Upside App Review: Real Cash Back on Gas, Groceries & More

If you have a cash back credit card, you know how sweet it is to get a little extra money in your pocket on your purchases. However, you can get that same magical perk with cash back apps. There are several to choose from, and one of the most popular is Upside. The free app helps you earn cash back on stuff you’re spending money on all the time, like food and gas. In fact, people who use it regularly earn hundreds per year. Our Upside app review will tell you what you need to know about the app and how you can do the same.

What Is the Upside App and How Does It Work?

Upside is a cash back app that helps you earn money back on gas, groceries and dining. Just download the Upside app, set up a free account and check the map to find participating stores near you. When you’re ready, claim an offer, tap “Check In” before you pay with your linked card — easy money for a few seconds of your time. And, you can cash out your earnings through your bank account, PayPal or with gift cards. 

There’s more than 100,000 locations nationwide where you can get in on these cash back offers. For gas, it includes BP, Circle K, Shell and more. Dining and grocery partners include favorites like Taco Bell, Domino’s, Giant Eagle and Price Chopper.

Getting money back on everyday purchases sounds great, but is Upside legit? The app is free to download and there’s no membership fee. So what’s the catch? Businesses partner with cash back apps as a way to get more traffic to their stores, so that’s how they make money. The main downside is that the app doesn’t work absolutely everywhere. 

How Much Can You Earn With Upside?

The average cash back rate for groceries and dining is 8%. For gas, you can earn an average of 11 cents per gallon. However, the app shows you participating local gas stations where you can beat the pump price by as much as 25 cents per gallon. 

It might not seem like a lot per purchase, but it adds up, and consistency is key. People who use the app regularly earn as much as $290 every year. That’s cash money deposited straight into your PayPal or bank account. Or redeem it for a gift card from popular brands like Amazon and Starbucks. 

So how much you can earn really depends on how often you use it. But people find it generally easy to use, so working it into your day-to-day life shouldn’t be too much of a struggle. 

Pros of Using the Upside App

Now that you know how it all works, here are the main benefits of using Upside. 

• You get real cash back  — no points system.
• The app is easy to use.
• Potential for stacking cash back with debit and credit card rewards.
• Claiming offers and cashing out is relatively low effort.

Cons and Limitations of Upside

These are some of the downsides you may run into when using Upside. 

• The offers vary pretty significantly depending on where you are.
• Some reports of delays or rejections when it comes to cashing in. Processing can take up to seven business days, depending on the method.
• There’s a minimum payout threshold. You’ll pay a $1 fee for bank cash outs under $10 and PayPal cash outs under $15.
• You have to claim an offer before you make your purchase or it won’t earn cash back. Then you have four hours to claim it at gas stations and restaurants and 24 hours at grocery stores. After that, the offer expires.

Is Upside Legit and Safe to Use?

Upside is the real deal and it’s safe. You can get real cash back from it. Reviews also are generally positive, however there are complaints about minimal offers in some areas, difficulty contacting customer service and cash back claims getting rejected. Your best bet is to make sure you follow Upside’s directions exactly. Offers can expire or not work if you go to the wrong location. 

It’s also a good idea to keep your expectations realistic. This isn’t an app that gets you huge payouts immediately. The average annual savings of $290 translates to less than $1 a day. But, it gets you cash back on stuff you were going to buy anyway, and the business partner enjoys the sale it might not have made if there wasn’t that cash back offer to draw you there. It’s intended to be a win for everyone.

Upside Compared to Other Cash Back Apps (Ibotta, Rakuten, Fetch)

Other cash back apps work in a similar way but have some differences. For example, Rakuten offers cash back on retail, dining and travel but not gas. And the cash back you can get changes and varies widely. It can be as low as 1% or even as high as 20%. Ibotta’s model is more like Upside’s. You download the app and register, then browse through offers at partner businesses. How much you get back depends on the retailer and the offer. Fetch, however, is a rewards app. You rack up points by shopping and playing games then get free gift cards in return. 

Actionable Tips to Maximize Your Upside Earnings

Getting the most out of Upside will depend on a few factors. Some are out of your control, such as which offers are available in your area. But here are a few things you can do to up your payout potential. 

• Make sure you claim offers before making purchases — the offers expire within a certain timeframe.
• Link your preferred payment method and use it consistently.
• Enable push notifications or check the app regularly for new offers.
• Hang on to your receipts until you get the cash back. Sometimes an uploading error is all it takes to put a snag in getting your money.
• Take advantage of the referral program.

You can cash out any time, and you’ll get your money within two days of initiating a transfer. Download the Upside app and use code PENNY25 to get an extra 25 cents per gallon off your first purchase.

FAQs About the Upside App