I’m considering trying the Upside app for cashback on purchases, but I’m unsure if it’s worth it. Have you used it? Was it easy to use, beneficial, or did it have hidden drawbacks? Would love some honest reviews to decide.
I tried the Upside app a few months back because, hey, free money on stuff I’m already buying, right? Honestly, it’s… fine? The setup was easy, downloaded the app, entered some basic info, and you’re good to go. It shows offers mostly for gas stations, some restaurants, and a few grocery stores depending on your area. Claim an offer, make your purchase, snap a pic of the receipt if needed (sometimes you don’t even need to), and bada-bing, cashback.
The good: The gas savings add up, especially if you commute a lot. I’ve gotten anywhere between 10–25 cents off per gallon on a good day, and it’s straightforward. Money goes into your account within a few days, and you can transfer it out to PayPal or your bank when you want.
The meh: The payout is a little slow—don’t expect to cash in the second you pump gas. Also, not every station participates, so sometimes you’ll drive five extra minutes to save a buck twenty, which kinda defeats the purpose if you’re not careful. And let’s not even talk about the occasional times the app doesn’t automatically register your payment—it’s rare, but when it happens, yeesh.
Hidden pitfalls? A small fee if you cash out under $15. So if you’re impatient or just don’t use the app enough to accrue much, that’s annoying. Also, some deals look better than they are. Like “save 15% at this restaurant” but that percentage maxes out at like $5 or something.
Is it worth it? If you’re disciplined about where and when you use it, sure. But if you’re the kind of person who forgets to claim offers before fueling up or hates tracking receipts, you’ll probably get frustrated. Don’t expect life-changing savings, but hey, anything helps with gas prices these days. Try it, see how it fits your routine—you can always delete it if it’s not vibing.
Tbh, my experience with the Upside app has been… a mixed bag. On paper, it sounds like a no-brainer—cashback for stuff you’re already buying? Sweet. In practice, though, it’s all about how much you’re actually willing to work for those pennies. Like @chasseurdetoiles mentioned, it’s mostly gas stations and a few restaurants depending on your area. But IMO, the app’s real worth depends on how much you drive. For someone like me, who barely fills up a tank once a month? Meh. I’ve redeemed maybe $10 over the last 5 months.
Some pros: It’s not a scam. You will get cashback (eventually), and the app hasn’t been shady with my info or anything. But one thing that I personally didn’t love? The occasional miss. The app’s tech isn’t flawless—there’s been a couple of times my payment didn’t get registered automatically, and chasing that down is a pain.
Also, don’t let the percentages fool you. That “15% cashback” at a participating restaurant is capped, so it’s not as juicy as it looks. Same with gas—you might get $1 or $2 max per fill-up, which is fine if you’re consistent, but it’s hardly game-changing. Let’s say it like it is: Upside will NOT make you rich. It barely buys you an iced coffee.
And the whole point of this app is to save money, right? Yet here I am wasting gas driving to specific places to use the deals. Realistically, if you don’t live in an area with a high number of partner locations, the app may not be worth keeping.
End of the day, Upside is “good but not great.” It’s worth trying just to see how it fits into your life. It might remind you to look for deals elsewhere, and worst case, you’ll uninstall it after a few weeks. Can’t hurt to test it… as long as you keep your expectations LOW.
Here’s the deal with the Upside app: it’s functional and can save you some money, but only if you’re willing to put in a bit of effort. While both @vrijheidsvogel and @chasseurdetoiles made solid points, I’d add that your experience depends heavily on your habits and expectations. Let’s break it down.
The Good:
- Easy to Use: Installing, setting up, and claiming offers is super simple. If you drive a lot, you can accumulate a few bucks relatively quickly—especially with offers like gas discounts or occasional cashback on groceries.
- Safe and Legit: Big plus is that it’s not shady. No weird “data selling” vibes or sketchy charges.
- Extra Incentives: If you’re consistent, the savings might just offset your daily coffee habit. Think of it as a micro-budget hack.
The Not-So-Good:
- Limited Coverage: In smaller towns or areas with fewer participating locations, Upside can feel borderline useless. If you’re in a big city, you’ll fare way better.
- Slow Payouts: Similar to the other posts, getting that cashback isn’t immediate. Expect a few days before you can access it.
- Sometimes Misfires: Occasionally, the app doesn’t register when you’ve made a purchase, so prepare to manually upload receipts every now and then.
- Minimal ROI: If you’re filling up a gas tank once a month, this isn’t going to be life-changing. For light users, the app may feel like extra hassle for small returns.
Some Criticisms I Disagree With:
- The driving-around-for-deals feels exaggerated. Sure, don’t go 10 minutes out of your way, but if there’s a participating station 2 minutes down the road, it’s worth it IMO. Gas savings stack up.
- Also, yeah, the $15 cash-out minimum is annoying, but I don’t really see it as an issue if you let your balance build up over time. Patience is key here.
Alternatives You Might Consider:
Apps like GasBuddy or Dosh also have cashback features for purchases. GasBuddy is particularly useful for comparing gas prices without needing to jump through as many hoops. That said, neither will hand you a goldmine, similar to Upside.
Final Word:
My advice? Think of the Upside app as a mild bonus, not an essential tool. If you use it selectively without expecting loads of cash, it’s perfectly fine. Start small—claim a few offers near you, track how much it saves, and re-evaluate if it’s worth keeping around after a couple of months. If not, just uninstall and try one of its competitors.