UK MasterCard member service provider Tuxedo Money Solutions and UK retail bill payment network PayPoint launch The Times MasterCard prepaid card and ‘eccount’ service.

The card features up to 15 percent cashback when shopping at over 1000 online merchants, it is priced at GBP 12 and comes with GBP 7 cash-back on the first load. PayPoint has been chosen as the exclusive electronic top-up partner enabling customers to top-up their Times cards at over 19,000 outlets nationwide. PayPoint retailers earn a commission al l top-up and load transactions.

The Times card will be advertised through the newspaper and customers can apply by phone or online. The service allows newspaper publishers the opportunity to build a database and extend their relationship marketing activity. Up to 5 GBP can be held in the ‘eccount’ and moved to the card by text, internet or phone.

Tuxedo Mobile Solutions has provided a similar co-branded card for The Sun and News of the World since last year. The Daily Mirror started the trend in October 2006.