If you are a fan of devices that use Apple’s iOS operating system, you are probably familiar with Apple Pay. This convenient app allows you to make secure payments easily and quickly.
What many people don’t know is that you can take advantage of cashback programs using Apple Pay. Imagine getting money back on your purchases by using your iPhone or iPad.
Apple Pay is compatible with many cashback retail programs. If a business accepts Apple Pay and has a cashback program, you can benefit from shopping with them. In most cases, you can receive between 2 and 3 percent cash back on your purchases. You must meet certain requirements. You must have a debit or credit card linked to your Apple Pay account.
You can enjoy many other benefits by using Apple Pay. More than a million retailers now accept Apple Pay. When you choose Apple Pay to complete your purchases, your personal information is safer.
No card numbers or identity information are provided to retailers. None of your credit or debit card numbers are stored on your device, so they remain secure at all times.
How Do I Get Cash Back with Apple Pay?
Using Apple Pay to get cashback rewards is simple and easy. You must meet a few requirements to participate in Apple Pay and get cashback to your account.
In most cases, once you complete the initial setup of your Apple Pay account, the actual cashback process is automatic. All you need to do is pay for your purchase at a participating retailer and use Apple Pay to process the transaction.
The Business Must Accept Apple Pay
Where you shop can make a difference. To get cashback rewards, the business where you shop must be a participating member of the Apple Pay system. You shouldn’t worry.
Apple reports that more than 85 percent of US retailers now accept Apple Pay online and in person at their brick-and-mortar stores.
The Business Must Have a Cash Back Program
It stands to reason that to get a cashback reward, the retailer must have a cashback program. If you aren’t sure, your best option is to simply ask the business where you shop if they offer cashback rewards.
Sometimes, you must register with the retailer and create a shopper account to qualify for cashback programs.
You must have an Apple Pay Account
To receive any of the benefits available, you must first register and set up an Apple Pay account on your iOS devices. The registration and setup process are easy and can be performed in a few minutes right on your iOS device. Apple Pay is part of the Apple Wallet app.
A Credit or Debit Card Must be Linked to your Apple Pay Account
Typically, this is part of setting up your Apple Pay account for the first time. However, if you didn’t provide a credit or debit card when you created your Apple Pay account, it is easy to add. Open your Apple Wallet app and follow the directions in the app to add a linked debit or credit card to the account.
Can I Get Extra Cash at Retailers Using Apple Pay?
Getting extra cash back with your purchase using Apple Pay is almost like using your credit or debit card to make your purchase.
In many cases, you have the chance to add extra cashback as you close out the transaction on the retailer’s pin pad. Select the cashback option and enter the amount of cash you want back before paying with Apple Pay.
Sometimes, you may need to ask the cashier to add the extra cashback to your purchase. These are usually smaller retailers that don’t have sophisticated retail point-of-sale systems. Most retailers will happily add the cashback amount to your purchase when they know you are using Apple Pay to make the transaction.
Can I Withdraw Cash from an ATM Using Apple Pay?
You can only use your Apple Pay account at an ATM if you have Apple Pay Cash in your Apple Wallet. Typically, you must first transfer the funds from your Apple Pay account to your bank account.
When the money is in your bank account, you can use your ATM to withdraw the funds and get cash. If you haven’t set up an Apple Cash account, you may be missing many of the benefits of your Apple Wallet.
Where Can I Use Apple Pay?
Thousands of retailers now accept Apple Pay. Most online businesses offer Apple Pay as an option. Most larger retailers accept Apple pay at their brick-and-mortar stores.
Look for the Apple Pay icon on your favorite websites. Retailers may advertise by showing the Apple Pay emblem at their cash registers. If you are unsure, ask the cashier.
Thousands of retailers now accept Apple Pay for online or in-person purchases. However, every retail point of sale system is a little different. You may find that some retail cash register systems require different steps to complete your purchase using Apple Pay.
Using Apple Pay at Walmart
Walmart is one large exception to the Apple Pay world. Walmart no longer accepts Apple Pay for purchases at their registers and self-service checkout lines.
This means there is no cashback option with Apple Pay at Walmart stores. The only methods of payment accepted by Walmart are MasterCard, Visa, American Express, PayPal, Cash or Checks.
Walmart replaced Apple Pay at their brick-and-mortar stores and their online retail site with their own version of Apple Pay called Walmart Pay. You must register for an account and download the Walmart Pay app to your iOS device.
Does Target Take Apple Pay?
Yes, Target currently accepts Apple Pay in their stores and online. The process is much like using Apple Pay at any other retailer. Complete your purchase, make the appropriate selections on the Target pin pad, then hover or tap your iOS device over the terminal device.
You can get extra cashback with your purchase, and you will accrue cashback rewards that you earn to your Apple Cash account.
Some Apple users have reported problems using Apple Pay on the Target website when making purchases. The Target online payment system seems to have issues using the Apple Pay digital payments. Not all Apple users have this problem, however.
Can I Use Apple Pay at Costco?
Costco has been participating with Apple Pay since 2018. The vast majority of Costco operations, including stores, food courts, and gas stations, are equipped with NFC readers that will communicate with your iOS device. Costco’s online shopping system is also compatible with Apple Pay.
There is one caveat to using Apple Pay at Costco. You must have a Visa card linked to your Apple Pay account before Costco will accept the Apple Pay transaction.
Does CVS Accept Apple Pay?
In short, it depends. Apple Pay has been an off-and-on-again situation with CVS in the past few years. For a while, CVS turned off all of the NFC readers in their stores, apparently to prevent people from using Apple Pay.
This has changed recently, but not all stores are participating. The only real way to find out is to ask at your local CVS store about the status of Apple Pay.
CVS has also disabled Apple pay as an option on their website and on their mobile apps. No one seems to have a good answer about why there is this disparity.
Does Family Dollar Allow Apple Pay at the Registers?
Family Dollar is one of the fastest-growing discount retailers in the US. They are known for being technically innovative and have embraced contactless payment methods at their stores.
You can use Apple Pay at Family Dollar stores to make your purchases. You can get cashback with your purchases as well.
You can also earn cashback rewards by using Apple Pay at Family Dollar. Typically, you will get three percent back to your Apple Cash Account on every transaction. This is another great way to save even more money when shopping.
Can I Pay for Gas with Apple Pay?
Using Apple Pay at gas stations is a hit-or-miss proposition. Many gas stations have not yet upgraded their pumps with touchless readers, which makes it impossible to use Apple Pay at these locations.
Apple does make it possible to search for Apple Pay-enabled gas stations through the Maps app on iOS devices.
Paying at the pump with Apple Pay won’t let you get extra cashback on your purchase, but you should get your Apple Cashback reward on your purchases.
Some gas stations may require you to pay for your fuel purchase at the cashier to use Apple Pay and get cash rewards. You may be able to get cashback by paying at the cashier instead of at the pump.
Why Should I Use Apple Pay?
Apple pay provides you with an extra level of security when making digital payments. You don’t have to process a credit or debit card physically.
No personal information is provided to the retailer for the transaction. Best of all, no credit card or debit card numbers are ever given to the retailer to complete the transaction. Your information remains safe, secure, and protected at all times.
