It has been seven years since Upromise.com was launched as one of the first Internet shopping/saving sites. Conceived as a marketing tool to help consumers funnel rebates and discounts into college savings accounts, it was complex and confusing - but profitable for those who invested time in learning how to make the most of it.
Now, with 600 online retail partners, 30,000 restaurants and grocery stores, its own credit card program, and more than 9 million members, Newton-based Upromise has grown in complexity, but also in its potential to reward. It's worth a second look for anyone trying to save.
"Everyone should have an account," says one of the site's first-year members, financial adviser Lisa Roll of Glen Gardner, N.J. Roll and her husband have earned $7,000 in Upromise cash and now are depositing roughly $70 a month in rebates and discounts into college savings accounts.
Here's what you have to know:
It isn't just for college. The company will send you a check every quarter for your total savings, as long as they total $25 or more. Shoppers who are trying to decide between a raft of online shopping portals and credit card rebate programs could simplify their lives by using Upromise. It claims to be the largest and most comprehensive program. If you'd rather use it for retirement savings, vacations, or filling up your gas tank, you can.The credit card is key. The site is paired with a Citi Upromise World MasterCard, which is worth getting if you're going to use the program. It offers 1 percent back on all purchases, with no annual cap, and discounts for stores, restaurants, and products. Register the card in the Upromise restaurant program and you get 10 percent back on your total check, including tax and tip. Register other cards. If you register your other credit cards you'll automatically get the Upromise rebate (2 to 4 percent, but sometimes as much as 25 percent) on purchases at partner merchants - even if you don't ask. Shop big. Some Upromise partners offer big-ticket items and sizable savings. Century 21 Realtors offers 11.11 percent of their local office's commission on a home purchase or sale. Lumber Liquidators offers 2 percent rebates. Use the grocery programs. Register your grocery store membership card with Upromise, and you'll see extra savings (typically 1 to 2 percent) on a variety of products. Use the Citi Upromise card at the grocer and bump those product savings up to 10 percent. Upromise also has a new e-coupon program that works like this: Check the site before you head to the store. Maximize online savings. Upromise offers a toolbar you can download to your computer desktop. If you stop to shop at a partner store, even if you haven't gone through the Upromise website, it will remember that you are registered and direct the appropriate rebate to your Upromise account. Linda Stern is a freelance writer. She can be reached at lindastern@aol.com. 
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