So who's tired of lugging around cash and credit cards in your wallet? ME! It usually ends with me either over-charging something on my credit card or losing my cash.
I bet you didn’t know you could pay for a cup of coffee or slice of cake with a smartphone, did you? With a new rewards app called LevelUp gaining traction among small business owners in our area, you might be doing that sooner than you think.
LevelUp is available for both Android smartphones on the Play Store and iOS devices on Apple’s App Store.
The app asks you to attach a debit or credit card to your account, which then identifies your device with a unique QR Code. LevelUp-participating establishments then scan your device code to pay your tab. There's even a percentage slider that allows you to leave a tip. The program charges your debit or credit card for the amount of your purchase—and you don't ever have to take out your wallet.
Most businesses using the program offer LevelUp Credit for new customers somewhere in the neighborhood of $5. Spend $10 and you could get an additional $5 free. Within the app, each business listed has a small, descriptive entry that shows you the amount of credit you have to use, its address, and a link to directions.
So why bother enrolling? You often end up paying less than your actual bill as you build up loyalty at a given business. Repeat customers tend to receive better discounts, but every business sets up its LevelUp account differently.
Say you go to in Collingswood and purchase a delectable latte. Depending upon how the store runs its program, loyal customers paying through LevelUp could get a dollar off their purchase.
Businesses have the option of using LevelUp for free. The app doesn’t charge a percentage on any amount of money spent; instead, they charge a small percentage based on advertising campaigns and loyalty programs, should you choose to run one.
What businesses in Collingswood use LevelUp? Here is a list!
- DiBartolo's Bakery
- (One of my favorites!)
- El Sitio
Here are a few just outside the Collingswood Area:
LevelUp really is a win-win situation for businesses and customers. It keeps the flow traffic moving, and you aren’t fumbling with a cash register or credit card machine!
Gabe Fletcher is the owner of 1GeekMedia.com - Experts in Social Media Management, SEO Marketing & Web Design.
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- Is this similar to NFC (Near Field Communication) as far as security/encryption? I am wary these days with all the fraudulent credit card skimmers. - Is this limited to pay at the cash register point-of-sales? What about a sit-down restaurant. Does the server have some sort of portable scanner they bring to your table to read your QR code?
LevelUp is fully compliant with the PCI Council's recently issued guidance on P2PE and POI standards. They come to you with a mobile device to scan your QR