Fetch Rewards review: Can you convert your receipts into gift cards?

Groceries are expensive; there’s no way around that fact. Not to mention, this is an unavoidable part of household spending. A study by the USDA shows that the average family of four spends between $571 and $1,300 a month on food alone. That’s around $16,000 annually in food costs. 

Thankfully, Fetch has got your back. It’s a reward app that gives you gift cards for your daily shopping. All you need to do is snap pictures of your receipts with your phone; it’s that easy. The app offers you rewards for purchases that you’ve already made. And the best thing about it is that it’s free.

Fetch rewards you points for submitting receipts from restaurants, grocery stores, gas stations, clothing stores, etc. You can redeem the points and get gift cards for popular brands like Amazon, Target, Apple, and many others.

But is Fetch actually worth it? Should you invest your valuable time into it? To answer all your questions, we tried the app to help you know how to use it, how much profit you can potentially generate from it, and the pros and cons.

So, if you’re on the fence about whether it’s the right platform for you to earn money, stay with us as we help you make an informed decision.

Key takeaways

• 11 million active users weekly
• User-friendly interface that's easy to navigate
• Offers gift cards for major brands
• Specific brands get you extra reward points
• Offers gift cards from over 600 retailers

What is Fetch Rewards?

Fetch, also known as Fetch Rewards, is a rewards and cash-back app that allows you to earn money when you buy products from their partner brands. The app began its journey in 2012. Since then, they have partnered up with over 600 brands and accumulated more than 17 million members.

If you’re looking for a get-paid-to-shop app, then Fetch is your best bet out there. 17 million+ users are using this to earn gift cards and discounts on their daily purchases. The app is extremely easy to use. Just buy products from partner brands and scan your receipt as proof of purchase.

You can exchange those points for a wide range of gift cards. As long as you buy from their partner brands, you get paid to use the app. Brands partner up with Fetch because it incentivizes customers to buy their products; in addition, Fetch also provides brands with analytics to help them better understand customer behavior, which is incredibly valuable for these brands.

Good to know about Fetch

Here are some things you should know before starting on the Fetch app:

• Fetch only works in stores in Puerto Rico and the United States
• If you buy an item that’s listed as part of a special offer, you receive bonus points
• Don’t try to scan the same receipts twice or create fake receipts. It goes against Fetch’s terms of service and can get your account banned
• You have 14 days after your purchase to scan your receipt
• If you have a long receipt, then simply snap multiple pictures to ensure the whole receipt is included
• Your receipt must include the product you bought, the name of the store, the date you purchased, the total amount you spent, and the store’s address

Is Fetch Rewards dangerous or legit?

Due to the prevalence of scam websites online, rewards apps often face suspicion. So, I wouldn’t be surprised if you’re a bit skeptical of it. However, with 4.8 stars on the Apple App Store and a 4.3-star rating on Google Play with over 2,600,00 ratings, it seems to have a pretty solid following.

With 17 million+ users and over 5 million reviews, it’s a decent reward app out there. This can be a pretty big plus point in proving the legitimacy of the app. We also think it’s a legit app for earning some extra cash.

From the thousands of reviews online, potential users can consider Fetch safe to use. You don’t need to provide any personal information or financial information like a credit card to earn money on Fetch. They take user privacy very seriously; your information is anonymized and aggregated with everyone else’s, so your data is safe.

Plus, your receipt only shows the last 5 digits of your credit card number, so you don’t have to worry about your credit card being stolen.

How to use the Fetch Rewards app

To make the most out of your journey on Fetch, it’s crucial to understand how the app works. Let’s look at a breakdown of how the app operates so that it’s easier for you to maximize your rewards.

1. Create a free account

Your first step is to download the Fetch app from either Google Play or the App Store. After installing the app on your phone, create a free account using your email address or Facebook account.

2. Shop as usual

Fetch has partnered with over 600 brands, so no matter what you want to buy, you can likely find it in a partner store. You don’t need to make any changes to your shopping habits; you can buy from your favorite retailers, who are already probably partners with Fetch. 

Just buy the products you want from your favorite stores, scan the receipts, and Fetch will reward you. Whether you’re buying personal care products, groceries, or household items, you can shop like you always did and rack up points and cashback. You don’t need any pre-selected offers or coupons like other cashback apps; just shop as you usually do and leave the rest to Fetch.

3. Shop sponsored offers

Another great way to earn points in Fetch is by completing sponsored offers. During special offers, they give out extra points for buying specific products from different partners. You don’t even need to add them to a shopping list; as long as they’re on your receipt, you get the points.

