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Best cash back and rewards apps

  • Meghan Hunter

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    Want to know one of the most effortless ways to earn cash back or rewards on your everyday purchases? Of course you do! It’s by utilizing cash back and rewards apps.

    Instead of having to clip a coupon (that’s so 1995) or carrying around your favorite grocery store’s rewards card (that’s so 2005), there are cash back and rewards apps that make saving money easy and fun. Rewards programs aren’t new; it’s just that technology has changed the way they work.

    Many of these apps aim to gamify the way you earn and use rewards — some offer missions, points and ways to level up, etc. So you’ll have a little fun while earning lots of benefits and perks.

    Here’s a list of the best rewards and cash back apps:

    Get into the habit of using a rewards app, and you’ll see your savings grow in no time at all. (Photo by Nattapol_Sritongcom/Shutterstock)

    Dosh

    The best thing about the Dosh app is that it’s automatic. All you have to do is link your credit cards and you’ll start earning rewards. There’s no need to use coupons or to scan receipts. You don’t even have to open the app before you shop. Just shop as you usually do with your linked cards.

    I’ve used Dosh for many years because it’s so easy. The only tricky part is remembering to cash out your rewards every once in a while! I try and take advantage of bonus deals they’ll offer every once in a while — like earning extra cash back at stores like Staples or Walmart.

    If you load a card like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, you can stack rewards earnings at certain restaurants. For example, Dosh often offers 3%+ cash back at Dunkin Donuts. Meaning you’d earn 3X Chase Ultimate Rewards points on your Dunkin purchase plus the cash back you earn through the app. That’s a win-win!

    Fluz

    The Fluz app is another popular app amongst those looking to save money every time they shop. You can use it in-store or online, and it works best if you have a network of friends with which you can refer to the app. That’s because the more referrals you make, the more rewards you’ll earn. You’ll earn extra cash back on the things your referrals buy.

    It’s a little more involved than some of the other apps on the list. But if you can make a ton of referrals, your cash back will really start to add up.

    To use Fluz, you’ll start by ringing up your purchase. Then open Fluz, select the store you’re in and enter your exact checkout amount. Then, pay Fluz to get a gift card code that you can use to cover the cost of your purchase. After that, you’ll earn cash back.

    Ibotta

    Ibotta is another popular money-saving app. Ibotta allows you to save and earn rewards on in-store purchases only, so it’s not for those who frequently shop online.

    Instead, you can unlock rebates for various products, then buy those items at any of the stores listed on the app. Next, you’ll be required to verify your purchase by upload your receipt and scanning the barcodes. After that, your cash back will appear in your Ibotta account within 48 hours.

    Because of the extra steps involved in making the most of this app, it may not be for everyone. But according to Ibotta, the average user makes about $30 a month, which is better than nothing! So give it a whirl if you’re looking for a way to save on items you’re probably buying anyway.

    MileagePlus X (MPX)

    With the MileagePlus X app, you can earn bonus United Airlines miles for shopping at qualifying retailers and paying for your purchases through the app (well, you’re actually buying a gift card to then use in-store).

    Sure, you aren’t earning cash back. But the bonus United miles you can earn using the MPX app can translate into free travel, which may be more enticing for some!

    Check out our guide to using United miles here.

    MyPoints

    With MyPoints, you can earn rewards at over 2,000 common retailers including Target, Walmart, Amazon and Old Navy.

    This app, like many of the others on this list, is simple to use in that you just click through the app and shop like you usually would. After your purchase, you’ll see the points in your account. The rewards points you earn can be redeemed for cash back to your PayPal account or for gift cards to use in the future.

    Signing up is free, and sometimes they even offer a welcome bonus to new members.

    Swagbucks

    Swagbucks is another money-saving app that I’ve used in the past, as it frequently offers incredibly lucrative incentives.

    You can earn rewards in a variety of different ways, including watching videos and taking surveys, as well as shopping through their portal. With lots of us spending more time at home these days, taking a few minutes out of your day to give feedback on a product or watch a promotional video might actually be a nice break from reality! At the very least you’ll earn points for a relatively mindless activity.

    The rewards you earn can then be redeemed for gift cards at tons of different merchants, including Target, Walmart and Amazon.

    Wikibuy

    Wikibuy is easy to use and can be used whether you’re shopping online or in-store. I have it installed on my computer, and it has helped me save me hundreds of dollars over the years. Plus, it saves me the hassle of having to scour the internet for a valid coupon.

    The app is free to download and there are several ways in which it will help you save money, including:

    You’ll find our full review of Wikibuy here.

    Wikibuy compensates us when you get the Wikibuy extension using the links we provided.

    Don’t forget to use the right card

    While using a cash back or rewards app is a great first step to saving on your purchase, don’t forget to use a rewards earning card to double-dip and save (or earn!) even more. Use an airline credit card, like the United℠ Explorer Card, to earn more miles or a travel rewards card, like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, to diversify your earnings. And if you prefer good ol’ fashioned cash back, be sure to check out our list of the best cash back credit cards, too.

    Bottom line

    Using any one (or all!) of these apps will serve you well nearly any time you shop, be it online or in-store. Cash back and rewards apps are a great way to maximize the rewards you earn on purchases you’re making anyway. They’re free and easy to sign up for. So with very minimal effort, you’ll be on your way to racking up more and more rewards.

    Editorial Note: We're the Million Mile Secrets team. And we're proud of our content, opinions and analysis, and of our reader's comments. These haven’t been reviewed, approved or endorsed by any of the airlines, hotels, or credit card issuers which we often write about. And that’s just how we like it! :)