Cashback is a promotion strategy that allows shoppers to get a small amount of cash back every time they make a purchase at a particular store, or with a particular credit card. Saving money is especially nice if you can do so without having to change all of your habits or spend hours coupon clipping!
You may have heard of cashback, perhaps as a perk to a credit card offered by your bank. It’s an incredibly common feature in the modern day.
But what exactly is cashback? Is it worth it? Most importantly: can it help you save money?
If you’re here because you want to find out whether cashback could be helpful in your own life, you’ve come to the right place!
In this article, we’ll break down:
Let’s get started!
Cashback was first introduced by the Discover Card in the 80’s and was a revolutionary practice at the time. Now, it’s a standard feature of pretty much every bank.
When you have cashback on your card, you’ll get a certain percentage of each purchase you make back as credit. Generally, the percentage you receive will be between 1% and 5%.
This will change depending on the specific card you use, how often you use it, what purchases you make, and what special deals are active at the time.
Often, your bank will be partnered with specific stores that give your return percentage a boost whenever you shop there.
Sometimes, cashback could also refer to a store charging an extra amount when you make a credit card purchase and giving you this excess in cash. This means you don’t have to go to an ATM or bank to retrieve cash from your account.
Stores may also offer their own cashback programs in the form of reward points, usually given to you whenever you make a purchase.
Whatever kind of cashback you use, it will always mean getting some sort of small kickback each time you spend money!
In this way, it’s a great way of saving a little money when you shop – especially when you can use it for things you need to buy anyway.
There are three main types of reward systems in any cashback scheme.
The first is called a flat rate. This means you’ll get a set percentage of your spending back, no matter what you buy or where. For instance, you might get 2% of your purchase back in credit each month.
The second is called a tiered rate. In this system, you’ll get different percentages of your purchase returned to you depending on your annual spending. Generally, if you hit a certain “goal” of spending, your percentage will rise.
For example, if you spend $5,000 in a year, your percentage may rise from 2% to 3%.
The third main type of cashback is called a different rate system. Using this, you’ll get different percentages of your purchase back depending on what you buy.
This is usually based on which stores are partnered with your credit card bank, as well as other special deals or conditions set by the card. Often, this will be based on the type of spending you’re doing.
For example, you might get a 1% return on restaurant spending, but 3% on any fuel purchases.
The exact rules of a different rate rewards program will change drastically between different cards, and depending on the specific deals they have in place at any given time.
This is a major reason to first do research into any program you plan to sign up for!
If you think cashback could be a handy tool in your day-to-day life, you might be wondering how you can actually join a rewards program.
There are a few common ways of doing this:
This is the most popular method of redeeming cash-back rewards.
Pretty much every bank in America offers a cashback program on at least one of their credit cards. These have wildly differing rules and systems, and so they should be researched thoroughly.
Some banks will only apply cashback rewards to purchases done at specific stores. This is normally based on who they’re partnered with since this will motivate you to shop at their store more.
In other cases, cashback may only apply to certain types of purchases such as fuel or groceries.
No – many don’t. Most often, a bank will have a mix of cashback and non-cashback cards available so you can choose your preference when you select your credit card.
However, almost all banks in the US will offer at least one cashback card in their selection.
Cashback apps have become a more popular solution to saving in the present day, growing in popularity greatly over the last decade.
Usually, they partner with as many stores as possible. These can be physical stores like Walmart, or exclusively online retailers like Amazon or eBay. This is called an affiliate partnership.
You join for free, and then whenever you want to shop at a specific store, you log into the cashback app and follow the link to it.
Now, whatever purchases you make are tracked. When you buy something, the cashback company will get a small kickback from their partner company and pass some of this money back to you.
This way, the cashback company earns money, while also benefiting the consumer. Meanwhile, retailers are happy because they get more customers through the app’s traffic.
This app can be used in a variety of stores – more than 1,500, according to their website! Though their specialty is groceries, they also cover stores like Costco, Walmart, Target, Aldi, Albertsons, and even convenience stores like 7-Eleven.
