Last updated on January 17th, 2023 at 02:47 am
Cashback apps and cashback websites offer a unique opportunity to save money on purchases. Whether you are online shopping or in-store, with cashback shopping, you get back a percentage of the money you spend.
In this guide, we discuss the best cashback apps available today and how they can help you save money for travel (or whatever else) this year!
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How do the Best Cashback Apps and Sites Work?
The Where and How of Cashback Apps
With cashback apps, you can save money on everyday spending from convenience stores to major retailers via online purchases or in-store purchases.
In addition to mobile apps, the main ways to access the benefits of cashback apps and sites are via web browser extensions and the shopping portal within each cashback web account (as applicable).
Cashback Apps Registration
The ease of use offered by cashback apps is a great thing! To start, you only need a valid email address to register for a free cashback account.
Note that some cashback apps offer sign-up bonus points if you have a referral code (check out our referral codes later on in this guide).
Following a swift registration process, you will receive a confirmation email with the green light you need to start earning cashback rewards when shopping at specific stores.
Shopping with the Best Cashback Apps
Depending on the app, you may have the option of earning cashback on both online and in-store purchases.
Many cashback apps provide bonus points for in-store purchases. All that’s required is for you to link your credit or debit card to your cashback account and then use the same card when making purchases at participating stores. For every purchase made with this linked payment method, you’ll accumulate points that can be redeemed later for real cash back or free gift cards.
Tip: Sometimes, these bonus points can be converted into reward points that can be used towards flights or hotel stays, essentially turning shopping into a payment for travel opportunity!
Cashback Payments
The different ways to earn is the best part of an ideal cashback app. Some earning opportunities include real cash rewards and rewards points you can redeem for free gift cards.
Note that for cash payment methods, when you meet the cashback amount threshold, you can opt to transfer your money into your bank account or get a Paypal deposit into your PayPal account, or even have a check mailed to your physical address.
The following are 10 of our favorite apps for cashback.
1. Best Apps for Cashback: Rakuten
Rakuten is one of the most popular cashback sites (and apps) that gives you cash back on both your online and in-store purchases.
Link a credit card to your Rakuten account to get cashback in stores, at restaurants, and when you purchase e-gift cards with your linked credit card.
If you have the Rakuten browser extension installed, an activate cashback prompt will pop up when you are on a participating retail site. Alternatively, you can access the cashback portal where you will have access to several shopping sites directly in your Rakuten account online or on the Rakuten app.
Rakuten for Travel Cashback
With Rakuten, you can earn cashback on car rentals, cruises, airfare, hotels and vacation rentals, and vacation packages.
Rakuten Quick Facts
Sign-up Cost: Free
Platform: mobile app (IOS and Android), web, and browser extension
Cashback Type: Cash
Minimum Payment Threshold: $5 minimum
Payment Schedule: Cashback earned is paid every 3 months
Payment Method: Check, Paypal
Unique Feature: You can earn cash back on travel purchases such as hotels and vacation rentals, car rentals, airfare, vacation packages, and cruises.
Rakuten Referral Code
Use this Rakuten referral code and get a $30 welcome bonus when you activate Rakuten cashback on a purchase of $30 or more within 90 days of signing up.
For more details, check out our Rakuten Cashback Guide.
2. Best Apps for Cashback: Fetch
Earn points by shopping and then scanning your receipts into the Fetch cash back app. You can redeem points for gift cards from a wide array of popular retailers and restaurants.
Note that you can submit either printed receipts from in-store purchases or digital receipts from online purchases. There is also a daily reward you can unlock by scanning any receipt.
Fetch for Travel Cashback
Specific to travel, with Fetch app, you can earn points for cruises, airlines, ground transportation, vacation rentals and hotels.
Fetch Referral Code
Download Fetch app and use the referral code (PVJUCB) to get 2,000 points.
Fetch Quick Facts
Sign-up Cost: Free
Platform: mobile app (IOS and Android)
Cashback Type: Points redeemable for gift cards
Minimum Payment Threshold: The amount on the gift card depends on the Fetch points accrued
Payment Schedule: Based on the number of points accrued
Payment Method: e-Gift cards
Unique Feature: Link your Amazon account to the Fetch app and receive points automatically on any purchases.
3. Best Apps for Cashback: Ibotta
Ibotta is another receipt-scanning app that you can use to earn cashback on online purchases. This Is both via the Ibotta app, as well as with in-store purchases. When you take a picture of your receipt, you earn on eligible purchases made at participating retailers.
Using the Ibotta app is also one of the best ways to earn cashback on various online shopping experiences, including online grocery shopping and pickup. You can also earn cashback on gift card purchases and in-store purchases.
Ibotta for Travel Cashback
Specific to travel, you can earn cashback on hotels, vacation rentals, rental cars, vacations tours and experiences, airport parking, luggage, travel insurance, and more.
Sign-up Cost: Free
Platform: mobile app (IOS and Android), web, and browser extension
Cashback Type: Cash, Gift Cards
Minimum Payment Threshold: $20
Payment Schedule: Whenever you have earned a minimum of $20
Payment Method: Bank Transfer, Paypal, e-gift cards
Unique Feature: You can earn cashback on grocery pickup and delivery.
