Earning cash back and points through online shopping portals and apps has become an increasingly popular way for consumers to save money in recent years. With so many options available, it can be overwhelming to determine which are the best cashback and points programs to join.
This definitive guide examines the top cashback and points rewards websites for 2024 based on factors like high rebate rates, user-friendly experiences, strong retailer networks, and solid bonus offers. Whether you’re looking to maximize savings on everyday purchases or want to turbo-charge your credit card rewards, these programs can help put extra money back in your wallet.
Highest Paying CashBack Websites
These sites offer the highest potential cash back rates across their retail networks:
1. Rakuten
With over 3,500 merchant partners and average rebates of 10-15%, Rakuten (formerly Ebates) is one of the most popular cash back services. Members earn between 1-40% back by shopping online through their portal or using supported browser extensions. Rakuten also offers generous referral bonuses and makes cashing out easy, with no minimums for PayPal disbursements or $5 for checks.
Key features:
- Up to 40% cash back at select merchants
- 3,500+ retail partners
- $30 welcome bonus
- Easy to use browser extensions
- Referral program up to $40 bonus
- Cash out with no minimum for PayPal
2. TopCashback
TopCashback is another cashback heavyweight, offering rates up to 10% across over 4,500 merchants. Unlike some other portals, TopCashback passes 100% of the commission revenue earned from retailers back to members. Bonuses and extensive retail coverage make this a top choice for savvy shoppers.
Key features:
- Average cashback around 10%
- 4,500+ retail partners
- $10 signup bonus after first $10 earned
- Pass-through 100% of commissions
- No minimums for PayPal cash out
3. BeFrugal
BeFrugal advertises big cash back, with rates up to 40% across many top retailers. Members can earn additional bonuses for signing up and referring friends. With over 5,000 merchant partners, BeFrugal makes it easy to stack savings on popular stores.
Key features:
- Up to 40% cash back rates
- 5,000+ retail partners
- $10 signup bonus after first $10 earned
- $5 referral bonus
- Rewards can be redeemed for gift cards or cash
READ ALSO: How to Use the Microsoft Rewards Program and Redeem Points
Most User-Friendly CashBack Services
In addition to strong rewards, the following cash back platforms offer exceptional user experiences:
4. Capital One Shopping
The Capital One Shopping browser extension makes saving completely automatic by applying available coupons and cash back opportunities at checkout. You’ll earn “shopping credits” redeemable for gift cards. The extension works across thousands of stores, and Capital One cardholders earn an extra 1% back.
Key features:
- Automatic coupons and cash back
- Works across thousands of stores
- Credits redeemable for gift cards
- Extra 1% for Capital One cardholders
- Price drop monitoring
5. Drop
Drop makes earning completely passive by giving you points when you link your cards and shop at partner merchants like Starbucks, Uber, and Target. No receipt scanning or activating offers are required. Use code kkj8i for a $5 welcome bonus.
Key features:
- Passive earnings when you link & shop
- No activation or scanning required
- Leading brand partners like Starbucks, Target, and Uber
- Instant sign-up bonus using code kkj8i
- Rewards redeemable for gift cards
6. Dosh
The Dosh app offers 100% automatic cash back when you link your credit and debit cards. You’ll earn money back anytime you shop or dine at participating merchants, with no scanning or signup required. Use promo code KICKY6 for $5 free.
Key features:
- Fully automatic cash back
- No receipt scanning required
- Bonus $5 when you enter code KICKY6
- Link debit & credit cards to start earning
- Cash out with no minimums via PayPal
Top Cash Back Apps
These mobile apps make getting cash back on-the-go easy:
7. Ibotta
One of the most popular rebate apps, Ibotta provides cash back on groceries, restaurants, travel, and more. You’ll get a $10 welcome bonus after redeeming your first offer. Ibotta also frequently runs bonuses for referrals, teamwork, and leveling up.
Key features:
- Cash back on everyday purchases
- Welcome bonus of $10
- Bonuses for referrals & level-ups
- Easy scanning of paper and e-receipts
- Redeem cash via PayPal or gift cards
8. Rakuten
The Rakuten mobile app makes it easy to get cash back while shopping on-the-go. Browse deals, activate offers, and track cash back earnings right from your phone. Members can redeem Rakuten payments via check or PayPal, with no minimums required.
Key features:
- Mobile access to retailer deals & cash back
- Activate offers right in the app
- Track your payments and account activity
- Simple mobile receipt scanning
- Redeem to PayPal with no minimum
9. Fetch Rewards
With Fetch Rewards, you earn gift cards by snapping photos of any grocery, retail, or restaurant receipt. The app instantly scans each receipt and awards points based on your purchases. Fetch also runs frequent bonuses for certain products and brands.
Key features:
- Scan any grocery, retail, or restaurant receipt
- Receive gift cards in exchange for points
- Frequent bonuses on select brands/products
- Super fast receipt scanning technology
- Refer friends to earn extra points
10. Shopkick
The unique Shopkick app awards “kicks” for just walking into stores, scanning barcodes, making purchases, or referring friends. Kicks can be exchanged for gift cards to leading retailers. Using referral code CARDFREE1967944H gives you 250 bonus kicks.
