It pays to be connected with Co-op Connections

If your co-op offers the Touchstone Energy Co-op Connections card program, and you’re not using it, you could be losing out on big ­savings. Co-op Connections offers co-op members product and ­service ­discounts at participating retail ­businesses. In turn, ­participating businesses benefit from increased ­customer traffic, and from promotions in co-op communications and advertising materials.

If your co-op offers the ­program, log on at www.connections.coop to see a roster of participating ­businesses, including local ­institutions and national corporations, such as rental car companies and hotels. Currently, 507 co-ops in 46 states participate in the program. More than 32,000 local and national business offerings are ­available to cardholders.

Since 2007, Co-op Connections card­holders across the country have saved nearly $98 ­million on prescrip­tion drugs. In Illinois, the total ­savings is nearly $2.3 million. And, card­holders can save on dental, vision, ­hearing and ­chiropractic services through ­vendors such as Coast to Coast Vision, Humana Dental Access, UHS Chiropractic and Newport Audiology.

Through the Co-op Connections’ Cash Back Mall, cardholders can earn cash back on purchases from more than 3,000 leading online merchants.

Call your local Touchstone Energy cooperative to see it ­participates in Co-op Connections, and if so, how you can get a card and start saving today.