You’re already spending money on groceries, clothes and household essentials anyway.
What if some of that money could come straight back to you?
Cashback is exactly what it sounds like – getting actual money back just for making purchases.
When you shop through cashback apps or websites, you receive a percentage of what you spend at partner retailers back in your pocket.
Retailers pay commission to cashback platforms to drive sales.
These platforms take a small cut of this commission and share the rest with you.
If the platform offers 5% cashback at a store and you spend £100, you earn £5 back.
It’s that simple.
And the best part is you were going to shop anyway..
This just puts money back in your pocket for doing what you already do.
There are 4 main ways of earning cashback on your spending.
1. Gift Card Cashback
This is where you buy discounted gift cards for shops you’re about to visit. The discount becomes your instant cashback.
It’s like buying a £100 gift card for £95, then spending that £100 in store.
What you do: Download a cashback app like Gains. Before shopping, buy a gift card for your chosen retailer through the app. You can even do this while standing in the queue. Use the gift card immediately or save for later.
How long does it take? You get cashback the moment you buy the gift card. No waiting around for confirmations. If you don’t spend the full amount, the remaining balance stays on the gift card for next time.
The good: Instant cashback when you buy the card. Works online and in-store depending on the retailer. No risk of cashback being declined or not tracking.
The bad: You pay upfront for gift cards. Sometimes has lower cashback rates, usually 3-10% for most retailers. Limited to retailers offering gift cards through these platforms. Gift cards can expire if you forget about them.
Gains App brings you AI-powered budgeting tools plus cashback rewards all in one place.
No more juggling apps - manage your money and earn more of it with Gains.
Personalised cashback offers help you get more for your money without changing your spending habits.
- Free to use
- Personalised offers
- Instant giftcard cashback
- Overview of all your spending
- AI assistant for money questions
- Secure connection to 60+ UK banks
- Budgeting and rewards in one place
- No affiliate cashback
- No bill switching (yet)
- No direct savings accounts
2. Affiliate Link Cashback
Before buying anything online, visit a cashback website first. They give you a special link to click through to the retailer.
When you make a purchase, the retailer pays the cashback site a commission. They pass some back to you.
What you do: Sign up for TopCashback or Quidco. Search for your retailer on the cashback site. Click their link to the store. Shop normally.
How long does it take? Your purchase usually shows up within a day or two. Getting paid takes longer – anywhere from 30 to 90 days depending on the retailer. Once confirmed, you can withdraw instantly.
The good: Highest cashback rates, sometimes up to 15%. Works with over 300 major retailers. You can still use discount codes and shop during sales.
The bad: Online shopping only. You must remember to click through every time. Waiting months for payment gets annoying, especially if cashback gets declined.
Get money back when you shop online from over 5,000 top retailers including Boots, Amazon, ASOS, Tesco, Sainsburys and more.
In one click you could be saving £100s each year!
3. Linked Card Cashback
Connect your debit or credit card to a cashback app once. The app automatically spots transactions at participating retailers and credits cashback.
What you do: Download Airtime Rewards and link your bank card (they use bank-level security). Shop normally. The app watches for purchases at partner retailers and adds cashback automatically.
How long does it take? Transactions usually appear in the app within a day. Cashback gets confirmed and paid within a month or two. Most apps let you withdraw monthly or instantly once you hit their minimum amount.
The good: Completely hands-off once set up. Never forget to earn cashback. Works online and in-store. Uses proper bank encryption so your financial details stay secure.
The bad: Lowest cashback rates, typically under 3%. Fewer participating retailers. You need to trust the app with spending data. Some apps have minimum withdrawal amounts.
Get money off your mobile phone bill by shopping at brands you love.
Airtime is card-linked cashback meaning you can earn every time you spend automatically, although this typically means lower rates.
4. Receipt Scanning
Your shopping receipts are worth money. Apps pay you to upload photos of receipts to earn points.
What you do: Download apps that let you upload receipt photos after shopping. Scan product barcodes to provide feedback on availability and pricing. Some apps offer this as part of broader cashback features.
The good: Works with any retailer, even small local shops. Easy to do while waiting for the bus. Provides extra earning on top of other cashback methods.
The bad: Usually very low payouts per receipt. Takes time to accumulate meaningful amounts. Some apps have specific retailer or product requirements.
