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Checkout 51 Review: How To Save on Grocery Purchases in 2024

Updated:

Fact Checked

Checkout 51 is a free cash back app that pays you to shop. When you complete your regular grocery run and upload your purchase receipt, the app applies discounts to the offers available in your shopping cart and adds the cash back to your balance.

You can earn cash back with the Checkout 51 app when you check out the offers for the week, shop at any store, and photograph and upload your receipt.

This Checkout 51 review covers how it works and alternative apps you can use to maximize your earnings.

Key Takeaways

  • Checkout 51 is a money-saving app/website that lets you save on your grocery purchases by uploading receipts from your grocery shopping and earning cash back on qualifying purchases.
  • Some cash back offers are up to 30% of the normal price and you may be able to claim some offers more than once.
  • Double up on your savings/cash back by using other rebate apps that let you upload receipts.

How Does Checkout 51 Work?

This is how to get started with Checkout 51:

  1. Sign up for a Checkout 51 account.
  2. Browse offers available for the week.
  3. Go shopping and buy products at any store.
  4. Take pictures of the receipts with your phone (camera) and upload them on Checkout 51. If you are using the smartphone app, use the camera button to scan and upload the receipt.
  5. Get cash back. Checkout 51 will review your receipt and credit your account. You can cash out when your balance reaches $20 or more.

Other Things To Note

  • Product cash back offers are refreshed every week, with new offers going live on Thursdays and expiring the following Wednesday.
  • Some offers are available in limited quantities.
  • It is important you upload your receipt ASAP, so an offer you intend to redeem does not expire on you.
  • Some offers can be claimed multiple times, but each receipt can only be used once.
  • When you cash out, they will send you a cheque in the mail.

About Checkout 51

Checkout 51 is a money-saving app/website that allows users to upload receipts from their grocery shopping and earn cash back on qualifying purchases.

It was founded by Noah Godfrey, Andrew McGrath, and Pema Hegan and launched in Canada in 2012. In 2014, it branched out to the United States where the company had also built a massive following.

What I like About Checkout 51

Checkout 51 is the closest cash back app we have in Canada to the Ibotta app, which gets rave reviews in the U.S. The Caddle app is another tool I use for cash back and paid surveys.

Aside from Rakuten and Caddle, I also use other money-saving cash back apps and websites like the Drop app whenever possible.

Here are some of the benefits of Checkout 51:

1. Everyday Grocery Items: Product offers on Checkout 51 are for routine items you buy when you go grocery shopping. This makes it very easy to get cash back since you are buying things on your grocery list.

2. Easy to Cash Out and Earn Cash Back: With some cash back offers up to 30% of the normal purchase price and the ability to claim some offers more than once, it’s pretty easy to reach the $20 payout threshold.

3. Shop Anywhere – including Online: Checkout 51 offers are usually not store-specific. You can buy product offers at any store as long as they issue you a receipt; even online stores, like Amazon, etc., qualify. For online orders, you will need an itemized packing slip as proof of purchase.

4. Double Up on Savings with Other Rebate Apps: If you use other rebate apps that ask you to upload receipts, you can double up on your savings/cash back. Unless otherwise stated, if the rebate apps have the same deals for the week, simply upload the same receipt on both apps, and presto – you get double cash back on the eligible item!

5. Stack Up on Coupons: “Crazy couponers” can save even more money by applying multiple coupons (store discounts, manufacturers’ coupons, etc.) plus uploading receipts to earn cash back. Generally, the appearance of the coupon discount on your receipt does not invalidate your cash back offer.

6. User-Friendly Website and App: Checkout 51 is easy to use and accessible on several devices, including desktops, tablets, and smartphones. With the smartphone app, you can easily scan receipts and upload them directly.

7. Bonus Offers: There are other regular bonus offers. For example, a contest to submit a grocery receipt over $60 for a chance to win $500.

Related20 Cash-Back Apps That Pay You To Shop.

Cons of Checkout 51

The one thing I think they can improve on is their limited cash-out options. Currently, you need to wait for “snail” mail to deliver your cheque, and that can easily take 2 weeks or longer. A Paypal or direct deposit option would make payments easier and so much faster.

They do have a referral program that gives you $10 for every referral who signs up using your promo link! The referral gets $5 when they upload their first receipt and you get $10! WIN-WIN!

Checkout 51 Alternatives in Canada

The cash back apps below can help you earn cash back rewards when you shop online and in the store.

1. KOHO

KOHO Prepaid Mastercard

KOHO Mastercard Prepaid Card 2

$20 welcome bonus after first purchase (use CASHBACK promo code during sign-up)

$0 monthly fee

Earn up to 5% unlimited cash back

Get 3% savings interest on your balance

Unlimited Interac e-Transfers and debit transactions

Free budgeting app and access to credit building

2. Rakuten

Rakuten

rakuten

$30 sign-up bonus when you spend at least $30

Earn up to 40% cashback

Features 3,000 stores and retailers

Redeem earnings by PayPal & check

3. Ampli

Ampli

ampli logo

Earn cash back at various retailers

Cashback app powered by RBC

Redeem earnings via Interac e-Transfer

Conclusion

Cash back apps like Checkout 51 will not make you rich, but they can return some significant cash back savings if you do a lot of grocery shopping.

