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How to Get Free Gift Cards Without Spending Money
Shopping isn’t the only way to earn free gift cards (although we’ll get to that in a minute). Here are a few options for earning rewards that don’t require you to spend money.
1. Try out a new search engine
When you make Swagbucks your default search engine, you earn points each time you browse. Swagbucks isn’t clear on exactly how many points each search is worth, but you’ll receive a notification each time they credit your account. You won’t earn free gift cards fast with this method, but the upside is that it requires very little effort.
Swagbucks also offers a $10 sign-up bonus for new members. You only need $3 to cash out for free gift card codes or $25 to exchange your points for PayPal cash.
2. Scan product barcodes at your local stores
When you download app you can earn points (called Kicks) just for walking into certain stores such as Target or CVS. Once you’re inside the store, earn additional Kicks by scanning products in the app. If you have kids in tow, you can turn it into a family scavenger hunt — keep them entertained while earning rewards in the process.
While you’re waiting in line to check out or if you can find a few free minutes in your day, earn more Kicks for watching in-app videos. The exchange rate is roughly 250 Kicks per dollar. Choose free gift cards to clothing retailers like American Eagle and Aerie or department stores such as Target or Walmart.
Bonus: Get a free $5 if you sign up with code DS5 and make an in-store scan within 7 days of installing the app.
3. Use Instagram to find gift card giveaways
The best way to find these opportunities is to search for hashtags like:
#giveaway
#contest
#sweepstakes
#freebie
#freebiefriday
Instagram allows you to follow hashtags, which means you don’t have to manually search these terms every day. Instead, once you follow the hashtags, they’ll show up in your feed automatically. If you win any of these giveaways, the host should get in touch and let you know how to claim your prize.
4. Refer friends to services you love
Banks, apps (Airbnb, Uber, Lyft, etc.), games, and retail websites are all good places to start. Check to see if any of your favorites have referral programs. If they do, grab your referral link or code and send it to people you think would also enjoy or benefit from using it.
Anyone you refer will likely need to complete a certain action, such as setting up direct deposit or booking their first ride or trip, before you receive your referral reward. Be sure to read the program details for each one so you know what to expect.
5. Ask for free gift cards instead of gifts
All you have to do is ask. When it’s a gift-giving season or your birthday and people ask you what you want, tell them you’d like gift cards to your favorite store. Or, if you want the flexibility to spend your free gift card money in more than one place, ask for a Visa prepaid debit card.
Your friends and loved ones want to get you something that you genuinely want. Some people think gift cards are a cop-out, but in some cases, they actually make the perfect gift.
If you’re saving for a large purchase like a new MacBook Pro or home appliance, tell your friends and family how gift cards would help lower the expense. More than likely, they’ll be glad to help you reach your goal.
6. Shop online with Wikibuy
First, you must have the Wikibuy browser extension installed. Once it’s installed, shop online normally and when you see Wikibuy pop up with a rewards offer, click on it. Once that’s activated, you’ll receive Wikibuy reward credits if you make any qualifying purchases.
You can also earn Wikibuy credits when you link a credit card and use that card at a participating store. Wikibuy credits are usually disbursed within seven days of purchase.
7. Buy groceries with Ibotta
In the app, you’ll find offers for cash back on various products. Select the ones you want, then claim the offers by completing a simple task (read a short fact, answer a poll, etc.).
Purchase the item and upload your receipt to the app to redeem your cash-back offer. If you link your store loyalty card, then you can skip the receipt upload and get paid automatically within 48 hours of your shopping trip.
Once you reach $20 in your Ibotta account, you can cash out through PayPal or select free gift cards from major retailers like Lowes, Home Depot, iTunes, Starbucks, and dozens more.
Something unique about this app is that you can participate as part of a team. Build up your network and earn rewards faster together than you would as an individual. You can also earn rewards by referring friends and taking advantage of bonus offers in the app.