That’s the great thing about Fetch: It doesn’t require much effort and is a basically passive way to earn rewards. The sponsored offers are displayed on the app for you to use, but you’ll earn more if you consistently upload your receipts.

4. Scan your receipts

Since the only way to receive cashback is by uploading your receipts, you need to know how to do it. Open the Fetch app and select the camera icon to scan your receipt. But make sure your receipt is clear and all the important details like store name, total price, date, and item purchased are all properly visible.

You can even link your email account to automatically scan your e-receipts if you prefer shopping online. After your receipt is processed, Fetch points will be added to your account based on the items you purchased. 

5. Referral program

Fetch has a referral program where you can invite people to join the app by sharing a unique referral code. When people use your referral to join the app and scan their first receipt, both of you will receive bonus points. 

The bonus points can be anywhere from a few hundred to as many as 4,000 points, depending on the current promotion, making it a quick and easy way of boosting your point balance.

Not to mention, they occasionally feature in-app activities and games that allow you to earn more points. However, a lot of games require in-app purchases.

6. Participate in sweepstakes & contests

Fetch hosts monthly contests and sweepstakes that enable you to earn additional points. You can enter some sweepstakes just by entering between specific dates and times. That’s all you need to be eligible to win. The monthly sweepstakes giveaway is $1,000 for prepaid Visa cards, which is incredible.

But be sure to read the terms and conditions for each giveaway to see if you can be selected for the $1,000 Visa gift card. The timeline plays a major role in deciding your chance to enter, so carefully read the terms before entering. They also run contests like brand bracket challenges and many more.

7. Upload e-receipts

Fetch allows users to connect their Amazon and email to scan e-receipts and earn extra points automatically. Don’t worry, the app won’t constantly scan your inbox. But you can press the e-receipts button in the app to scan your inbox and search for receipts.

While this feature doesn’t currently work with every partner brand, some popular brands include Walgreens, Kohl’s, CVS, Instacart, Walmart, and Target. If you’re into online shopping, then this can be a great way to pocket some quick cash.

8. Shop with GoodRx

Want to maximize your earnings? Then GoodRx can help you do that. GoodRx offers you coupons for pharmacies and reduces costs. Fetch finds these coupons and deals to earn you bonus points while helping you save a few bucks on medication.

9. Earn points

After your receipt is processed, you will earn points. You’ll earn a minimum of 25 points for every receipt you scan. However, you can earn considerably more if you buy products from Fetch’s brand partners.

The app also holds special offers and promotions that offer bonus points for specific brands and products, increasing your rewards even further. You might even get surprise bonuses for items you didn’t realize were part of the promotion.

10. Redeem points

After accumulating enough points, you can redeem your points for a wide range of rewards. The app has a low payment threshold of only $3, which equates to 3,000 points.

You can choose from a broad range of gift cards from various popular retailers, marketplaces, and restaurants. You can even use those points for charitable donations and entering sweepstakes. They also offer a lot of flexibility in cashouts, including MasterCard or Visa gift cards; however, the threshold is a bit more if you want to exchange your points for these.

How much does Fetch pay?

Although Fetch states on their site that they award points based on the final price of the products, pre-tax, and after all the savings, coupons, and discounts are applied, as a rule of thumb, users earn around 1 Fetch point for every $0.10 they spend.

However, buying sponsored offers can substantially speed up the process. Some users have stated that they received around $100 worth of points by purchasing from sponsored offers, usually earning between $0.25 to $3 in cashback per receipt. So, the points you earn depend on your frequency of shopping, where you shop from, and whether you take advantage of their sponsored offers.

For example, if you spend $500 per month on groceries (given that half of that is eligible for Fetch), and you refer one friend, then you can earn around 4,500 points, which equates to $4.50 that you get in return in the form of gift cards. If this continues every month, you can earn $54 a year on gift cards. It’s not a bad deal for just scanning your receipt after shopping and getting a few friends on board.

Tips for maximizing rewards on Fetch

Making the most out of Fetch involves implementing a few strategic moves that can substantially increase your earnings. Here are a few tips to maximize your Fetch rewards:

