It's fantastic that you're looking to maximize your savings! Linking your Walmart account with Ibotta is a brilliant way to earn cash back on your everyday purchases, whether you shop in-store, pick up groceries, or have them delivered. Gone are the days of clipping coupons; welcome to the world of effortless savings!
This comprehensive guide will walk you through every step of linking your Walmart account to Ibotta, ensuring you unlock all the cash-back potential. Let's get started!
The Power Duo: Walmart and Ibotta
Before we dive into the "how-to," let's briefly understand why this pairing is so beneficial. Ibotta is a free app that gives you real cash back on groceries and thousands of other items from popular brands and retailers. Walmart, as one of the largest retailers, offers an immense selection of products. When you link them, Ibotta can automatically detect your qualifying purchases at Walmart and credit your account, eliminating the need to scan receipts for many transactions. This means more savings with less effort!
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| How To Link Walmart And Ibotta |
Step 1: Get Started with Ibotta (If You Haven't Already!)
Are you ready to join millions of smart savers? If you're new to Ibotta, your first step is to get the app and create an account. If you already have Ibotta, feel free to skip to Step 2!
Sub-heading: Downloading the Ibotta App
Find Ibotta in Your App Store: Open the app store on your smartphone (Google Play Store for Android or Apple App Store for iOS). In the search bar, type "Ibotta."
Download and Install: Look for the Ibotta app (it usually has a green icon with a dollar sign). Tap "Download" or "Get" and wait for it to install on your device. It's completely free to download and use!
Sub-heading: Creating Your Ibotta Account
Open the App: Once installed, tap the Ibotta icon to open it.
Sign Up: You'll likely see an option to "Sign Up" or "Create Account." Tap on it.
Enter Your Information: You'll be prompted to enter basic information such as your email address, create a password, and agree to the terms of service. Make sure to use an email address you check regularly.
Optional: Referral Code: If a friend referred you to Ibotta, this is where you can enter their referral code. This often gives both you and your friend a bonus!
Complete Registration: Follow any remaining prompts to complete your account creation. You're now officially an Ibotta Saver!
Step 2: Accessing the Walmart Section in Ibotta
Now that you have your Ibotta account ready, it's time to navigate to the Walmart section within the app.
QuickTip: Scroll back if you lose track.
Sub-heading: Finding Walmart on the Home Screen
Open the Ibotta App: Launch the Ibotta app on your smartphone.
Search for Walmart: On the home screen, you'll often see a search bar or a list of popular retailers. Type "Walmart" into the search bar or scroll down to find the Walmart icon.
Select Walmart: Tap on the Walmart retailer icon to go to its dedicated page within the Ibotta app.
Sub-heading: Understanding Walmart Shopping Options
On the Walmart page, you'll typically see options for:
Walmart In-Store: For when you shop physically at a Walmart store.
Walmart Online (Grocery Pickup & Delivery): For when you place orders through the Walmart app or website for pickup or delivery.
It's crucial to understand these distinctions as the linking process might vary slightly for each, though linking your main Walmart account generally covers both.
Step 3: Linking Your Walmart Account for Seamless Savings
This is the most critical step to unlock automatic cash back! Ibotta makes it incredibly easy.
Sub-heading: Initiating the Linking Process
Choose Your Shopping Method (or find the link button):
If you're focusing on online grocery pickup/delivery, select the "Walmart Online" option. You'll often see a prominent button that says "Link Account" or "Connect your Walmart account."
For in-store shopping, the option to link your account might also appear directly on the Walmart in-store page, or it might be consolidated under a "Linked Accounts" section in your Ibotta Profile.
Tap "Link Account": Once you've located the "Link Account" button, tap it.
Sub-heading: Authorizing the Connection
Log in to Your Walmart Account: Ibotta will redirect you to a secure Walmart login page (or an in-app browser). This is where you'll enter the email address and password associated with your Walmart.com account.
Pro Tip: Make sure you're logging into the correct Walmart account, especially if you have multiple family members who might use Walmart services.
Grant Permissions: Walmart will ask for your permission to share purchase data with Ibotta. Don't worry, this doesn't include your payment information. It's simply to allow Ibotta to see your purchases and match them with available offers. Tap "Approve" or "Allow."
Confirmation: Once successfully linked, Ibotta will provide a confirmation message, letting you know your Walmart account is now connected!
QuickTip: Keep a notepad handy.
Sub-heading: Verifying Your Linked Account
To double-check that your accounts are successfully linked:
Go to Your Ibotta Profile: From the Ibotta home screen, tap on your profile icon (usually in the top left corner).
Navigate to Settings: Tap on "Settings."
Find Linked Accounts: Look for a section called "Linked accounts" or "Retailer Accounts."
Confirm Walmart is Listed: You should see Walmart listed as a linked account. This confirms your connection!
Step 4: Adding Offers Before You Shop
Even with a linked account, it's still essential to add offers to your Ibotta list before you make your purchase. This tells Ibotta which cash-back opportunities you're interested in.
Sub-heading: Browse and Adding Offers
Return to the Walmart Page in Ibotta: Go back to the Walmart section of the Ibotta app.
Browse Available Offers: Scroll through the various cash-back offers. These can be for specific brands, "any brand" items (like "any brand milk"), or even store-wide offers.
Tap the Plus Sign (+): When you see an offer you want to redeem, tap the plus sign (+) button next to it to add it to "Your List."
