Upside is unique among many of its reward app peers because it pays actual cash. Not gift cards. Cash to your bank account or PayPal. While gas is at the forefront of the app, groceries and restaurants provide additional avenues to earn with the app. With over 100,000 participating locations across the US, a very solid BBB rating (A+) and a steady flow of users reporting real payouts over years, we like this app and provide details below as to why.
Quick Facts
| Platform Name | Upside |
| Earning Potential | 5 to 25 cents/gallon on gas |
| Typical Duration | Bank transfer, PayPal, or gift cards |
| Payment Frequency | Cash back within 10 days of purchase |
| Required Equipment | Smartphone, debit or credit card |
What’s Inside
- Is Upside 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 Upside
- Final Verdict: Is Upside worth your time?
- Frequently Asked Questions
Is Upside real and safe?
Upside is a BBB-accredited company with many happy users resulting with an A+ rating. Long-term users of the app report earning real cash deposited to their bank accounts. You would imagine this translates to a high rating from us as well, but there are some caveats. In our review of third-party platforms, some Trustpilot users report of transactions sitting as pending without credit and actual cash back received being less than advertised. Another frustrating report touches on slow or even fully unresponsive customer support, this is not good. However, it is tough to distinguish between disgruntled users and potentially exaggerated claims, which is why we don’t write this app off all together and still suggest it as worth trying.
How hard is it to sign up?
Free and easy, taking a grand total on average of under five minutes. You will download the app on either your Apple or Android phone, create an account with email and then lastly add the debit or credit card you plan to use for purchases.
That is the key part as unlike receipt scanning apps, Upside automatically monitors transactions from the cards you connect to the app. Sign up offers vary, but new users will usually get an extra 25 cents per gallon on their first gas fill-up.
💡 Insider Tip:
With Upside, you have to act before you buy, not after. This is opposite to most reward apps. Open the app, find the location on the map, tap claim, then go do your purchase.
Can I do this whenever I want?
Like most rewards apps, Upside is fully at your leisure. You open the app, see what is available near you, claim and go. Offers will refresh frequently and are based on your location. The app is super user friendly and works like a map showing partner gas stations, restaurants, and grocery stores around you with their current cash back rate displayed.
Availability can be a bit challenging and is better in urban and suburban areas near major chains. Many rural users report fewer opportunities and participating locations, plus smaller offer amounts. That said, the map feature lets new users see what is actually available before expecting real savings.
How much money can you really make?
Earning potential is real, especially if you are consistent and checking special offers on the in-app map. Here are three primary location types where you can earn:
– Gas stations (primary use case): 5 to 25 cents per gallon, with first-fill bonuses. Quick math will tell you that a 15-gallon fill-up at 15 cents back earns $2.25.
– Restaurants: 6% to 30%+ back depending on the location and offers constantly will change.
– Grocery stores: can provide up to 10% back.
Of course this is not life-changing money but it is taking advantage of what you already are doing. If you drive daily and eat out a few times a week, based on common spending patterns, a consistent Upside user may find it possible to save $15 to $50 per month with minimal extra effort.
When and how do you get paid?
Your credit or debit card are connected so there isn’t a big delay from submitting receipts to claim rewards. Additionally because you are earning cash back (unless you request otherwise), your rewards normally arrives within 10 days of the claimed purchase.
There are three cash-out methods you can take advantage of: direct to your bank account (minimum $1.00), PayPal (minimum $1.00) or as a digital gift card. Like with all rewards apps we suggest you cash out whenever your balance is above the minimum instead of banking and waiting.
What stuff do you need to start?
A smartphone and a debit or credit card. That is really it. If you are a big cash user, unfortunately this app is not for you as everything is digitally tracked automatically meaning you can’t scan and submit receipts. Another item worth noting is that unlike other rewards apps, Upside does not allow you to earn cashback if you are paying via EBT, SNAP or WIC.
Is the work easy or hard?
A lot of the process is automated so the experience is fairly straightforward and simple. We will stress again that this app requires more effort upfront as you are required to claim an offer (what you plan to buy) before you actually make the transaction. As a backup, many users will still take and store photos of their purchase receipts in case there is ever contention about purchases. We really don’t know the benefit of this because everything is automatically recorded given your credit / debit card is connected to the app and you are unable to claim purchases made via non-connected cards.
The Pros and Cons of Upside
| The Pros | The Cons |
|---|---|
| Real cash: Bank or PayPal, not just gift cards. | Pending issues: Support can be slow. |
| Stackable: Works alongside credit card rewards. | Claim first: Forgetting to claim before buying voids the offer. |
| 100,000+ locations: Gas, grocery, and restaurant coverage. | Rural gaps: Far fewer offers outside cities and suburbs. |
Final Verdict: Is Upside worth your time?
If you drive regularly and live near or in a bigger city, it is worth it because you will have lots of options and participating locations. We really like the automation via the connected cards as it is genuinely better than the manual work other rewards apps require. Cash is always king and while you still can earn gift cards, the cash option is always appealing. The only thing holding Upside back from a 3-star review is that reported pending transactions and advertised-versus-actual rates are a bit concerning, but not a deal killer because there are too many positives to ignore.
The Bottom Line: In our assessment, this is a strong app to stack with. Whether it be other rewards apps or your credit card rewards, it is a genuinely good way to maximize rewards on individual purchases. Gas isn’t getting cheaper and $20 to $50 per month in real cash is a realistic outcome for minimal effort so we say give it a shot.
Frequently Asked Questions
First check that you claimed the offer before purchasing and paid with the card you registered in the app. If both are confirmed, upload your receipt through the help section.
Yes and you should. Using a cash back or rewards credit card on top of an Upside offer stacks your savings on the same purchase. Upside tracks the transaction through your card data, not by limiting which card you use.
Upside works at many major chains including Shell, BP, Exxon, Mobil, Chevron, Sunoco, and others, but not every location of every brand participates. Check the map in the app to see which specific stations near you are active.
Upside pays a bonus per gallon earned by people you refer when they make their first qualifying gas purchase. The referral rate varies by promotion. You find your referral code in the app and share it directly.
Double check your state but cash back on personal purchases is treated by the IRS as a rebate, not income, for most everyday spending situations. For unusually large referral bonuses or promotional payouts, consult a tax professional about your specific situation.