Ibotta Cash Back App Referral Code
Sign up for Ibotta and use the referral code RLJAELA to earn a $10 cash bonus.
4. Best Apps for Cashback: Be Frugal
In addition to standard cashback on eligible purchases, in your BeFrugal account, you have access to various coupons that you can use to score discounts at eligible retailers. This makes for the perfect combination of cashback and discounted rates.
Note that there is also a bonus cashback category within your account that will afford you the opportunity to earn additional cashback.
BeFrugal has a variety of payout options including in the form of gift cards, to your PayPal account, via check, and payment apps such as Venmo and Zelle.
Be Frugal for Travel Cashback
With Be Frugal, you can earn cash back on airfare, hotels, vacation packages, and car rentals.
Be Frugal Quick Facts
Sign-up Cost:: Free
Platform: mobile app (IOS and Android), cashback website, and browser extension
Cashback Type: cash and gift cards
Minimum Payment Threshold: $0.01 minimum for PayPal, Zelle, and Venmo payments and $25 for check payments.
Payment Schedule: whenever the minimum payout amount is met
Payment Method: Check (US residents only), Direct Deposit to bank account, Venmo, Zelle, Paypal, e-gift, and physical gift cards.
Unique Feature: BeFrugal has Deals of the Day and Bonus Cashback options through which you can earn more cashback.
BeFrugal Referral Code
Use this BeFrugal referral code to get an additional $10 sign-up bonus when you earn $10 in Cash Back.
5. Best Apps for Cashback: Dosh
Dosh is a cash back app that gives you money back on online and in-store purchases.
When you download the Dosh app via the Google Play Store or IOS App Store, you will be prompted to link your debit or credit card. You will then be able to earn cash back on your in-store purchases automatically and when you shop at stores through the Dosh app.
In addition to earning cashback on shopping, you can get money back into your Dosh wallet when you spend at restaurants and bars, groceries, and travel.
For more details, check out our detailed Dosh App Guide.
Dosh for Travel Cashback
With Dosh cash back app , you can earn cashback on over 600,000 hotels around the world.
Dosh Quick Facts
Sign-up Cost: Free
Platform: mobile app (IOS and Android)
Cashback Type: cash
Minimum Payment Threshold: $15
Payment Schedule: whenever the minimum payout amount is met
Payment Method: Redeem cash via Bank transfer, PayPal, Venmo
Unique Feature: Earn up to 40% cash back on hotel bookings.
Dosh Referral Code
Download Dosh and use the referral code DOSHER45520 to earn a bonus.
6. Best Apps for Cashback: Honey Gold (PayPal Rewards)
With Honey Gold (also known as PayPal Rewards) cash back app, you earn cashback points on online purchases that you can redeem for cash, gift cards, or PayPal credit. There is also an opportunity to earn double cashback at popular stores.
Additional features of Honey Gold are promo codes you can use for saving money via discounts, and Droplist, a price tracking tool that will alert you when an item that you are eyeing has a price drop.
Honey Gold Quick Facts
Sign-up Cost: Free
Platform: mobile app (IOS and Android), web, and free browser extension
Cashback Type: cash, gift cards sent to PayPal, gift cards, and PayPal shopping credit
Minimum Payment Threshold: no minimum
Payment Schedule:
Payment Method: Redeem cash via PayPal cash transfer, PayPal shopping credit, e-gift cards
Unique Feature: Honey Gold offers a combination of cashback rewards and discount codes.
Honey Gold Cashback for Travel
You can earn cashback on hotels, flights, vacation tours and activities, vacation packages, car rentals, bus tickets, luggage, and more with Honey Gold.
Honey Gold Referral Code
Use this Honey Gold referral code to access cashback opportunities.
7. Best Apps for Cashback: Drop App
With Drop– a free app available for IOS and Android devices-, you can earn points on shopping, groceries, entertainment, travel, and more.
Unlock Drop Premium when you link your debit card or credit card within the app. You can then activate special weekly offers and earn points every time you pay for purchases (online or in-store) with your linked card.
Drop also has a browser extension through which you can activate cashback offers at participating online stores. You can redeem points for gift cards, collectibles or, opt to invest in cryptocurrency (Bitcoin and Ethereum).
Drop App Quick Facts
Sign-up Cost: Free
Platform: mobile app (IOS and Android) and browser extension
Cashback Type: Gift cards
Minimum Payment Threshold: 5,000 points
Payment Schedule: when the minimum points threshold is met.
Payment Method: Points are redeemable for e-gift cards and collectibles, or you can invest in crypto.
Unique Feature: An opportunity to win additional points weekly via Drop Spin, and by completing the in-app surveys and playing games.
Drop App Cashback for Travel
With the Drop app, you can receive cash back by spending money on hotels, cruises, rental cars, shared ride services, travel experiences, and more.
Drop App Referral Code
Download Drop app and use the referral code HH33F to get a $15 sign-on bonus.
