BEST RETAIL REWARDS PROGRAM

That would be found at DSW (short for Discount Shoe Warehouse), with 205 stores in 33 states. No credit card. No fees. With DSW's rewards program, you earn ten points per dollar spent on regular-priced merchandise and five points on clearance items. Rack up 1,500 points, you get a $10 reward certificate. Points are valid for two years, and certificates are valid for 180 days. And with choices ranging from Nine West and New Balance to Kenneth Cole and Coach, who wouldn't want free money for buying shoes, purses and bags. You'd be buying them anyway, right? Michael by Michael Kors pumps I recently bought at DSW were $80, but I paid just $55 thanks to the rewards program.

-- Amy Esbenshade Hebert