Key features:
- Earn for visiting stores or scanning product barcodes
- Redeem kicks for gift cards
- 250 point sign-up bonus with code CARDFREE1967944H
- Bonuses for referring friends and family
- Frequent kick opportunities at top stores
READ ALSO: Best No Annual Fee Credit Cards with Rewards and Perks
Highest Paying Points Programs
In addition to cash back, many loyalty programs now offer flexible points you can redeem for rewards or cash:
11. Swagbucks
Swagbucks provides many ways to earn points (“SB”), including cash back shopping, taking surveys, playing games, watching videos, and more. SB can be redeemed for gift cards or PayPal cash. You’ll get a $10 bonus if you earn your first 300 SB within 30 days.
Key features:
- $10 sign-up bonus when you earn 300 SB in 30 days
- Points can redeemed for gift cards or PayPal cash
- Cash back shopping and other earning activities
- Mobile app available
- Generous referral program
12. MyPoints
At MyPoints, members earn points for online shopping, surveys, games, and reading emails. Redeem your points for gift cards to popular retailers or for cash via PayPal. MyPoints offers a $10 value signup bonus.
Key features:
- $10 signup bonus
- Redeem points for gift cards or cash
- Earn from shopping, surveys, games, and more
- Extensive gift card redemption options
- Easy to use mobile app
13. InboxDollars
InboxDollars pays members to take surveys, play games, read emails, watch videos, refer friends, and more. You can exchange your earnings for gift cards or cash out via check or PayPal. New members get a $5 signup bonus.
Key features:
- $5 bonus for new members
- Cash out to PayPal or request a check
- Earn for web activities, surveys, shopping, etc.
- Extensive gift card redemption options
- Refer friends to earn 10% of their earnings
14. Drop
The Drop app awards points (“Drops”) when you link cards and shop at brand name stores like Starbucks, Target, and Uber. Redeem Drops for gift cards or cash rewards without scanning receipts or activating offers. Sign up with code kkj8i to get $5 free.
Key features:
- Earn points automatically when you link & shop
- Major brand partners like Starbucks, Walmart, and Nike
- $5 signup bonus when you use code kkj8i
- Easy rewards redemption via gift cards or cash
- No receipt scanning or offer activation required
Best Cash Back & Points Referral Programs
Referring friends can score you sizable signup bonuses and cash back profits at many rewards sites. Here are the programs with the most rewarding referral structures:
15. Rakuten
Rakuten offers a generous referral program, giving current members a $30 bonus for each friend they refer who spends $30+ within 90 days of signup. You can refer up to 50 friends per year, earning up to $1,500 in annual referral bonuses.
16. Drop
When you refer new users to Drop, both you and your friend will receive $5 automatically added to your accounts. Drop places no limit on the number of people you can refer, making it easy to rack up cash rewards.
17. Dosh
Dosh gives new users $5 in cash back when they enter your referral code during signup. Meanwhile, you’ll receive $1 each time someone registers using your custom referral code link.
18. Ibotta
On Ibotta, you’ll earn $5 in cash back for each friend that redeems an offer after registering with your referral code. Your referred friends also get a $10 welcome bonus, making this a rewarding program for all.
19. InboxDollars
When you convince your friends to sign up for InboxDollars using your referral link, you’ll receive 10% of all the cash they earn by completing web activities and other money-making options on the platform.
Tips for Maximizing Cash Back & Points
Follow these tips to get the highest returns from your favorite cash back and rewards programs:
- Compare rates – Cash back percentages and bonuses frequently change. Use sites like CashbackMonitor to find the best current offers.
- Use apps for in-store deals – Mobile apps like Ibotta, Dosh, and Drop let you earn on in-person purchases when you link up your payment cards.
- Activate online offers – Don’t forget to click activation buttons or enable browser extensions to get credit for your online orders.
- Provide receipt verification – Some portals require uploading receipts to validate purchases and release your cash back.
- Take advantage of bonuses – Never miss out on signup, referral, or rebate bonuses that boost your earnings.
- Redeem strategically – Optimize the value of your points and payments by cashing out only when you have the best redemption options available.
Final Take – Cash Back & Points Sites Provide Effortless Savings
Using cash back services requires minimal effort while putting extra spending money back in your pocket. The key is finding one or several rewards programs that match your shopping habits and offer strong bonus opportunities.
Focus your efforts on sites with extensive merchant networks, high rebate rates, and solid referral programs. Consistently activating offers and providing verification can ensure you never miss a cashback opportunity. If you shop online, adding browser extensions makes the process entirely seamless.
With several high-quality options providing cash rewards on your everyday spending, cash back and points sites offer an easy way to spend smarter in 2024. Just be diligent about the details – and watch your savings grow.
Cash Back & Points Sites FAQ
How do cashback sites work?
Cash back sites generate revenue by earning commissions from merchant partners. When you make a purchase through their portal, they receive a commission, take a cut, and pass the rest to you as cash back.
Are cash back sites legit?
Yes, top cashback sites like Rakuten, Dosh, and Ibotta have delivered billions in rewards to tens of millions of members. As long as you read the terms, verified sites provide a proven way to get money back.
What about privacy when using cashback sites?
To earn rewards from your purchases, cashback services require sharing certain purchase data and personal information. Be sure to review your privacy policies closely before signing up.
How long do cash back payments take?
Most cash rewards are released on either a monthly or quarterly basis once they reach the minimum payout threshold. Expect anywhere from a few weeks to several months to receive your cash after confirming eligible purchases.
Can I use multiple cash back sites?
Absolutely! Many savvy shoppers collect cash back by using multiple browser extensions and linking the same credit card across sites. Just be sure to consistently activate offers and submit receipts.
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