Ibotta has revolutionized the way we save money, making it easier than ever to earn cash back on everyday purchases. While many users are familiar with scanning receipts or linking loyalty cards for grocery offers, one of Ibotta's most powerful yet often overlooked features is the ability to purchase gift cards directly through the app and earn instant cash back. This method allows you to save money on your entire purchase at participating retailers, rather than just specific items.
Ready to dive into a smarter way to save? Let's break down exactly how buying gift cards on Ibotta works, step by step!
How Does Buying Gift Cards on Ibotta Work? A Comprehensive Guide
Buying gift cards through Ibotta is a seamless process that integrates directly into your shopping experience, whether you're in-store or shopping online. The beauty of this system is the instant cash back you receive, which means your earnings hit your Ibotta account almost immediately, allowing you to build up your balance faster.
Step 1: Getting Started - Setting Up Your Ibotta Account and Payment
Before you can unlock the power of Ibotta gift cards, you need to ensure your Ibotta account is properly set up and ready to go.
Sub-heading: Download and Register
First things first, if you haven't already, download the free Ibotta app from your device's app store (available for iOS and Android). Once downloaded, follow the prompts to create your account. This usually involves providing an email address, creating a password, and verifying your phone number.
Sub-heading: Link a Payment Method
This is a crucial step for purchasing gift cards. Ibotta needs a linked payment method to facilitate the gift card purchase.
Navigate to your Account: In the Ibotta app, tap on the "Account" icon, usually found in the bottom navigation bar.
Access Payment Methods: Look for a section like "Payments" or "Payment methods" within your account settings.
Add a Debit Card: Ibotta primarily uses debit cards for gift card purchases. Tap on "Add a debit card" and carefully enter your card details. Ensure all information is accurate to avoid any issues.
Pro Tip: Some users might also be able to link their Ibotta account to Google Pay for quicker transactions, though a debit card is the most common and widely supported method for direct gift card purchases.
Step 2: Discovering Gift Card Offers - Finding Your Favorite Retailers
Once your payment method is linked, you're ready to explore the vast array of gift cards available.
Sub-heading: Locate the Gift Card Section
From the Ibotta app's home screen, look for a section or button labeled "Gift cards" or similar. It's often prominently displayed under a "Shop by category" section. Tapping this will take you to the dedicated gift card marketplace within Ibotta.
Sub-heading: Browse or Search for Retailers
Within the gift card section, you'll find a list of participating retailers. Ibotta partners with hundreds of popular stores and restaurants, covering a wide range of categories like:
Groceries: Walmart, Target, Kroger (and its affiliates), etc.
Restaurants & Dining: Starbucks, Chipotle, Domino's, etc.
Home Improvement: Lowe's, Home Depot, etc.
Clothing & Apparel: Kohl's, Old Navy, etc.
Entertainment: AMC Theatres, Fandango, etc.
And many more!
You can usually scroll through the list or use the search bar at the top to quickly find a specific retailer. Pay attention to the cash back percentage offered next to each retailer – this is the immediate savings you'll get!
Sub-heading: Check Denominations and Minimums
Before selecting a retailer, be aware that:
Cash Back Percentage: The percentage of cash back varies by retailer and can change.
Minimum Amounts: Some gift cards might have minimum purchase requirements. For example, you might need to buy a minimum of $5 or $10.
Denominations: While you typically enter the exact amount you want, some retailers might have specific increments available.
Step 3: Purchasing Your Gift Card - The Instant Cash Back Moment
This is where the magic happens! The process of buying the gift card is quick and designed for immediate use.
Sub-heading: Select Retailer and Enter Amount
Tap on the retailer you wish to purchase a gift card for. You'll then be prompted to enter the exact amount you want on the gift card. This is particularly useful if you're shopping in-store and know your total.
Sub-heading: Review and Confirm Purchase
Before finalizing, Ibotta will show you a review screen displaying:
The retailer
The gift card amount
The instant cash back you'll receive
The payment method being used
Take a moment to double-check everything to ensure accuracy. If everything looks correct, tap "Review purchase" or "Complete purchase" to proceed. You may need to confirm your linked debit card or enter your Ibotta password.
Sub-heading: Receive Your Digital Gift Card Instantly
Once the purchase is confirmed, Ibotta will generate a digital gift card (barcode and/or unique gift card number and PIN) almost instantly within the app. This is the code you'll use to pay at checkout. Your cash back will also be immediately added to your Ibotta earnings balance.
Step 4: Using Your Ibotta Gift Card - In-Store and Online
Now that you have your digital gift card, it's time to use it for your purchase!
