Go Fetch! No I am not talking to your dog, I am giving you a suggestion of how to earn rewards for doing something you already do! With Fetch Rewards you scan or submit your receipts, whether they be grocery or your latest Amazon purchase. In return Fetch pays you with gift cards for this simple action and not only is it legitimate, it’s kind of fun too! In the crowded space of rewards apps, this opportunity stands alone as our favorite because not only is it trustworthy, it works almost everywhere! Let’s dig into the details.
Quick Facts
| Platform Name | Fetch Rewards |
| Earning Potential | $10 to $30/month average |
| Typical Duration | Takes 5 minutes per month |
| Payment Frequency | On-demand |
| Required Equipment | Smartphone |
What’s Inside
- Is Fetch real and safe?
- How hard is it to sign up?
- Can I do this whenever I want?
- How much money can you really make?
- When and how do you get paid?
- What stuff do you need to start?
- Is the work easy or hard?
- The Pros and Cons of Fetch
- Final Verdict: Is Fetch worth your time?
- Frequently Asked Questions
Is Fetch real and safe?
In our view, Fetch is a legitimate, well-established platform based on its long-standing history and reported user base. The company founded in 2013 and headquartered in Madison, Wisconsin. The app reports having 17 million active American users and has paid out over $1 billion in gift card rewards. Yes, that is billion with B.
It is worth mentioning that although none of the receipt data is directly attributed back to you, the way Fetch makes money is by selling shopping data to their partner brands (who want to understand consumer behavior.) Again, the data is anonymous but if sharing shopping history with third parties worries you, be aware this is how they earn the money to pay out the rewards.
How hard is it to sign up?
Joining Fetch is as easy as downloading the free app and signing up with your email. That’s it. No interview, no approval process, no minimum activity. You can sign up and earn points within five minutes of downloading by submitting receipts that are less than 15 days old.
💡 Insider Tip:
To maximize your reward earnings make sure you check out the Special Offers section. These are brand-specific deals that pay bigger bonuses compared to general receipt scans.
Can I do this whenever I want?
So long as you are submitting your receipts within 14 days of purchase, you can do this whenever you would like. The only other time restrictions are sometimes attached to special offers, which may have shorter windows or a limited number of participants so frequently checking that section is a suggestion we make.
To keep your account in good standing, you will also need to submit at least one receipt every 90 days. Otherwise, your points are in jeopardy of expiring.
How much money can you really make?
Assuming you have average shopping habits, a typical household scanning all groceries, drugstore, and restaurant receipts will earn $10 to $30 per month in gift cards. These are from popular retailers like Walmart, Target or Amazon.
Non-partner receipts earn 25 base points ($0.025) whereas special offer receipts can pay significantly more. Fetch also seems to be expanding the ways you can earn with new opportunities such as mobile games and payouts from those very drastically.
When and how do you get paid?
You need to earn 10,000 points before you’re able to initiate a cash out. Request for payment which once again is in the form of electronic gift cards delivered via email, usually happens only a couple minutes after submission (processing times can vary.) While your first redemption requires 10,000 points ($10), subsequent requests can be made once you reach a 3,000 point ($3) minimum.
One thing that is kind of annoying is that they tier gift card value by retailer. For example, Amazon costs more points than some other options. Check the rates in the app before redeeming to ensure you are not surprised.
What stuff do you need to start?
A smartphone. iOS or Android. The app is free. No credit card, no banking information, no fees. Fetch specifically states it will never ask for your credit card or bank account number.
Is the work easy or hard?
If you know how to take photos or forward emails it’s as easy as that. Long receipts require multiple photos and blurry or obscured photos get rejected. They use OCR (optical character recognition) as opposed to a human manually reviewing them, which is why photo quality is key.
Some of the other earning options that are more lucrative, such as playing games, tend to be more involved because not only are you downloading a game, but you need to get a specific level playing before you’re earning Fetch points for your effort.
The Pros and Cons of Fetch
| The Pros | The Cons |
|---|---|
| 17M users, A+ BBB: Most popular receipt app in the US. | Gift cards only: No PayPal or bank transfer option. |
| Any receipt: Works at most stores. | Slow to the first cashout: 10,000 points needed initially. |
| $1B+ paid out: Track record of real rewards delivered. | Points expire: 90-day inactivity wipes your balance. |
Final Verdict: Is Fetch worth your time?
Based on our assessment, we believe this is a clear ‘yes’ for those looking for a low-effort way to earn rewards. It is a way to earn gift cards doing something you already have easy access to and the effort is truly minimal aside from the games we talked about.
The Bottom Line: Download it. Five minutes per week earns $10 to $30 per month in gift cards for purchases you were making anyway. It will not change your life but it feels good getting rewarded.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Fetch accepts receipts from grocery stores, drugstores, gas stations, convenience stores, and most restaurants. Any receipt with a store name, date, and total qualifies for at least base points. Partner brand purchases on those receipts earn bonus points on top. Digital receipts from email also count and connect automatically when you link your email account in the app.
Receipts older than 14 days are not accepted. There is no way to submit a late receipt. The simplest fix is making it a habit to scan immediately at the checkout counter before you leave the store. Some users photograph the receipt in the parking lot.
No, if you are travelling outside of the US the app will not work.
Yes. Using multiple apps on the same receipt is allowed and common. Ibotta, Fetch and Upside can all be applied to overlapping purchases at the same store in the same trip.
If you receive very large amounts through referral bonuses or promotional events, check with a tax professional about whether your specific situation requires reporting.
