What is Upside App?
The Upside app is perfect for budget-conscious consumers looking to save on daily expenses. By providing cashback on gas, groceries, and restaurants, it is especially beneficial for frequent travelers, families, and individuals who want to maximize their savings without the hassle of traditional couponing.
Upside is a cashback app that enables users to earn points on purchases from over 50,000 locations across the United States. It was founded in 2015 and launched in December 2016 by two former Google employees, Wayne Lin and CEO Alex Kinner. The app's founding team also includes Joanna Kochaniak, Rick McPhee, and Jan Rubio. The platform has partnered with some of the USA's largest petrol, grocery, and restaurant companies.
The app is free to use and available in most US states. Users can search for locations and redeem cashback offers easily. The concept of cashback aims to help businesses attract more customers while providing consumers with discounts on their purchases, creating a mutually beneficial partnership.
Pros and Cons of the Upside App
Pros:
- Claim up to 50 gallons per offer
- Earn real cash savings
- Variety of gift card rewards
- Multiple ways to claim offers
- Variety of gas station partners
- Meaningful savings on fuel
Cons:
- Not available at every gas station; some states lack coverage
- Only available in the United States
- Rewards may not stack with credit card perks
- Cash-out fees for PayPal and checks
Upside Gas App Reviews (Trustpilot)
Sydney Jennings (5 Stars)
"How it works: I got almost $30 back in two months. That would be about half a tank in some states. I was notified about the balance, entered account details, and got money into my account. Very pleased!"
Date of experience: August 18, 2024
Shiraz Engineer (5 Stars)
"Great app and customer service. Cashback is almost immediate with specific partners. I had a problem with a transaction, but Mustafa in customer service resolved it. Seamless and fuss-free cashback!"
Date of experience: January 12, 2022
Sheri (4 Stars)
"Update to prior review: Customer support solved my issue through email. I had been using this app for months, but one day, it logged me out, and my $7 balance disappeared. Support restored my account, and it’s working fine now."
Date of experience: June 11, 2024
Kim Brandom (3 Stars)
"Frustrating discount changes: I’ve used this app for three years, but it recently started reducing cashback if I get discounts from the company directly. It’s hard to gauge savings accurately now."
Date of experience: June 29, 2024
Ernest Elizondo (1 Star)
"This is a complete waste of time! I had three negative experiences and stopped using it. After waiting for a refund, I got a reply saying 'transaction expired.' My advice: Don’t even start using this app."
Date of experience: April 15, 2024
Reviews on Better Business Bureau®
Initial Complaint (09/23/2023):
"I shopped at Schnucks relying on promises of 7-11% cashback. Emails from Upside claimed delays in cashback processing, but later, the offers were marked 'expired.' Upside stated that after 21 days, no credit could be given. I spent over $200 trusting the cashback promise. Can you help?"
Initial Complaint (10/18/2023):
"I’ve used Upside 18 times since June 2023 for gas cashback. I uploaded receipts and followed guidelines, yet I didn’t receive cashback for 14 transactions. Upside claims they couldn’t verify the purchases despite valid receipts. How does this happen 80% of the time?"
Initial Complaint (08/15/2023):
"I had $45 on my account, but after updating the app as advised, my rewards disappeared. There’s no phone number or valid email for support. Does anyone know how to contact them?"
User Testimonials
Jason S:
"This is the best app I’ve ever downloaded. I’ve cashed out over $325 in FREE MONEY. Download it and try it for yourself—there’s no risk, and you literally get paid to shop!"
Ginger G:
"I’ve earned over $1,500 to date! I use Upside every time I fuel up or eat out. Amazing app—thank you, Upside!"
Max E:
"I’ve received almost $300 just for doing what we all have to do anyway—get gas! If you’re not signed up, you’re missing out. It adds up faster than you think."
Advantages of Upside Cashback App
1. Location-Based Recommendations
Upside uses your location data to send you offers when it detects that you are near a participating establishment. If you prefer not to use this feature, you can choose not to share your location. However, sharing your location maximizes your savings by making the most relevant deals available.
2. Referrals
The referral scheme at Upside is fantastic! When you refer a friend, you receive an extra 15 cents per gallon credit to use within the app. Additionally, you earn 1 cent per gallon cashback for every gallon your friend purchases through the app—and this reward lasts forever! If your friends are new to the platform, you can also guide them on how to use the Upside app effectively.
3. Daily Need Offers
The app provides cashback on everyday essentials. For example, users can earn cashback on petrol purchases—something they need regularly—making it a seamless way to save on necessary expenses.
4. Great Design
The app features a user-friendly interface, making it easy to navigate and use. Even beginners can quickly learn how to claim cashback. The mobile app development team ensured the app is intuitive and meets user requirements.
5. Multiple Cashout Options
Upside offers multiple ways to redeem cashback points, including:
- E-gift cards
- PayPal
- Direct bank deposits
These options provide flexibility and cater to a variety of user preferences.
Positive and Negative Reviews
Positive Reviews:
- "Easy to use and consistently saves me money at the pump and grocery store!" – Google Play User
- "I’ve earned $270 in cashback over the past year just by using Upside regularly." – App Store Reviewer
Negative Reviews:
- "Customer service is unresponsive, and the app sometimes shows incorrect prices." – Trustpilot Review
- "Limited offers in rural areas make it less effective outside major cities." – Reddit User