Their portfolio includes a variety of products, including health and wellness, kids and babies, groceries, pet supplies, sports, home, and auto items.
They’ve also expanded to cover certain subscription services, restaurants, and food delivery services.
It should be noted that they don’t list any percentages on their website. However, they claim to have released over $980 million to more than 35 million users since 2012, when their company was founded.
Originally known as Ebates, this app was rebranded to Rakuten in 2019.
They earn money through an affiliate system and are partnered with more than 2,500 stores. This includes Lowes, Kohl, Walmart, and Macy’s. You can also use Rakuten with services like rideshares and restaurants.
Earnings are sent straight to a PayPal account, and their site claims they refund up to 40% of your purchases.
They claim to have paid out more than $2 billion in cash back and have a community of 15 million+ members. According to their site, their average cashback is $63.50 per member since 2020.
Unlike the others on this list, Swagbucks offers a few extra services alongside their cashback program.
Their reward points can also be earned by browsing the web, watching videos, online shopping, and buying gift cards. The notable part here is that you can earn points from completely free activities!
These SB points can then be converted into cash or gift cards. They claim to have paid out over $930 million to their users since their inception and to give out more than 7,000 free gift cards every day.
Chrome extensions are an easy way to seamlessly integrate a cashback program into your daily spending.
They are free to use and can be downloaded and added to your web browser with a few clicks.
This list is specifically for Chrome extensions, which obviously only work on the Chrome browser! However, most of them also have versions for Firefox and Edge.
Normally, these extensions will run quietly in the background and let you know if they can offer cashback when you go to make a purchase.
This can be more convenient than apps or websites, which require you to go through their system before you can shop.
It should be noted that by monitoring your internet activity, these extensions do raise some privacy concerns.
You should read any privacy policy before you sign it and make sure you’re comfortable with this risk before using a cashback Chrome extension. If you aren’t, then an app or website might be a better option for you.
Previously known as Coupons at Checkout, Cently is a great little tool that helps you find deals on the web wherever possible.
Originally, they focused on finding coupons for any store you shopped at. This is still a great feature and can save a lot of money over a long period. However, they’ve also introduced a cashback program at their affiliate stores.
These stores include Macy’s, Walmart, Groupon, J.Crew, Nike, Nordstrom, Sephora, and Amazon.
They boast up to 30% cashback on select purchases, with different percentages based on the type of purchase you make.
Plus, they have a handy Amazon Best Price feature, which lets you know if you can get an item on Amazon for cheaper from a different seller.
Founded in 2009, BeFrugal is another cashback program that’s fully integrated with your browser. It works on Chrome, Firefox, and Edge.
They’re completely free and provide their payouts through check, PayPal, direct deposit, Venmo, Zelle, or gift card. This great level of flexibility is one of their major appeals.
They boast up to 40% cashback, with over 5,000 stores including Walmart, Booking.com, Home Depot, Walgreens, Best Buy, Sephora, and Amazon. They also offer an app and website version, if that’s what you prefer!
You may have heard of Honey thanks to their frequent partnerships with YouTubers. They’ve made a name for themselves on the internet, and their 17 million member count shows it.
Their extension can be added to your browser for free. It will scan the web for deals and cashback opportunities for any purchase you make.
Coupons will be applied automatically, and you’ll be notified once you’ve earned any rewards from your shopping.
Honey has partnered with over 30,000 stores – a huge number compared to the others on this list.
A few examples include Lenovo, JCPenney, J.Crew, Sephora, Forever 21, and Ulta.
A unique feature of Honey is its Droplist, which allows you to mark a product you want that will then be kept track of by the program. If the item drops in price or goes on sale, you’ll be notified automatically.
Alongside these apps and extensions, there are many websites that offer the same service. Generally, these will work the same as an app, with a list of participating retailers that you can access through a link.
Subsequently, this link will track your purchases and give you a refund of a certain percentage.
Most of the apps and extensions mentioned above have a website version that works in this way. This is ideal if you’re concerned about your privacy while using a browser extension.
