Back to Free Money Points, Rewards & Cash Back Programs
Point programs automatically accumulate points which can be redeemed for prizes or rewards. Many rewards programs are similar to "get paid to" (GPT)
programs but they don't offer cash directly. Sometimes the prizes include
cash, sometimes they don't. Points are generally calculated as a percentage of purchases you make either with a card or through a membership website. Some programs can offer rewards as high as 5% of the purchase, but it's usually more like 1% or less. Some common rewards programs included frequent flyer miles, and cash-back or rewards credit cards.
Point and rewards programs are often advertised as free money (and prizes), though by Actually Free's standards the traditional way of getting rewards is not actually free because you have to spend money to get it. However, it's possible to get freebies through rewards programs by making purchases for which you get reimbursed; in other words make purchases for other people. You can make purchases for a non-profit, your church, your business or the business you work for with your own credit card. When you go out to eat with a group of friends, you could pay with your credit card. You get reimbursed for these actions and increase your rewards.
Another way to get rewards without spending any money is by dumpster diving or asking friends and family for packages which include reward codes. Codes related to food products, such as Coke rewards, can be found in trash cans and recycle bins anywhere. Your family and friends may be frequent customers of products with rewards, such as Disney or Warner Bros movies, but don't have any interest in the rewards program.
Whether you try to get freebies with rewards programs or not, one important thing to remember is not to buy brand names, make more purchases, or pay inflated prices just to reach your payout limit. This is the trap of all rewards programs. Don't let them sucker you into spending more than you would anyway. Website stores where you can shop to get points usually have the items marked up. Point programs can be good cash-back options as long you consciously avoid changing your spending habits.
Another thing to keep in mind is that there are rewards programs that involve lines of credit and there are rewards programs that don't involve lines of credit. If the rewards program involves an actual credit card, then that is a line of credit. If you have more than 3 credit cards, that can negatively affect your credit score. This is important to remember when you're at the check-out of a retailer and they ask you if you want to sign up for their credit card to get an additional 10% off. Usually you don't want those cards because there are better cards to use as your 3 lines of credit. Rewards programs for using a debit card, shopping through a specific store or using a club membership card are not lines of credit and will not affect your credit score.
Non-credit Rewards Programs | Credit Rewards Programs
Points, rewards, and cash back programs (non credit).
Baby Mint - Earn for your child's future college education by shopping within the baby mint retailer network.
- Green review from Site Advisor.
- Not Tested by ActuallyFree.info.
Bing Rewards Program - Earn credits towards rewards when you browse the web with Microsoft's search engine.
- Green review from Site Advisor.
- Not tested by ActuallyFree.info
BondRewards.com - At least one purchase is required. You can also earn Bond dollars by taking surveys, playing games and referring friends. Payout at 50 bond dollars for a $50 savings bond or $25 cash.
- Green review from Site Advisor.
- Not tested by ActuallyFree.info
Disney Movie Rewards - Earn rewards with every Disney movie you buy. Enter the reward codes online from the products you buy.
- Green review from Site Advisor.
- Not tested by ActuallyFree.info.
Ebates.com - Get cash back for shopping online through Ebates.
- Green review from Site Advisor.
- Not tested by ActuallyFree.info
FatWallet.com - Get cash back for shopping through Fat Wallet.
- Green review from Site Advisor.
- Not tested by ActuallyFree.info
Hallmark Crown Rewards - Redeem bonus points for shopping discounts at Hallmark stores.
- Green review from Site Advisor.
- Not tested by ActuallyFree.info.
MemoLink.com - Get points for shopping online, taking surveys, visiting websites, playing
trivia, and more. Points are redeemable for gift cards, cash, and
charity donations.
- Green review from Site Advisor.
- Not tested by ActuallyFree.info
MyCokeRewards.com - Earn rewards for buying Coke products. Enter codes from the products online.
- Green review from Site Advisor.
- Not tested by ActuallyFree.info
MyPoints.com - Earn points by shopping through MyPoints. Get 5 points just for signing up.
- Green review from Site Advisor.
- Not tested by ActuallyFree.info
National Consumer Panel - Earn points by scanning everything you buy and providing feedback. Points are redeemable for name-brand merchandise.
- Green review from Site Advisor.
- Not tested by ActuallyFree.info
Office Depot Worklife Rewards - Earn points by shopping at Office Depot. Rewards are redeemable as store credit.
- Green review from Site Advisor.
- Not tested by ActuallyFree.info.
Pampers Gifts to Grow Rewards - Buy pampers diapers and earn rewards.
- Green review from Site Advisor.
- Not tested by ActuallyFree.info.
Points.com - Manage 100+ loyalty programs in one place. Track your balances and bonus offers all in one place.
- Green review from Site Advisor.
- Not tested by ActuallyFree.info
RewardsNetwork.com - Earn rewards for frequent dining and trying new restaurants.
- Green review from Site Advisor.
- Not tested by ActuallyFree.info.
Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards - Earn rewards for flying on Southwest Airlines.
- Green review from Site Advisor.
- Being tested by ActuallyFree.info
SwagBucks.com - Earn points by searching the web, playing games, shopping through their store, watching videos, sending in photos and videos, taking surveys, inviting friends to join, or trading in old cell phones, video games, and books. Similar to GPT program except actions earn points redeemable for awards (not cash)
- Green review from Site Advisor.
- Not tested by ActuallyFree.info.
Upromise.com - Earn cash for shopping applied towards a college education. Earn by shopping online through Upromise, shopping at participating grocery stores and retailers, referring friends and shopping with the Upromise credit card (if you use the credit card that will count as a line of credit).
- Green review from Site Advisor.
- Being tested by ActuallyFree.info
WB Insider Rewards - Earn points for buying products from Warner Bros. Studios including tickets and movies.
- Green review from Site Advisor.
- Not tested by ActuallyFree.info.
There are many Grocery Stores and Drug Stores with rewards programs.
Credit card rewards programs:
CardOffers.com - Shows the latest credit card deals, including points, incentive and cash-back credit cards.
- Green review from Site Advisor.
- Not tested by ActuallyFree.info.
Citi Dividend Cash Back Credit Card
IBankBonus' The Best Credit Cards that offer Cash Back
- Green review from Site Advisor.
- Not tested by ActuallyFree.info
Kiplinger's Best Reward Cards
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