Think of your last credit card transaction. It may have been a cup of coffee or when you went out to dinner with friends. Today, Apple makes it easy for consumers to pay for products and services with Apple Pay. You may be wondering, can I get cashback with Apple Pay? The answer is yes. Here's what you need to know about earning cash back through Apple Pay purchases.
Related: Can You Use Apple Pay on Amazon?
Can You Do Cash Back with Apple Pay?
Yes, you can get cash back with Apple Pay, provided the business accepts Apple Pay, the store offers cash back, and you have a debit or credit card linked to your Apple Pay account. Apple Pay offers unlimited cash back, so as long as a business meets these requirements, you can earn between 2–3 percent cash back on your purchases. Here's a bit more detail about each of the requirements:
- The store/business accepts Apple Pay. According to Apple, Apple Pay is currently accepted as a contactless payment option at over 85 percent of retailers in the US. So you'll be able to use Apple Pay almost anywhere, whether you're making an in-app purchase or standing in line at a grocery store.
- The store offers cash back. If you're unsure whether a business offers cash back, one of the easiest ways to find out is just to ask. Most major grocery stores, gas stations, and department stores offer cashback, including Costco, Target, Walmart, Walgreens, and CVS.
- Your debit/credit card is linked to your Apple Pay account. This is usually added when you first set up Apple Pay. However, if you haven't already linked a debit or credit card to your Apple Pay account, you can add a card by opening the Wallet app, tapping the plus icon, and following the steps to add a debit or credit card.
Where Can I Get Cash Back with Apple Pay?
To make full use of Apple Pay and your device features, sign up for our free Tip of the Day Newsletter. Now, where do you go to use Apple Pay? Apple Pay is accepted at over a million retail stores, including Albertson's, Safeway, Trader Joe's, Best Buy, McDonald's, and Walgreens. Your best bet is to look for Apple Pay symbols (shown below) and verify with each business. You can learn more on Apple.com.
How Much Can I Earn with Apple Pay Cash Back?
When using the Apple Pay Card with Apple Pay, cardholders get two percent Daily Cash Back on their purchases. All cash back amounts are deposited in your Apple Wallet. However, if you're purchasing Apple products or products from partner stores, you can earn three percent cash back (instead of the usual two percent).
Some of Apple's partner stores include:
- Ace Hardware
- Exxon Mobil
- Nike
- T-Mobile
- Uber Eats
- Panera Bread
- Walgreens
- Duane Reade
So if you're planning to purchase Apple services or products, I recommend using Apple Pay to earn the three percent cash back. This applies to any Apple.com purchase and includes services such as Apple Music and Apple TV+. If you want to earn rewards for other credit cards, you may be able to link them to your Apple Pay Card. Check with your financial institution to see if this is possible. You can get even more rewards and cash back on grocery shopping, gasoline, and restaurants.
Apple Pay Takeaways
Apple Pay is a secure and contactless way to make your everyday purchases. Just remember to link a debit and credit card before you start using Apple Pay for cash back and look for the Apple Pay symbol when you shop at stores. Happy shopping!