8. Shop with Drop
One option is to shop offers directly through the app. You can also link a credit or debit card and earn points automatically when you shop at your chosen retailers. If you like the app and share it with others, you’ll earn another 5,000 points for the first 10 friends you refer who link a card and confirm their email address.
It can take 5-8 days to see the rewards from purchases with your linked retailers and up to 60 days for in-app offers. Once you reach 5,000 points, equal to $5, you can redeem them for gift cards to Netflix, Starbucks, or other popular retailers.
9. Join Fetch Rewards
You don’t have to preselect your offers with Fetch Rewards. Just download the free app, shop as you normally would, then scan your receipts after.
Fetch Rewards partners with some of the biggest household brand names, including Pull-Ups, Dove, Lay’s, and dozens more. According to their site, “Every time you purchase one of these brands you are guaranteed to get points and save on your shopping trip.”
You can also earn points for referring friends and family. Every time someone signs up through your referral link, you’ll each receive 2,000 points when they submit their first receipt. There’s no limit to how many people you can refer.
You need at least 3,000 points to cash out for free gift cards to retailers such as Airbnb, Sephora, Best Buy, and Stitch Fix. However, some offers require a minimum of 5,000 points or more.
10. Leverage a rewards credit card
However, if you don’t have credit card debt and trust yourself to only spend what you can pay off every month, then consider getting a rewards credit card. These cards typically pay 1-3% in cash back or travel points, depending on the card.
Some offer higher rewards for certain categories, such as groceries or travel, and there are many rewards credit cards with no annual fees. You’ll need to do some research to figure out which card makes the most sense for you.
Shopping isn’t the only way to earn free gift cards (although we’ll get to that in a minute). Here are a few options for earning rewards that don’t require you to spend money.
1. Try out a new search engine
- Earning Potential: 2.5/5.0 stars
- Minimum to Cash Out: $3
When you make Swagbucks your default search engine, you earn points each time you browse. Swagbucks isn’t clear on exactly how many points each search is worth, but you’ll receive a notification each time they credit your account. You won’t earn free gift cards fast with this method, but the upside is that it requires very little effort.
Swagbucks also offers a $10 sign-up bonus for new members. You only need $3 to cash out for free gift card codes or $25 to exchange your points for PayPal cash.
2. Scan product barcodes at your local stores
- Earning Potential: 3.5/5.0 stars
- Minimum to Cash Out: $20
When you download app you can earn points (called Kicks) just for walking into certain stores such as Target or CVS. Once you’re inside the store, earn additional Kicks by scanning products in the app. If you have kids in tow, you can turn it into a family scavenger hunt — keep them entertained while earning rewards in the process.
While you’re waiting in line to check out or if you can find a few free minutes in your day, earn more Kicks for watching in-app videos. The exchange rate is roughly 250 Kicks per dollar. Choose free gift cards to clothing retailers like American Eagle and Aerie or department stores such as Target or Walmart.
Bonus: Get a free $5 if you sign up with code DS5 and make an in-store scan within 7 days of installing the app.
3. Use Instagram to find gift card giveaways
- Earning Potential: 4.5/5.0 stars
- Minimum to Cash Out: N/A
The best way to find these opportunities is to search for hashtags like:
#giveaway
#contest
#sweepstakes
#freebie
#freebiefriday
Instagram allows you to follow hashtags, which means you don’t have to manually search these terms every day. Instead, once you follow the hashtags, they’ll show up in your feed automatically. If you win any of these giveaways, the host should get in touch and let you know how to claim your prize.
4. Refer friends to services you love
- Earning Potential: 4.0/5.0 stars
- Minimum to Cash Out: N/A
Banks, apps (Airbnb, Uber, Lyft, etc.), games, and retail websites are all good places to start. Check to see if any of your favorites have referral programs. If they do, grab your referral link or code and send it to people you think would also enjoy or benefit from using it.
Anyone you refer will likely need to complete a certain action, such as setting up direct deposit or booking their first ride or trip, before you receive your referral reward. Be sure to read the program details for each one so you know what to expect.
