Gift-giving just got smarter! In a world where every dollar counts, why not earn some cash back while purchasing gift cards for your loved ones? Whether it’s for birthdays, holidays, or special occasions, these services allow you to turn your gift-buying into a rewarding experience that puts money back in your pocket.
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1) Amazon Gift card
Gift whatever denomination you like. The Amazon gift card can only be used to purchase eligible goods and services on Amazon.com.
Get an Amazon Gift Card or gift cards from other brands
2) Ibotta
Ibotta is a wonderful app that allows you to earn cash back at some of your favorite stores like Target, Starbucks, Lowe’s, and over 2,000 other retailers. They include rewards for grocery stores, food delivery, movie and concert tickets, and more.
Once you buy the gift card for your loved one, you’ll instantly receive cashback in your Ibotta account. Here’s how to purchase gift cards for others in the Ibotta app:
- Under the “shop by category” section, go to Gift Cards on the Ibotta app home screen and search or browse retailers by an assortment of categories, including “nearby,” “clothing,” coffee and tea,” “electronics,” “health and beauty” and more
- Choose the store you want and select the buy gift card option. You’ll note the % back you’ll be receiving once you purchase the gift card. As you see in the example below, if you purchase an Old Navy gift card, you’ll receive 7% back. On some cards, you can receive as much as 20% back.
- Enter the amount you want to put on the gift card.
- Toggle This is a gift to send the card to your loved one once you buy it via email or text message (they do not need the Ibotta app in order to use the gift card)
- Instantly find cash back within your Ibotta account once your purchase is complete.
Click this link and use referral code mpiaurm to earn $5 when you submit your first receipt
Copy the code to insert into the Referral code box on Ibotta “Create account” page: mpiaurm.
More: Find out how to use the Ibotta app to score some great freebies here.
3) Rakuten
This popular retailer offers easy ways to earn cash back. They can give cash back on select gift cards purchased at stores via the Rakuten website or by downloading their app. Note that you may not receive cash back for any portions of purchases made with your own gift cards or certificates, meaning you have to always pay with a regular credit or debit card in order to receive cash back.
They offer over 3,500 stores to choose from, including Bath & Body Works, Ulta, and Uber, and each store states the percentage of cash back you will receive once you purchase. Stores like Adidas and Petco offer up to as much as 6% cash back when you purchase gift cards through Rakuten. Here’s how to give your loved one a gift card from Rakuten and earn cash back:
- Go to the Rakuten > Click “Categories” in menu > Click Rakuten Gift Card Shop
- Select the store you wish to purchase from and pick the amount you’d like to put on the gift card. Note the % of cash back you’ll receive for purchasing the gift card
- Check the Send as a gift option
- See your cash back earnings appear in your Rakuten account
4) TopCashback
- Create a free account and click “Gift Cards” in the top navigation
- Select the store you want to buy from, choose the Gift Card Amount, and press Continue. Note the % of cash back you’ll receive under each gift card
- On the following page, select ‘Email to someone else’ and fill in the information
- Enter your payment information and TopCashback will send the gift card to your recipient. You’ll receive your cash back within 30 days
5) PayPal Honey
Many people use PayPal as their main online payment service. But most don’t realize all the rewards that can come with using PayPal Honey as well. PayPal Honey does not offer cash back when consumers use gift cards, but it will allow you to redeem points you earn while shopping through the app for cash, gift cards, or PayPal shopping credits.
Once you download the app and create an account with PayPal Honey (which is free to do), you can activate the Cash Back option so that you qualify for points on your eligible purchases. The app will then let you know while you’re shopping at your favorite stores if you qualify for any points earned, as well as any exclusive offers the store is giving, such as Double Cash Back. Over 30,00 stores have a point system with PayPal Honey, including Apple, Walmart, and Home Depot.
Once you’ve earned enough points, you can redeem those points in exchange for cash, gift cards, or PayPal shopping credits If you want to use the points towards buying gift cards, you can do so from PayPal Honey’s Redemption Page. All you have to do is:
- Select the store of your choice
- Choose the number of points you’d like to redeem and select redeem
- PayPal Honey will send you an email within 24 hours with your e-gift card. Find out more about joining PayPal Honey by clicking here
Kurt’s key takeaways
Smart shoppers know that a little extra effort can lead to significant savings. By using these gift card platforms, you’re not just giving a thoughtful gift but also earning rewards for yourself. From Ibotta to PayPal Honey, each service offers unique benefits that can help you maximize your purchasing power. So next time you’re buying a gift card, take a moment to explore these cashback options – your wallet will thank you.
Which cashback service are you most excited to try for your next gift card purchase, and why? Let us know in the comments below.
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