Can I tell you a secret? I love saving money at the grocery store. But I really hate coupons…
You have to print them, cut them out, and remember to bring them with you to the store for a specific product purchase. It can be such a hassle.
When I discovered Fetch Rewards (along with a similar app, Ibotta), it changed everything. No more time spent clipping coupons, or forgetting them in the car. Just pure, simple cash back at the grocery store.
So how does Fetch Rewards work, and is it worth the space on your phone? There’s no shortage of cash back and money making apps. Does Fetch make the cut on the list of how to make extra money?
What is Fetch Rewards?
Fetch Rewards was started by a college sophomore who was tired of how hard it was to save money on the grocery store. In his words, “the only way to save was by being in the right store at the right time with the right coupon.”
So he took it upon himself to start an app called Fetch Rewards with the philosophy that you should be able to earn cash back at any store you like, on products you’re already buying.
To date, there are over 1 million people using the app to save money on their grocery trips.
How Does Fetch Rewards Work?
One of the best things about Fetch Rewards is that it really is simple to use, and you can tell they designed it with the end user in mind.
Step 1 – Scan Your Receipt
Open the app, take a quick snap of your receipt, and let Fetch Rewards do the rest. It will automatically find products in your receipt that are eligible for cash back.
In addition to scanning paper receipts, you can also link it to your email and Amazon account to import your online receipts and get cash back there too.
Step 2 – Earn Points
With Fetch Rewards, you will automatically earn points for scanning ANY receipt to a grocery store, pharmacy, etc. You also get extra points for buying qualifying brands such as Hershey’s, Kraft, Kleenex, Jell-O, and hundreds more.
Another way to earn points is through the Special Offers section, which offers an even bigger bonus. For example, right now, any Dove products will earn 8X points.
Step 3 – Redeem Points for Rewards
Once you’ve earned at least 3,000 points (equivalent to $3), you can cash out your points for rewards.
You can choose from a wide array of gift cards including Amazon, Wal-Mart, iTunes, and more. You can even donate your points to charity if you want.
Fetch Rewards Pros
Fetch Rewards makes it easy to earn cash back. You don’t have to worry about carrying coupons or buying certain items. Just scan your receipt, and the app will calculate your rewards for you.
Everyone has to buy groceries, so why not save a little extra money while you’re at it? The app will earn you cash back on lots of brands you are already buying, plus a bonus just for scanning your receipt.
Fetch Rewards Cons
While there’s a lot to like about Fetch Rewards, there are some drawbacks as well. If you’re prone to buying extra stuff you don’t need just because it’s on sale, it probably doesn’t make sense to use the app and reward that habit (one way to keep yourself on track is to use the Dave Ramsey budget percentages to monitor your grocery spending).
In addition, if you do most of your grocery shopping at stores that carry mostly their own brand (like Aldi or Trader Joe’s), you won’t get as much benefit from the app. You can still make a few bucks just by scanning your receipts, but you won’t get the bonuses from buying brand names.
Fetch Rewards FAQ
Is Fetch Rewards Worth It?
I get it, the world is inundated with apps for this and that. Is it really worth adding yet another app to your phone?
I was skeptical when I first installed it, but I’ve found that it has definitely been worth it to me. Whenever I leave the grocery store, I just open the app, scan the receipt, and everything is processed for me automatically and points added to my account. Then I don’t have to think about it until my next trip.
It takes me about 10 seconds per grocery trip, and the savings really do add up.
Is Fetch Rewards Legitimate?
Fetch Rewards is legit. They have a 5 star rating on the Apple app store, and have well over 1 million users earning cash back.
What Stores Can I Scan Receipts From?
While it’s promoted as a grocery cash back app, the list of stores is wider than you think. In addition to grocery stores, you can earn cash back at pharmacies, convenience stores, and even online retailers who sell household products like Amazon.
What Are Some Alternatives to Fetch Rewards?
If you’re looking for some other ways to make money fast with cash back apps, you have a lot of options. The most direct competitor to Fetch Rewards is Ibotta, which also gives you cash back at grocery stores. Some other cash back apps that work with a broader range of stores include Rakuten, Dosh, Drop, and Pei.
Fetch Rewards Review: Can You Make Money With the App?
Based on my experience and research, I think almost anyone would benefit from the Fetch Rewards app.
Everyone has to buy groceries, so you might as well get some cash back while you’re at it.
If you’d like to try it out for yourself, you can download the Fetch Rewards app here. As a special bonus, enter the code “APREWARDS” to get a $3 bonus just for signing up!