Benefits of UPromise

[NinaBella]

I just logged into the UPromise account that I apparently created in 2007 and it has $1.63.

I was looking to see if it has any benefits I can use to for the kids college. I did a search for restaurants near me and the only one close by was Dickey's BBQ that we rarely visit. I was hoping the local places my adult sons visit like several times a week were on there (ha ha).

So I then looked at online shopping and yes I can say I have ordered from Walmart in the past, I don't really order from the other websites. I have cut my online shopping habits down by about 75% and mostly order on Amazon or ladies clothing not on the list.

So how do you maximize UPromise. I can link my debit card. I also have gone away from credit card use, just paying them down and not using them.

The kids have a 529 that is doing well than family and friends CAN contribute to.

Groceries, my spouse gets the bulk of our groceries at the military commissary. Locally we like Publix. I hate crowds and just do not deal well in crowds anymore. I sometimes have Publix groceries delivered via Shipt because our Publix has gotten quite crowded over the past few years and sometimes I just don't want to deal with that. I have to be in the right mood so I rarely go to Walmart and don't go without my spouse or else I could just lose my mind. LOL. Blame military PTSD for that.

Gas: on base for the hubby. I usually go to WaWa or another local gas station near our home. They are not Exxon or Mobile, but I suppose I could see which Exxon or Mobile gas stations are near me. I like it when I can talk my hubby or older son to go fill up my car for me. My older son that uses the most gas now has a gas card from his employer, so can't use him for gas perks.

Anyone with suggestions I haven't thought of -or- is Upromise just a not beneficial for me?

 

[Psychodisney]

I still use it but not as my primary go to. Every few years or so I might get $10! I'd rather use shopping portals for travel points. Make sure you have your credit card attached so you might get random points from restaurants.

 

[AlohaNow]

We got the UPromise credit card years ago and used to live in states with Exxon/Mobil stations. It was a sweet deal back then! I still have other cards linked to the account for the dining, etc. I will sometimes use the shopping portal if that is the max I will receive for cash back rewards on a purchase. I always compare to ebates, SW RR Shopping, etc. and UPromise still almost always wins! Especially for linking through to Expedia. We didn't touch the card for years, but now have a few auto charges each month that go on it. My total take on free UPromise money is currently $2,908 since 2004. It is linked to youngest son's 529 and I also contribute an automatic amount monthly. I love seeing the auto transfers of free money into the account quarterly!

 

[Luv Bunnies]

We've had a UPromise credit card for many years. We pretty much ignored the rewards account until last year when our son was applying for college. We had almost $4700 just sitting there. You are not restricted to using it for school expenses. If you withdraw less than $1000 at a time, you get a check in the mail, no questions asked. We started withdrawing $990 at a time to pay for school application fees and college audition trips (our guy is a musical theater major). After being accepted to programs, we took a week-long trip last year to tour the schools and programs, which was also paid for with UPromise money. We still have some left which we can use for books, travel or other college expenses.

 

[NinaBella]

I was looking at the UPromise account a little closer and I have it linked to my DS16 529 plan. UPromise says it sends it to the 529 quarterly. But $1.62 since 2007, yea... not earning much. I suppose if I monitored the account more closely, I should have had cards on file when I have made big purchases from Walmart (DD trampolines, etc.)

I just added DH and my current debit cards in case we spend anywhere eligible. Like I said in the OP, we are basically done using credit cards. I don't even carry my credit cards anywhere.

 

[runwad]

I've had a Upromise acct since 2002 and believe me we've not gotten much in that time, maybe $800 but you know what $800 is free money I wouldn't have anyway so I'll take it. I usually only get money back for online shopping and I don't do that much, mostly at Christmas and sometimes I forget, but I try to remember! And did you know that Disney is on there! Ugh, we went on a couple of Disney Cruises and I'm kicking myself that I didn't go thru their portal for that, I'd of made a good penny!

My kids have 529's and my Upromise directly deposits whatever I've accumulated in there every quarter. I don't see any reason not to have one, ever dollar counts and it doesn't cost you anything. And working your mind to remember to go thru the portal helps ward off Alzheimer's, that's how I look at it.

Oh and sometimes there are some Amazon categories that you can earn points on, you gotta look at the Upromise page, they change frequently

 

[Dakota731]

I just checked mine and had $1.24 since 2007 so not worth the time to sign up in my case.

 

[platamama]

I've had mine since 2006, linked it to DD's 529, and have earned $1492 over the years. I mostly use it as an online shopping portal since sometimes it gives the most cash back. I also have the Upromise MasterCard so some purchases end up being 10% cash back. It is part of my cash back arsenal.

Who doesn't love free money? If I'm going to spend money anyway then why not get bonuses back out of my spending? I did the math and in 2017 we got about five figures back in rewards. It takes research, it takes time, and it takes organization so there is that cost to it.

OP, you can decide to be done with credit cards and that's perfectly fine. However, I use credit cards to my advantage as much as possible and the huge thread on loving credit cards is full of people doing the same thing I am.

 

[Judique]

Even though I have had 3 kids go through college, I never did get into UPromise even though I signed up. Back then is when I had credit card balances and bills to pay and not always enough paycheck to do it all. For awhile, I had to put credit use on hold while I got a hold on my debts and spending.

It looks like results are varied for the group. I guess if it worked for some, it had it's merits. What I've found is that to be successful at most things you have to put time into it. I've not always had that time to do everything.