Checkout 51 Review for 2023
  • Product Variety and Offers
  • Participating Stores
  • Ease of Use
  • Value
  • App
Overall
4.6

Summary

Checkout 51 is a money-saving app/website that allows users to upload receipts from their grocery shopping and earn cash back on qualifying purchases. This Checkout 51 review covers what you need to know. 

Top Money Saving Offers this month

Earn up to 6% unlimited cash back on purchases + free $20 Signup Offer

Free cashback card with up to 6% instant unlimited cash back on purchases.

$20 welcome bonus when you open an account and make your first purchase.

Free chequing with unlimited transactions, Interac e-Transfers, and bill payments.

Get 3.00% savings interest on your balance and a free budgeting app.

Get paid to shop online using Rakuten with $30 cash bonus

Get a $30 cash bonus after your first purchase of $30 or more.

Earn cashback on purchases at over 750 popular brands and retailers.

Up to 35% cashback discounts are available daily.

Redeem cash rewards earned by PayPal, cheque, or Amazon gift cards.

Author

Gravatar for Enoch Omololu, MSc (Econ)
Enoch Omololu, MSc (Econ)

Enoch Omololu, personal finance expert, author, and founder of Savvy New Canadians, has written about money matters for over 10 years. Enoch has an MSc (Econ) degree in Finance and Investment Management from the University of Aberdeen Business School and has completed the Canadian Securities Course. His expertise has been highlighted in major publications like Forbes, Globe and Mail, Business Insider, CBC News, Toronto Star, Financial Post, CTV News, TD Direct Investing, Canadian Securities Exchange, and many others. Enoch is passionate about helping others win with their finances and recently created a practical investing course for beginners. You can read his full author bio.

About Savvy New Canadians

Savvy New Canadians is one of Canada's top personal finance platforms. Millions of Canadians use our site each year to learn how to save for retirement, invest smartly, maximize rewards, and earn extra cash. We have been featured in prominent finance media, including Forbes, Globe and Mail, Business Insider, CBC, MSN, Wealthsimple, and TD Direct Investing. Learn more about Savvy New Canadians.

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9 thoughts on “Checkout 51 Review: How To Save on Grocery Purchases in 2024”

  1. Gravatar for Karen

    This app really works I already redeem $51.03 , use my referral code for your first $5

    • Gravatar for mAGALIE

      What is your referral code 😉

      • Gravatar for Enoch Omololu

        @Magalie: If you click on the links in the post and sign up, it automatically gives us both $5/$10 after you redeem your first offer. No promo code required. 😉

  2. Gravatar for Jess

    Checkout51 has PayPal now so getting your cash back quickly is now an option 🙂

    • Gravatar for Enoch Omololu

      Thanks for the update!

  3. Gravatar for Glenda

    I have used checkout 51 for couple years now and for the most part, I was very happy with their app. Recently they just suspended my account, because I cashed out.

    They have use their terms as a scapegoat for now not paying the balance. I submitted a few receipts over the last couple of weeks that they approved items on, and they’re claiming that I didn’t follow their terms of fraudulent activity. Also allegedly I have been submitting store receipts that don’t clearly describe an item. Not customers fault…store receipts and Items can be vague.

    Items submitted by customers don’t always get approved, and that’s ok! That is the whole point of submitting a receipt for approval, but the ones that do get approved, should be honored.

    I have followed their terms. Checkout 51 explained to me that my receipts were not personally done or they said my items claimed we’re not on the receipt. I have proof they are.

    I tried to resolve this issue with them, very calmly and politely. I gave them a few examples and sent pictures of the items approved by them, balance approved by them. Just now they’re saying that they’re not approved and my account is suspended.

    I have a balance, they are now saying that they will not honor it, even though I can see there is an approved balance.

    I am not happy with their customer service or their responses to my request for respect. It’s only 20 dollars, it’s not going to hurt me at all, but still they are using my info to gain and making advertising money off me! Poor customer service…I will not use them again. Do not recommend this app.

    Careful when you call someone a fraud….when the are not, just your faithful customer. Lol.
    Take care!

  4. Gravatar for Jody

    Way too much vegan organic stuff now. I think the entire list this week is only geared towards people that shop in those categories that there is not one regular item on here

  5. Gravatar for Ki

    Similar I have negative experience with Checkout51!
    They will suspend account without any reasons while quoting you their terms of service. They provide no way to escalate it even when we have proof that it was not violated. We were a user for many years… Not anymore!
    I would be very careful about have a balance on their app. Due to their negligence, they seem seem to not realize when receipts are failing to be recognized by the system.

    • Gravatar for Enoch Omololu, MSc (Econ)

      @Ki: Thanks for your feedback!

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