Question about using cashback apps for debit card purchases.

I always thought cashback apps only worked with credit cards, but last month I tried one with my debit card at a gas station in Phoenix. I used the Fetch app and scanned the receipt, and it gave me points just like a credit card would. It's not a huge amount, maybe like $3 back on a $40 fill-up, but still free money. Has anyone else found a debit card trick that actually pays off?

3 comments

3 Comments

cameron96320d ago

Yo I feel you on this so hard. I've been doing the same thing with Fetch and I swear I only get like $2.50-$3.00 back after scanning a bunch of receipts from the same gas station near my place in Denver. It's not life changing but it's better than nothing, especially when I'm just trying to fill up and get on with my day. The data selling thing kind of creeps me out but I figure they already know what I buy anyway from my card transactions. Honestly if someone told me I could get a free coffee every couple weeks by just snapping a photo I'd still do it.

abby_robinson581mo ago

Drove all the way to that same Phoenix gas station last week just because I heard they give extra points through the Shopkick app, but ended up spending forty bucks on snacks and a full tank. The clerk saw me scanning receipts and told me about a local grocery chain that gives double points on Sundays, so now I drag myself there every weekend. Still only got about $2.50 back after three trips, but hey, it's better than finding a quarter in the couch.

amy9751mo ago

Oh man, you've unlocked the secret meta-game of receipt scanning! I actually did the math once because I was curious, and if you factor in the gas money to drive to the "bonus points" locations, you're basically paying for the privilege of getting pennies back. But here's the twist nobody talks about - those apps track your spending patterns and sell the data to advertisers. So while you're getting $2.50 back, they're making way more than that on your shopping habits. Kind of makes you wonder who's really winning that couch quarter game.