Saving money is always a good idea, and Ibotta is a fantastic tool that helps you do just that! While many know Ibotta for its incredible cash back offers on groceries and everyday purchases, did you know you can also earn cash back by purchasing gift cards directly through the app? That's right, it's a double-dip of savings!
This comprehensive guide will walk you through every step of buying gift cards on Ibotta, maximizing your savings, and making your shopping experience even more rewarding.
Step 1: Are You Ready to Unlock Extra Savings? Let's Get Started!
First things first, do you have the Ibotta app installed on your smartphone? If not, head over to your app store (Google Play for Android or Apple App Store for iOS), search for "Ibotta: Save & Earn Cash Back," and download it. It's completely free to join and use!
If you're new to Ibotta, you'll need to create an account. It's a quick and easy process, usually involving your email address and creating a password. Once you're set up, you're ready to dive into the world of gift card savings!
Step 2: Navigating to the Gift Card Section in the Ibotta App
Now that you're logged into your Ibotta account, let's find where the magic happens for gift cards.
2.1 Locating the "Gift Cards" Category
From the Ibotta app's home screen, you'll typically see a variety of categories like "Grocery," "Online Shopping," "Pharmacy," etc.
Scroll down a bit, and you should find a distinct category labeled "Gift Cards." Tap on this to enter the gift card hub.
2.2 Exploring Available Retailers
Once you're in the Gift Cards section, you'll be greeted with a wide array of popular retailers, restaurants, and service providers. Ibotta partners with hundreds of businesses to offer these cash back opportunities. Take your time to browse through the options. You might be surprised at the variety!
Tip: You can often use the search bar at the top of the Gift Cards section if you have a specific retailer in mind, like "Walmart" or "Starbucks."
Step 3: Selecting Your Desired Gift Card and Amount
This is where you choose your gift card and decide how much you want to load onto it.
3.1 Choosing Your Retailer
Tap on the logo or name of the retailer for which you want to purchase a gift card. For example, if you want a gift card for a coffee run, tap on "Starbucks."
3.2 Entering the Gift Card Amount
After selecting the retailer, you'll see an option to enter the desired amount for your gift card.
Important Note: Many gift cards will have a minimum amount requirement. Ibotta will usually display this if it applies. Be sure to enter an amount that meets or exceeds this minimum.
You'll also see the cash back percentage displayed prominently. This is the percentage of your gift card purchase that Ibotta will give back to you as cash! It's an instant reward that adds to your Ibotta earnings.
Step 4: Choosing Your Payment Method
Ibotta offers a couple of convenient ways to pay for your gift card, and one of them is particularly exciting for Ibotta power users!
4.1 Using a Saved Debit Card
You can use a debit card issued in the U.S. from Mastercard or Visa.
If you haven't linked a debit card to your Ibotta account yet, you'll be prompted to add one securely. Ibotta uses 256-bit bank-level encryption to protect your financial information, so you can feel confident in its security.
Currently, Ibotta generally does not allow credit cards for gift card purchases due to higher processing fees, which would impact the cash back they can offer.
4.2 Applying Your Ibotta Earnings
This is the game-changer for many Ibotta users! If you've been diligently earning cash back on your regular shopping trips, you can apply your existing Ibotta earnings towards your gift card purchase.
During the review process (Step 5), you'll see a toggle option labeled "Apply Ibotta earnings."
If your gift card purchase amount is less than your current Ibotta earnings, you can use your earnings to cover the entire cost.
If your gift card purchase is more than your earnings, you can use your earnings to cover a portion, and then pay the remaining balance with a linked debit card. This is an excellent way to turn your accumulated cash back into usable gift cards for your favorite stores!
Step 5: Reviewing Your Purchase and Completing the Transaction
Almost there! This step ensures everything is correct before finalizing your gift card purchase.
5.1 Confirming Details
Carefully review the retailer, the gift card amount, and the cash back percentage you'll receive.
Double-check your selected payment method (debit card or applied earnings).
5.2 Finalizing the Purchase
Once you're satisfied with all the details, tap the "Pay" or "Confirm Purchase" button.
