rewards

'My Coke Rewards' Program Grows Authentically Smaller, Less Rewarding

'My Coke Rewards' Program Grows Authentically Smaller, Less Rewarding

If you have a large number of points you better use them in the next few weeks, or be content with getting a large amount of Coke-branded clothing.

Meet United Airlines' Less-Valued Customers!

Meet United Airlines' Less-Valued Customers!

We understand that airlines have to bend over backwards to attract and retain lucrative business travelers. We get it. Sadly, it seems that some airlines are running out of obsequious language that manages not to be insulting to the “rest of us.”

Best Buy Trained MePossibly Trained Other Employees I Heard About To Commit Credit Card Fraud, And 4 More Bad Things

Best Buy Trained MePossibly Trained Other Employees I Heard About To Commit Credit Card Fraud, And 4 More Bad Things

A commenter to our Worst Company in America nominations picked Best Buy, his employer of six years, to win it all. His reasons, including the credit card fraud, phony bundling scams, and other schemes they made him do to keep his job he heard rumors about happening at other Best Buys, inside. UPDATE: The original commenter has contacted us to say that these things did not actually happen to him and he was not trained to do them by Best Buy. Rather, he heard about them happening at other Best Buys or read about them in other Consumerist articles, and, in a pique of anger, wrote a long comment that remixed all this information together and framed it as if it happened to him. Consumerist regrets the error, and the commenter has been banned.

Check Your Starbucks Receipts, You May Be Getting Screwed Out Of Free Refills, Syrup

Check Your Starbucks Receipts, You May Be Getting Screwed Out Of Free Refills, Syrup

Over at Racked, a reader is reporting that despite taking advantage of Starbucks new “reward card” they were being screwed out of the promised free syrup. What’s up with that, Starbucks?

Iowa Best Buy Won't Sell To You Unless You Sign Up For Rewards Card?

Iowa Best Buy Won't Sell To You Unless You Sign Up For Rewards Card?

Customer's EECB To Best Buy Scores Direct Hit—Rewards Glitch Is Fixed, Plus Here's $75

Customer's EECB To Best Buy Scores Direct Hit—Rewards Glitch Is Fixed, Plus Here's $75

A few weeks ago, Zach emailed us to say that his Rewards Zone Mastercard hasn’t worked properly in the five months he’s had it, and no one at Best Buy had been able to help. We pointed him to our Guide To Fighting Back, and he responded tonight with an update.

Save On Medical Expenses With Healthcare Credit Cards

Save On Medical Expenses With Healthcare Credit Cards

Citibank and Bank of America both offer special credit card programs based on health and medical expenses. If you’re disciplined about not carrying revolving debt, and you have recurring medical expenses, they can help reduce your total cost over a year. Bank of America’s cards are point-based programs—if you’ve got Aetna insurance, you can accumulate points that you can turn into “cash direct deposits to a health savings account, or other standard rewards.” Caremark members can redeem points for awards only, although BoA’s standard awards catalogue “includes health and wellness products like fitness equipment and blood pressure monitors.”

6 Reasons To Keep More Than One Credit Card

6 Reasons To Keep More Than One Credit Card

Keeping a second credit card won’t lead to financial ruin, and may prove useful in several situations. Bankrate offers six reasons to stash away a spare card.

Congratulations, You've Earned $0.00 Borders Bucks!

Congratulations, You've Earned $0.00 Borders Bucks!

Remember Allison? Borders refused to sell her a copy of Harry Potter without a plastic bag to serve as a proof of purchase. Allison recently received an email from Borders inviting her to print out a certificate to redeem $0.00 Borders Bucks. How lucrative wasteful. Allison writes:

US Airways Rewards Customers By Threatening To Charge Them $25 For Inactivity

US Airways Rewards Customers By Threatening To Charge Them $25 For Inactivity

A reader has forwarded us an obnoxious notice from US Airways that explains how they “reward” their frequent flyer program members: by charging them $25 if they’re not active enough. So what are the best ways to remain active without spending $25 or making an unnecessary ticket purchase?

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Don’t buy grades from your kids, cautions Kiplinger—it’s a slippery slope, and confuses the issue, which should be about achievement and investing in the future rather than turning eduction into a Rewards Program that will eventually run dry or lose its appeal. [Kiplinger]

Borders' Popular Rewards Program Proves Both Too Popular And Too Rewarding

Borders' Popular Rewards Program Proves Both Too Popular And Too Rewarding

According to the Wall Street Journal, Borders rewards program is popular. Too popular. And too rewarding. In response, Borders is cutting back the benefits and introducing a new program that it describes as “now simpler than ever” and “a new program to celebrate.”

Make Credit Card Companies Your Bitch

Make Credit Card Companies Your Bitch

Blueprint for Financial Prosperity reminds us that savvy consumers can take advantage of credit card companies hellbent on turning a profit. Most credit card companies will go to great lengths to keep their customers happily spending away. Use these tips to make them cater to your every financial desire:

Are Reward Points Worth A Higher APR?

Are Reward Points Worth A Higher APR?

Update: PointMaven Now Uncovers Superior Hotel Reward Offers With Maps

Update: PointMaven Now Uncovers Superior Hotel Reward Offers With Maps

So here it is: PointMaven.com now shows the hotels and promotions on Google Maps. It currently supports 3 programs (Marriott, InterContinental Priority Club, Starwood Preferred Guest), and the others will be phased in.

If there is anything we like, it’s fast, responsive customer service. If you’re planning on booking a hotel anytime soon, give PointMaven.com another look. — CAREY GREENBERG-BERGER

PointMaven Uncovers Superior Hotel Reward Offers

PointMaven Uncovers Superior Hotel Reward Offers

The makers of MileMaven.com, a utility to compare airline reward offers, have expanded their offerings to include PointMaven.com, a utility to compare hotel reward offers. PointMaven displays offers from several conspicuously named hotel reward programs, including the Best Western Gold Crown Club, Choice Privileges, Hyatt Gold Passport, and Intercontinental Hotels Priority Club. Marriott Rewards, Starwood Preferred Guest, and TripRewards are in beta testing, and compatibility with Hilton HHonors and Radisson Gold Points Plus is “coming soon.”

Best Airlines For Actually Booking And Using Reward Points

Best Airlines For Actually Booking And Using Reward Points

American Airlines and United Airlines, followed by Continental and Northwest.

AOL Visa Credit Card, Now Offering Discounts on Free AOL Service!

AOL Visa Credit Card, Now Offering Discounts on Free AOL Service!

Reader Alexa (or is it “Alex a” ?? Either there’s a spacebar issue, or someone is capitalization-challenged…) is the proud holder of an AOL Visa credit card, which provides the ultimate in credit card rewards: Free AOL service!