Getting a "Free Thanksgiving" with Ibotta has become a popular tradition for many savvy shoppers. Every year, Ibotta partners with brands and retailers to offer 100% cash back on essential Thanksgiving meal items. This program aims to help alleviate food insecurity and make the holiday special for more families. While the exact offers and requirements can vary slightly year to year, the core process remains consistent.
Are you ready to enjoy a delicious Thanksgiving meal without breaking the bank? Let's dive into how you can get your Ibotta Free Thanksgiving!
Your Step-by-Step Guide to Ibotta Free Thanksgiving
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| How To Get Ibotta Free Thanksgiving |
Step 1: Get Started with Ibotta (If You Haven't Already!)
This is where your journey to a free Thanksgiving begins! If you're new to Ibotta, don't worry, it's incredibly easy to get set up.
Sub-heading: Downloading and Signing Up
First things first, you'll need the Ibotta app. It's available for both iOS and Android devices.
Download the App: Head to your device's app store (App Store for Apple, Google Play Store for Android) and search for "Ibotta." Download and install the app.
Create Your Account: Once the app is installed, open it and follow the on-screen prompts to create a free account. You'll typically need to provide your email address, create a password, and agree to their terms of service. Consider using a referral code if you have one from a friend, as new users often get a sign-up bonus!
Sub-heading: Getting Familiar with the App Interface
Take a few moments to explore the Ibotta app. You'll see:
Home Screen: This is where you'll find featured offers, your favorite retailers, and popular categories.
"Earn" Tab: This is your primary hub for finding cash back offers. You can browse by retailer, category, or even search for specific products.
"My Earnings" Tab: This section tracks your accumulated cash back.
"Redeem" Button: This is crucial for submitting your receipts.
Step 2: Keep an Eye Out for the Thanksgiving Offers
The Ibotta Free Thanksgiving program typically kicks off in early November and runs until shortly before Thanksgiving Day. Timing is key, as offers are often "while supplies last."
QuickTip: Reread tricky spots right away.
Sub-heading: When and Where to Look
In-App Announcements: Ibotta will prominently feature the "Free Thanksgiving" offers on their home screen and through dedicated banners or sections within the app when the program goes live.
Ibotta Blog and Social Media: Follow Ibotta's official blog and social media channels (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram). They'll announce the program launch and details there.
Email Notifications: Make sure your Ibotta email notifications are enabled so you don't miss any important updates.
Sub-heading: Understanding the Offers
In previous years, Ibotta has offered 100% cash back on a bundle of Thanksgiving staples. These often include:
Turkey: Typically a Butterball turkey, with a specific weight or cash back limit.
Sides: Items like Jiffy Corn Muffin Mix, Idahoan Mashed Potatoes, McCormick Gravy Mix, and Ocean Spray Cranberry Sauce have been common.
"Thanksgiving Your Way": In some years, Ibotta has allowed for more flexibility, letting users choose offers based on their personal preferences, not necessarily requiring a turkey.
Pay close attention to the specific brands, sizes, and any maximum cash back amounts listed for each offer. If you buy a larger or more expensive item than specified, you'll still get cash back up to the offer's limit, but it won't be entirely free.
Step 3: Unlock and Add Your Offers
Once the Thanksgiving offers are live, you'll need to "add" them to your list in the Ibotta app before you shop.
Sub-heading: For New Ibotta Users
Automatic Unlock: In some years, new Ibotta users who sign up during the promotional period automatically unlock the free Thanksgiving offers. However, always double-check the current year's specific terms.
Add to Your List: Even if automatically unlocked, you still need to tap the "+" sign next to each Thanksgiving item offer to add it to "Your list" within the app.
Sub-heading: For Existing Ibotta Users
Complete Bonuses/Redemptions: Existing users typically need to complete a certain number of other non-Thanksgiving cash back offers or "bonuses" within a specified timeframe to unlock the free Thanksgiving bundle. This encourages continued engagement with the app.
Example: You might need to redeem 5-10 other offers before the free turkey offer becomes available.
Monitor Your Progress: The app will usually show your progress towards unlocking these special offers in the "Bonuses" section.
Add to Your List: Once unlocked, remember to add each individual Thanksgiving offer to "Your list" by tapping the "+" icon.
Step 4: Shop for Your Thanksgiving Items
Now for the fun part – heading to the store!
QuickTip: Skim the intro, then dive deeper.
Sub-heading: In-Store Shopping
Participating Retailers: Ibotta partners with a wide range of grocery retailers nationwide. Check the app for participating stores where the Thanksgiving offers are valid. Walmart has been a consistent partner in previous years.
Buy the Exact Items: This is critical. Make sure you purchase the exact brand, size, and type of product specified in the Ibotta offer.
Pro Tip: Use the barcode scanner within the Ibotta app while you're in the store. Tap the search bar (magnifying glass icon) or a barcode icon in the app, then scan the product's barcode. This will confirm if it's a qualifying item for the offer. This helps avoid disappointment later!
Keep Your Receipt: Always get an itemized paper receipt printed at the register. This is essential for submitting your proof of purchase.
