What is the latest cashback app news for 2025?

The biggest cashback app news in 2025 includes local governments offering 5–6% cash back through Open Rewards programs, Rakuten integrating with Bilt Rewards for travel point conversions, and Tripadvisor launching its own 5% cash back program on travel bookings. Upside is also expanding beyond gas stations into grocery and restaurant rewards.

Can you really earn 6% cash back at local businesses with a rewards app?

Yes — cities like Richmond, Virginia, Howard County, Maryland, and Littleton, Colorado are offering 5–6% cash back at local businesses through the Open Rewards platform. You simply link a debit or credit card, shop at participating local merchants, and cash back posts automatically with no receipt scanning required.

How do you convert Rakuten cash back into Bilt Rewards points?

Rakuten users can now choose to receive their quarterly cash back payouts as Bilt Points instead of cash by selecting the Bilt conversion option in their account settings. Bilt Points transfer to over a dozen airline and hotel partners, and depending on redemption, can be worth 1.5–2 cents each — potentially turning a $50 payout into $75–$100 in travel value.

Is Tripadvisor's new cash back program worth using?

Tripadvisor's new cash back program is worth considering if you regularly book hotels, experiences, or restaurant reservations through the platform, since it offers up to 5% back with no credit card requirement. Any existing Tripadvisor account holder is eligible, which makes it one of the more accessible travel rewards programs available in 2025.

Which cashback apps are growing the fastest in 2025?

Based on current cashback app news, Upside is one of the fastest-growing platforms, expanding from gas station rewards into grocery and restaurant cash back. Open Rewards is also gaining ground quickly through city-level government partnerships, while Rakuten is deepening its reach by bridging everyday shopping rewards with travel loyalty programs.

Can you stack multiple cashback apps to earn more rewards?

Yes — many of the new 2025 cashback developments are stackable with apps you're already using, meaning you don't have to switch platforms to benefit. For example, you could use a local Open Rewards program for in-store purchases while still earning through Rakuten or Ibotta for online shopping.

Cashback App News: What's Trending in 2025

The cashback app landscape is shifting fast in 2025. Local governments are launching their own rewards programs, major platforms are forging unexpected partnerships, and travel brands are jumping into the cash back space. If you've been keeping up with cashback app news, here's what's actually worth paying attention to right now — and how to act on it.

Key Takeaways

Local government-backed rewards programs in cities like Richmond, Howard County, and Littleton are offering 5–6% cash back at local businesses — higher than most national apps
Rakuten now lets users convert their cash back into Bilt Points, opening a new path to travel rewards for everyday shoppers
Tripadvisor has entered the cash back space with a new program offering up to 5% back on travel bookings
Upside is expanding beyond gas stations into grocery and restaurant cash back
You can stack several of these new developments on top of apps you're already using — without switching anything

The Biggest Cashback App News Right Now

Local Open Rewards Programs Are Paying 5–6% Cash Back

One of the most underreported trends in rewards app updates right now is happening at the city level. A growing number of local governments are partnering with a platform called Open Rewards to launch community-specific cash back programs that pay 5–6% back at participating local businesses.

Richmond, Virginia, Howard County, Maryland, and Littleton, Colorado are among the cities that have already rolled out these programs. Shoppers in those areas can earn cash back just for buying from local restaurants, retailers, and service providers — no national chain required.

The mechanism is simple: you link a debit or credit card to the local program (similar to how Dosh works), shop at participating businesses, and cash back posts automatically. No receipt scanning, no offer activation.

What makes this significant is the rate. Most national cash back shopping apps top out at 1–5% on grocery or gas purchases, and often much less for everyday retail. A flat 5–6% at local merchants is genuinely competitive — and in some categories, it beats what you'd earn through Ibotta or Rakuten.

Rakuten Now Lets You Convert Cash Back Into Bilt Points

Rakuten made a notable move in 2025 by integrating with Bilt Rewards, the loyalty program best known for letting renters earn points on rent payments. Rakuten users can now choose to convert their quarterly cash back payouts into Bilt Points instead of taking the cash.

Why does this matter? Bilt Points transfer to over a dozen airline and hotel partners, including American Airlines, United, Hyatt, and Air Canada. Depending on how you redeem them, Bilt Points can be worth 1.5–2 cents each — meaning a $50 Rakuten payout could convert into $75–$100 in travel value.

This is a meaningful upgrade for anyone who already uses Rakuten for online shopping and wants to get more mileage (literally) out of their cash back. It's also a sign that the line between cash back apps and travel rewards programs is blurring in 2025.

