If you’re curious about all things Ibotta — one of the many nifty rebate and cash-back apps out there — you’ve come to the right place. Ibotta has folks buzzing about their real-deal cash-back on everyday stuff, from groceries to online splurges. But you might be scratching your head over some details, like how does this app work? How do I cash out my savings? Well, don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. In this guide, we’ll spill the beans on all you need to know about Ibotta, answering your Ibotta FAQ. So stick around, and let’s chat about how you can save more with Ibotta and make your wallet a little heavier.
This guide will come in handy whether you’re just getting started with the Ibotta app or you’re looking to maximize your cash back.
Want even more savings? Download The Krazy Coupon Lady app so we can show you all the best deals you can stack with rebate offers.
1. Why can’t I find the same Ibotta deals as my friends?
This is one of the top Ibotta FAQs we see floating around. Not everyone receives the same rebate offers on Ibotta. So if you can’t find one that you heard about somewhere else, it’s likely due to one of these three reasons:
- Offers vary based on your geographic location.
- The product you’re looking for might just not be available at your Walmart vs. your friend’s Walmart.
- New users tend to get higher-value offers than people who’ve already been using Ibotta for a while.
2. How many times can I redeem an Ibotta offer?
When you look at an offer, a grey “Limit” box will appear right below it. This’ll tell you how many times you can redeem an offer per receipt.
We often see offers limited to one, two, three, or five redemptions.
3. Can I use coupons with Ibotta offers?
Ibotta offers often come with certain rules about how they can be used with other discounts. For instance, at Walmart, you can never use paper manufacturer coupons with Ibotta offers. The same rule applies at Dollar General, but Ibotta takes it a step farther and says you also can’t use Dollar General digital manufacturer coupons with Ibotta offers.
At other stores, it varies as to whether you can use paper manufacturer coupons with Ibotta offers. However, these rules don’t apply to store sales or discounted items — you can still redeem Ibotta offers on those.
The best thing you can do is check the Ibotta offer fine print to see what restrictions it may carry. I’ve still been able to find Walmart, Target, and Dollar General Ibotta offers that don’t have a restriction about using coupons with the offer.
4. Can I use online receipts for Ibotta?
Technically, no. Ibotta doesn’t accept online receipts. They’ll only accept pictures of receipts printed from a store’s point-of-sale (POS) machine.
But, you can redeem online purchases from select retailers. Many stores are now linked with Ibotta to allow in-store offer redemptions even on grocery delivery and pickup orders. When selecting offers in Ibotta, look for “online” listed under the retailer’s name. Once you select the retailer, it’ll tell you how online orders will be redeemed.
5. Why am I not getting all of my Ibotta rebates when I shop with a linked loyalty program?
Nothing’s more frustrating than planning your shopping trip based on Ibotta offers, only to not receive credit for all your rebates.
It’s a problem The Krazy Coupon Lady community members run across from time to time. It usually happens when you’re shopping with a linked loyalty account rather than uploading your receipts. Also, be sure to check and see if that store is still participating in linked rewards. For example, in November 2022, automatic redemption at Target with Ibotta ended. The only way to use Ibotta at Target now is with a physical receipt.
TIP: If you ever change your password associated with a store loyalty account, remember to update it within the Ibotta app so your account doesn’t get unlinked. (Go to Profile > Settings > Linked accounts.)
6. Why wasn’t I credited for my Ibotta offer?
This is one of the most popular Ibotta FAQ issues. The problem usually comes up when you’re shopping with a linked loyalty program. Remember to always activate offers before shopping with a linked store program. To receive credit on Ibotta offers, you must add them to your list before shopping so the credit can be applied automatically.
7. Why isn’t my product barcode matching in Ibotta’s system?
There are a few reasons that a product barcode won’t match an offer. One issue is that the product you’re scanning isn’t actually eligible for that offer. On the offer page on Ibotta, you can view the details of the offer which will tell you the rules and exclusions, including the size limits or flavor restrictions. Make sure you have the correct size and flavor of the product for your Ibotta offer. We see this happening a lot with Oreo flavors.
Another reason could be that the barcode isn’t in the Ibotta system yet. While this is frustrating, it’s a pretty easy fix. When you scan the barcode, you’ll get a notification that pops up stating, “Barcode doesn’t match offer.” From there, you have the option to “request view.” You’ll send the Ibotta customer service team a photo of the barcode and the front of the product. After you submit the photos, you’ll receive an email regarding the status.
8. Why am I not getting credit for my Ibotta bonuses?
This is another big Ibotta FAQ. Ibotta bonuses are a whole separate beast. Be sure to read the fine print on your bonus offers. You’ll often need to claim the qualifying rebate offer multiple times on separate transactions.
I’ve noticed that men’s care items often require you to claim an offer twice to get a bonus — and those redemptions have to come via two separate receipts.
These restrictions can pop up whether you’re shopping in the entire grocery section to work toward a bonus or just buying a bunch of Febreze.
9. What can I do if I didn’t receive my Ibotta rebate?
Any time you have an issue with receiving an Ibotta rebate, you can contact the Ibotta Help Center for support.
It’s super easy to get in touch with the Help team. Just go to your profile in the Ibotta app and select “Help.” Then select “Get help with a purchase,” choose the transaction, and submit your comment. You can also chat with Carlotta the customer care bot on their website.
10. Can I use Ibotta with other savings apps?
Whether or not you can use Ibotta with other couponing and savings apps depends on the other app’s policy. In most situations, the answer will be, “No.” But there are rare exceptions. In addition to the other apps’ policies, don’t forget to check the fine print with each Ibotta offer you’re using.
Here are some of the most common app combinations people ask about:
- Ibotta and Fetch Rewards: Yes.
- Ibotta and Shopkick: No.
- Ibotta and Coupons.com app: No.
- Ibotta and Swagbucks: No.
- Ibotta and Checkout51: No.
Related: These easy-to-use receipt apps will reward you for everyday shopping.
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