Alongside all of these options, many stores offer some form of cashback on their own.
Confusingly, this can mean two different things.
The first is when you ask for an extra amount to be added to your final bill when paying with a credit card. Then, you’ll get that amount given to you in cash.
This means you don’t have to go to an ATM or bank to retrieve money from your credit card account.
The other common option is a rewards program, where you have a store loyalty card that gives you points for each purchase. Eventually, these points can be used to purchase items or to get a discount on your bill.
This popular, international chain of grocery stores actively shuns loyalty programs. As a result, they don’t have any kind of reward points or card system.
Instead, Aldi says that they save money for their consumers by spending it carefully, avoiding things like expensive store decor and unnecessary extras.
They see rewards programs as yet another example of unneeded expenses, which would only raise the price of their products.
However, Aldi does offer cashback from credit card purchases on request.
You can redeem as much as $100 from your card in the US without any extra charge. However, this is limited to specific amounts in valuations of $10, $20, $40, or $100 in order to avoid holding up the checkout line for too long!
Home Depot is the largest home improvement store in the US. It sells items such as tools, garden equipment, construction materials, appliances, and various services, including van rentals.
They run the Pro Xtra loyalty program which is free to sign up to. Mostly aimed at contractors and builders, the program gives you many benefits as you spend money in-store.
Some of these include specialized perks, business tools, and exclusive sales and events in stores and online.
By earning points, you unlock new “tiers” of the Pro Xtra program – giving you access to more and more perks.
Home Depot also offers a $50 cash-back option for any customer paying with a credit card in their store, without any added fee.
CVS is the largest pharmacy chain in the US, with thousands of locations across the country and millions of customers each day.
Their loyalty program is the ExtraCare program, available for free to any customer who wants it. They also have CarePass, which is a paid loyalty program that offers even more savings to customers.
ExtraCare gives you a red card that comes with an ID number. This number lets you unlock discounts as you spend money at any CVS store. Members also get exclusive access to certain sales.
Their CarePass costs $5 a month and provides you with all the ExtraCare benefits, plus a few more. The most significant is a free $10 worth of ExtraBucks each month which you can spend in-store.
You’ll also get free same-day delivery of qualifying prescriptions, 20% off CVS brand items, and free 1-2 day shipping on eligible items.
If you’re hoping to get cashback on your credit card purchases at CVS, this is also an option. However, they only have a measly $35 limit.
The retail company Lowe’s specializes in home improvement products, with over 2,000 locations across the country.
Their clothing branch offers a fairly basic loyalty card program, giving you 2.5% of your purchases back as reward points which get sent to you twice a year. You’ll also get extra shopping offers and promotions.
Meanwhile, Lowe’s hardware branch has the MVPs Pro Rewards Program, aimed at professional builders and business owners.
You can join for free and immediately get access to their bonus points offers. However, to actually earn any cashback, you have to reach at least the Silver tier in their program. To do this, you need to spend over $2,500 within a year.
From Silver upwards, you’ll get 1% to 1.5% cashback for any purchase at Lowe’s.
The more you spend per year, the higher your tier in the program will get – and the greater your cashback percentage will be!
If you’re hoping to get cashback on your credit card purchases at Lowe’s, you’re in luck. They’ll give you up to $40 back without charging any additional fees.
Once you’ve earned a cashback reward, there are a few ways to retrieve it.
You’ll either be able to trigger this retrieval yourself (usually on a website or app linked to your card or the cashback company), or you’ll get an automatic payout. Automatic payments are normally made monthly, quarterly, or yearly.
Often, if you can withdraw funds whenever you want, you’ll have to earn a certain amount of cashback rewards before this is allowed.
For instance, you might have to build up $50 worth of rewards before you can deposit them in your bank account.
This is the most common way that individual retailers will provide cashback to their customers.
When you become a member of their loyalty program, you’ll get a card or ID that you can use when making purchases.
This will add points to your account – usually a set number of points per dollar spent (for example, 1 point per $5 you spend in-store).
