Launch of New Barclaycard Freedom eStore Allows Customers to Cash in Online

NORTHAMPTON, England, Dec. 8, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Barclaycard Freedom, one of the most comprehensive rewards schemes in the UK, has announced the launch of its eStore, which rewards customers as they shop online. The site, which can be accessed through mybarclaycard, will give eligible Barclaycard holders the opportunity to earn Reward Money from online purchases.

Reward Money  can be earned at approximately 80 online retail outlets across the UK, including brands such as Currys, Comet and HMV, as well as over 20,000 other participating retailers. Reward Money is recorded in pounds and pence, with no vouchers or coupons to save and no points to calculate -- making the run up to Christmas even merrier.  

To launch the site, Barclaycard Freedom will be offering 5% Reward Money on the first 40,000 purchases in the eStore until 5th January, after which shoppers can continue to enjoy 1% Reward Money on every purchase made.

Commenting on the launch of the new eStore, Sarah Alspach of Barclaycard Freedom said: "Shopping online is now the norm for most consumers, not least because of the fantastic savings that can be made. Barclaycard Freedom eStore is a unique way of earning Reward Money while shopping online. The 5% promotion will enable our cardholders to strengthen their Reward Money balance and treat themselves in the New Year.  Earn and spend coalition partners can be found at barclaycardfreedom.co.uk ."

The Barclaycard Freedom eStore has been developed in partnership with Affiliate Window, the industry leading and award-winning performance marketing network.

David Hall, Partnerships Director at Affiliate Window said: "The Barclaycard proposition demonstrates how significant performance marketing has become to ecommerce. Customers use their Barclaycard to pay for online purchases, making the Barclaycard Freedom eStore a natural first step in their search for retailers and products. Consumers get better value purchases and retailers gain a new customer acquisition channel through the partnership with Affiliate Window."

Barclaycard customers can access the eStore at http://www.barclaycard.co.uk/freedomestore and those not registered already can easily register at this address.

About Barclaycard

Barclaycard, part of Barclays Global Retail Banking division, is a leading global payment business which helps consumers, retailers and businesses to make and accept payments flexibly, and to access short-term credit when needed.

The company is one of the pioneers of new forms of payments and is at the forefront of developing viable contactless and mobile payment schemes for today and cutting edge forms of payment for the future.  It also issues credit and charge cards to corporate customers and the UK Government.  Barclaycard partners with a wide range of organisations across the globe to offer their customers or members payment options and credit.

In addition to the UK, Barclaycard operates in the United States, Europe, Africa and the Middle and Far East.

Key facts published in August 2010;

- number of UK customers: 11.1m

- number of International customers: 10.5m

- number of retailer/merchant relationships: 85,000

About Affiliate Window

Affiliate Window, established in 2000 as one of the UK's first 'Pay per Performance' affiliate networks.  The company is widely regarded as the most innovative, most consistent and most successful UK centric network.  A fact supported by winning The Publishers Choice of Network at the A4U Awards for four years in a row 2007-2010.  

Affiliate Window handle over 900 merchants, ranging from blue-chip brands such as Dixons, Boots and Vodafone, to niche retailers looking to grow their online presence. Affiliate Window is committed to developing market-leading technology to assist the performance of both merchants and publishers.

SOURCE Barclaycard