How to Get Free or Discounted Parking Using Cashback Apps

Whether you’re commuting daily, traveling for work, or heading out for a weekend trip, parking costs can add up quickly. Fortunately, cashback apps offer a smart way to reduce—or even eliminate—your parking expenses. By using apps like Fluz, Rakuten, Ibotta, and Upside, you can earn money back on the essentials surrounding your parking routine: gas, travel bookings, food stops, and even car maintenance.

Here’s how to make the most of these platforms—and how to stack coupons, loyalty rewards, and cashback offers for maximum savings.

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1. The Best Cashback Apps for Parking-Related Savings

Fluz

Fluz offers instant cashback when you purchase digital gift cards from partner merchants. Instead of waiting weeks for rewards, Fluz users can earn cashback immediately after the transaction. It’s especially useful for travel services, gas stations, restaurants near parking lots, and retailers you might visit while parking downtown or at airports.

Top parking-related Fluz merchants:

• Chevron
  
• Texaco
  
• Lyft
  
• Uber
  
• Airbnb
  
• Hotels.com
  
• Target (often used for purchasing travel essentials near parking lots)
  

Best Use Tip: Buy a gift card via Fluz for your gas station or ride-sharing service just before your trip. Then use the gift card and stack any loyalty rewards or discounts at the time of purchase.

Rakuten

Rakuten allows users to earn cashback by clicking through to partnered sites. While it doesn’t directly cover parking lots, you can still save by booking hotels, rental cars, and airport shuttles—all expenses that often include parking options.

Key Rakuten categories:

• Travel booking platforms (e.g., Expedia, Booking.com)
  
• Rideshare accessories and car maintenance retailers
  

Best Use Tip: When booking airport parking through a travel site, go through Rakuten first to activate cashback. Combine this with any promo codes for extra savings.

Ibotta

Ibotta focuses primarily on grocery and retail purchases, but some of its gas station partners offer deals tied to in-store purchases, snacks, or car-related products. This is great for drivers who stop for gas and parking near convenience stores.

Sample Ibotta categories:

• Shell, Exxon, and other gas stations
  
• Grocery stores and pharmacies near parking garages
  

Best Use Tip: Use Ibotta for purchases near your parking spot (e.g., grabbing snacks before a movie), and scan your receipt for instant rewards.

Upside

Upside is built for drivers, offering cashback at gas stations, car washes, and some fast food chains. It’s location-based and works well in urban or suburban parking-heavy areas.

Upside perks:

• Nearby gas discounts
  
• Car maintenance and wash savings
  
• Frequent user bonuses
  

Best Use Tip: Use Upside to fill up near your parking location and stack loyalty discounts from your fuel provider or credit card.

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2. Parking-Related Merchants to Watch

Even if the app doesn’t say “parking lot” specifically, many merchants connected to driving and travel do. Here are the types of businesses where you can earn cashback while parking:

• Gas stations: Chevron, Texaco, Shell, Exxon, BP
  
• Rideshare & transit: Uber, Lyft, Amtrak
  
• Hotel chains: Marriott, Hilton, Best Western (hotel stays often include free or discounted parking)
  
• Food near parking: Starbucks, Panera, Chipotle
  
• EV charging and travel prep: Target, AutoZone, Walmart
  

By using apps like Fluz to purchase gift cards for these merchants—or Rakuten/Ibotta to earn post-purchase—you’re turning your parking routine into a cashback opportunity.

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3. How to Stack Coupons, Cashback, and Loyalty Programs

To truly maximize your savings, layering rewards is key. Here’s how to do it:

1. Start with a cashback app
   
   • Buy a gift card (Fluz) or activate a deal (Rakuten, Upside)
     
2. Use store loyalty programs
   
   • Gas stations often offer points or discounts for members
     
3. Apply a promo code or coupon
   
   • Many parking apps (e.g., SpotHero, ParkWhiz) accept promo codes
     
4. Pay with a rewards credit card
   
   • Choose one that offers points or cashback on travel or gas
     

Example:
Buy a Chevron gift card on Fluz → Fill up at a Chevron that gives loyalty points → Use Upside to get extra cashback on that same fill-up → Pay with a rewards credit card.

This type of strategy can result in 15–30% total value back on everyday expenses.

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Final Thoughts

While most drivers focus on finding the closest or cheapest parking space, the real savings come from rethinking the entire experience. Cashback apps like Fluz, Rakuten, Ibotta, and Upside help you earn on everything around your parking habit—from gas and coffee to lodging and EV charging.

By using these tools together—and planning your spending wisely—you can save hundreds of dollars each year while maintaining a convenient, eco-conscious lifestyle.