5. Ask for free gift cards instead of gifts
- Earning Potential: 4.5/5.0 stars
- Minimum to Cash Out: N/A
All you have to do is ask. When it’s a gift-giving season or your birthday and people ask you what you want, tell them you’d like gift cards to your favorite store. Or, if you want the flexibility to spend your free gift card money in more than one place, ask for a Visa prepaid debit card.
Your friends and loved ones want to get you something that you genuinely want. Some people think gift cards are a cop-out, but in some cases, they actually make the perfect gift.
If you’re saving for a large purchase like a new MacBook Pro or home appliance, tell your friends and family how gift cards would help lower the expense. More than likely, they’ll be glad to help you reach your goal.
6. Shop online with Wikibuy
- Earning Potential: 4.0/5.0 stars
- Minimum to Cash Out: Varies
First, you must have the Wikibuy browser extension installed. Once it’s installed, shop online normally and when you see Wikibuy pop up with a rewards offer, click on it. Once that’s activated, you’ll receive Wikibuy reward credits if you make any qualifying purchases.
You can also earn Wikibuy credits when you link a credit card and use that card at a participating store. Wikibuy credits are usually disbursed within seven days of purchase.
7. Buy groceries with Ibotta
- Earning Potential: 4.0/5.0 stars
- Minimum to Cash Out: $20
In the app, you’ll find offers for cash back on various products. Select the ones you want, then claim the offers by completing a simple task (read a short fact, answer a poll, etc.).
Purchase the item and upload your receipt to the app to redeem your cash-back offer. If you link your store loyalty card, then you can skip the receipt upload and get paid automatically within 48 hours of your shopping trip.
Once you reach $20 in your Ibotta account, you can cash out through PayPal or select free gift cards from major retailers like Lowes, Home Depot, iTunes, Starbucks, and dozens more.
Something unique about this app is that you can participate as part of a team. Build up your network and earn rewards faster together than you would as an individual. You can also earn rewards by referring friends and taking advantage of bonus offers in the app.
8. Shop with Drop
- Earning Potential: 4.5/5.0 stars
- Minimum to Cash Out: $5
One option is to shop offers directly through the app. You can also link a credit or debit card and earn points automatically when you shop at your chosen retailers. If you like the app and share it with others, you’ll earn another 5,000 points for the first 10 friends you refer who link a card and confirm their email address.
It can take 5-8 days to see the rewards from purchases with your linked retailers and up to 60 days for in-app offers. Once you reach 5,000 points, equal to $5, you can redeem them for gift cards to Netflix, Starbucks, or other popular retailers.
9. Join Fetch Rewards
- Earning Potential: 4.0/5.0 stars
- Minimum to Cash Out: $3
You don’t have to preselect your offers with Fetch Rewards. Just download the free app, shop as you normally would, then scan your receipts after.
Fetch Rewards partners with some of the biggest household brand names, including Pull-Ups, Dove, Lay’s, and dozens more. According to their site, “Every time you purchase one of these brands you are guaranteed to get points and save on your shopping trip.”
You can also earn points for referring friends and family. Every time someone signs up through your referral link, you’ll each receive 2,000 points when they submit their first receipt. There’s no limit to how many people you can refer.
You need at least 3,000 points to cash out for free gift cards to retailers such as Airbnb, Sephora, Best Buy, and Stitch Fix. However, some offers require a minimum of 5,000 points or more.
10. Leverage a rewards credit card
- Earning Potential: 4.5/5.0 stars
- Minimum to Cash Out: Varies
However, if you don’t have credit card debt and trust yourself to only spend what you can pay off every month, then consider getting a rewards credit card. These cards typically pay 1-3% in cash back or travel points, depending on the card.
Some offer higher rewards for certain categories, such as groceries or travel, and there are many rewards credit cards with no annual fees. You’ll need to do some research to figure out which card makes the most sense for you.