You may be asked to enter your Ibotta password or use biometric authentication (fingerprint/face ID) for security purposes.
Step 6: Receiving and Using Your Digital Gift Card
Congratulations! Your digital gift card is now on its way.
6.1 Instant Cash Back!
One of the best parts about buying gift cards on Ibotta is that you get instant cash back added to your Ibotta earnings. No waiting periods for these rewards!
6.2 Accessing Your Gift Card
Ibotta will typically email your digital gift card to the email address associated with your Ibotta account. Check your inbox (and sometimes your spam folder) for this email.
You can also find your purchased gift cards directly within the Ibotta app.
Go to your Profile (usually accessible from the top left of the home screen).
Tap on "My gift cards."
Here, you'll see a list of all your purchased gift cards. Tap on the specific card to view its details, including the gift card number and PIN (if applicable).
6.3 Using Your Gift Card In-Store or Online
In-store: When checking out at a physical store, simply present the digital gift card on your phone to the cashier. They can usually scan the barcode or manually enter the gift card number and PIN.
Online: For online purchases, enter the gift card number and PIN (if required) during the checkout process on the retailer's website or app, just as you would with a physical gift card.
6.4 Gifting Your Card to Others
If you're buying a gift card for someone else, Ibotta makes it easy! When you purchase the card, you might see an option like "This is a gift." Toggling this will allow you to send the card to someone else directly via text message, email, or social media. This is a super convenient feature for last-minute gifts!
By following these steps, you'll be able to seamlessly purchase gift cards on Ibotta, enjoy instant cash back, and potentially even put your Ibotta earnings to good use. It's a smart way to maximize your savings on purchases you were already planning to make!
10 Related FAQ Questions (How to...)
Here are some quick answers to common questions about buying gift cards on Ibotta:
How to Check My Ibotta Gift Card Balance?
You generally cannot check the balance of a gift card within the Ibotta app itself. You will need to check the balance directly with the retailer by following their specific process for checking gift card balances (e.g., on their website or by calling their customer service).
How to Resend a Gift Card if My Recipient Didn't Receive It?
In the Ibotta app, go to your "My gift cards" section, select the gift card, and you should see an option to "Resend gift" or similar. You can then choose the delivery method (email or text).
How to Use Both Ibotta Earnings and a Debit Card for a Gift Card Purchase?
During the payment step, after selecting the gift card amount, you'll see a toggle to "Apply Ibotta earnings." If your earnings don't cover the full amount, the remaining balance will be charged to your linked debit card.
How to Get Help if I Have an Issue with a Gift Card Purchase?
For any issues, visit the Ibotta Help Center within the app (Profile > Help) or on their website (help.ibotta.com). You can often chat with their chatbot, Carlotta, or submit a request to the Ibotta Care team.
How to Know Which Retailers Offer Gift Cards on Ibotta?
Open the Ibotta app, go to the "Gift Cards" category, and browse the extensive list of available retailers. The list is updated regularly.
How to Tell if a Gift Card Purchase Qualifies for Bonuses?
Generally, gift card purchases do count towards Ibotta's regular bonuses. However, specific bonus terms can vary, so it's always a good idea to check the bonus details in the app or contact Ibotta support if you're unsure.
How to Find My Purchased Gift Cards in the App?
From the Ibotta home screen, tap on your "Profile" (usually top-left icon), then select "My gift cards" to see a list of all your past purchases.
How to Get Cash Back on a Gift Card?
When you purchase a gift card through the "Gift Cards" section of the Ibotta app, the stated cash back percentage is automatically added to your Ibotta earnings immediately after the purchase is complete.
How to Redeem a Gift Card Purchased on Ibotta?
Once you have the digital gift card number and PIN (if applicable) from Ibotta, simply use it at the retailer's checkout (in-store or online) just like you would any other gift card. Present the barcode or enter the numbers as prompted.
How to Refund a Gift Card Transaction on Ibotta?
All gift card transactions on Ibotta are generally considered final and non-refundable. If you encounter issues using the gift card, contact Ibotta Care for assistance, but refunds are typically not offered for valid purchases.
