Do you use Ibotta or Rakuten?

[Quilter]

Have you found it beneficial? If so, what categories do you find it most helpful?

Thanks

 

[klpca]

Have you found it beneficial? If so, what categories do you find it most helpful?

Thanks

I have been using Rakuten for years, since it was Ebates. Most of the time it really isn't a big deal - 1-2%, sometimes 6%, but I find great deals during the Christmas holidays so that is the main time that I get a lot of benefit. My last check was about $40, my next check will be less than $10. The store that seems to have the best discounts is Macy's. If you can be patient 6 - 8% will happen. Fwiw, my lifetime cash back is just shy of $500. I joined in 2013. I have the chrome extension installed so it will let me know if I can get some benefit as I am shopping.

 

[klpca]

Btw I just noticed that there is 4% cash back on Marriott.com right now. https://www.rakuten.com/f/promotion

 

[Talent312]

I have been using Rakuten for years, since it was Ebates. Most of the time it really isn't a big deal...

Same here. It's just 1-click and you're good to go.
Rakuten just got me a slight discount at Lowes.com
... I also use the Lowe's card for a 5% discount...
What can I say, power tools are my thing.
.

 

[easyrider]

I forgot all about ebates and rakuten. I purchased a chromebook a couple of years ago and no longer have the app. I remember getting those rebate checks. I just now signed in and added the extension so thanks for the reminder.

Bill

 

[dioxide45]

We don't bother, we do have the Southwest Shopping Chrome Extension and just use that to earn some extra RR miles. We don't shop enough online ad retailers that support these to really bother.

 

[mdurette]

YES!!!! And I'm a credit cards points junkie, so it was hard for me to pull away from those earnings platforms. But, "most" of the time the cashback options far exceed the points earnings. I started using them (Ibotta and Retail me not) about a year ago and have been accumulating my cash back in their accounts and so far I have over $1500. The plan is to liquidate for a cruise.

As an example of the savings, yesterday I needed cat food and PetSmart is the only store in my area that sells the specific kind I need. Chase portal was going to give me 8 pts, Southwest 5 pts and Ibotta was 15% CB and RMN was 20%, RMN got the business, I made the uprchase online for store pick up and the 20% is now pending.

I also use Ibotta for what I will "coupon like" shopping for groceries. All the chain grocery in my area are on it (Including Walmart delivery). It's a habit now, as soon as I park at a grocery store I spend 5 minutes in the car "clipping" the coupons on both the store app and the Ibotta app for the items I need. Little by little it all adds up.

 

[funtime2]

I have been using Ibotta for years and for some locations you can link it to their rewards card and it's done automatically.

 

[slip]

Nope, neither of them.

 

[klpca]

YES!!!! And I'm a credit cards points junkie, so it was hard for me to pull away from those earnings platforms. But, "most" of the time the cashback options far exceed the points earnings. I started using them (Ibotta and Retail me not) about a year ago and have been accumulating my cash back in their accounts and so far I have over $1500. The plan is to liquidate for a cruise.

As an example of the savings, yesterday I needed cat food and PetSmart is the only store in my area that sells the specific kind I need. Chase portal was going to give me 8 pts, Southwest 5 pts and Ibotta was 15% CB and RMN was 20%, RMN got the business, I made the uprchase online for store pick up and the 20% is now pending.

I also use Ibotta for what I will "coupon like" shopping for groceries. All the chain grocery in my area are on it (Including Walmart delivery). It's a habit now, as soon as I park at a grocery store I spend 5 minutes in the car "clipping" the coupons on both the store app and the Ibotta app for the items I need. Little by little it all adds up.

The best part is that you can still get both the cash back and points on your card, I believe.

You are doing great with your savings. I am not a big shopper so it's difficult to earn that much but it is so effortless that it's a no-brainer for us.

 

[Quilter]

YES!!!! And I'm a credit cards points junkie, so it was hard for me to pull away from those earnings platforms. But, "most" of the time the cashback options far exceed the points earnings. I started using them (Ibotta and Retail me not) about a year ago and have been accumulating my cash back in their accounts and so far I have over $1500. The plan is to liquidate for a cruise.

As an example of the savings, yesterday I needed cat food and PetSmart is the only store in my area that sells the specific kind I need. Chase portal was going to give me 8 pts, Southwest 5 pts and Ibotta was 15% CB and RMN was 20%, RMN got the business, I made the uprchase online for store pick up and the 20% is now pending.

I also use Ibotta for what I will "coupon like" shopping for groceries. All the chain grocery in my area are on it (Including Walmart delivery). It's a habit now, as soon as I park at a grocery store I spend 5 minutes in the car "clipping" the coupons on both the store app and the Ibotta app for the items I need. Little by little it all adds up.

Thank you. I was a points/miles junkie but the pandemic dampened that habit as I had points and miles and in '20-'21 didn't know what on Earth I was going to do with them. There's such a learning curve with so many options to collect and save. I'm trying to catch up. Now I'm thinking more of options from cash back. We have Chase Sapphire Reserve/Freedom combo so get points that can be converted to cash back. Those can be moved into many loyalty programs for travel but, as I said, I have a lot of those and limited plans to use them. I also have the American Express Everyday card that gives me AE points that can be moved to Delta and DTW is a hub. This card give me extra points for groceries and jumps to 4X if I have 30 purchases in a cycle. I'm wondering if I can combine using that card at grocery store by purchasing through a cash back portal.