Important: Always read the offer details carefully! Some offers have specific requirements, like purchasing a certain size, flavor, or quantity.
Step 5: Shopping and Earning Cash Back
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Now for the fun part – shopping and watching that cash back accumulate!
Sub-heading: For Walmart Online (Grocery Pickup & Delivery)
Start with Ibotta: Always start your online Walmart shopping by launching Walmart through the Ibotta app. On the Walmart online page in Ibotta, tap the "Shop" button. This will redirect you to the Walmart app or website.
Add Items to Your Cart: Shop as you normally would on Walmart's platform, adding qualifying items to your cart.
Checkout: Complete your purchase, whether it's for pickup or delivery.
Automatic Cash Back: Because your accounts are linked and you started through Ibotta, the cash back will be automatically applied to your Ibotta account within a few hours to 72 hours of your order being placed or received. You generally won't need to submit a receipt.
Sub-heading: For Walmart In-Store Shopping
Tip: Skim only after you’ve read fully once.
Add Offers: Before you head to the store, make sure you've added all desired offers to your Ibotta list (as described in Step 4).
Shop as Usual: Purchase your items at Walmart.
Use a Connected Payment Method (Highly Recommended): If you've saved a credit or debit card to your Walmart account that's also connected to Ibotta, your cash back should be automatic. However, for in-store purchases, it's often still recommended to submit your receipt as a backup, especially for the first few times.
Submitting Your Paper Receipt (If Not Using Connected Payment or for Backup):
After your purchase, open the Ibotta app.
Go to the Walmart In-store page and tap "Submit Receipt."
Review "Your List" to ensure all offers you expect cash back for are selected.
Scan the receipt barcode or enter the TC# (transaction code) found at the bottom of your physical receipt.
Confirm the offers you purchased.
Tap "Confirm and submit."
Cash back typically appears within 72 hours. Keep your physical receipt until your cash back is confirmed!
Step 6: Watch Your Savings Grow!
Once your purchases are processed, your cash back will appear in your Ibotta account. You can track your earnings directly within the app.
Sub-heading: Withdrawing Your Earnings
Reach the Minimum Threshold: Once your Ibotta earnings reach the minimum withdrawal amount (typically $20), you can cash out!
Choose Your Withdrawal Method: Ibotta offers various options:
Direct Deposit: Transfer funds directly to your bank account.
PayPal: Transfer funds to your PayPal account.
Gift Cards: Redeem your earnings for gift cards to popular retailers, including Walmart!
Congratulations! You've successfully linked your Walmart and Ibotta accounts and are well on your way to earning significant cash back on your everyday shopping.
10 Related FAQ Questions
Here are some common questions you might have about linking Walmart and Ibotta:
How to troubleshoot if my Walmart account isn't linking to Ibotta?
Quick Answer: Double-check your Walmart login credentials. Ensure you're entering the correct email and password for your Walmart.com account. Try refreshing the Ibotta app, or even uninstalling and reinstalling it. Also, check Ibotta's help center for any reported issues with the Walmart connection.
How to ensure I get cash back for Walmart Grocery Pickup & Delivery?
Quick Answer: Always start your shopping journey by clicking the "Shop" button on the Walmart Online page within the Ibotta app. This ensures the purchase is tracked correctly. Also, make sure your Walmart account is linked in Ibotta and you've added the relevant offers before placing your order.
Tip: Don’t skip — flow matters.
How to submit a Walmart paper receipt if my account isn't linked, or I paid with cash?
Quick Answer: After shopping, go to the Walmart In-store page in the Ibotta app, tap "Submit receipt," select the offers you purchased, and then scan the barcode or manually enter the TC# (transaction code) from the bottom of your physical receipt.
How to find the TC# on my Walmart receipt?
Quick Answer: The TC# (Transaction Code) is typically a long string of numbers printed at the very bottom of your physical Walmart receipt, often near a barcode.
How to check if my Walmart account is successfully linked in Ibotta?
Quick Answer: Go to your Ibotta Profile > Settings > Linked accounts. You should see Walmart listed there.
How to unlink my Walmart account from Ibotta?
Quick Answer: In Ibotta, go to Profile > Settings > Linked accounts. Find Walmart and there should be an option to "Unlink" or "Disconnect."
How to ensure I don't miss out on offers when shopping at Walmart?
Quick Answer: Always browse and add all the offers you intend to purchase to "Your List" in Ibotta before you go shopping or place your online order.
How to redeem offers for produce or items without barcodes at Walmart?
Quick Answer: For many produce items, Ibotta offers are based on weight or a general category. When submitting a receipt, you might be prompted to confirm these items based on your receipt details, rather than scanning a barcode. Ensure you've added the relevant offer to your list beforehand.
How to get help if my cash back isn't appearing from a Walmart purchase?
Quick Answer: First, wait the typical processing time (up to 72 hours). If it still doesn't appear, check your Ibotta account for any pending status or notifications. If still unresolved, contact Ibotta's Care Team through their help center with details of your purchase.
How to use Walmart Pay and Ibotta together?
Quick Answer: While Ibotta historically had issues with e-receipts from Walmart Pay, the best way now is to ensure your Walmart account (where your payment method is saved) is linked directly to Ibotta. This is designed to automate the cash back process without needing a physical receipt scan when using Walmart Pay or online pickup/delivery.
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