Pooling Loyalty Points For Rewards...Future For The Industry?

I love loyalty points and programs. Any opportunity to get something back for something I'd buy anyway to me is always a good thing.  But, there have been times when I have wondered when I am actually going to be able "to get something" for my effort.  Grocery store loyalty programs typically have an immediate return: discounts.  However, airline earning programs, in contrast, have a much longer time horizon. But, things may be changing.

According to this Huffington Post article, JetBlue is set to revolutionize points redemption in their True Blue program by allowing "pooling." If one is close to getting an award, but doesn't have enough points, they can link up with family members or friends in their pool and essentially combine balances to meet award thresholds.  The article was a little short on details, but did highlight this:

"Each pooling account needs at least one adult and can include up to seven people. Five can be under 21. The airline says that customers pooling points can be family members or friends."

I have actually never flown JetBlue, so I won't be able to benefit from this anytime soon, but I am excited about what this change may do to prompt my main carrier, United, to do.  Now, if I need to "pool" my miles with my wife, I would have to pay $15 per 1,000 miles + a $30 in processing fees. Unless I am really close to getting an award and need a few points, I am not going to be doing this. So, we'll see how JetBlue's announcement may or may not shake up its competitors. It is certainly an encouraging change. It would spell trouble for Points.com, a web transport vehicle for buying, transferring, and combining points programs.

Get Excited...Office Depot Rewards Has Arrived!

Not to be outdone by other loyalty programs available from other office supply providers, such as Staples, Office Depot has announced its new program, Office Deport Rewards...so says my inbox today.  Basically, you will earn 10 points for every $1 you spend on ink, toner, copy paper, and services.  Rewards are redeemable for $10 certificates once you hit the 1,000 point threshold.  In other words, every $100 you spend yields $10, or a 10% rebate. Not bad.  Coupled with other coupons you can find here and there for Office Depot, that will help put a small dent in your office supply bill.

Let's take a look at the short video they have provided on the program.

Let's see how it stacks up against Staples Rewards.  In that program, you can earn 5% on back on everything except for postage, gift cards, and savings passes (I guess that is when you use one of these to buy products, you would not earn the 5%).  It seems that the Staples program is also tiered, meaning that once you hit certain expenditure levels, your rewards increase.

For my money, I'd compare prices on products, such as paper you typically buy, first between the two suppliers, using Shopzilla or other comparison tool, and go from there.  Obviously, if the price difference at Office Depot is less than 5% cheaper than Staples, you are better shopping at Staples, especially given the wider selection of products eligible for rebate.

Let me know if you have used either program and let me know your thoughts.

Changes Coming to Starbucks Rewards

Starbucks, probably my all-time favorite coffee, is making some changes to its loyalty program, My Starbucks.  Currently, you earn "stars" when you use your Starbucks card at their participating stores.  After reaching certain tiers, you will receive additional benefits, such as free refills and food.  It's free and awesome.

Here are the changes: Not only are you able to earn the Starbucks Rewards points at their stores, but now anywhere Starbucks coffee is sold in bags, such as at the grocery store, you can enter a specially marked code to rack up points as well.  The following image explains everything.

We're expanding My Starbucks Rewards™ to the grocery aisle. Look for specially marked bags of packaged coffee in the grocery store and follow the instructions to earn a Star. Each Star code entered earns you a Star toward free drinks and food at participating Starbucks. Learn more at starbucks.com/rewards

Obviously, if someone has removed the sticker for you, criminally, then that bag won't get you any additional rewards.  But, let's hope people stay honest on this one.

Enjoy!

--The Edge

Belly Up To Free Food With Bellycard

I am always keeping my eye open for new loyalty programs and this one has definitely caught my attention.  Belly is a relatively new loyalty program that rewards you for visits to your favorite participating businesses.  They range from restaurants to gyms to salons.  Simply sign up using your mobile phone or at their website and either scan a keycard or your phone whenever you see their logo.  I have noticed it at my local wine shop and thai food restaurant.

With each visit, you will earn valuable points towards free or discounted merchandise.  Bonus: try Belly Bites and sample food or other products and services totally free!  Each month, there will be a rotating list of participating businesses that will offer you free samples just for registering for them!  Some recent examples in DC include free tacos, a 10-day gym membership, and smoothies.  Add the offer to your account and you are set.

As the program is still pretty new, it's only in a few markets at the moment: Austin, DC, San Francisco, Miami, New York, Atlanta, and Chicago.  But, I expect more will be added in the future.

--The Edge

Make Sure You Get All of the Loyalty Program Points You Deserve

If you are booking a hotel reservation for a special or group rate, make sure to add your loyalty program number to your reservation.  This summer, I am going to a close friend's wedding and had to book the reservation directly through the hotel to get a great group rate.  I tried to add my loyalty program number at the time of reservation, but the front desk wasn't able to do so.  They didn't explain why, but I had some idea, and I wasn't going to give up just yet.

