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- Credit cards offer consistent cash-back rates, with some providing up to 5% on specific categories.
- Cash-back apps like Ibotta, Rakuten, and Dosh allow users to earn rewards on everyday purchases.
- Retailer-specific programs such as Target Circle, Kohl’s Cash, and Costco Executive Membership offer unique rewards for loyal customers.
- Online shopping portals like Swagbucks and TopCashback provide additional cash-back opportunities when shopping online.
- Combining credit cards, cash-back apps, retailer programs, and shopping portals maximizes cash-back earnings.
- Understanding and leveraging your spending habits is key to earning the most cash back possible.
In today’s world, where every penny counts, savvy shoppers are always on the lookout for ways to save or earn money on purchases. Cash-back programs are one of the most popular methods of putting money back into your pocket.
Where Can I Get the Most Cash Back?
Whether you’re grocery shopping, filling up your car with gas, or making a major purchase, earning cash back allows you to get a percentage of your money returned to you. But with so many options available, you may ask, “Where can I get the most cash back?”
This guide’ll dive into the best ways to maximize your cash back through credit cards, apps, retail stores, and online shopping platforms. We’ll help you navigate the landscape and choose the right tools to ensure you get the best deal possible.
1. Credit Cards: The Most Reliable Cash Back Option
When considering “where can I get the most cash back,” credit cards are often the first option that comes to mind.
Many major credit card companies offer impressive cash-back deals, and these programs often range between 1% and 5% of the total purchase amount. Some cards even offer higher percentages on specific categories, such as groceries, dining, or travel.
Flat-Rate Cash Back Cards
Flat-rate cash back cards are one of the simplest options. These cards offer a consistent percentage (usually around 1.5% to 2%) on every purchase, regardless of the category. If you value simplicity and don’t want to think about optimizing for certain categories, this might be the best choice for you.
Examples of popular flat-rate cards include the Citi® Double Cash Card, which offers 2% back on all purchases—1% when you buy and another 1% when you pay off the balance.
Tiered and Rotating Cash Back Categories
Another option is credit cards that offer higher cash-back rates in specific categories. For instance, the Chase Freedom Flex℠ card has rotating categories where you can earn up to 5% back on purchases in certain areas like groceries, restaurants, or online shopping platforms.
There are also tiered cash-back cards like the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express, which offers 6% back on groceries (up to a certain annual limit) and 3% back on gas stations and transit.
Consider your spending habits when choosing the best credit card for cash back. A card that offers high rewards in the categories you frequently use could mean the difference between earning hundreds of dollars in cash back each year or just a few.
2. Cash Back Apps: Maximizing Everyday Purchases
Another excellent answer to the question “Where can I get the most cash back?” lies in cash-back apps. These apps partner with retailers to offer users cash-back rewards on their purchases. Whether you’re shopping online or in-store, these apps can help you earn a percentage back on what you spend.
Ibotta
Ibotta is one of the most popular cash-back apps available today. It partners with a wide range of grocery stores, retailers, and online platforms. To use Ibotta, you simply need to select offers for the products you plan to buy before you head to the store, and then upload your receipt after making your purchase. For online shopping, you can use the app’s affiliate links to earn cash back directly.
ibotta
Cash back every time you shop. With Ibotta it’s easy to earn cash back, whether you’re at the grocery store or shopping online. You also get $5 free for signing up!
The app frequently offers special bonuses for redeeming multiple offers, and you can get back anywhere from $0.25 to $10 on individual purchases, depending on the promotion.
Rakuten (formerly Ebates)
Rakuten is a top choice for online shoppers wondering, “Where can I get the most cash back.” It’s incredibly easy to use—just shop through the Rakuten portal or use the browser extension, and you’ll earn a percentage of your purchase back.
Rakuten
Rakuten is a simple way to score cash back for online and in-store purchases. The cash back you earn can be used for literally anything. It can be extra spending money, or use it to boost your savings and investments. Rakuten offers a $10 welcome bonus for new sign-ups!
Rakuten partners with thousands of retailers, including major names like Walmart, Target, and Amazon. During special promotions, you can even find cash-back deals of up to 40%.
Dosh
Dosh is an app that allows users to link their credit or debit cards, then automatically earns them cash back on eligible purchases. This app is particularly convenient because there’s no need to upload receipts—simply shop at partnered retailers and restaurants and watch your rewards accumulate in your Dosh account.
If you’re searching for ways to increase your rewards for everyday spending, using a combination of apps like Ibotta, Rakuten, and Dosh could easily maximize your cash-back opportunities.
3. Retailer-Specific Cash Back: Store Loyalty Programs
If you’re loyal to certain brands or retailers, you might find that their specific loyalty programs are an excellent way to answer the question, “where can I get the most cash back?” Many retailers offer their own cash-back programs, which allow you to earn rewards or store credit for purchases made directly through their platforms.