• Shop at partner brands: Fetch partners with over 600 brands, offering bonus points for buying their products. You can earn up to $12 on a single purchase by shopping from their partner brands.
• Scan every receipt: Don’t just scan grocery receipts. Fetch offers cashback for almost every type of store, including restaurants, gas stations, supermarkets, pet stores, and hardware stores. You can avail yourself of offers of up to 5,000 to 20,000 points and sometimes even get 100% cashback.
• Refer friends: Fetch offers a referral program where you can share your unique referral code with your family and friends. When they sign up and scan their first receipt, you will receive bonus rewards. Referral bonuses are subject to change, but they can reach up to 4,000 points per referral during special promotions.
• Use special offers: Special offers are a lot like automatic coupons. You don’t have to activate them or clip them; just buy products and scan them during a promotional campaign and they’ll be added automatically. You can earn points from around 5,000 to 20,000 and even receive 100% cashback on special offers.
• Link your email for e-receipts: Connect your email account to Fetch to automatically scan your e-receipts from your inbox. It saves you from the trouble of manual entry and makes sure that you never miss out on points when you are online shopping. However, make sure that your receipts are directed to your inbox and not your spam.
• Scan your receipts on time: The receipts need to be scanned within 14 days of your purchase. To make sure that you don’t miss out on it, you should form the habit of scanning your receipts as soon as you shop. Scanning right after checkout ensures that you never miss an opportunity to earn points.
• Use GoodRX and join clubs: Using GoodRX on your prescriptions can help you earn substantial points. You’ll receive up to 10,000 points on your first prescription and 1,500 points for refills afterward. You can also join clubs like PepsiCo Tasty Rewards and Huggies Rewards+ to earn extra points and avail exclusive offers.
• Frequently redeem points: While it may be tempting to save up to redeem large gift cards, it’s usually better to cash out as soon as you hit the minimum threshold. That saves you from the risk of any sudden account issues.

How to get 10,000 points on Fetch Rewards

If you're looking to make a quick $10 with Fetch, here are some of the fastest ways to help you earn 10,000 points:

• You can start by signing up with a promo code since that gives you an immediate 2,000-4,000 points.
• Be consistent in scanning receipts, as this can add up fast.
• Don’t miss out on completing surveys to earn some extra points.
• Always look for Sweepstakes and other contests that Fetch offers from time to time. This can be a jackpot, as some contests also have awards worth 100,000 points.

Even if reaching 10,000 points might seem feasible at a point, the conversion rate is not quite justified. However, it’s still a great option to make some quick cash for your daily beer expenses.

Do Fetch points expire?

If you don’t use your Fetch account for 90 days, then your points will expire. Also, if you don’t scan any receipts or redeem any points in 90 days, your account will be flagged as inactive. To protect your account from either, all you need to do is redeem points if you have sufficient points in your account or scan receipts so that your points don’t expire.

This shouldn’t be a problem if you get into the habit of scanning your receipts after you shop. It’s relatively easy to stay active on the app. All you need to do is buy something in a 90-day timespan and scan your receipt.

Fetch gift cards & cashouts

Fetch allows you to redeem your points in return for various gift cards. Most gift cards require 3,000 points to redeem, which is worth $3. Fetch has a very low payout threshold in the get-paid-to-apps scene. They offer gift cards for a wide range of popular retailers like Amazon, Walmart, Target, Airbnb, Starbucks, Uber Eats, Chipotle, Dunkin', CVS, and many more.

They have hundreds of gift cards available. However, a lack of PayPal cashout is a bit of a downside, but there are plenty of gift cards from various brands where you’d normally shop.

One thing to keep in mind is that many gift cards have a minimum $5 balance, even though some gift cards like Amazon offer $3 gift cards, which you can redeem with 3,000 points. 

Rewards can take some time to process based on various factors. But Fetch can take up to 72 hours to deliver your gift cards. 

How does Fetch Rewards work?

Fetch offers gift cards for just scanning receipts, so how do they make money? What’s the catch? Fetch is actually paying you for the information they receive from your receipt. They don’t access your private information or name but rather observe user behaviors and trends. They use this information to help partners better understand customer habits.

Fetch makes money by finding deals for people who are signed up for Fetch Rewards. The special offers section on the app is where companies pay Fetch to be featured on that list, a lot like advertisements. Companies get access to a large audience by getting featured in Fetch’s Discover tab, so they pay Fetch, and Fetch pays you a fraction to entice you to use their app with rewards.

Is Fetch the right fit for you?

Fetch is a rewards app that offers you gift cards for shopping and scanning receipts, but everything has pros and cons. To know if it's the right app for you, weigh out the pros and cons of the platform and ask yourself if the drawbacks are a deal breaker for your specific requirements.

