Who doesn’t love shopping with gift cards? Whether received as a present or won in a raffle, there’s no denying the satisfaction of buying something without spending your own money. This article explores various methods to earn free gift cards through apps, credit card rewards, survey websites, testing websites/apps, and trade-in programs.
1. Cash-Back Apps That Give Free Gift Cards
1.1 Fetch Rewards
Pros:
Low cash-out threshold.
Wide variety of brand partners.
Cons:
Lower-paying special offers than Ibotta.
Free Gift Card Options:
Dozens of retailers, including Amazon, Target, Walmart, CVS, IHOP, Dunkin’ Donuts, and Airbnb.
Fetch Rewards allows users to earn points by shopping at retail partners and uploading receipts as proof of purchase. With a low cash-out threshold of $3, Fetch Rewards is a mostly passive way to earn free gift cards.
1.2 Drop
Pros:
Completely hands-off passive once a card is linked.
It allows double-dipping on credit card cashback and drop points.
Cons:
In-app purchases are required to unlock lower gift card rewards.
Free Gift Card Options:
Popular options include Amazon, Starbucks, Old Navy, American Eagle, Sephora, and Uber Eats.
Drop is a free rewards app that offers cash back for shopping at specific partners. Users can connect their cards, choose favorite brands, shop for sponsored offers, and redeem points for various free gift cards.
1.3 Ibotta
Pros:
Many retail partners and a wide range of gift cards.
Works for groceries and various retailers.
Cons:
High cash-out threshold.
Free Gift Card Options:
Amazon, Walmart, Lowes, Target, Starbucks, and many others.
Ibotta provides rebates for purchasing specific products at grocery stores and other retailers. Users can redeem rewards via PayPal, Venmo, or choose from various gift cards once they reach a $20 threshold.
1.4 Shopkick
Pros:
Multiple ways to earn.
$1 gift card reward options.
Cons:
Not as passive as other apps.
Free Gift Card Options:
Various options, including Amazon, Uber, Best Buy, Target, Starbucks, and Nike.
Shopkick offers a versatile platform where users can earn “kicks” (in-app currency) for tasks like entering stores, scanning barcodes, uploading receipts, shopping online, and watching videos. It provides a low cash-out threshold for $1 gift card rewards.
2. Credit Card Rewards
2.1 Capital One Quicksilver
Pros:
Unlimited cash back on all purchases.
No fees and a 0% APR for the first 15 months.
Cons:
Requires good to excellent credit.
Rewards accumulate at a fixed rate.
Free Gift Card Options:
Amazon and various other retailers, restaurants, and hotel chains.
The Capital One Quicksilver credit card offers unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases. Users can redeem their cash back at any time, including choosing gift card rewards.
2.2 Blue Cash Preferred Card
Pros:
Higher cash-back rewards and a better welcome bonus.
Travel benefits and 0% APR for the first 12 months.
Cons:
$95 annual fee.
High cash-out threshold.
Free Gift Card Options:
Merchants include Walmart, Sam’s Club, Best Buy, Delta, The Home Depot, and Macy’s.
American Express offers The Blue Cash Preferred card that rewards tiered cash back on select
purchases, a generous welcome bonus, and various travel benefits. Cashback points can be redeemed for gift cards.
2.3 Chase Freedom Card
Pros:
Rotating 5% cash back categories.
They have no annual fees and offer a 0% APR for the first 15 months.
Cons:
Requires activation for quarterly bonus categories.
Lower everyday cash-back rewards.
Free Gift Card Options:
Over 150 gift card options, including Amazon and Apple Rewards.
The Chase Freedom Card offers a balance of unlimited cash-back rewards and rotating 5% cash back on quarterly categories. Users can redeem cash back for various gift cards.
3. Survey Websites
3.1 Swagbucks
Pros:
Various ways to earn.
Low cash-out threshold.
Cons:
Low hourly pay.
Free Gift Card Options:
Options include Amazon, Walmart, Starbucks, Target, and PayPal.
Swagbucks is a popular get-paid-to website where users earn points by answering surveys, downloading apps, shopping online, watching videos, and more. Swagbucks can be exchanged for a variety of free gift cards.
3.2 PrizeRebel
Pros:
Low gift card denominations.
Various rewards available.
