This Upside review examines the Upside app (formerly GetUpside) to help you decide whether it’s worth using.
Are fuel costs eating into your budget?
Prices have risen across many categories, especially for gasoline and diesel. If you want to trim expenses, the Upside app is a simple tool that can help you earn cash back on purchases you already make.
Upside is a free app that helps you find gas stations, grocery stores, and restaurants that offer cash back on everyday purchases.
The app is straightforward: sign up for a free account, open the in-app map to find nearby offers, claim an offer, then make the purchase to earn cash back on gas, groceries, or dining.
Typical rewards include roughly $0.25 per gallon on gas, up to 30% back on grocery purchases, and up to 45% back at some restaurants. Occasionally you can find much higher fuel offers—I’ve seen listings over $0.50 and even $0.67 per gallon for diesel in some locations.
Upside works at more than 45,000 gas station locations across the United States, including many major brands such as BP, Shell, Marathon, Phillips 66, RaceTrac, Circle K, and others.
Earnings won’t make you rich, but Upside can deliver meaningful savings over a year. For example, filling a 15-gallon tank four times a month with $0.25 per gallon cash back would equal about $180 in savings annually—all for purchases you already make.
Upside claims users have earned over $550 million in cash back since the app launched. If you want to try it, you can sign up for free through the link above. Use the invite code MAKINGSENSE to receive a $5 bonus on your first eligible purchase of $10 or more.
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Upside Review
What is Upside?
Founded in January 2016 as GetUpside and rebranded to Upside in 2022, Upside has grown quickly by partnering with gas stations, grocery stores, and restaurants that want to attract customers through targeted cash back offers.
Upside pays users cash back on gas and food purchases. The company reports that users collectively earn over $1,000,000 each week.
Where Upside works:
- Gas stations: Cash back at over 25,000 gas stations and convenience stores nationwide.
- Restaurants: Cash back at thousands of restaurants, cafes, and fast food locations.
- Grocery stores: Select cities receive grocery cash back offers, sometimes up to 30%.
Upside is available on both the App Store and Google Play. The app has millions of downloads and numerous positive reviews, indicating broad user satisfaction.
How does Upside work?
The app is quick to set up—signing up takes only a few minutes. Once your account is active, you claim an offer in the app, make your purchase, and receive cash back. There’s no earning limit, and you can usually stack Upside rewards with coupons, discounts, and loyalty programs.
Basic steps to use Upside:
- Sign up for free.
- Connect your payment card to your Upside wallet.
- Find and claim a cash back offer in the app.
- Pay as usual at the merchant.
- Submit your receipt or check in if required.
- Redeem cash back via bank transfer or gift card.
You can cash out at any time through a bank transfer or a variety of digital gift cards.
How I earned $44.12 on a single fill-up
On one occasion I earned $44.12 in cash back after stopping at a gas station offering a promotional rate of over $1.00 per gallon. Such high offers are uncommon but do appear during special promotions. I was able to redeem the cash back the following day.
If you want easy savings on gas, groceries, and dining, Upside is worth trying.
How do you get paid on Upside?
You can redeem your Upside balance via bank transfer or digital gift cards. Common gift card options include Amazon, Apple, CVS, Dunkin’, Lowe’s, Starbucks, Taco Bell, Walmart, and Target.
Does Upside give money back?
Yes. Upside offers cash back across categories: per-gallon fuel rebates, percentage-based grocery and restaurant rewards, and referral bonuses. To redeem, tap your balance in the app and choose bank transfer or a gift card.
Fees may apply for small redemptions: bank transfers under $10 often incur a $1 fee. Gift card redemptions typically have no fee, though some gift cards require a minimum balance. You can avoid small withdrawal fees if someone you referred is actively using Upside.
Which gas stations work with Upside?
Participating chains include BP, Shell, Circle K, Marathon, Phillips 66, RaceTrac, Speedway, Chevron, Exxon, Conoco, Valero, Casey’s, 76, and more.
How does Upside work for gas?
Open the app, view the map to find stations offering cash back, claim an offer, fill up, and then either submit your receipt or check in at participating locations to validate the purchase.
Does Upside have a gallon limit?
Most offers are valid up to 50 gallons of gas or diesel per transaction.
Which grocery stores use Upside?
Grocery partners vary by region and may include stores such as Piggly Wiggly, Schnucks, Save A Lot, Gelson’s, Cardenas Markets, and others. Upside also lists chain restaurants like Dairy Queen, Denny’s, Wendy’s, Arby’s, Burger King, Papa John’s, and Dunkin’. The app generally does not support third-party delivery services such as DoorDash or Uber Eats.
How long does it take to get money from Upside?
Receipt submissions are usually processed within about 10 days while Upside verifies transactions against merchant records. Once an earnings request is approved, funds typically appear within 24–48 hours.
What is Upside Check In?
Check In is an alternative to submitting a receipt at participating businesses marked with a blue lightning badge. Claim an offer, check in when you arrive, then complete your purchase within 20 minutes. Upside matches your transaction with the merchant using time, amount, and the last four digits of your card to confirm the purchase.
What’s the catch with the Upside app?
Not every station or store participates, so you may need to alter which locations you visit to maximize savings. Also, cash back is applied after purchase rather than as an immediate discount. On the plus side, Upside earnings do not expire.
Why do I have to claim an offer before buying?
You must claim an offer to lock in the current cash back amount and to ensure that the offer is active for a specific time window. Offers change frequently, and merchants set limits based on real-time needs.
Why does Upside need my credit card information? Is it safe?
Upside requires you to add the card you use so it can verify purchases with merchants. The app stores only partial card data for matching purposes, and payment information and personal details are protected using third-party encryption.
Other important tips for using Upside
- Always claim your offer in the app before making a purchase.
- Keep your receipt and take a clear photo if receipt submission is required.
- Use a debit or credit card when paying; cash, prepaid cards, gift cards, WIC, and EBT are typically not eligible for Upside cash back.
- Upside is available for iOS and Android devices.
How does Upside make money?
Upside operates on profit-sharing and referral arrangements with participating businesses. When Upside brings customers to a merchant, the company shares a portion of the resulting profit with users as cash back. Upside is paid only when the arrangement yields mutual benefit for the business and the user.
Is the Upside app legitimate?
Yes—Upside is a legitimate service used by millions of people. The company reports average annual savings for frequent users and maintains positive ratings on review platforms. While savings are modest for some users, the app can cover small recurring expenses over time.
Upside Review – Is the Upside app worth it?
Overall, Upside is worth trying if you want to save on everyday purchases without much effort. The app is free, simple to use, and lets you stack other discounts with the cash back offers. There’s no cap on earnings, and many places you already visit may be offering rewards you’re missing.
You can download and sign up for Upside for free. Use promo code UMN2J for a one-time bonus, or the invite code MAKINGSENSE for a $5 welcome bonus on your first qualifying purchase.
Do you use the Upside app? If you have any questions not covered in this review, ask in the comments and I will respond.
Recommended reading: 14 Best Cash Back Apps To Make Extra Money