Grocery & drug stores

[#1]

I just joined Upromise about 6 months ago, and I'm wondering how it all works.  I've gone shopping and have bought items that qualify for Upromise such as: pasta, lotion, McDonalds etc., and I haven't seen any contributions made to my account.  Did I miss something?  Was I only suppose to pay with my credit card and not my debit card? 

Also, ecoupons....how do they work?  I tried it the last time and the coupon wasn't deducted from my bill, but the amount was credited to my Upromise account?  Where did I go wrong?

Any help, advice or suggestions are welcome.

[#2]

Did you buy the right brand / variety / size of pasta and lotion?  Groceries are very specific.  When you're looking at the groceries page, click on the headers to get the specific info that you need.  You can use your debit card, but you cannot use it as a debit card (enter a pin), you have to use it as a credit card (sign receipt).

As for McDonalds, you have to buy an Arch Card and register that with UPromise.

You did nothing wrong with the eCoupons... that is exactly how they work.  Instead of getting the money off on the bill, you basically get a "rebate" on it into your UPromise account.

You may want to check out the How It Works page on UPromise to get more general details about the UPromise program.

[#3]

Hi - Rebecca from Upromise here.  Just one more thing to know.  For the grocery/drugstore program - you need to use a registered grocery card that the grocery store gives you - it doesn't matter how you pay.  And, only certain grocery stores participate - so make sure yours does, then register your card in your Upromise account and buy participating products.

Also, grocery is only one small part of the service.  We find that members typically earn the most by shopping online and getting the credit card.

Hope that helps.

[#4]

I'm very confused about this grocery shopping (in store)...

     do only certain food items qualify for UPromise savings?  Or do all purchases qualify for savings bought on registered grocery store card used with a registered credit/debit card used as a credit card?  I thought I was covering all the bases by using my "registered" credit/debit card as a credit card in conjunction with "registered" grocery store card (Shaw's) and ocassionally buying "some" of the listed UPromise grocery items.  Sorry, but the list of grocery items leaves much to be desired.  Too much junk food and children/baby items (my child is in college and there is no need for baby food, diapers, glue sticks, glitter pens, etc.) and we try to eat healthy. 

Seems UPromise encourages too much online credit card purchasing when people are trying to pay off credit cards (especially when credit card companies are raising APRs beginning Oct 1 as they see fit whether we like it or not and increasing minimum payments due!!).  I really want this account to accrue "investments" for my sons college savings, but quite honestly, I'm having a difficult time understanding how to go about it without online shopping.  The only things that have have posted to my account in a reasonable amount of time have been the one and only online purchase and the rewards points I transferred from American Express.

Can anyone explain in clear, plain English (without multiple links to check out) the best way UPromise works to our benefit? 

Thanks in advance,

Respectfully

Donna

[#5]

Donna, it is just a limited list of items that qualify for the grocery shopping contributions.  Like you, the grocery shopping does not do much for me as I don't buy most of those items.

For the most part, you're going to make the most money from online shopping and from the UPromise Bank of America credit card.  Remember, you can pay off the card in full every month and you won't have to worry about APRs or minimum payments - just set aside the money that you'd normally spend for those items if you used your debit card / personal checks / cash in your savings account and use that money to pay the card in full.

Probably the best way to get contributions without online shopping is e-rewards.  You fill out surveys when they're emailed to you - sometimes they're just $0.25, sometimes they're $20.00+, then you can redeem that money for UPromise money.

Oh, and there's also dining out at participating restaurants - they usually seem to be relatively independent stores, so maybe you can find some health food ones in your area?

[#6]

Thanks for the clarification on the grocery purchases.  I did apply for the UPromise credit card but Bank of America graciously declined me request.  Too bad...I had a fairly large purchase to make...

haven't received any surveys from UPromise so not sure what that's all about.

But thanks for the prompt reply and answer.  Much appreciated.

[#7]

The surveys aren't from UPromise, they're from e-rewards.  http://shop.upromise.com/mall/merchant/erewards?page|v1|centercolumn|2/3|merchantsearchresultmatch|1/1|||e-rewards