Cash-back apps offer a convenient way to add extra funds to purchases you make anyway, but be mindful of any sacrifices necessary in order to gain rewards. Some apps may tempt you into spending more than necessary, so read carefully through any fine print before using these offers on items you would normally buy anyway.
Ibotta and Drop allow users to redeem their cash back as soon as they reach $20, while others such as Rakuten require you to wait until the end of each quarter to collect your reward. In either case, your funds can typically be deposited directly into your bank account or PayPal or converted to gift cards – American Express, Chase and Capital One also offer their own cash-back programs in addition to those provided by third-party apps.
To identify the ideal cash-back apps for you, consider your purchasing habits and which retailers you frequent most often. For example, beFrugal partners with over 5,000 stores to provide cash back on many purchases; or for online shoppers Checkout 51 offers quick ways of claiming offers by simply snapping photos of receipts; Earny can scan through email receipts to check if prices on products you bought have decreased and can refund you accordingly.