Target Circle
Target Circle is a free loyalty program that offers users 1% back on all purchases made at Target. While this may not sound like much compared to credit card offers, the rewards can accumulate quickly if you’re a frequent Target shopper.
Additionally, Target Circle often provides personalized offers for additional savings on products you frequently buy.
Kohl’s Cash
Kohl’s Cash is a store-specific rewards program that allows shoppers to earn cash-back rewards on purchases. For every $50 you spend, Kohl’s typically offers $10 in Kohl’s Cash, which can be used on future purchases.
This program is particularly useful for frequent shoppers, as it offers an effective 20% cash-back rate during promotional periods.
Costco Executive Membership
Costco’s Executive Membership offers 2% back on most purchases made at the store. If you’re a regular Costco shopper, upgrading to an Executive Membership can pay for itself, as you can easily earn back the extra membership cost through cash-back rewards.
Additionally, Costco’s partnership with Citibank through the Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi offers additional rewards, such as 4% back on gas purchases.
4. Online Shopping Portals: Extra Cash Back for E-commerce
Finally, online shopping portals can help you earn even more cash back when you’re shopping online. Many major retailers partner with these portals to offer cash-back incentives. The process typically involves starting your shopping experience at the portal, clicking through to your favorite store, and then earning cash back on your purchases.
Swagbucks
Swagbucks is a popular rewards portal that offers cash back, gift cards, and other rewards for shopping through its affiliate links.
In addition to offering cash back, Swagbucks also provides points for completing tasks like surveys, watching videos, and signing up for free trials. These points can be redeemed for cash or gift cards to major retailers.
TopCashback
TopCashback is another portal that offers significant cash-back rewards on online purchases. One key advantage of TopCashback is that it often offers higher cash-back rates than competitors. The platform claims to pass 100% of the commission it earns from retailers back to its users. This can be an excellent way to increase your earnings on everyday online shopping.
By leveraging these portals, along with your cash-back credit card and rewards apps, you can stack your rewards to maximize your savings. This combination is a great answer to “Where can I get the most cash back?” if you’re a frequent online shopper.
Frequent Asked Questions
Here are some of the related questions people also ask:
What is the best credit card for cash back?
The best cash-back credit card depends on your spending habits, but popular options include the Citi® Double Cash Card for flat-rate rewards and the Chase Freedom Flex℠ for rotating categories offering up to 5% cash back.
How do cash-back apps like Ibotta work?
Cash-back apps like Ibotta allow you to earn money back by selecting offers before you shop, then uploading your receipt to redeem the cash-back rewards.
Can I use multiple cash-back programs at once?
Yes, you can stack rewards by using a cash-back credit card, an app like Ibotta, and shopping through an online portal like Rakuten to maximize your savings.
What stores offer their own cash-back programs?
Stores like Target, through Target Circle, and Kohl’s, with Kohl’s Cash, offer their own cash-back or rewards programs for frequent shoppers.
How does Rakuten work for earning cash back?
Rakuten gives you cash back when you shop through its portal or use its browser extension. Simply click through Rakuten to your desired store, and a percentage of your purchase will be returned to you as cash back.
Is it worth signing up for store-specific loyalty programs for cash back?
Yes, if you frequently shop at a particular store, signing up for loyalty programs like Target Circle or Kohl’s Cash can help you earn consistent rewards.
What are the differences between flat-rate and rotating category cash-back cards?
Flat-rate cards offer a consistent percentage back on all purchases, while rotating category cards give higher cash-back rates in specific categories that change periodically, often quarterly.
Can I earn cash back when shopping online?
Yes, using online shopping portals like Swagbucks or TopCashback, you can earn cash back from various retailers by starting your shopping through their portals.
How much can I earn with cash-back programs in a year?
The amount you can earn varies depending on your spending habits, but by using cash-back cards, apps, and portals effectively, you could earn hundreds to thousands of dollars annually in rewards.
The Bottom Line: Where Can I Get the Most Cash Back?
So, where can you get the most cash back? The answer ultimately depends on your shopping habits, preferences, and the tools you use. If you’re looking for a straightforward way to earn consistent cash back on every purchase, a flat-rate cash-back credit card may be your best option.
However, if you want to optimize your rewards and are willing to put in a bit of extra effort, using a combination of cash-back credit cards, apps like Ibotta and Rakuten, retailer loyalty programs, and online shopping portals like Swagbucks and TopCashback will likely give you the highest returns.
To truly maximize your cash-back potential, consider stacking rewards by using multiple tools together. For instance, you could shop online through a portal like Rakuten, use your cash-back credit card to pay, and apply any relevant discounts or coupons. Each method will contribute to your overall cash-back earnings, helping you get the most out of every dollar you spend.
In conclusion, whether you’re looking to save on groceries, gas, clothing, or electronics, there are numerous ways to answer the question, “where can I get the most cash back?” By exploring different platforms and optimizing your spending strategy, you’ll be well on your way to earning back hundreds—or even thousands—of dollars each year in cash-back rewards.