If you shop online, there’s a good chance you use a cash back shopping website. Sites like Rakuten offer free cash back just by going through them to shop online.
There are plenty of websites out there that offer some kind of reward for shopping anywhere. And of course, you can always turn to a cash back credit card to earn cash back no matter where you shop.
Here’s a listing of the best cash back websites, and the best cash back credit cards in Canada.
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Cash back websites in Canada
Here’s a summary of some of the best cash back websites in Canada.
| Program | What It Offers |
|---|---|
| GeniusCash | Earn cash back on credit card approvals |
| Rakuten | Earn cash back when shopping online |
| Aeroplan eStore | Earn Aeroplan points when shopping online |
| Air Miles Shops | Earn Air Miles when shopping online |
| Great Canadian Rebates | Earn cash back or get gift cards when shopping online |
| Ampli | Earn cash back when shopping with linked credit or debit cards |
| Drop | Earn cash back when shopping with linked credit or debit cards |
| Checkout 51 | Earn cash back after purchasing partner products |
| Swagbucks | Earn cash back on things like surveys and downloading partner apps |
1. GeniusCash
We will be shameless self-promoters to get started, but we have our own cash back program with GeniusCash, and the amount of cash and prizes we’ve given away to Canadians is insane.
What is GeniusCash? It’s a program where we give you cash when you apply and get approved for select credit cards through our offers page.
All of these credit cards are vetted to have excellent rewards, welcome bonuses, and other perks, so the GeniusCash we offer is like the cherry on top – and the cherry in question is worth up to $250 cash!
With new credit cards getting the bonus every month, the chances of you finding an all-star credit card with a superb cash bonus increases every month.
And that’s not even mentioning all the life-changing giveaways. Every year, we host a Christmas giveaway, award post-secondary scholarships, and creditcardGenius has even given away a Tesla.
We’ve delighted thousands of Canadians with our GeniusCash bonuses and annual contests, and we’re sure you’ll be able to benefit just as much as they have.
Here’s where you can learn more about our GeniusCash program.
2. Rakuten
One of the most well-known cash back websites is Rakuten.
With Rakuten, you earn free cash back when shopping with over 700 online retailers.
How does it work? Browse their site, and when you find a retailer you like, click on their provided link. Complete your shopping, and you’ll earn a certain percentage back on the pre-tax amount.
Every quarter, you get your cash back paid out, as long as you have at least $5 accumulated.
How much can you get back? It depends on the retailer, but can range from 1% to as much as 30% back.
And it’s all because you used a special link – it’s crazy how easy it is.
3. Aeroplan eStore
We’ll start by stating that the Aeroplan eStore isn’t a cash back website. Instead of cash back, you earn Aeroplan points on all your purchases.
When shopping online, you can sign in to your Aeroplan account, and head to the eStore. From there, use their links and you can earn Aeroplan points.
The typical earn rate is 1 Aeroplan point per $1 spent pre-tax, which equates to a 2% return on your purchases.
Here’s our full guide to the Aeroplan eStore.
4. Air Miles Shops
Like the Aeroplan eStore, Air Miles Shops doesn’t offer cash back, but instead gives you Air Miles.
You can choose from over 200 online retailers to earn Air Miles with.
The typical earn rate is 1 mile per $20 spent, but there are promotions where you can earn more than that.
Here’s where you can learn more about airmilesshops.ca.
5. Great Canadian Rebates
Great Canadian Rebates is a cash back website centred around online shopping.
Although the website and interface are a little old-fashioned, you can earn cash back from over 700 retailers – anywhere from 1% to 7%.
You also don’t have to get cash back – you can also choose from a selection of e-gift cards.
GCR has set times they conduct payouts, and you’ll need a balance of $5 to get your payout.
6. Ampli
A newer player in the cash back website arena is Ampli. Started in 2019, it was created by RBC.
They have fewer partners – with just over 50. But you can earn your cash back anywhere. This program works by linking your credit and/or debit card to your account. When they’ve detected you’ve made a purchase at a partner retailer, you’ll earn cash back. If you have an RBC credit or debit card, you’ll earn extra rewards.
There’s no worrying about if you used the link, or having to sign in somewhere first – it’s all automatic.
You can cash out when you like once you’ve earned $15 – Ampli will send it as an Interac e-Transfer.
7. Drop
Drop Rewards is a very similar program to Ampli. Instead of using special links, you simply add your payment cards. When Drop detects that you made a purchase at a partner retailer, you’ll earn points.
However, it’s not a pure cash back website. Once you’ve earned enough points, you can redeem them for gift cards at plenty of different retailers.
8. Checkout 51
Checkout 51 is a completely different breed of cash back website. It’s essentially modern couponing.
After shopping at a store, open up the app and see if you bought any of the products. If you did, scan your receipt into the app. Once they have verified you made the purchase, they’ll put the applicable cash to your account.
After you’ve accumulated $20, they’ll send you a cheque. Simple and easy cash back.
9. Swagbucks
Swagbucks isn’t a site that rewards you for your spending. Swagbucks gives people cash back when they complete certain activities.
The most common option is completing surveys and responding to polls.
Here are a few examples of survey websites:
You can also earn cash back by signing up for featured services, accepting free samples, and downloading mobile apps.
Earn more cash back with a cash back credit card
There’s an easy way to earn cash back no matter where you shop – with a cash back credit card.
