Reputable online and mobile applications offer gift cards in exchange for playing games, answering questions or completing other tasks. When shopping around for gift card platforms make sure they use HTTPS security protocols and official app stores.
Try combining various methods of earning to boost your earnings, such as shopping portals and credit cards with rewards programs. This way, even if one method lags, another may still keep earning for you.

1. Online Survey Platforms
There are various online survey platforms that offer gift cards as rewards for participating. When looking for legitimate sites to join, make sure that thousands of other people have reviewed and approved it beforehand and that have clear terms.
Swagbucks and YouGov provide access to numerous surveys covering everything from consumer feedback, product testing, and political polling. Consistency pays, so set aside a few minutes daily for logging on and taking surveys.
Many of these platforms also allow you to earn by referring friends – if you have an extensive contact network this can be an easy and lucrative side hustle. Many programs even run focus groups that could yield even higher payouts!
Top Platforms:
- Swagbucks: You can earn Points (called SB) through surveys or watching videos, buying on the internet, and much more. Use points to redeem gift cards at retailers such as Amazon, Walmart, and Starbucks.
- Survey Junkie: You can share your thoughts on a range of subjects and earn points to redeem gifts cards, or PayPal cash.
- Pinecone Research: This exclusive platform gives high-paying surveys. It also gives participants cash or gift cards.
Pro Tip:
You must be consistent and sincere in the responses you provide. Certain platforms will flag incorrect answers that could decrease your chance of receiving rewards.
2. Cashback Apps
Cashback apps provide an efficient and straightforward method for earning gift cards through both online and in-store purchases. Rewards offered may range from discounts on groceries and electronics, to even free merchandise!
Most cashback apps rely on affiliate marketing to make money, meaning they receive a small commission for purchases made through their app or website. Furthermore, some may share your data with third parties – so make sure you read all fine print before downloading any rewards app!
Some apps allow you to upload receipts for virtually every purchase and redeem rewards such as gift cards or PayPal payments with minimum payout thresholds that may vary significantly.
Top Apps:
- Rakuten: Shopping on Rakuten’s site to earn cashback from many stores. When you have earned sufficient cashback, you may opt to get it in the form of gift cards.
- Ibotta: Take photographs of your receipts for groceries or join your loyalty accounts in order to get cashback on certain items. You can redeem your cashback for gift cards.
- Fetch Rewards: Scratch receipts at grocery stores and restaurants or even petrol stations in order to accumulate points which can be exchanged for gift cards.
Pro Tip:
Make sure you use these apps regularly and combine them together with other rewards or discounts programmes to make the most of your earnings.
3. Play Games and Complete Tasks
Gourmet coffee, fleece blankets and chocolate bars are popular employee incentives given out by companies. But such gifts might not be the most efficient way of showing appreciation to all members of an organization.
Many online rewards platforms allow participants to earn gift cards without actually making purchases – for instance through surveys, cashback apps, receipt scanning apps and loyalty programs.
Swagbucks provides real-time trivia games while Mistplay features word puzzles and old favorites. Search-to-earn programs like Microsoft Rewards give users points when they search with Bing – these points can then be redeemed for Amazon gift cards! Taking this route could prove highly profitable if managed well and limited to reliable platforms.
Top Apps:
- Mistplay: It rewards users with points to play games on mobile devices. Use points towards gift cards offered by retailers like Amazon as well as Google Play.
- InboxDollars: Make money participating in games, completing surveys or watching videos and even going through emails.
- Lucktastic: Play online scratch-off games to have a shot to be the winner of gift cards and other cash prizes.
Pro Tip:
Choose trusted websites with good review ratings. Do not use apps that require payment upfront or look like they’re too good to be true.
4. Shop Through Rewards Portals
Online shopping portals are one of the best ways to quickly earn bonus points, miles or cash back. Many credit card and airline programs provide their own shopping portals while some aggregators such as Cashback Monitor provide comprehensive lists of participating retailers and offers.
Shopping through a portal will redirect you directly to retailer’s site while earning rewards on purchases (excluding shipping fees and taxes) made (subtotal only). Many shopping portals also provide higher rewards during promotional periods.
Some portals require that you only use promo codes found on their site in order to stay eligible for rewards; using other coupon or promotion codes could void your earnings.
Top Platforms:
- MyPoints: Get points using their shopping portal to shop with a variety of popular stores. Points can be exchanged in gift cards and PayPal cash.
