Placepop brings mobile loyalty program to Android users

PlacePop, which allows any company to create and maintain virtual loyalty cards, today announced its free application is now available for Android devices.

The company was founded by former Friendster CEO Kent Linstrom and offers businesses a replacement to the traditional loyalty cards found in many of our wallets and purses. Consumers can check-in through the application, earn points and earn free stuff or special privileges for being a virtual card holder. The more points a user earns the higher their level, starting at bronze, then on to silver, gold and platinum. Businesses can customize their card and loyalty program on the app.

A whole host of loyalty program applications exist, and each offers consumers the ability to earn points or rewards for checking into a location. Major players like Foursquare and Gowalla are starting to add loyalty rewards to their services as well, giving brands the means to offer specials or promotions to those who check-in to a particular venue.

Foursquare continues its quest to dominate the check-in space with today’s release of version 2.0 for Android (Mashable first covered the story), giving users the ability to create to-dos and get tips from friends. The company is also working on a possible recommendation engine for its users.

Silicon Valley-based PlacePop recently launched for the iPhone and also announced an angel round of funding for $1.4 million from Affinity Labs founder Chris Michel, Bebo Founder Michael Birch, James Currier and Stan Chudnovsky, according to TechCrunch.