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Retailer rewards and loyalty programs can help you rack up rewards and extra cash at stores and sites you already shop at. Some third-party sites work with retailers to give you cash back on everything you buy. Sign up online, but carefully read the privacy policy and terms to understand how your data is used.
Cashback apps help you earn moolah at big-box retailers like Amazon, Target, Walmart, Kroger, Best Buy and more, along with niche retailers that sell specialized goods. Shop through an app to earn cash and perks.
All cashback apps make money through commission and some make money by selling your data to third-party marketers. Here’s the scoop:
If you’re not comfortable with a cashback app selling your data, we suggest using Mr. Rebates, which has stellar cashback deals but doesn’t sell your data to make money.
If you frequently shop at one of these retailers, it’s worth signing up for a rewards program. It’s free to join, and unlike a credit card, you don’t need to worry about approval.
Loyalty programs are designed to secure repeat customers by incentivizing you to return again and again. Most loyalty programs do this by offering rewards, which come in the form of points, exclusive coupons and other freebies.
For example, with Ulta’s rewards program you earn about one point for every dollar you spend. When you reach 100 points, you’ll get $3 off a purchase. Ultamate Rewards also gives you free products on your birthday, free shipping on orders of $25 or more and a $25 credit to use on its beauty services — like waxing and hairstyling — every year.
But Ulta doesn’t offer these perks from the goodness of its corporate heart. It wants to make sure that when you go shopping for mascara, perfume, lipstick or other beauty items, you go to Ulta instead of a competitor like Sephora.
Most loyalty programs are a win-win situation for both you and the retailer because you get to save money and the retailer gets your repeat business. A potential downside is that you could end buying more than intended while trying to hit reward milestones — like 100 points with Ulta — which means you inadvertently spend more money overall. Following a budget can help ensure you stay within bounds.
Some retailers may also sell or share data about your shopping habits to third-party marketing agencies. Certain loyalty programs will let you opt out of this by changing the privacy settings in your account. You can read about this in the terms and conditions before signing up, usually in the section about data privacy.
With a retailer loyalty program, you earn points by shopping with that specific retailer only. On the other hand, cashback apps let you shop and earn points at hundreds of retailers, restaurants, airlines, hotels, movie theaters and more.
Cashback apps and retailer rewards aren’t mutually exclusive. For instance, you could use a Mr. Rebate coupon at Ulta and still rack up Ultamate Rewards for every dollar you spend.
That said, you can earn cash or rewards quickly by being thoughtful about the platforms you sign up for. Ulta may reward you with 1 point for every $1, but Walgreens also doles out 100 points for every $1 on beauty purchases. Targeting one retailer for all your skincare and makeup needs — rather than splitting purchases between the two — can help you earn rewards faster.
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