8. Best Apps for Cashback: Chirpyest
Chirpyest is a great option to earn cashback from your favorite stores. With Chirpyest, you can earn cashback in the following ways:
- When you install the browser extension and activate cashback when prompted at participating online stores.
- Via the “convert a link” option within your Chirpyest account
- When you shop within the Chirpyest portal.
- When you create a shopping board within your Chirpyest account, share it, and people make purchases from your shopping board.
Chirpyest Quick Facts
Sign-up Cost: Free
Platform: web and browser extension
Cashback Type: Cash
Minimum Payment Threshold: $5
Payment Schedule: when the minimum amount threshold is met
Payment Method: Redeem cash via PayPal or Venmo
Unique Feature: Earn up to 30% cash back
Chirpyest Cashback for Travel
Specific to travel, Chirpyest offers cashback on hotels, vacation rentals, flights, luggage, travel experiences, and more.
Chirpyest Referral Code
Use this Chirpyest referral code to access cashback opportunities.
For more details, check out our Chirpyest Cashback Guide.
9. Best Apps for Cashback: Shopkick
Available on both the IOS app store and the Google Play Store, the Shopkick app is one of the most popular apps to earn top cash. It offers a great way to earn points (referred to as kicks) that are redeemable for cash.
Note that you can earn points both online and when you shop in store at your favorite retailers.
Additional ways to earn Shopkick Rewards and earn extra cash include walking into stores, watching videos, scanning receipts and engaging with offers within the app.
Shopkick Quick Facts
Sign-up Cost: Free
Platform: mobile app (IOS and Android), web, and browser extension
Cashback Type: Gift cards
Minimum Payment Threshold: Depends on the gift card amount
Payment Schedule: When the points threshold is met
Payment Method: Points earned are redeemable for gift cards
Unique Feature: You can earn points redeemable for cash simply by walking into a participating store!
Shopkick Cashback for Travel
With Shopkick, you can earn cashback on hotels, car rentals, vacation packages, travel experiences, and more.
Shopkick Referral Code
Sign up for a free Shopkick account and get 500 bonus points with the referral code CARD527604
10. Best Cashback Sites: TopCashBack
With TopCashBack, you can earn cashback and enjoy the best deals on everyday shopping, food and drink, travel, and more.
TopCashBack Quick Facts
Sign-up Cost: Free
Platform: web and browser extension
Cashback Type: Cash and gift cards
Minimum Payment Threshold: $0.01 to $10 minimum depending on the payment method
Payment Schedule: you can cash out anytime you earn cash back
Payment Method: PayPal payment, ACH bank transfers, Gift cards
Unique Feature: Get an additional payout bonus when you get your Cash Back as a Visa Prepaid card, Amazon.com Gift Card, or American Express® Rewards Card.
TopCashBack for Travel
Specific to travel, you can earn cashback with TopCashBack on luggage, hotels, cruises, flights, car rentals, vacation packages and more.
TopCashBack Referral Code
Use this TopCashBack referral code to access cashback opportunities.
Tips for Making the Most of Cashback Sites: How to Maximize the Benefits
1. Browser Extensions and Apps
Install all the aforementioned cashback browser extensions and apps. The rationale for this is the fact that cashback rewards vary depending on the app. Therefore, installing multiple browser extensions is the best way to compare the different offers and best prices and ultimately choose the best offer for you when shopping online.
2. Cashback Browser Extension Use
As a continuation of point one, you can download multiple cashback browser extensions to identify the best rate and special offers. However, note that you can only use one cashback site per purchase. For context, you can only activate one cashback browser extension per purchase.
3. Cashback Coupon Codes
Use of coupon codes may be a great way to score a better deal; however, coupon codes that are not provided by the cash back site you have opted to use may deactivate your cashback rewards.
4. Extra Cashback Opportunities
Prefer curbside/ in-store pickup? Some online stores with brick-and-mortar components offer extra points and additional cashback deals for shopping online with curbside/in-store pickup.
5. Check in Regularly
Log on to your cashback app accounts regularly, as exclusive deals, new offers, and automatic cash opportunities are run often, allowing you to take advantage of increased cashback offers and earn extra money.
6. Sign Up Bonuses
Note that sign up bonuses are available for a limited time and depend on you spending a certain amount or utilizing the cashback app/site within a particular timeframe.
7. Loyalty Cards
Connect your store loyalty card (for stores that offer this) to cash back sites as an additional way to earn free money and utilize digital coupons.
Final Thoughts About the Best Cashback Apps/ Cash Back Sites
To summarize, the best cashback apps (and best cashback sites) provide an easy way to score great deals on items on your shopping list. All this while simultaneously earning extra cash on everyday purchases! Additionally, both in-store and online shoppers can earn essentially free money from different retailers who offer double cash back on eligible purchases.
Whether you are filling up at gas stations, stocking your pantry at grocery stores, or patronizing online retailers, the amount of cashback you can earn is mind-blowing!
Specific to travel, we have utilized cashback earnings to fund our travel experiences either directly through cash earned or via gift cards that we have used for travel-related experiences. With such amazing incentives available, why not take advantage of the opportunity to earn cash back? To that end, Happy “Cashback-ing’!
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