With regard to your comment about sitting in car to clip coupons. . . . I used to clip coupons and make my list before going to store until Whole Foods opened a new store with bright, sunny dining space. They also have pre-packed meals in the coolers. I then changed my pattern to heading to store for brunch. I'd pick up the sales flyer and head to the hot/cold bar. After a relaxing time I had my shopping plan and was no longer so hungry that I didn't make impulse purchases. You can also use the store wifi.

This can be done at most grocery stores as most have cafes (although most are not as bright and peaceful as the one at my particular Whole Foods.

When we travel South our first goal is to make it to the Whole Foods outside Columbus, OH. It's 3 hours from home and a perfect time to stop for lunch, refresh. Same pattern of getting something from hot bar, a drink from the cooler, snacks, restroom break. Wide selection of food options, you control the portions, no waitress, no delay from over-burdened kitchen.

 

[Sloane S]

I have been using Rakuten for years, since it was Ebates. Most of the time it really isn't a big deal - 1-2%, sometimes 6%, but I find great deals during the Christmas holidays so that is the main time that I get a lot of benefit. My last check was about $40, my next check will be less than $10. The store that seems to have the best discounts is Macy's. If you can be patient 6 - 8% will happen. Fwiw, my lifetime cash back is just shy of $500. I joined in 2013. I have the chrome extension installed so it will let me know if I can get some benefit as I am shopping.

Same here, Rakuten (Ebates) since 1999, $2453.03 in cash back.

 

[hurnik]

Rakuten/eBates - Yes!!!!
iBotta - only used once, and stopped. I vaguely recall you had to accumulate X amount in X amount of time or they charged a fee or something (this was a long time ago).

I use cashbackmonitor to see which shopping portal offers the best rates and use those.
Rakuten and Topcashback are my go-tos mostly.
Mrrebates (or is it Mrebates?) had a good offer, but a total PITA to get your cash out (the order numbers their internal system uses aren't the same as the actual order number, so you have to "verify" before you can cash out your account but it's impossible because you don't have the right order #). Have to open a support ticket and back and forth email for several days.

You can also elect to have your Rakuten cashback come in the form of Amex Membership Rewards points, so if one values those at say, 1.25 cents each, that's additional money back.

 

[jp10558]

I have to say, I used to use iBotta when I shopped in store and would scan the receipt. Haven't since COVID and it doesn't work on my phone if I don't get a printed receipt from the store (i.e. all in app). I usually don't shop at the stores that would work with most of these apps - at least they don't seem to often work with Amazon, WalMart, Sams Club, Instacart, or eBay. And the alternate stores I might use are things like one offs such as Pyro Burn Cages or Kickstarter stuff or cratejoy. Maybe I should check out Rakuten.

 

[jackio]

I have used Rakuten since it was Fatwallet, but I don't remember to use it all the time. I use it mostly for Kohl's, Macy's and the Cheryl's cookie family of websites.

 

[funtime2]

Ibotta for me.

 

[mdurette]

I have to say, I used to use iBotta when I shopped in store and would scan the receipt. Haven't since COVID and it doesn't work on my phone if I don't get a printed receipt from the store (i.e. all in app). I usually don't shop at the stores that would work with most of these apps - at least they don't seem to often work with Amazon, WalMart, Sams Club, Instacart, or eBay. And the alternate stores I might use are things like one offs such as Pyro Burn Cages or Kickstarter stuff or cratejoy. Maybe I should check out Rakuten.

Oh, you should revist. Alot of stores have you link your rewards account. Here I have linked CVS and Dollar tree. So, once you "check" the item you want the discount for it is automatically done, no store receipt to upload. I do the bulk of my shopping at Walmart via delivery and most of my funds are from that (you can do in store too).

 

[jp10558]

Oh, you should revist. Alot of stores have you link your rewards account. Here I have linked CVS and Dollar tree. So, once you "check" the item you want the discount for it is automatically done, no store receipt to upload. I do the bulk of my shopping at Walmart via delivery and most of my funds are from that (you can do in store too).

That may be the difference, all my shopping is "shipping" as I don't live close enough to a Walmart for delivery.

 

[mdurette]

That may be the difference, all my shopping is "shipping" as I don't live close enough to a Walmart for delivery.

Actually all my "shipping" items from them earn the discount on the item and currently 3% cash back!

 

[jp10558]

Actually all my "shipping" items from them earn the discount on the item and currently 3% cash back!

Via Rakuten or iBotta? How do you do that / set it up with the app (the Walmart one / whatever)?

 

[mdurette]

Via Rakuten or iBotta? How do you do that / set it up with the app (the Walmart one / whatever)?

Ibotta. I just start out at Ibotta, clip whatever products I may want they have $X off on and shop. The stuff that comes shipping gets 3% currently and doesn't need to be a featured item.

EDIT: CB is 1-3% and doesn't include food, but that is odd because I think my "shipment" food still gets me a few pennies.