TL; DR
Upside is a free cash back app that helps you earn real money on gas, groceries, and restaurants. Especially useful for road trips and daily fueling, the app lets you earn up to 25¢ per gallon back, stack savings with loyalty rewards, and even receive location-based alerts when you’re near a participating business. We’ve used it to strategically save on travel and everyday expenses, and it’s one of our favorite ways to “hack the system” and earn while spending. Download Upside with my link or use my code HXATJ to get 15¢ per gallon extra cash back on your first gas fill-up and 10% extra cash back on your first restaurant or grocery purchase!
Why We Love Upside for Gas
When you’re trying to be intentional with your finances, every dollar counts. That’s why I’m all about small systems that add up to big savings over time. One of my favorite tricks? Using cash back gas apps like Upside.
It works by partnering with thousands of gas stations and other retailers to offer cash back when you shop with them through the app.
I’ve been using Upside for several years now, and it has easily become one of my go-to tools when I know we’re going to be spending more than usual. Whether it’s road-tripping during the summer, filling up the car on back-to-school errands, or planning a big family holiday trip, Upside gives us real savings that actually add up.
We especially love using it during road trips. Before filling up, we open the app to see who’s offering the most cash back in the area. Then we plan our stop accordingly. That might sound like a small thing, but it often means earning an extra $5-$10 just for being intentional—and that can quickly add up over time.
Example: Recently we got $4.80 back just by using Upside at a gas station off the highway while traveling. Same gas we were going to buy anyway, but a little smarter.
How It Works
Using Upside is simple:
1. Claim an offer in the app at a participating location
2. Pay as usual with your card at the pump or inside
3. Check in or submit a receipt depending on the merchant
4. Get cash back in your account within a few days
You can then cash out to your bank, PayPal, or as a gift card—easy.
Smart Features That Set Upside Apart
Upside has a few features that make it even easier to stick with and benefit from over time:
· Centers per gallon back at gas stations (I’ve seen up to 25 cents/gallon!)
· Cash back at restaurants and grocery stores
· Location-based notifications that let you know when you’re near a participating location (a new favorite feature I just turned on!)
· Works with any credit or debit card
· Stackable with other rewards programs like store loyalty or card points
· Daily updated offers, so you can always find a deal
· Cashing out is simple, with options like direct deposit, PayPal, or gift cards
Why Upside Works for Intentional Spending
Being an intentional spender doesn’t mean you never spend—it means you spend with awareness. That’s what I love about Upside. It’s not a budgeting app or a money management tool. It’s just a really smart way to get something back from what you’re already buying.
I don’t go out of my way to spend just to earn cash back. But I do make sure that when I do spend—especially on routine expenses like gas and groceries—I’m getting the most value I can.
A Fun Way to Hack the System
Let’s be honest: Saving money can feel a little boring sometimes. But there’s something kind of fun about seeing that cash back notification pop up after a fill-up. It feels like you beat the system a little.
We’ve had times where we earned just a couple of bucks, and others where we got $10 or more in a single purchase. The key is consistency. A few cents per gallon might not sound like a lot, but over the course of a year, it adds up.
Final Thoughts: Our Favorite Cash Back Gas App
If you’re looking for a way to stretch your dollars a little further, especially on everyday essentials, Upside is an easy win. You can set it up in just a few minutes, start earning on your very next tank of gas, and turn small choices into smarter spending. Download Upside with my link or use my code HXATJ to get 15¢ per gallon extra cash back on your first gas fill-up and 10% extra cash back on your first restaurant or grocery purchase!
This is hands down our favorite of the cash back gas apps out there. We keep the app installed, the widget ready on our phones, and now that notifications are turned on, we never miss a chance to save.
If you’re interested in my favorite shopping cash back app that’s given me over $1000 lifetime earnings so far, click here!
Since you’re still here, you may very well be a fellow dollar maximizer like me…have you heard of Copilot? It’s my favorite budgeting app for the last several years, hands down. I share why I love it here.
