Online Reward Programs Gaining Popularity

Jan. 17 - KGO (KGO) -- Reward programs are nothing new when it comes to shopping. But now you can earn money from hundreds of merchants, all from the convenience of your home.

If you like shopping online and consider yourself a bargain hunter, this may be for you.

Candice Norie is a frequent shopper online. She has no loyalty to any particular merchant, just to good bargains.

Candice Norie: "It's excellent and there are so many options. I like to search for different stores."

Now she can search for the best deals, and earn money back for her purchase. Rebate websites like fatwallet.com, ebates.com and cashbackster.com are gaining in popularity. These websites have agreements with hundreds of merchants, just link to the merchants through the rebate sites, and you get money back for each and every purchase.

Alessandro Isolani, CEO, ebates.com: "What ebates is, is essentially an online shopping mall that pays you cash back to shop through ebates."

All three rebate websites we've mentioned allow you to compare prices from various merchants. And all three include merchant coupons and other discounts, making it easier to save even more money.

Alessandro Isolani, CEO, ebates.com: "It's essentially a one stop source for discounts, both cash back directly from us and coupons that may be available at the merchant."

Fatwallet takes it one step further. Store ratings are listed and users can post comments on forums. But the big selling point on all these sites are their cash back programs. Some sites credit you within days. Others pay quarterly or require a minimum rebate amount before sending your check. Check the user agreements before signing up, and also look at their privacy policies.

For those that prefer, some rebate sites also give rebates in the form of airline miles, reward points and gift certificates.

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