Pros

• Free money: Fetch is a passive income app that requires little to no effort on your side
• Intuitive UI: Has a user-friendly interface that is easy to navigate
• Wide range of rewards: Points can be redeemed for various rewards and gift cards
• Low cashout threshold: Fetch has a minimum payout threshold of $3, significantly lower than the competitors
• Wide retail coverage: You can earn points by buying from any store; you’re not limited to specific retailers
• Supports e-receipts: Allows you to link your Amazon account and email accounts for automatic point collection
• Bonus points: You receive extra points for buying specific products for shopping from certain brands

Cons

• Glitches and bugs: Some users have reported facing issues while scanning and app updates, causing functionality issues
• Point expiration: If you aren’t active for 90 days, your points will expire
• Slow point accumulation: Non-sponsored products offer fewer points, making point collection hard
• Availability: Only available in the United States and Puerto Rico
• PayPal: Lacks PayPal as a payout option

What are others experiencing with Fetch?

While the pros and cons mentioned above are quite sufficient to give you an idea about what you’re up for, if you still want some more insights, here we have collected some reviews from Trustpilot shared by firsthand users:

Natasha Sanderson (5/5 stars): THANK YOU❤️

“With price inflation, the Fetch app is a blessing...

Wes, I love your team, love your app. Continue doing what you're doing, and thanks for having an app that helps us with some daily/basic essentials. Thanks❤️”

Marie Schenck (3/5 stars): Some good points, some bad

“The problem with the app is it does not read the scanned receipts correctly. You have to be on top of the items with the extra points. When I buy an item with extra points, I have to go to the item, use correct the receipt section, take a photo of the UPC on the package, and hope it works. For some reason, it is very iffy whether it works or not. You are never notified why it was rejected even when it is the same item in the picture. You really have to stay on top of it to get the bigger points. I have turned in points for Amazon gift cards and have had no problems in that regard. Customer service needs improvement.”

Jeffrey (1/5 starts): By far the worst

“By far the worst; always a problem when it comes to missing points whether it be for buying required items or playing games. Staff at Fetch do not help at all, always numerous emails back and forth to no prevail. Would recommend not to use.”

Given the experiences, if you’re having second thoughts about Fetch Rewards, don’t worry; there are plenty of other similar platforms you can try to start earning online.

5 best apps like Fetch

We agree that Fetch is a popular rewards app, but it is far from perfect. If the mentioned cons and reviews above are a deal breaker for you and you want something that suits your needs, here are 5 alternatives for Fetch we suggest. We covered the pros and cons of each of these platforms to help you gain a better understanding of how they differ from Fetch Rewards.

1. Ibotta

Ibotta is a highly popular cashback app. It gives you cashback when you buy products from partnered companies. And it’s not just grocery shopping. With over 1,500 partners, you can shop from various sectors like clothing, electronics, travel, entertainment, pet supplies, food, and more. They also support loyalty card integration with an online shopping extension.

To earn cashback, all you need to do is check the products listed in their offers and scan your receipt. In return for your receipts, you’ll receive gift cards, or you can even opt for the PayPal option. It’s not like you earn a few cents using the app; some offers also give you $1 or more.

The app has a 4.8 rating out of 5 on the App Store and 4.5 out of 5 on Google Play Store.

Pros

• Offers cashback on essentials and groceries
• Payouts to gift cards and PayPal
• Easy to use by linking loyalty cards and scanning receipts

Cons

• Has a minimum payout of $20

2. Rakuten

Rakuten, formerly known as Ebates, is a cashback app and browser extension that was founded in 2014. You can earn cashback from up to 3,500 stores by using Rakuten. You’re not only limited to online stores; you can even earn cashback from retail stores, restaurants, groceries, and even travel.

Rakuten offers free sign-up. The platform receives commission from the partner brands and gives you a part of it as cashback. It has a 4.6-star rating out of 5 on TrustPilot from over 32,941 users.

Pros

• Offers sign-up bonus up to $50
• Pays in cash rather than gift cards or points
• Cashbacks on in-store purchases
• Low payout threshold 
• Cashback on thousands of popular merchants
• Incredible affiliate program for referring users

Cons

• Occasional issues in tracking offers
• You need to activate in-store offers one by one
• The in-app browser slows down from time to time
• Lower cashback rates than competitors

3. Pogo

Pogo is a rewards app on iOS and Android that helps you monetize every aspect of your shopping. With this app, you receive points for every transaction you make. You can also earn points by sharing your local data and opinion in short surveys.

Pogo tries to give the users power over their data. If companies want your data, they have to pay for it. With 4.9 stars on the app store and hundreds of positive reviews, it’s an option worth considering for passive income.

Pros

• Automatic cashback on essentials
• A truly passive income app
• Offers bonus points for loyalty cards
• Instant PayPal and Venmo payouts
• Low cashout requirements

Cons

• Needs GPS access
• Limited store locations
• No sign-up bonuses

4. Frisbee

Frisbee is a free receipt-scanning app that rewards you for scanning your receipts and submitting them to the app. It offers cashback on online shopping, groceries, and even essentials like detergent and diapers. It is available on iOS and Android.

