What is Ibotta? How does Ibotta work? If you’re new to this amazing rewarded shopping app, you probably have a lot of questions. After all, I know it sounds too good to be true! I was a skeptic for many years… but now that I make hundreds of dollars per month on this app, I’m a firm Ibotta believer!
What is Ibotta?
Ibotta is a rewarded shopping app. The app is fairly straightforward and easy to use. Just install it, sign in, select offers and start receiving cash rewards for your ordinary, everyday shopping!
Since its launch in 2012, Ibotta has been installed nearly 22 million times and has paid more than $200 million in cash back to users just like you and me!
Who can use Ibotta?
Ibotta can help anyone save money! Statistically, the majority of Ibotta’s users are lower-income Millennial parents. However, Ibotta can help everyone save money and get cash back regardless of their age, familial status or income level. The only requirement is that you must be at least 18 years old to sign up!
How does Ibotta work?
It all starts when you download the Ibotta app!
The app simply provides cash back rewards for people who redeem specific offers during their shopping. In order to earn money, you have to select offers and then prove that you made those purchases.
There are three ways that you can prove that you purchased the item:
- You can scan a printed receipt.
- You can link a store loyalty card.
- You can shop online.
How to Use Ibotta with Printed Receipts
If you’re wondering how to use Ibotta, the easiest and most common way is to simply submit your receipts manually. You do this by adding offers for products you purchase and then taking a picture of the receipt to prove that you purchased those items. Within 48 hours, you’ll have cash back credit from your purchase!
You can submit receipts from 298 supported stores, including Walmart, Kroger, Walgreens, Publix, CVX, Winco and more!
How to Use Ibotta with Store Loyalty Cards
If you have a loyalty card with a participating retailer, you can simply link your card to the Ibotta app! The store automatically sends your receipt information over for processing. It’s so easy!
In order to link your loyalty card to your Ibotta account, you will need to complete these steps:
- Select “Find Offers.”
- Tap “Grocery.”
- Click “All.”
- Scroll through the retailer list until you find the one you’re looking for. Tap on it.
- Look at the Navigation Bar. If you see “Use Card” or “Connect Card” at the top, you can link your loyalty card. Tap either of those buttons.
- Scan or manually enter your loyalty card number.
Before you shop with the card, you will need to add all the relevant offers to your account. After the offers are added, shop for those items and be sure to use your loyalty card or phone number at checkout! The receipt will automatically be sent to and processed by Ibotta within 48 hours.
Of course, sometimes there are glitches in the system so it’s always a good idea to keep your receipt just in case.
How to Use Ibotta with Online Purchases
You can use in-app and app-to-app shopping features to get cash back on your online purchases. Sometimes, you’ll even get a percentage of your purchase price plus a flat rate amount.
You can get cash back on purchases from many major websites, including Booking.com, iTunes, Groupon, eBay, Amazon, Walmart.com and more!
In order to use Ibotta with your online shopping, you will need to follow these steps:
- Find your preferred online retailer in the Ibotta app.
- Locate the offer you want to redeem in that retailer’s gallery.
- Click the pink “Shop” button when you’ve found the offer you want.
- You’ll be taken to the retailer’s website (in the Ibotta app) or the retailer’s app if you have it installed.
- Browse, shop and complete your purchase.
- Return to the Ibotta screen. It should say “Welcome back.”
Do not leave the web experience or app at any time or it may break the link between Ibotta and the retailer! If you switch windows, you will need to start over to ensure you receive credit.
If you initiate the purchase within the Ibotta app, you will not need to submit a receipt. However, they do recommend that you hang on to the confirmation email just in case.
Make sure you get your Ibotta Welcome Bonus!
If you’re a new customer, then you can get a Welcome Bonus just for signing up and redeeming your first qualifying offer! It’s so easy but it’s important to pay attention to the fine print.
First, you must be a brand new user to Ibotta. You cannot have an an existing account.
Second, you must use a device that has never had another Ibotta account on it. If you have previously used the app on your device or you’re trying to share someone else’s device, then you won’t be able to get the $10 welcome bonus.
Third, you must redeem a qualifying offer within a certain time frame (which is usually 30 days). You can do this with a printed receipt, a loyalty card or an online purchase. You only need to redeem one offer to start. It’s easy!
Ibotta is a great resource for low income families!
With this service, you can get cash back on your EBT and WIC purchases! That’s why we’ve also included it in our list of three legal ways you can get cash back from food stamps.
Sign up for Ibotta here
Nicole Thelin
Nicole is the founder and lead researcher of Low Income Relief. After a personal experience with poverty and homelessness following her husband's sudden medical discharge from the U.S. Army, Nicole discovered the life-changing impact of community resources. This experience ignited her passion for empowering others to navigate similar crises. Nicole launched her writing career at age 16, working for various newspapers and publications. Her commitment to in-depth research and accessible content has been recognized by Google for Publishers and other industry leaders. For over 20 years, she has applied her investigative skills to uncover the most helpful, up-to-date information on benefits programs and community resources, ensuring Low Income Relief maintains the most extensive resource databases available.