to $3000), auto (GM $150).
2. Online Shopping: Dell (2%), JC Penney (3%), Disneystore.com, (4%)Eddie Bauer (6%).
3. Grocery and Drug Stores: 15,000 brand names located at a variety of stores.
   Huggies (3%), GLAD® (3%), Coca Cola (1%) and Kleenex (5%)
4. Stores and Services: Whirlpool ($5-$35), Exxon or Mobil gas (1¢/gallon), Pepboys (4%), AT&T (4%) and McDonalds (3%).
5. Restaurants: (5-10%).

Your purchases will break down as follows.

1. Credit Card Purchases
2. Grocery and Loyalty Card purchases
3. By Shopping online thru Upromise
4. Shopping by Special Programs (viewable on the site). Sign on with AT&T, buy a McDonald’s coupon book or redeem your American Airlines AAdvantage miles for cash.

Most companies post money to your account within 10-14 days…some sooner, some later. You can find this info at the site.

Once you reach the minimum investment amount you have the option of having the money transferred to a 529 Plan, which is a tax-free college investment program. The money is transferred quarterly.

Relatives and friends can register too. Grandparents can make contributions to a child’s college fund without any out of pocket expense. They buy what they normally would and the refunds are directed to their grandchild’s account, as long as they use the cards.

Upromise.com has over 2.5 million users and has received the Council of Better Business Bureau’s BBB Online Privacy Seal, meaning this site is safe and secure.

Overall, I see this as a win-win situation. The corporation achieves brand loyalty without the incredible expense of advertising; the consumer achieves money back just by making their normal purchases.

Click on logo