Can You Scan the Same Receipt on Ibotta and Fetch Rewards? The Ultimate Guide to Double-Dipping Your Savings!
Hey there, savvy shopper! Ever wondered if you're leaving money on the table after a grocery run? You've got your receipt in hand, and you know about cash-back apps like Ibotta and Fetch Rewards, but a burning question arises: Can you scan the same receipt on both? The answer, my friend, is a resounding YES! And in this super-detailed guide, we're going to break down exactly how you can maximize your savings by "double-dipping" with these fantastic apps.
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| Can You Scan The Same Receipt On Ibotta And Fetch |
Step 1: Get Your Apps in Order (and Get Ready to Save!)
Before we dive into the nitty-gritty of scanning, let's ensure you're all set up for success. Are you ready to turn those everyday purchases into real cash back or awesome gift cards? Excellent!
Sub-heading: Downloading and Setting Up Your Accounts
Ibotta:
Download: Head to your app store (Google Play or Apple App Store) and search for "Ibotta: Save & Earn Cash Back." Download the app.
Sign Up: Follow the on-screen prompts to create your account. You'll usually need an email address and to create a password.
Explore Offers: Once logged in, spend a few minutes exploring the app. You'll see offers categorized by retailer, product, and even "Any Brand" offers. This is where Ibotta differs significantly from Fetch.
Link Loyalty Accounts (Optional but Recommended!): For many major retailers (like Kroger, Walmart, etc.), you can link your store loyalty cards. This means you might not even need to scan receipts for some offers, making it super convenient.
Fetch Rewards:
Download: Search for "Fetch Rewards" in your app store and download it.
Sign Up: Create your account. Fetch is known for its simplicity – just snap receipts, earn points, and redeem them.
Referral Code (Don't Miss Out!): If a friend referred you, make sure to enter their referral code during signup. You'll often get bonus points for your first receipt scan, and so will they!
Understand Points: Fetch primarily works on a points system, where points can be redeemed for various gift cards.
Step 2: The Crucial Pre-Shopping Prep for Ibotta (This is Key!)
This is where Ibotta requires a little more effort upfront, but it's well worth it for the cash back.
Sub-heading: Adding Offers to Your List
Browse and Select: Before you head to the store, open your Ibotta app. Seriously, don't skip this step!
Choose Your Retailer: Select the store where you'll be shopping.
Add Offers: Go through the available offers and tap the "+" button to add any offers that match items you plan to purchase. For example, if you're buying a specific brand of cereal, look for an offer for that cereal and add it.
"Any Brand" Offers: Don't forget to look for "Any Brand" offers, such as "Any Brand Milk" or "Any Brand Bread." These are easy ways to earn cash back on staples.
Watch Videos/Answer Questions: Sometimes, to unlock an offer, Ibotta might ask you to watch a short video or answer a quick poll. It takes seconds and is part of the process.
Bonus Offers: Check the "Bonuses" section regularly. These are often extra incentives for redeeming multiple offers from a specific brand or completing a certain number of offers. These can really boost your earnings!
Tip: Compare what you read here with other sources.
Step 3: Shop Smart (and Keep that Receipt!)
Now for the fun part – shopping!
Sub-heading: Making Your Purchases
Stick to Your List: With your Ibotta offers loaded, try to stick to your shopping list to maximize your cash back.
Check Product Barcodes (Ibotta): If you're unsure if a specific product qualifies for an Ibotta offer, you can use the app's barcode scanner while you're in the store to verify. This saves you the headache of submitting a receipt only to find out an item didn't qualify.
Save Your Receipt: This is paramount for both apps. Make sure your receipt is clearly printed, legible, and includes:
Retailer Name
Date and Time of Purchase
Total Amount Paid
Itemized List of Products
Step 4: Scanning with Ibotta (First Stop for Double-Dipping!)
Once you're home, it's time to process that receipt. We'll start with Ibotta because it's offer-specific.
Sub-heading: The Ibotta Redemption Process
Tap "Redeem": Open the Ibotta app and tap the "Redeem" button (usually at the bottom).
Select Retailer: Choose the retailer where you made your purchase.
Take a Photo of Your Receipt:
Place your receipt on a flat, well-lit surface.
Ensure the entire receipt is visible, including the store name, date, total, and all itemized purchases.
If your receipt is long, Ibotta will prompt you to take multiple photos. Make sure there's some overlap between photos.
Tip: Avoid shadows on the receipt!
Match Offers: Ibotta's system will then try to match the items on your receipt with the offers you added to your list.
Verify and Confirm: The app will show you which offers it detected. Double-check that all eligible items have been recognized. If something is missed, you can often tap "I'm missing cash back" and scan the product's barcode to manually add it.
Submit: Once you've confirmed everything, tap "Confirm and submit."
Wait for Approval: Ibotta typically processes receipts within 72 hours, often much faster. You'll receive a notification when your cash back has been added to your account.