Sub-heading: In-Store Payments
When you're at the physical store and ready to pay:
Access the Gift Card: Go back to the "Gift cards" section in your Ibotta app. You'll usually find your active, unspent gift cards listed there. Tap on the one you just purchased.
Present to Cashier: A barcode will appear on your screen. Present this barcode to the cashier to scan as payment. If there's no scanner, they might manually enter the gift card number and PIN.
Important Note: Ensure the amount on your gift card covers your total purchase. If your purchase exceeds the gift card amount, you'll need to pay the remaining balance with another payment method. If it's less, the remaining balance stays on the gift card for future use.
Sub-heading: Online Payments
If you're shopping online at a participating retailer:
Copy Gift Card Details: Open the digital gift card in your Ibotta app. You'll typically find the gift card number and PIN displayed.
Enter at Checkout: During the online checkout process, look for the option to pay with a gift card. Enter the gift card number and PIN when prompted.
Sub-heading: Managing Your Gift Cards
Ibotta provides a convenient "wallet" within the app to manage your purchased gift cards. You can see:
Spent Cards: Gift cards you've fully used.
Unspent Cards: Gift cards with remaining balances.
Gifted Cards: If you chose to send a gift card to someone else.
While Ibotta doesn't automatically update the remaining balance on gift cards, you can manually adjust the displayed balance in the app to help you keep track. This is helpful for budgeting and knowing how much you have left.
Step 5: Maximizing Your Savings - Tips and Tricks
To truly make the most of buying gift cards on Ibotta, consider these additional tips:
Sub-heading: Stack Your Savings
Combine with Ibotta Offers: In some cases, you might be able to stack your gift card purchase cash back with other Ibotta offers for specific items you buy at that retailer. Always check the individual offer details for exclusions.
Retailer Sales & Coupons: The gift card acts just like cash, so you can still use any valid retailer coupons or take advantage of sales when paying with your Ibotta-purchased gift card. This can lead to significant combined savings!
Sub-heading: Use Earnings to Buy Gift Cards
Once you've accumulated at least $20 in your Ibotta earnings, you can choose to withdraw your cash back as a gift card! This is like getting "free money" in the form of a gift card, and sometimes you can even earn a small percentage back on the gift card you're purchasing with your earnings – talk about cash back on cash back!
Sub-heading: Gifting Made Easy
Ibotta also allows you to purchase gift cards and send them directly as gifts to friends and family via text or email. This makes it a convenient option for last-minute presents while still earning cash back for yourself.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 10 common questions about buying gift cards on Ibotta, with quick answers:
How to get started with buying gift cards on Ibotta?
To get started, download the Ibotta app, create an account, and link a debit card as your payment method under the "Account" -> "Payments" section.
How to find available gift cards in the Ibotta app?
On the Ibotta app's home screen, look for the "Gift cards" section, usually found under "Shop by category," and tap on it to browse or search for retailers.
How to know how much cash back I will get on a gift card?
The cash back percentage for each retailer's gift card is displayed directly next to the retailer's name in the Ibotta gift card section.
How to use an Ibotta-purchased gift card in a physical store?
Once you purchase the gift card in the app, access it from your Ibotta gift card wallet and present the generated barcode to the cashier for scanning.
How to use an Ibotta-purchased gift card for online shopping?
Copy the gift card number and PIN from the digital gift card in your Ibotta app and enter them during the online checkout process on the retailer's website.
How to check the balance of an Ibotta-purchased gift card?
You cannot check the actual balance from within the Ibotta app. You'll need to follow the retailer's specific process for checking gift card balances (e.g., on their website or by calling customer service). You can, however, manually update the displayed balance in the Ibotta app for your own tracking.
How to combine Ibotta gift card cash back with other offers?
In many cases, you can combine the instant cash back from buying the gift card with item-specific Ibotta offers at the same retailer. Always check individual offer details for any exclusions or stacking rules.
How to use my Ibotta earnings to buy gift cards?
Once your Ibotta earnings balance reaches $20 or more, you can choose to "Withdraw Cash" from your account and select a gift card as your payout method.
How to send an Ibotta-purchased gift card to someone else?
When purchasing a gift card, Ibotta often provides an option to toggle "This is a gift" which allows you to send the digital gift card to another recipient via text or email.
How to handle returns for items bought with an Ibotta gift card?
For returns, refer to the retailer's return policy. They will typically refund the amount back to your gift card code, provide store credit, or issue a new gift card. Note that returning items may reverse any cash back you earned on that purchase.