Sub-heading: Online Grocery Pickup & Delivery (If Applicable)
Link Loyalty Accounts: For some retailers, Ibotta allows you to link your store loyalty account. If you do this, your purchases might automatically sync with Ibotta, potentially eliminating the need to scan a receipt. Check the specific retailer's page in the Ibotta app to see if loyalty linking is available and if it applies to the Thanksgiving offers.
Online Shopping Through Ibotta: Some retailers allow you to shop directly through the Ibotta app or website for online pickup or delivery. If this option is available for the Thanksgiving offers, follow the instructions carefully to ensure your purchase tracks correctly.
Step 5: Submit Your Receipt (or Let Loyalty Linking Do the Work!)
This is where you get your cash back!
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Sub-heading: Submitting a Paper Receipt
Open the Ibotta App: After your shopping trip, open the Ibotta app.
Go to "Redeem": Tap the "Redeem" button (usually at the bottom of the screen).
Select Your Retailer: Choose the retailer where you made your purchase.
Take a Picture of Your Receipt: The app will guide you through taking a picture of your entire itemized paper receipt. Ensure good lighting and that all necessary information is visible:
Retailer name
Date of purchase
Total amount
All individual item details
If your receipt is long, you can take multiple photos.
Confirm Offers: Ibotta's system will try to match the offers you added to your list with the items on your receipt. Review the matched offers carefully.
Missing an offer? If an offer isn't automatically matched, you might be prompted to manually scan the barcode of the purchased item. Have your items handy!
Submit for Review: Once confirmed, submit your receipt. Ibotta will review it, and the cash back should appear in your account within 24-72 hours. Keep your physical receipt until the cash back hits your account.
Sub-heading: For Linked Loyalty Accounts
No Receipt Needed: If you successfully linked your loyalty account and the offers were redeemed through that link, you typically do not need to submit a receipt. The cash back should appear automatically after your purchase is processed by the retailer.
Verify Offers: Still, it's a good practice to check your Ibotta earnings a day or two after your purchase to ensure the cash back was applied.
Step 6: Withdraw Your Earnings
Once your cash back from the Thanksgiving offers (and any other offers you've redeemed) reaches the minimum withdrawal threshold, you can cash out!
Sub-heading: Understanding Withdrawal Thresholds
Ibotta typically requires a minimum of $20 in earnings to withdraw.
You must also have successfully redeemed at least one offer.
There's usually a waiting period (e.g., 7 days) after your first offer redemption before you can withdraw.
QuickTip: Use the post as a quick reference later.
Sub-heading: Withdrawal Options
Ibotta offers several ways to get your cash:
Direct to Bank Account: Link your bank account for a direct deposit.
PayPal: Transfer your earnings to your PayPal account.
Gift Cards: Redeem your earnings for gift cards to various retailers. This can be a great way to stretch your savings even further!
10 Related FAQ Questions
How to get started with the Ibotta app?
To get started with the Ibotta app, download it from your device's app store, create a free account with your email and a password, and then explore the "Earn" tab to find cash back offers.
How to find the Thanksgiving offers in Ibotta?
Thanksgiving offers typically appear in early November. Look for prominent banners and dedicated sections on the Ibotta app's home screen, check their official blog and social media, and ensure your email notifications are on for announcements.
How to unlock the Free Thanksgiving offers as an existing Ibotta user?
Existing Ibotta users usually need to complete a certain number of other non-Thanksgiving cash back offers or "bonuses" within a specified timeframe to unlock the Free Thanksgiving bundle. Check the "Bonuses" section of your app for progress.
How to ensure I buy the correct items for Ibotta offers?
Always read the offer details carefully for specific brands, sizes, and types of products. Use the barcode scanner feature within the Ibotta app while you're shopping in-store to confirm that the item you're about to purchase qualifies for the offer.
Tip: Read slowly to catch the finer details.
How to submit a receipt on Ibotta?
After shopping, open the Ibotta app, tap "Redeem," select the retailer, and then follow the prompts to take clear, well-lit pictures of your entire itemized paper receipt. Confirm the offers matched and submit.
How to link a loyalty card with Ibotta?
To link a loyalty card, navigate to your desired retailer within the Ibotta app. If "Link account" appears at the top of the retailer page, tap it and follow the instructions to input your loyalty account credentials. This can enable automatic cash back without receipt scanning.
How to check my cash back earnings in Ibotta?
Your accumulated cash back earnings are displayed in the "My Earnings" tab or usually at the top right corner of the home screen within the Ibotta app.
How to withdraw money from my Ibotta account?
Once you reach the minimum withdrawal threshold (typically $20), you can withdraw your earnings to a linked bank account, a PayPal account, or redeem them for various gift cards directly through the Ibotta app.
How to troubleshoot if I'm missing cash back after submitting a receipt?
If you're missing cash back, go to your "Earnings" page in the app, find the transaction, and tap "I'm missing cash back." You may be prompted to scan the item's barcode for verification. Ensure your receipt was fully visible and submitted within 7 days of purchase.
How to maximize my savings with Ibotta beyond Thanksgiving?
To maximize savings, consistently check the app for new offers before every shopping trip, stack Ibotta offers with store sales and manufacturer coupons, look for "Any Brand" or "Any Item" offers, and aim to complete bonuses for extra cash back.
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