Step 5: Scanning with Fetch Rewards (The Second Dip!)
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Now that Ibotta has done its thing, it's Fetch's turn!
QuickTip: Keep going — the next point may connect.
Sub-heading: The Fetch Rewards Snapping Process
Tap the Camera Icon: Open the Fetch Rewards app and tap the camera icon (usually at the bottom center).
Snap Your Receipt:
Similar to Ibotta, place your receipt on a flat surface.
Take a clear picture of the entire receipt. Fetch is less about specific items and more about the overall purchase, but a clear, complete receipt is always best.
For long receipts, Fetch will also guide you to take multiple sections.
Submit: Once you've taken the photo(s), hit submit.
Points Awarded: Fetch is usually much faster at awarding points. You'll often see your points added almost immediately.
Brand-Specific Offers: While Fetch gives you points for any receipt, it also has specific "Brands" you can earn extra points on. For example, if you bought a participating brand's product (like Pepsi, Dove, etc.), you'll automatically get bonus points if that brand is part of a current offer, without having to pre-select it. This is a major advantage of Fetch.
Step 6: Review and Enjoy Your Earnings!
You've successfully double-dipped! Now, let's keep track of your savings.
Sub-heading: Tracking Your Progress
Ibotta Earnings: Keep an eye on your Ibotta balance. Once you reach the minimum cash-out threshold (typically $20), you can transfer your earnings to PayPal, a bank account, or redeem them for various gift cards.
Fetch Rewards Points: Watch your Fetch points grow. You can redeem points for gift cards to hundreds of popular retailers, restaurants, and more, starting at relatively low point totals (e.g., 3,000 points for a $3 gift card).
Pro-Tips for Maximizing Your Double-Dipping Success:
Don't Discard Receipts Until Approved: Hold onto your physical receipts until both Ibotta and Fetch have approved your submission and awarded your earnings. Sometimes an issue might arise, and having the physical receipt makes troubleshooting easier.
Digital Receipts: Both apps offer ways to connect to email accounts or retailer loyalty programs for digital receipt scanning. Explore these options! They can automate the process for online purchases and save you time.
Check Daily: Both apps update their offers frequently. A quick daily check of Ibotta before you shop and Fetch for new brand offers can help you maximize your potential.
Referral Programs: Both Ibotta and Fetch have generous referral programs. Share your unique code with friends and family – it's an easy way to earn bonus cash or points!
Understand Terms: While generally permissible, always be aware of the terms of service for both apps. Scanning receipts from purchases you made is key. Scanning found receipts or receipts from others is usually against their terms and can lead to account deactivation.
10 Related FAQ Questions
How to Ensure my receipt is accepted on Ibotta?
Make sure the receipt is flat, well-lit, clearly shows the store name, date, total, and all itemized purchases, and take multiple photos if it's long, ensuring some overlap.
QuickTip: Highlight useful points as you read.
How to Get more points on Fetch Rewards?
Scan every receipt, even small ones, as Fetch gives points for almost any purchase. Also, look for special brand offers and purchase those brands to earn bonus points.
How to Link my loyalty card on Ibotta?
In the Ibotta app, navigate to the specific retailer's page and look for the "Link Account" or "Loyalty Card" option. Follow the prompts to enter your loyalty card number or credentials.
How to Redeem my earnings from Ibotta?
Once you reach the minimum cash-out amount (usually $20), go to your "Earnings" or "Account" section in Ibotta and select your preferred method: PayPal, bank account, or gift card.
How to Redeem my points from Fetch Rewards?
In the Fetch Rewards app, go to the "Rewards" section, browse the available gift cards, and select the one you want to redeem your points for.
QuickTip: Skim the ending to preview key takeaways.
How to Handle a rejected receipt on Ibotta?
If your receipt is rejected, Ibotta will usually provide a reason. You can often resubmit it after correcting the issue (e.g., a clearer photo) or contact their support with screenshots if you believe it was an error.
How to Scan e-receipts on Fetch Rewards?
In the Fetch app, tap the camera icon and then select the "eReceipt" option. You can link your email accounts (like Gmail, Outlook) and certain retailer accounts (like Amazon, Target) to automatically scan for online purchases.
How to Find "Any Brand" offers on Ibotta?
When Browse offers for a specific retailer in Ibotta, scroll through the categories or use the search bar to look for offers that specify "Any Brand" for general product types like milk, bread, or eggs.
How to Avoid common errors when scanning receipts?
Always take clear, well-lit photos, ensure the entire receipt is visible, check for blurry areas, and make sure the date is within the allowed submission window for both apps (Ibotta generally 7 days, Fetch 14 days).
How to Maximize bonuses on Ibotta?
Regularly check the "Bonuses" section in the Ibotta app. Plan your shopping trips around these bonuses, which often reward you for redeeming multiple offers from specific brands or reaching spending targets.
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