Rewards Roll Out For Back-To-School Shoppers

The back-to-school burst of shoppers has many brand marketers flocking to the call.

Chase, for example, is rewarding United Mileage Plus Visa cardholders with additional miles for back to school purchases, including tuition payments at colleges and universities.

As part of the More Miles program, cardholders will receive two miles for every dollar spent that exceeds $1,000 paid directly to schools through Dec. 31. This includes tuition for colleges and universities, as well as public and private elementary and secondary schools, school bookstore purchases, season football tickets, school donations and more.

“We’re giving our loyal United Mileage Plus Visa cardmembers a special back-to-school gift this year,” said Joe Venuti, senior VP for Chase’s card services division, in a statement. “Given the rise in credit card payments for school tuition and other school-related purchases, we couldn’t pass up this opportunity to reward our cardmembers with double miles for these essential purchases.”

Cardholders can also earn extra bonus miles with their back-to-school purchases from select retailers through Sept. 30. Consumers receive 200 bonus miles for card purchases totaling $200 or more on office and school supplies at OfficeMax’s online store at MPonlinemall.com/visa. Cardholders can earn triple miles for Banana Republic, Gap and Old Navy purchases at the same Web site.

Retailers IKEA and Borders are both offering two miles for every dollar spent on in-store purchases.

Other companies are also jumping on the chance to reward consumers for back-to-school shopping.

New York regional drug store Duane Reade is offering members of its Dollar Rewards Club loyalty program $5 bonus reward for every $50 spent on back-to-school supplies.

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