Google Wallet? Apple Passbook? How about the wallet and credit cards you already carry in your purse or pocket? Can they be connected to the special online offers you want to purchase? Bing Offers says “Yes!”
Microsoft has launched a brand new Bing Offers test in Seattle that aims to automate and simplify using and redeeming deals. The Yoda-like program name is “Bing Offers Card-Linked.” The implementation is a partnership with transaction processing leader First Data, but more importantly extends to payment networks like Visa and MasterCard. It was officially announced at the Money 2020 event currently underway in Las Vegas.
Indeed, Bing’s announcement may be thinking locally but it is linking globally. The initiative is part of a new affiliation known as CardLinx Association. Founding members include Microsoft, Bank of America, Discover, Deem, Facebook, First Data Corp., Linkable Networks, LivingSocial, MasterCard, Affinity Solutions, CardSpring and Cardlytics.
What’s it all about?
The CardLinx mission is to establish increased interoperability within the “offers” industry through seamless integration with their cards. Instead of having to pre-purchase local deals which has been the norm in the past or struggle with coupons or display QR codes, the new initiative makes it possible to link up your credit card to the array of offerings.
The system requires a bit more effort on your part to get started, but once you’re set up, you;re in the driver’s seat to cash in on special daily deals.
Bing Offers Card-Linked says it’s as easy as 1-2-3:
1. Sign Up. Set up your Microsoft Username/Password and Credit/Debit card on www.bing.com/offers (a 1-time requirement). All available deals are then linked to your card and ready to use right away.
2. Get Offers. You will be notified of local deals on the Bing Offers website, and also through email subscriptions, and on a variety of Microsoft devices and services, such as Skype and Bing Apps.
2. Shop & Save. When you use your card to make a qualified purchase at participating local business, just as you normally would at a retail store or a restaurant, you are immediately notified about your savings and you will receive the discounts directly on your card statement.
Microsoft claims Bing Offers currently gives you access to more than 200,000 unique offers in over 14,000 US cities. The service assembles leading offers from sites such as Groupon, Living Social, and Restaurant.com so you can see the best deals in your area all in one place.
Bing Offers Card-Linked aims to make the redemption part of the deal-hunting process easier as well, as long as you use a credit card for your deal purchases (and make sure it’s the same one). Hopefully the test works out, and Microsoft scraps the awful name by bundling this feature into all of Bing Offers.