Bonus: Discount Codes and Mystery Shopping
These aren’t traditional cashback, but they put money back in your pocket.
Browser extensions find discount codes automatically and apply them at checkout. Install extensions that search for deals without you having to remember.
Mystery shopping pays you to complete simple tasks like checking product availability, taking photos, or providing feedback.
Look for opportunities in your local area through apps or websites.
Survey apps pay for your opinions about products you’ve bought or places you’ve shopped.
Combining Methods For Maximum Returns
Smart shoppers layer these approaches for bigger returns.
For online purchases: Check affiliate link sites first for the best rates. If they also sell gift cards for that retailer, buy the gift card through the affiliate link for potential double cashback. Check terms and conditions first though – many sites prohibit combining offers and you risk cashback being declined.
For in-store shopping: Keep cards linked for automatic earning. For big purchases, grab a gift card first for extra cashback on top. Upload your receipt afterwards for additional points.
Even earning a conservative £200 per year takes maybe fifteen minutes of total effort. That works out to a pretty decent hourly rate.
The method that works best is whichever one you’ll actually remember to use.
Quick Wins You Can Start Today
Want to begin earning money from shopping this week?
Research cashback options for stores you already shop at. Download one receipt scanning app to test with your next grocery trip. Sign up for loyalty programs at your three most-visited retailers.
Install a browser extension that finds deals automatically. Look into mystery shopping opportunities in your local area.
Check if your bank offers cashback credit cards for purchases you’re making anyway.
Making The Most From Cashback
Check apps regularly. Deals update often, so keeping an eye on offers helps you catch the best ones.
Use for planned purchases. Cashback apps work best for purchases you’re already intending to make. This ensures you’re truly saving, not spending more for cashback.
Consider gift card payouts. Some apps offer receiving payouts in gift cards, sometimes with extra bonuses. If these are stores where you shop regularly, this could be beneficial.
Refer friends. Most apps offer a bonus when a friend signs up using your referral link and makes a qualifying purchase.
Watch out for traps: Don’t fall into spending more just for cashback. Always compare deals outside the app to ensure you’re getting the best price. Read privacy policies before signing up.
Calculate Your Potential Earnings
Want to see how much cashback you could be earning?
Use the calculator below to work out your potential annual cashback based on your monthly spending and the cashback rates available.
Simply adjust the cashback percentage to match what apps offer (4% is pretty common for grocery retailers) then change your monthly spend to see how much you could earn every year.
Remember, every little bit adds up over time. Even small percentages become meaningful amounts when applied to your regular spending.
How much could you earn?
Check Cashback Before Renewing Subscriptions
Your recurring payments are perfect opportunities for cashback.
Before renewing mobile contracts, insurance, or subscriptions, check cashback sites first. Many providers offer cashback for new customers or contract renewals.
Use spend tracking apps to find forgotten subscriptions, then see if you can get cashback when switching to alternatives.
Share family plans instead of individual accounts. Netflix, Spotify, Amazon Prime all offer family options that cost less per person. Check if you can get cashback when upgrading to family plans.
Sign up for annual plans through cashback sites when possible. You often get better rates and potential cashback on the larger payment.
Set calendar reminders before renewals. This gives you time to check for better cashback offers elsewhere.
How Much Can You Actually Make?
The amount depends on how often you shop, where you shop, and specific deals available.
Frequent shoppers commonly earn hundreds of pounds per year from cashback alone.
If a cashback app offers 5% at a supermarket and you spend £200 per month through the app, that’s £120 back in your pocket over a year.
Every bit adds up over time. The true value lies in generating long-term savings.
You could likely cover your Christmas expenses entirely from using cashback apps or even save enough for a holiday just from their regular shopping.
Is It Worth Your Time?
Yes, cashback apps are absolutely worth it. The value depends on your shopping habits.
If you shop online regularly, these apps become an excellent tool to save money. Even infrequent shoppers can find them rewarding.
The key is using them wisely. Avoid unnecessary purchases just for cashback.
Remember, you’re shopping anyway. Getting something back costs nothing extra and takes minimal effort.
Start with the easiest option for your shopping style and build from there.
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Disclaimer: Content on this page is for informational purposes and does not constitute financial advice. Always do your own research before making a financially related decision.