With over 4.7 stars on the App Store and 4.4 stars on the Google Play Store, Frisbee is becoming the go-to app for shoppers.

Pros

• Accepts all receipt types
• Easy to use
• Reasonable cashout threshold of $10
• Accepts both paper and e-receipts
• Available on both iOS and Android
• Tons of rewards available

Cons

• Low earning potential
• Lack of sign-up bonus
• Only available in the United States
• Doesn’t have the best shopping extension
• Has a weekly cap on how many receipts you can submit

5. Receipt Hog

Receipt Hog is a free mobile app available on Android and iOS that allows you to scan receipts after shopping to earn rewards in cash and gift cards. The app has a 4.7-star rating on the App Store.

The majority of other earn-by-scanning programs only allow specific types of stores like groceries and department shops, but Receipt Hog accepts receipts from any type of store. If you do household shopping, then it’s an app worth considering.

Pros

• Accepts almost any receipts
• Simple scanning and cashout structure
• Offers a user-friendly interface
• Easy way to earn free money
• Has fun bonuses like Hog Slots

Cons

• Low earning potential
• Lack of sign-up bonuses
• Some users reported issues with long receipts
• Lackluster referral points

Each of the platforms has its drawbacks, and it’s up to you and your requirements to go with the one that aligns best with your interests and benefits.

Make more money online with Whop

With the economy going through its ups and downs, it’s only natural to look for a side hustle or a way to save some cash. Reward apps like Fetch can be a great way to save a few bucks. But saving a few bucks here and there can rarely make a big enough difference in your life.

If you actually want to make some money online, it's better to look for options with a more substantial income. Contrary to popular belief, there are tons of ways to earn online (even passively), from part-time gigs to businesses that can replace your full-time job. Whop holds the secrets to discovering your path.

On Whop's online marketplace, you'll find whops filled with resources to help kickstart your ecommerce earnings. These communities are run by industry experts and are home to invaluable courses and forums filled with like-minded learners to share your journey with.

Learn about affiliate marketing, dropshipping, or even how to use Whop to make money yourself.

If this has sparked something and you already know how you could utilize this platform to make money yourself, Whop helps you monetize your skills and digital products. You can sell ebooks, courses, art, and virtually anything else digital. You can even have subscription and membership features to streamline the selling process.

With Whop, you’re not just limited to launching your services and products on its platform; you can also build a community around it. And it’s completely free to get started!

So, get started with Whop today and start making real money.

FAQ

What stores can you use for Fetch?

The best thing about Fetch is that it allows you to buy from any store, ranging from big-name retailers to mom-and-pop stores, convenience stores, liquor stores, drug stores, club stores, gas stations, hardware stores, and more.

You can scan any receipt you get with the Fetch app. Scanning your receipts takes less than a minute. Since no additional processes are involved, you don’t need to go through any hassle to get your points. For example, no need to scan special barcodes or pre-select offers. There aren’t even any ads or surveys you need to complete. Simply shop at your favorite stores just like you’d do anyway and scan the receipts you get.

How many receipts can I scan a day on Fetch?

If you’re going to start using Fetch, besides the basic usage procedures, you should also know how many receipts you can scan a day on the app. Fetch allows you to scan 35 receipts within 7 days. However, processed e-receipts on your account don’t count toward the 35-receipt limit. 

Does Fetch accept gas receipts?

Fetch also rewards you on gas station receipts. As long as the receipt is from the register and not from the pump, you will get points for your gas money. Regardless of what you put in your tank, you’ll receive points upon scanning your gas receipts on Fetch. During special offers, you can even get cashback and save money on your gas purchases. 

Does Fetch actually give you free stuff?

Yes, Fetch gives its users free stuff for using the platform. Tons of real users have received gift cards by using the app – all by just submitting shopping and grocery receipts.

What does fetch rewards do with your receipts?

As soon as you upload your receipt, Fetch Rewards scans the receipt to determine which products are eligible from your purchase list and then calculates the points you would get according to that.

Why was my Fetch account deactivated?

Your account can be deactivated for various reasons. Some common reasons include:

• You change non-partner items to partner items
• You created a fake account to get extra referral points
• You created multiple accounts on your phone

How do I contact Fetch Rewards?

If you run into any problems using the app or have any questions or concerns about Fetch, you can contact them at support@fetchrewards.com. You can also head over to the app, tap on the ‘Me’ tab, then tap on ‘Help Center,’ then ‘Contact Us.’