Hey. I'd like to have your Coke Rewards Points.

Coke and Pepsi used to have contests every summer, where you could win a free Coke or TV from a contest under their  bottle cap. In 1990, Pepsi issued "cool cans", which had prizes printed inside the bottom of some cans. In that same year,  Coke introduced "Magi-cans", which were supposed to deliver cash money into the hands of winners.

http://www.snopes.com/horrors/poison/cokecan.asp

Unfortunately, the instant-win contests from the past seem to have dissolved into an uninspiring code-collection exercise, apparently influenced by Camel cigarette's success with Camel Cash.

On Thursday, I finally took the time to check out the mycokerewards website. As you can probably guess, the prizes range from autographed guitars to Avis Car rental upgrades to digital cameras. There really are a lot of prizes, and I think I'd like to have them.

Each Coke "point" seems to be worth about 5 cents. (For example, 4000 Coke reward points can be redeemed for a $200 Sony gift card) Five cents is not much. However, a single bottle cap is worth three points, or a whopping 15 cents!

So, here is my pitch: If you are just going to throw that bottle cap away, please give it to me instead... or rather, give the code to me. I've created a little text collection field below and on the Cockeyed home page.

I get the code, and you get nothing... except that warm feeling that comes from taking something with little value, and giving it electronically to someone else, who is going to use it to get something substantial.

I promise to keep a running point tally on my site, and to write a full report on my new Coke treasures.

If, on the other hand, you would like to keep the points for yourself, check out the Flash-tastic Coke Rewards Web site and consider registering yourself. Information is also available at 1-866-674-2653.

Due to the membership agreement, I'm not allowed to accept your points after you yourself sign up at the Coke site.

Points are also available on all kinds of Coke packaging, including the 32 Pack (25 points) and the Fridge Pack (10 points), as well as on Minute Maid juice and Dasani Water.