Once you reach a certain amount, these points can be spent as credit at their locations – effectively being a cashback program that can only be spent in one place.
Stores love this method because it brings you back to them as often as possible.
This method of cashback refers to taking “money off” your credit card bill each month.
Basically, your bank will give you a credit card. When you spend on this card, your balance builds as normal and must be paid off at the end of each month. However, you also build “points” with each dollar spent.
These points will lower your credit card’s balance, effectively paying off part of your debt for free.
For instance, if you have a total credit balance of $100 but have $5 in cashback money off credit, your final bill will be just $95.
This method is a little more unusual and normally only seen with bank credit cards. However, some cashback websites and apps may offer it as well.
Once you’ve built up some cashback credit, you’ll get the option to deposit it in your bank account.
Usually, you’ll have to build a certain amount before you can do this. For instance, you might have to reach $100 worth of credits; otherwise, no money can be transferred.
Sometimes, this transfer will happen automatically at the end of each month or year – meaning you don’t have to think about it at all!
Similar to the store credit method, these programs reward you with coupons rather than raw cash.
This means that while your accrued rewards are still monetarily valuable, they can only be spent at specific, participating stores. Often, these will be places like Amazon, Walmart, or other all-purpose retailers.
Much like the bank deposit option, this will give you real cash as a reward for your spending.
In some cases, you’ll have to withdraw your balance from the rewards program – at which point a check will be sent to you in the mail. In other cases, you’ll be sent a check each month automatically.
The main inconvenience in using checks is that you have to deposit them to use them, which can be rather annoying.
You also have to wait for them to arrive in the post, rather than getting an instant transfer.
This simply refers to any of the above methods that make use of automatic payouts.
For instance: you might automatically get a bank transfer or check each month, quarter, or year. Alternatively, you may receive coupons or gift cards.
Basically, anytime you don’t have to initiate retrieving your rewards, it’s an automatic redemption program.
This can be a complicated question. Really, it depends on your personal habits, needs, and finances.
Ultimately, the reason businesses offer cashback is because it’s profitable. Largely, this is because people are encouraged to spend more when they get a reward for spending.
This means they end up spending more money than they’ve saved overall, providing the company with a net profit.
To really benefit from cashback systems, you have to fight this urge. Your best use of cashback will be in buying things you would normally purchase anyway, such as gas or groceries. Avoid buying things just because you’ll get a cashback reward from it.
You should also think about what you buy most often, and what programs are available to you.
Many will reward certain types of spending, like fuel, groceries, or travel differently and will prefer one or the other.
If you travel a lot, look for a cashback program that has high rewards for buying plane tickets.
If you don’t, but you have a big family, look for one that rewards grocery purchases.
Basically: consider what you spend the most on most often, and then examine which cards or programs will reward you most for this.
Most of all, beat back the urge to spend for the sake of the rewards. If you can do this, you’ll effectively be getting free money.
You should also know that if you fail to pay off your minimum each month, your rewards will likely be lost. Additionally, cashback cards often have a high APR (Annual Percentage Rate), meaning the debt will build quickly.
If you generally struggle to pay off your monthly credit card bill, it might be best to avoid cash-back cards and go for one with a low (or 0%) APR instead.
Browser add-ons like Cently are a great option since they only base their functions on purchases you’re already going to make. There’s no monthly bill to pay, and no temptation to constantly purchase unneeded items.
You can add Cently to your browser and then shop as normal without even thinking about the cashback program! Then, you’ll receive a nice reward when you’re least expecting it.
When you get a reward for spending, you’ll want to spend more. Stores rely on you spending more than you save from the program, creating a net profit for their business. Make sure to avoid buying things just because you want the reward points.
If you can avoid spending just for the reward points, you’ll effectively be getting free money from cashback programs. Spending them on things you buy anyway will net you a small reward for each dollar spent.
It depends on the card or program. In some cases, it may expire after a set number of months or years without being withdrawn. Check the details of your cashback agreement to find out the specifics!