Cons:
Low hourly pay.
Fewer ways to earn points compared to Swagbucks.
Free Gift Card Options:
Prizes include Amazon, Walmart, Steam, Dunkin’ Donuts, Kohl’s, eBay, PayPal, and prepaid Mastercards.
PrizeRebel is a GPT website focusing on surveys and app downloads. While it offers fewer earning options than Swagbucks, it provides an easy way to earn pocket change and redeem it for free gift cards.
3.3 InboxDollars
Pros:
Sign-up bonus.
Variety of earning options.
Cons:
Low hourly pay.
A $30 balance is required for cash redemption.
Free Gift Card Options:
Amazon, Starbucks, Target, Sephora, Home Depot, and PayPal.
InboxDollars is a GPT platform offering various ways to earn, including surveys, watching videos, playing games, and more. While not a high-earning opportunity, it’s a viable way to earn free gift cards.
4. Play & Test Websites or Apps
4.1 Mistplay
Pros:
Monetize mobile gaming.
Earn gift cards for playing games.
Cons:
Slow to earn rewards.
Rewards may decrease over time.
Free Gift Card Options:
Redeem units for gift cards to Amazon, Best Buy, Cineplex, iTunes, or the Google Play Store.
Mistplay is a mobile app that rewards users for playing sponsored games. While it’s not a fast earner, it’s suitable for mobile gamers who enjoy trying out new games and earning gift cards in the process.
4.2 Userfeel
Pros:
High hourly rate.
Amazon gift card as the reward.
Cons:
Sporadic work opportunities.
Not a reliable income source.
Free Gift Card Options:
Amazon is the only gift card option, but PayPal cash can be used to buy other gift cards.
Userfeel is a usability testing platform where users test websites or apps and submit recorded videos of their thoughts. Testers earn $10 per successful test in the form of Amazon gift cards.
5. Trade In Your Stuff
5.1 Amazon Trade-In
Pros:
Wide variety of trade-in products.
Fast payout time.
Cons:
Limited earning potential.
Free Gift Card Options:
Amazon gift cards.
The Amazon Trade-In program allows users to trade in items such as Kindle devices, tablets, streaming devices, smartphones, gaming consoles, books, and more. In return, users receive Amazon gift cards.
5.2 Target Trade-In
Pros:
Trade in unwanted gift cards.
Free Target gift cards.
Cons:
Limited earning potential.
Free Gift Card Options:
Target gift cards.
Target’s Trade-In program allows users to trade in items such as smartphones, tablets, consoles, wearable technology, MP3 players, and speakers. Users can also trade in gift cards from other brands for Target gift cards.
5.3 Walmart Trade-In
Pros:
A simple way to save money on Walmart.com.
Trade in various electronic devices.
Cons:
Takes time to receive payment.
Free Gift Card Options:
Walmart.com gift cards.
Walmart’s trade-in program, powered by CExchange, allows users to trade in electronic devices like phones, tablets, gaming consoles, speakers, and more. Users receive Walmart.com gift cards.
6. Other Ways To Earn Free Gift Cards
6.1 Starbucks Rewards
Pros:
Free to sign up.
Reward options for Starbucks lovers.
Cons:
Takes spending to accumulate stars.
Free Gift Card Options:
Starbucks stars (redeemable for free drinks, food, and merchandise).
Starbucks Rewards is a loyalty program where members earn stars for every dollar spent. These ‘stars’ can be used to get free drinks, food, and merchandise. The Starbucks Rewards Visa Card offers additional benefits.
6.2 Honey
Pros:
Free source of cashback and coupons.
Easy to use.
Cons:
Honey Gold takes time to accumulate.
Rotating selection of eligible stores.
Free Gift Card Options:
Amazon, Walmart, Nordstrom, Nike, Target, and many others.
Honey is a shopping browser extension that applies coupons at checkout and provides cash back through Honey Gold. Members can redeem Honey Gold for free gift cards once they reach 10,000 points.
Conclusion
Whether through cash-back apps, credit card rewards, survey websites, testing websites/apps, trade-in programs, or other methods, there are numerous ways to earn free gift cards. The trick is to go with the methods that align with your preferences and lifestyle, turning everyday activities into opportunities to save money and enjoy the perks of free gift cards. Happy earning!