Instead, I called the national reservations number and asked to add my number to my reservation.  They said "no" because it was a heavily discounted rate that only the local hotel was offering but to try and call them directly anyway.  Not a problem, I thought, let me try it again.  Sure enough, I spoke with a different staff member at the hotel and they added it with no problems.  The lesson here is that if you don't like the answer you hear in a customer service situation, try and call, email, or tweet back again and you might reach someone else who can make it happen.

It's just like a lot of things in life in that you will never know until you ask.  In this case, be persistent because you have nothing to lose, but points to gain.

Facebook Offers..Use or Lose

I am not much of a Facebook person for social media purposes, but I do like taking advantage of the numerous offers companies promote on the site.  Large companies such as American Express, Target, Wal Mart, and others often have limited-time offers for coupons, discounts, and  free samples.

Today, Starbucks is promoting their Blonde blend and will give you an egift card for $2.60 to try it out.  I don't plan on using it for that particular roast, so I went ahead and transferred the egift card balance to one of my existing Starbucks gift cards vis Starbucks.com.  I am now $2.60 richer in coffee bucks. Score!

To take advantage, click here.  Thanks to FatWallet for the link.

New Year's Resolution:  Save more this year.

At the top of the list for goals for the new year is probably saving money. Mine is.  While you may not have a specific goal in mind, it's always good to save for a rainy day.  I will be discussing several ideas which can help you get a better grip on where your money is going and what you can do about it.

1.Year-end statements.  If you use a credit or debit card for most of your purchases, your year-end statement should be arriving soon.  Chase, for example, inventories your charges and categorizes them for you.  Look for spending in such areas as "Restaurants", "Travel," or "Services."  Probably room to cut back on these non-essentials.

2. Aggregation sites.  If you don't already, use a site such as Yodlee or Mint to track money flow.  These free sites will do the heavy lifting for you once your link your accounts so you can see where all of your money is going.  Bonus: they track loyalty programs and allow for one-click logins to your accounts.

3. Loyalty programs.  For every retailer in which you frequent, online or off, check to see if they have a rewards program.  I love rewards programs.  Usually free, they provide discounts, access to sales, rebates, coupons, or other perks just for signing up.  Here's what Starbucks just sent me:

Each year, Starbucks Rewards gives you a free coffee or other food choice.

4. Consolidate Debt.  If you have holiday gift hangover or other lingering debts, get a handle on them by combining debt into a lower, fixed-rate.  Prosper.com offers much lower rates than your credit card.  Sleep better knowing you are attacking one debt beast and not several.

5.  Other ideas.  There are many out there.  Get creative and get cracking.

Changes coming to Starbucks Rewards

If you love coffee as much as I do, Starbucks coffee just might be your go-to for your addiction (I am sorry, habit).  For several years, My Starbucks Rewards loyalty program has been rewarding customers after buying a certain amount from their stores (which they track using stars).  After what was 15 stars, you get free coffee, discounts, etc.  That will soon be changing.

The best overall change is that it will require fewer purchases to get a free cup of coffee. The bad change coming is that I am going to miss the benefit of getting a Tall coffee free when buying a pound of coffee.

If you have never heard of Starbucks Rewards, here is a short video to watch:

Here is a run down of the new benefits:



On October 16th, these new changes will be implemented, so hurry if you still want to experience the current benefits.  In a future post, I will show you how you can make your coffee budget go just a bit further with some strategic purchasing.

Walgreens' Balance Rewards Program Now Available

If you love store loyalty programs as much as I do, than get excited for Walgreens' Balance Rewards Program!  It is a bit different from Extra Bucks from CVS, but the principle is the same: register. buy stuff. get points. redeem for stuff.

Saving money on wine purchases

A friend in the wine business forwarded me this article from MSN MoneyCentral on getting a good deal on wine purchases.  Rather than re-invent the wheel, reading that article says what you need to know when shopping for a good bottle.

But, in addition to the advice presented there, diving a little deeper, I can speak to having great success with purchasing wine online--and earning loyalty points to boot.  There are many wine sellers that offer great offers for introductory wine clubs, and that can earn you points as well.  Vinesse Wines is one, and their list of partners includes at the least the following:

• US Airways
• Delta
• Amtrak 

Depending on the club you enroll in, and the loyalty partner, you can earn hundreds, or even thousands, of points on your first and subsequent purchases.  Just be sure that you use the proper link for the points earning wine club you want to join.  Since national retailers often have multiple partnerships, each separate partner is usually distinguished by a unique link.  And, you usually need to have your loyalty program number, too, to get these special deals.  So, keep it handy.

It pays to join several hotel loyalty programs

Even if you never plan on staying at a particular hotel chain enough times in order to earn a free night, definitely look to see if there is a loyalty program to join before your stay begins.  Hotel brands, such as Omni, offer their guests free wi-fi and other amentities just for joining their rewards program. 


While every loyalty program differs in its offerings, why not join, usually for free, to see what perks you can get just for being a member?