Tripadvisor Enters the Cash Back Space With 5% Travel Rewards

Tripadvisor launched its own cash back program in 2025, offering up to 5% back on hotel bookings, experiences, and restaurant reservations made through the platform. This puts it in direct competition with travel portals from Chase, Capital One, and American Express — but without the requirement of a specific credit card.

The program is open to any Tripadvisor account holder, which significantly lowers the barrier to entry. If you've ever booked a hotel through Tripadvisor, you're already eligible to start earning.

Five percent back on travel is a strong rate. For context, Rakuten typically offers 2–4% back at hotel partners, and Capital One Shopping focuses more on coupon codes than travel-specific cash back. Tripadvisor's move fills a gap in the earn cash back 2025 landscape for travelers who aren't locked into a single credit card ecosystem.

What These Trends Mean for Everyday Shoppers

Local Programs vs. National Apps — Which Pays More?

The honest answer: it depends on where you shop. If you live in a city with an active Open Rewards program, that 5–6% rate at local businesses will likely beat what Checkout 51 or Ibotta offer on equivalent purchases — especially for restaurant spending, where national app offers are inconsistent.

But local programs have a real limitation: they only work within their participating merchant network. You won't find a national grocery chain or an Amazon purchase covered by your city's Open Rewards program. That's where national cash back shopping apps still win.

The smarter play is to treat local and national programs as complementary, not competing. Use your city's program for local spending, and lean on Ibotta, Rakuten, or Upside for everything else.

How to Stack These New Offers With Apps You Already Use

Stacking is where you can really maximize your returns in 2025. Here's how the new developments layer on top of existing habits:

Rakuten + Bilt: If you already shop through Rakuten, simply opt into the Bilt Points conversion in your account settings. You don't need to change how you shop — just redirect the payout.
Tripadvisor + Rakuten: Before booking travel on Tripadvisor, check if Rakuten has a portal offer for the same hotel. In some cases, you may be able to earn both — though you'll want to verify the terms, as some programs restrict stacking.
Open Rewards + Dosh or Upside: If your city has a local program, check whether the same merchant is also enrolled in Dosh or Upside. Card-linked offers sometimes stack across platforms, netting you 8–10% total cash back at a single local restaurant.
Fetch or Receipt Hog: Both apps let you scan any receipt, regardless of where you shopped. After a local program purchase, scan your receipt in Fetch or Receipt Hog to pick up bonus points on top of your cash back.

Apps to Watch: Who's Making Moves in 2025

Upside Continues to Expand Beyond Gas

Upside built its reputation on gas station cash back — often 25–45 cents per gallon — but the app has been steadily expanding into grocery stores and restaurants. In 2025, that expansion has accelerated, with more regional grocery chains and local restaurant groups joining the platform.

If you haven't checked Upside lately, it's worth reopening. The app's map-based interface makes it easy to spot offers near you, and the cash back rates on groceries and dining are increasingly competitive with Ibotta and Checkout 51.

Fetch, Ibotta, and Receipt Hog Still Dominate Receipt Scanning

Despite all the new entrants, the three biggest receipt-scanning apps aren't going anywhere. Fetch remains the most flexible — you earn points on virtually every receipt, not just at specific stores. Ibotta continues to offer some of the highest per-item cash back rates on groceries, particularly on name-brand products. Receipt Hog is the quieter option, but it reliably converts scans into Amazon gift cards or PayPal cash with no fuss.

What's changed in 2025 is the competition around them. Fetch has added more brand-specific bonus offers, Ibotta has deepened its integrations with major retailers like Walmart, and Receipt Hog has updated its rewards catalog. None of them are standing still.

How to Stay Ahead of Cashback App Changes

The best way to keep up with rewards app updates is to treat your app stack like a portfolio — review it quarterly, not just when something breaks. Here's a practical approach:

Check for new local programs in your city every few months. The Open Rewards rollout is ongoing, and new cities are being added. A quick Google search for "[your city] + local rewards program" is often enough.
Follow payout changes closely. Rakuten's Bilt integration, for example, only benefits you if you actively opt in. Default settings on most apps favor the platform, not the user.
Set a calendar reminder to redeem. Cash back sitting in an app account earns you nothing. Fetch points expire, Ibotta balances have minimum thresholds, and Rakuten pays out quarterly — mark those dates.
Watch for limited-time bonuses. New programs like Tripadvisor's cash back offering often launch with elevated rates to attract users. Early adopters in 2025 are seeing the best returns.

The cashback space is more dynamic than it's been in years. The apps and programs that pay the most aren't always the ones you've been using the longest — staying informed is itself a money-saving strategy.