The best and easiest way to earn rewards and get free stuff is through credit cards. For some people this may not be an option though. That is where this list comes in. I am going to give you 5 other ways that you can still earn rewards even if you can’t get, or don’t want, a credit card.

Receipt scan programs.

These are programs where you go shopping at particular locations, be it grocery stores, gas stations, restaurants, etc… and then you scan your receipt and upload it and receive rewards points for your participation in the program. I particularly use the app Upside for this at gas stations. While doing research for this blog though, I found a bunch of other programs such as “Fetch,” “Ibotta” and “Receipt Hog” to name a few. What I like best about Upside is you can cash out rewards instead of having to buy gift cards with your rewards. Unfortunately I have a points mind state and for me gift cards prevent me from earning rewards. Don’t think like me though, since you don’t have a credit card anyways. Gift cards mean you don’t spend your own money on stuff. I haven’t tried it yet, but you might be able to scan your receipt from a gift card purchase as well and double dip your rewards. Cash back is obviously more flexible but at the end of the day there ain’t nothing wrong with cashing out for a gift card to your favorite store or restaurant.

Cash back offers from websites and apps.

These are programs where primarily you go to a programs website, find an offer for a particular store you want to shop at and click a link and are sent through an online “portal” to make the purchase and earn cash back. There are some variations on this where, if you install a browser plugin, the program automatically adds the best offers at the website you are currently shopping at. These are programs like “Capital One Shopping” and “Rakuten.” The difference between these programs and the receipt scan programs is that these mostly are used for online shopping. “Capital One Shopping” is my favorite I’ve used so far because of the plugin. I’ve saved money at online retailers I had no clue there were offers available for all because the plugin automatically scans the website you’re on to see what the best deals available are.

Loyalty reward programs.

These programs are probably the easiest way to earn rewards outside of using credit cards. The return rates might not be as high, but what you trade in return rates you get back in user friendliness. All you have to do is sign up once for a rewards program to whatever place you shop at. The only thing you have to remember is to check in wherever you are shopping before you check out. Usually this involves entering your phone number before, or right after, checking out. Some rewards programs link to your credit/debit card so as long as you keep using those same cards you automatically earn your rewards every time you shop.

There really is no downside to these programs. Yes people will tell you that you are more likely to spend more money because you will be “offer” chasing as these programs tend to offer “deals” quite often to entice you to come to their establishment over another. Let me ask you this though, if you are deciding on dinner and you already were going to eat out anyways, wouldn’t it be great to open your favorite restaurant app and see you have a free meal reward? Other people will complain about the amount of emails they receive. Set up an email specifically for your rewards programs, problem solved.

When I say there is no downside, there is no realistic downside. You get birthday bonuses which sometimes include free items on your birthday. I’m not talking about any push over stuff either. I’m talking about free regular size subs from Jersey Mikes, free pizza from Grimaldi’s, and free burgers from Red Robin (all at the time of publishing this blog) to name a few. Stop gatekeeping your email that you never check anyways and just sign up for every rewards program at every place you ever shop at, even if you only shop there one time. Start racking up those points and free meals!

Cash back offers from your bank.

There are always opportunities to double, triple and I guess quadruple+ dip your points programs and here is another way how. Banks such as Bank of America and Chase (I’m sure others as well) have specific deals where you can earn cash back to your bank account. Bank of America calls their program BankAmerideals. The gist of the program is that you log into your online banking account and you add these cash back offers to your account then you make the qualifying purchase through the account. Most of the offers work kind of like the cashback websites where you have to make the purchase through the link, but it will tell you the conditions after you activate the offer.

Cash back checking accounts.

These are relatively new, at least in the united states, and I myself do not currently have one, but they are a great way to earn some cash back if you can’t get a credit card or don’t want one. These are online bank accounts that are able to pass along a competitive interest rate of up to 1% (or more if you look into credit unions) on money in your checking account. They are also able to offer cash back or rewards on purchases made with your debit card associated with the account. They offer no monthly fees, no account minimums and access to thousands of ATM’s across the country. They are able to pass along these great offers because they don’t have the overhead cost of physical locations like your traditional banks do.

If you are a person who is making all of their purchases on debit cards it makes a lot of sense to look into banks like these, or even credit unions. You can maximize the return on the money you are keeping in your checking account, while also getting some money back for the purchases you are already making. These accounts are also smart for a person who does use credit cards to look into, as things such as cell phone payments will give you a discount for using auto pay with a debit card but not a credit card.

Just sign up for something already!

At the end of the day there are options for people who don’t have credit cards, for one reason or another, to earn rewards. These same options relate to people who do have credit cards as well. I am a big proponent of loyalty programs, if you couldn’t already tell. They are the best way for credit card holders to double dip points, but also for people in general to earn free flights, hotel stays, food, etc… There are so many opportunities to get rewards and cash back. Tell me your favorite programs and ways to earn rewards in the comments! I love to learn about new programs and get some rewards in the process!

No Credit Cards? Yes Rewards!