- Honey Gold: Make use of Honey Gold, the Honey browser extension when shopping on the internet to gain “Gold,” which can be exchanged for gift cards.
- Microsoft Rewards: Make use of Bing to search for your keywords Complete quizzes, take part in online surveys, or shop in the Microsoft Store for points that can be used to purchase gift cards.
Pro Tip:
Prior to making your purchase online, make sure to check whether the merchant is affiliated with a rewards program to make sure you’re earning the most points.
5. Watch Videos and Ads
Make extra cash watching videos and ads online can be an exciting and convenient way to generate additional income in your free time. While it may not lead to instant riches, this extra income could help pay for bills, save for vacations or invest in hobbies.
Video ads can be watched through popular reward sites and apps such as Swagbucks, InboxDollars, FusionCash and others. These platforms offer various payment options such as gift cards and PayPal cash payments with low payout thresholds – with short ads that feature clear, compelling messaging that easily resonates with viewers being the key elements to earning rewards consistently and patiently.
Top Platforms:
- Swagbucks Live: View videos, and play live trivia contests in order to earn SB points.
- Perk TV: Watch movie trailers as well as short clips in order to earn points that can be exchanged to purchase gift cards.
- InboxDollars: Earn cash for watching short videos about different themes.
Pro Tip:
Make hours each day to view videos, while simultaneously completing other things to do.
6. Participate in Loyalty Programs
Dependent upon the brand, many loyalty programs provide gift cards as an incentive for their most loyal customers. Participation in online surveys or cashback apps (Swagbucks for instance), gaming platforms (such as Swagbucks) or even earning points through search engines (Microsoft Rewards) can quickly turn small purchases into gift card value.
Alternative solutions exist as well, with coffee shops and other restaurants often running loyalty programs that reward regular visitors with free items or gift cards for frequent visits. Furthermore, many trade-in services will pay you for DVDs, phones and books you no longer use; just make sure only trusted platforms that do not require upfront fees or personal data collection require upfront fees or personal information – especially offers that seem too good to be true!
Examples:
- Starbucks Rewards: Earn star points for every purchase. You can then redeem them to get gifts or free drinks.
- Target Circle: Earn points from purchases, and put to pay for future purchases, as well as Target gifts cards.
- Sephora Beauty Insider: Accumulate points for each purchase, and redeem them for products that are free as well as gift cards.
Pro Tip:
Join loyalty programs in the stores that you regularly shop for to earn the most reward points without having to change your shopping habits.
7. Refer Friends
Swagbucks, PrizeRebel and Freeward are three online platforms which enable users to earn gift cards for various activities like watching videos or playing games – popular examples being Swagbucks, PrizeRebel and Freeward – while each program also provides numerous gift card redemption options and competitive payouts.
Cashback apps offer gift card rewards when shopping both online and in-store, using specific search engines as your default search, Honeygain apps or deal aggregator services like Dealzilla – making cashback apps an attractive alternative to gift cards!
Always look out for rewards programs with good reviews that do not request sensitive data or charge upfront fees, and are trustworthy. Be wary of programs making outlandish earnings claims.
Top Platforms:
- Rakuten: Earn referral bonuses when friends sign up using your link and make their first purchase.
- Swagbucks: Get bonus SB points when your friends join and start earning.
- Fetch Rewards: Receive extra points when friends sign up using your referral code.
Pro Tip:
Share your referral links on social media or with close friends who are likely to sign up.
8. Test Products
Product testing can be an excellent way to earn gift cards online, and there are various platforms offering such opportunities. When choosing which platforms or apps to participate on, make sure they are reputable ones and avoid those which demand sensitive personal data or make unrealistic earnings claims.
Use an alternative email address when signing up for product testing sites and competitions to avoid receiving notifications about them in your personal inbox.
Digital gift card incentives can be an excellent way to drive customer engagement, as most people find them irresistible.
Top Platforms:
- BzzAgent: You will receive free products for testing and reviewing with the promise of rewards.
- Influenster: Review items and read reviews thoroughly for points which are redeemable for perks such as gift cards.
- UserTesting: Test the functionality of websites and apps, and then provide feedback to the company in exchange to gift cards or cash.
Pro Tip:
Join multiple platforms for testing products to boost your chance of being considered to be considered for campaigns.