Here are some of our favourite choices.
| Credit Card | Welcome Bonus | Earn Rates | Annual Fee, Income Requirements | Apply Now |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BMO CashBack World Elite Mastercard |  $150 GeniusCash + Up to $480 cash back in the first year, first year free (terms) |
* 5% cash back on groceries, up to $500 in monthly spend * 4% cash back on transit, up to $300 in monthly spend * 3% cash back on gas, up to $300 in monthly spend * 2% cash back on recurring bills, up to $500 in monthly spend * 1% cash back on all other purchases |
* $120 * $80K personal/$150K household |
Apply Now |
| Scotia Momentum Visa Infinite Card | $20 GeniusCash + 10% cash back for the first 3 months, first year free (terms) |
* 4% cash back on groceries and recurring bill payments * 2% cash back on gas and transit * 1% cash back on all other purchases |
* $120 * $60K personal/$100K household |
Apply Now |
| Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card | $125 GeniusCash + 10% extra cash back for the first 2 months (terms) |
* 2% cash back on purchases in up to 3 Money-Back Categories * 0.5% cash back on all other purchases |
* $0 * $12K personal |
Apply Now |
| SimplyCash Preferred Card from American Express | 10% cash back for the first 3 months + $50 (terms) | * 4% cash back on gas and groceries * 2% cash back on all other purchases |
* $119.88 * None |
Apply Now |
| Brim Mastercard | None | * 0.5% cash back on all purchases |
* $0 * $15K personal |
Apply Now |
1. A cash back credit card with free roadside assistance
GC: $150
The BMO CashBack World Elite Mastercard is a top-rated cash back credit card, with a variety of high earn rates on purchases.
Here’s what you’ll earn on your purchases:
- 5% cash back on groceries, up to $500 in monthly spend
- 4% cash back on transit, up to $300 in monthly spend
- 3% cash back on gas, up to $300 in monthly spend
- 2% cash back on recurring bills, up to $500 in monthly spend
- 1% cash back on all other purchases
Some impressive earn rates, however just note the monthly caps that are in effect.
But it offers so much more than rewards. It offers one of the rarest credit perks around – free roadside assistance. You can save yourself an annual membership fee just by having this card.
It also offers:
- 13 types of insurance,
- World Elite Mastercard benefits, and
- the ability to redeem cash back on demand, with an amount as little as $1.
The annual fee for all this? $120, with income requirements of either $80,000 personal or $150,000 household.
2. A cash back credit card for groceries and recurring bills
GC: $20
For those with high grocery bills and plenty of recurring bills, the Scotia Momentum Visa Infinite Card fits your bill.
Here’s what you’ll earn:
- 4% cash back on groceries and recurring bill payments
- 2% cash back on gas and transit
- 1% cash back on all other purchases
It does offer a few things beyond cash back. You’ll also get:
- 11 types of insurance, and
- Visa Infinite benefits.
3. A no annual fee cash back card that lets you decide how to earn rewards
×1 Award winner GC: $125
1x Award winner
The Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card is a unique credit card when it comes to rewards – you get to decide which categories earn you bonus rewards.
You get to earn 2% cash back on your chosen categories. Here are the list of categories to choose from:
You get to choose 2 if you get them applied as a statement credit, and 3 if you deposit them into a Tangerine Savings account.
You’ll earn 0.5% cash back on all other purchases.
For a few extras, you can also opt for the Tangerine World Mastercard, which offers the same rewards for no annual fee, and includes a few extras. The catch? You’ll need to meet a personal income requirement of $60,000 or a household income of $100,000 to qualify.
GC: $125
4. A credit card with a high earn rate on everything
The SimplyCash Preferred Card from American Express offers plenty of cash back on every purchase, and not just on a few select categories.
Here’s what you’ll earn on your purchases:
- 4% cash back on gas and groceries
- 2% cash back on all other purchases
On top of that cash back, you’ll also get your typical Amex benefits like Front Of The Line and Amex Offers, as well as including 10 types of insurance.
5. A no annual fee cash back card with no fx fees
The Brim Mastercard lineup offers a set of credit cards with a high base earn rate on every purchase, as well as charging no fx fees.
So we’ll spotlight the no fee card – the Brim Mastercard. You’ll earn a simple 0.5% cash back on all purchases.
It’s a very full-featured card, giving you the following:
- no foreign exchange fees,
- 4 types of insurance,
- installment plans, and
- bonus rewards with Brim retail partners.
Shop online frequently? Here are the best credit cards for earning cash back and saving on foreign exchange fees.
What’s your favourite cash back website?
There are plenty of cash back websites and these are some of the more popular ones.
What’s your go-to cash back website?
Let us know in the comments below.
FAQ
What is a cash back website?
A cash back website is a site that offers you cash back when completing activities. Many of them are related to shopping, but others can give you cash back for things like credit card approvals and completing surveys.
What are some examples of cash back websites in Canada?
Some examples of cash back websites in Canada include:
- Rakuten,
- Great Canadian Rebates,
- Amplii, and
- Drop Rewards.
What is the best cash back website in Canada?
In our estimation, the best cash back website is Rakuten. Rakuten has plenty of partners to earn cash back with, and Rakuten will send you payout automatically every quarter, as long as you have $5 accumulated.
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