Does Fetch Work? How to Earn and Redeem Your Points
Understand how Fetch operates, allowing you to convert everyday shopping into valuable points and redeem them for rewards.
Receipt-scanning applications offer a modern approach to consumer savings, transforming everyday purchases into opportunities for rewards. These digital platforms allow individuals to accumulate points or cash back simply by digitizing their shopping receipts. The accumulated value can then be exchanged for various incentives, providing a straightforward method for consumers to gain incremental benefits from their regular spending habits.
Core Functionality
Fetch operates by allowing users to submit images of their shopping receipts through its mobile application. This process involves taking a photo of a physical receipt or connecting digital accounts for e-receipts. The application then employs technology to scan and interpret the purchase data contained on these receipts. Points are subsequently allocated to the user’s account based on the identified purchases.
The core mechanism focuses on identifying eligible items and brands listed on the submitted receipts. Once the app processes the receipt, points are automatically added to the user’s balance, reflecting the value of their qualifying purchases. This foundational process enables the system to track consumer spending and reward users without requiring manual entry of items or prices.
Methods for Earning Points
Users earn points by snapping photos of their physical receipts from most retailers, including grocery stores, gas stations, and restaurants. Each valid receipt submitted earns at least 25 points, regardless of specific purchases. Receipts must be scanned within 14 days of the purchase date to be eligible for points.
Beyond basic receipt scanning, points also accumulate through brand offers and special promotions. These offers reward users with bonus points for purchasing specific products or items from partner brands. Such opportunities are frequently updated within the app’s “Discover” tab, and points are awarded based on the pre-tax total after any discounts.
E-receipts provide another convenient earning avenue, allowing points for online purchases. Users can link their email accounts and specific retailer accounts, such as Amazon or Walmart, to the Fetch app. This integration enables the app to automatically scan for eligible digital receipts and award points for online transactions without manual submission.
Additional ways to earn include referral bonuses, where both the referrer and the new user receive points when the referred individual scans their first receipt. Users can also earn points through daily rewards or by playing games within the app. These methods allow for varied approaches to point accumulation.
Redeeming Rewards
Once points are accumulated, users can redeem them for various rewards, predominantly gift cards from various retailers, restaurants, and service providers. The conversion rate is typically 1,000 points per $1 in gift card value, though this can vary by retailer and gift card denomination. For instance, a $5 gift card requires about 5,000 points.
The redemption process is initiated within the app by navigating to the rewards section, where users can browse available options. After selecting a desired gift card and its value, the redemption request is processed. Most digital gift cards are issued within 72 hours, though physical gift card options are limited, with Visa being one of the few exceptions.
Beyond gift cards, redemption options may also include entries into sweepstakes or charitable donations. From a financial perspective, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) considers these rewards a non-taxable rebate or discount on purchases, rather than taxable income. This is because the points are earned as a reduction in the price of goods purchased, rather than as compensation or earnings. Rewards from such programs are not reported on tax forms like Form 1099-MISC.