Let me take you back to 2021. I was standing in line at the grocery store, arms full of snacks I definitely didn’t need, when the cashier handed me a receipt longer than my forearm. Like most people, I crumpled it up and tossed it in the bag. Little did I know I was literally throwing away free money.
A friend mentioned this random app where you take pictures of receipts — any receipts — and get points for gift cards. I laughed. It sounded too good to be true. But I downloaded it anyway because, well, why not? Fast forward a few years, and I’ve cashed out hundreds of dollars in completely free gift cards without changing how I shop. And yes, I still buy the same overpriced cereal.
The App That Pays You for Something You Already Do
The app is called Fetch Rewards, and the concept is brilliantly simple: you buy stuff (groceries, gas, takeout, online orders — anything), snap a photo of the receipt, and earn points. Those points turn into gift cards for places you actually shop at.
No clipping coupons. No switching stores. No buying things you don’t want. Just scan and go. In my experience, it’s one of the lowest-effort ways to get something back from money you were spending anyway.
How the Whole Thing Actually Works
After you download the app and sign up (takes about 60 seconds), you just open it, hit the camera button, and take a clear photo of your receipt. The app reads the store name, date, and total. That’s it. Most receipts — even from corner stores or fast food — give you a minimum of 25 points.
Sometimes it feels almost silly. I’ve earned points from a $3 coffee receipt, a $200 grocery haul, and even a random Amazon order confirmation email (yes, e-receipts count too). The app doesn’t care how much you spent. It just wants proof you bought something.
Where the Real Money Hides: Special Offers
Here’s where it gets interesting. While the base 25 points per receipt is nice, the real acceleration comes from featured brands. The home screen shows rotating offers — buy a certain cereal, any frozen pizza, a 12-pack of soda — and you can earn hundreds or thousands of points.
The beauty? You don’t have to “activate” anything. Just buy the item like normal, scan your receipt, and the bonus points appear automatically. I’ve gotten 2,000 points for buying a $6 bag of dog food I needed anyway. That single receipt was worth almost $2 in gift cards.
- Past offers I’ve crushed: 1,500 points for any Kraft product
- 3,000 points for buying two cases of water
- 5,000 points for trying a new meal delivery service
- 1,000 points just for buying bananas (yes, really)
The Math: How Long Until Real Gift Cards?
Let’s be honest — you’re not retiring on receipt points. But the redemption thresholds are actually reasonable:
| Points Needed | Gift Card Value |
| 3,000 – 5,000 | $3 – $5 |
| 10,000 – 15,000 | $10 |
| 25,000 – 30,000 | $25 |
| 50,000 – 60,000 | $50 |
If you’re scanning consistently and hitting a couple of bonus offers each month, 30,000 points (a $25 gift card) takes maybe 3-6 months for a moderate shopper. Heavy grocery shoppers or families? I’ve seen people hit that in weeks.
My Favorite Redemption Options
The gift card selection is legitimately impressive. We’re talking hundreds of brands across every category:
- Amazon (my personal favorite — it’s like cash)
- Target, Walmart, Starbucks, DoorDash
- Less obvious ones: Ulta, Sephora, Home Depot, even airlines
- Visa prepaid cards if you just want straight cash
Last Christmas, I cashed out $75 in Amazon gift cards I had accumulated over the year. Bought gifts for my family and felt zero guilt because, technically, it was free.
“It’s not about getting rich. It’s about making your existing spending work a little harder for you.”
Pro Tips From Someone Who’s Cashed Out Hundreds
- Refer friends ruthlessly — the bonus fluctuates, but I’ve gotten 2,000–4,000 points per person who signs up and scans their first receipt.
- Never let receipts expire — you have 14 days from the purchase date. Set a weekly reminder.
- Scan everything — gas stations, pharmacies, liquor stores, even parking receipts sometimes work.
- Stack with credit card rewards — I use a cashback card for purchases, then scan the receipt for extra points. Double dip city.
- Check the app before shopping — a 30-second glance can turn a normal purchase into a 2,000-point windfall.
The Downsides (Because Nothing’s Perfect)
It’s not all sunshine. Points add up slower than cashback apps tied to spending amount. You won’t get rich. And yes, you have to remember to scan — I probably miss half my receipts on busy weeks.
Some people report issues redeeming certain gift cards, though I’ve personally never had a problem in four years of using it. Customer service has always been responsive when friends needed help.
Is It Actually Worth Your Time?
Here’s my honest take: if you already shop, and you’re willing to spend literally 10 seconds snapping a photo, then yes — absolutely. It’s free money for zero extra effort.
I look at it like found money. That $25 Amazon gift card I cashed out last month? Paid for new running shoes. The $50 in Starbucks cards over the summer? Basically free iced coffees for two months.
In a world where everything feels expensive, getting something — anything — back feels pretty good.
So next time you’re handed a receipt, maybe don’t throw it away quite so fast.
