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Saving money on groceries is an excellent way to trim your budget. If you read my review on Ibotta, then you know how easy it is to save on groceries by using a cash back app.
Ibotta is a great tool, but what if you could use an additional app to earn more? That is where Checkout 51 comes in.
Not sure how cash back apps like Checkout 51 work? Don't worry. In this review, I will cover the ins and outs of Checkout 51.
I will go over what it is, how it works, how to us it for your grocery shopping, and more. By the end of this review, I hope you will be ready to earn cash back like a pro.
Want to get started right away? Sign up with our $5 Bonus referral link. You will get a $2 bonus when you redeem your first offer. Then earn an additional $1 bonus on your next three shopping trips.
Want to learn more? Read my Checkout 51 review to see my latest tips and results.
In This Guide:
What is Checkout 51?
Checkout 51 is a free cash back app that allows you to earn money back on your groceries.
It was founded in 2012 by Andrew McGrath, Noah Godfrey, and Pema Hegan. Their mission was to create a simple mobile app that could save Canadians time and money. They extended their operations to the US in 2014, and now have millions of users across the US and Canada.
Why does Checkout 51 give you money?
Checkout 51 works with big brand names by promoting their products in the form of cash back offers in the app. Since these companies pay Checkout 51 for this service, they can extend part of that profit in the form of cash back offers.
So in the end its profitable for the food brands, Checkout 51, and you the consumer.
How do I use Checkout 51?
1. Create an Account and Download the Checkout 51 App
First create a Checkout 51 account and download the app. No smartphone, no problem. You can just register on their site. You just need an email account to register, or you can sign up with Facebook.
2. Browse and Add Items
Open the app and select offers. You have the option to search or filter down by store and/or food category. Most of the offers work at all grocery chains (including the club stores), but some are specific to certain retailers so be sure to check that. In that regard it is a actually a little more flexible than Ibotta since most offers are not store specific.
As a tip, they update the list every Thursday morning with new offers and reset existing ones. So if you have an offer you would like to use again or looking for new offers, Thursday is the day to check. Also from time to time they have bonuses posted in the app, so be sure to capitalize on those too. In addition be on the lookout for occasional sweepstakes offers like one below. You can add these just like regular offers for a chance to win.
You can check your list anytime by selecting the My List option in the app. If you are just using a computer, the process is similar and again the current list is accessible there. If you do not have a smartphone, you may want to print the list out from your computer before you go shopping, so you do not forget anything.
3. Then Do Your Normal Shopping
Just do your normal shopping and purchase the items that you selected on your list. Either use your phone, or the list you printed out to be sure you get all the items. Some of the offers can be claimed more than once, so it may be wise to stock up on these items. Or if the items are on sale that week, and you have the CheckOut 51 offer, you can combine and save more that way. Be sure to save your receipt!
4. Upload the Receipt
After you complete your shopping and have your receipt, select Redeem on the app. Select the items on your list that are on your receipt. Then select continue to take a picture of your receipt from your phone. Be sure to capture the whole receipt, then zoom in on specific sections til you cover each portion of the receipt in detail. If it's a long receipt I find that taking one complete picture, and three sections will suffice. That's it, you are done. You will get a confirmation like the one shown to the right if it all went well.
If you are using a computer or laptop, the process is similar. You can either scan the receipt, or take a picture with your laptop/PC camera and upload the receipt.
5. Verify You Earnings Were Processed
They state it can take up to 48 hours for the receipt to be processed and for your balance to actually reflect the amount. However I find that it usually just takes less than a day for the balance to show.
If for any reason the receipt was not processed correctly you will also get an alert letting you know. For example one time I had a very long receipt and did not manage to capture the whole thing. I got an alert letting me know, and then I was able to do it again and get credit.
How Do You Get Paid?
Once your balance reaches at least $20, you will see a Cash Out Option in your profile menu. You have two ways to get your money. Select PayPal or you can have them mail you a check.
If you choose PayPal you should receive your money within 5 to 15 business days. If you choose to receive via mail it can take up to 30 days.
Is it Legitimate?
With all the promises of free money on the internet, you might be wandering is Checkout 51 legitimate? Well like with all our other cash back app reviews, we put it to the test. After several weeks of earning cash back in my account I was able to reach the $20 payment threshold.
Here is a payment I received via PayPal after three days of submitted my withdrawal request. So yes, Checkout 51 is legit!
Can You Use Checkout 51 and Ibotta Together?
While it's not common, Ibotta and Checkout 51 may have a cash back offer for the same item. In that case you may be wandering, can you use Checkout 51 and Ibotta together? Well for now, the answer is yes. Even if its the same exact item, you will earn cash back from both services.
Even if you do not find a match though, using both apps will increase the number of items on your grocery list that match offers. So in the end you can make even more money on the same grocery shopping trip than if you had just used Ibotta alone.
Can You Use Coupons with Checkout 51?
Yes you can combine Checkout 51 cash back with coupons unless otherwise stated. If an offer is not eligible to be combined with a coupon it will be stated in the offer conditions.
Is it Okay to Use Checkout 51 with Food Stamps?
Good news! Using food stamps for payment is no problem. You will still earn your cash back.
Earn More By Referring Your Friends
Checkout 51 also has a referral program where both you and your friends can get a bonus. The way it works is that if you refer someone, they will get $2 added to their account for the first offer they redeem. You will then get $5 added to your account. Then the person you refer can earn an additional $1 for each additional receipt they upload, for a maximum of $3. So in the end both you and your friend get $5.
Sound good? Join today and earn $5 in bonuses with my Checkout 51 referral link.
Checkout 51 Review Final Verdict
Our Verdict: It's SAVVY
Do you use Checkout 51? Share your thoughts below.
Checkout 51 is another great cash back app for items you are already buying. I love that most offers can be redeemed at any of the stores I shop at. The same offers will often reset each Thursday so I can save every week on things such as Bailey’s Coffee Creamer that I use every day. Combining Checkout 51 with Ibotta and digital coupons is a great way to get some of your groceries and other household items for little to no money. I’ve earned $55 since September (the screenshot only shows earning since November).
Bailey’s Coffee Creamer and cash back, that is definitely a good combo! Thanks for the great review.