Swagbucks launched a Dining program called Swagbucks Local which allows us to earn cash back in the form of Swagbucks when dining out.
What’s especially interesting is that the earning rates are very competitive. Most restaurants earn 10x (worth 10% back via Paypal), and some earn 15-25%.
As a matter of comparison, United and AAdvantage dining programs earn a maximum of 5 miles per dollar; many will prefer 10% cash versus 5 miles. Check out your favorite restaurants to see if Swagbucks Local is offering a competitive rate.
A couple of major limitations to the Swagbucks Local program:
- They haven’t yet launched the Android app so it’s iOS only for now (“Android coming soon”)
- Only available currently in the following areas: San Diego, Los Angeles, Orange County, San Francisco, Ventura County, Dallas, Atlanta, Washington DC, Phoenix, Houston, Denver, Detroit, New York, Philadelphia, Boston, Cincinnati, Seattle, Fort Lauderdale and Chicago. Â New cities added on a regular basis.
- Only works with Visa and Amex, not Mastercard or Discover
Another interesting thing to point out is that there’s no reference on Swagbucks to the popular Rewards Network which powers most dining programs. It might be possible to double-dip by registering a Visa or Amex card with both the Swagbucks program and one the many Rewards Network programs (United, AA, Delta, Alaska, etc.), and getting the cash back from Swagbucks plus the miles from the Rewards Network. Let us know if you try it out.
Also note that there is a 100 Swagbucks bonus ($1) for linking your first card to the program even without making any purchase.
[Here is my Swagbucks referral link, my appreciation if you use it to signup.] You can also now read our full review of Swagbucks by clicking here.
Hat tip to rybosworld on Reddit
Also noteworthy form the linked blog, fairly limited cities right now.
San Diego, Los Angeles, Orange County, San Francisco, Ventura County, Dallas, Atlanta, Washington DC, Phoenix, Houston, Denver, Detroit, New York, Philadelphia, Boston, Cincinnati, Seattle, Fort Lauderdale and Chicago.
They aren’t in Austin yet, but I travel for work to Chicago fairly regularly, so went ahead and used your referral link on the off chance I happen upon a place there.
Let me add the cities, I missed that originally.
Looks like it conflicts with Mogl and LivingSocial Restaurants. So can’t double dip with those 2 programs.
Yes I suspected it based on the cashback percentages and wrote it a moment ago, but it seems that because I added my shameless referral for LivingSocial my post got somehow blocked.
Was in spam, I’ve removed it and posted it now but removed the link.
Based on the percentages I suspect they may be using the same back-end than Living Social Restaurant Plus, if so you can’t have both at the same time. In case anyone is interested I’ve been using it Restaurant Plus for a while and it’s great, they don’t have a lot of restaurants in my area but considering it’s maintenance free the few ones they have are great!
Shameless plug: If it’s available in your area and you want to register and get 100% cashback (up to $20) in your first eligible purchase you can use my referral link [referral link removed, please avoid sharing referrals unless we specifically say it’s ok. Otherwise all posts get flooded with referral links and it becomes difficult to wade through those comments]