I checked out the CheckPoints app to see if checking in to stores and scanning barcodes is worth your time. It is legit and you can redeem a gift card from $1, but it is US only, pays only in gift cards, and what you earn depends on where you live. Below is what I found, and which sites I recommend next to it.
Legit with a low threshold, but gift cards only and it depends on where you live
A US app that rewards check-ins and barcode scans at partner stores. Gift cards from $1, no cash.
On this page
The short answer
CheckPoints is legit. It does pay its members, in gift cards, for checking in to partner stores, scanning barcodes, watching videos and doing offers. You can redeem from $1.
But it is only available in the US, it offers no cash rewards, and your earnings depend mostly on how many partner stores are near you. Some readers also report gift card redemptions that took a long time or never arrived. It can serve as a decent secondary app, not as a regular way to earn.
- Low payout threshold: a $1 Amazon gift card
- An easy way to earn rewards while you shop
- The app is user-friendly, on Android and iOS
- Several ways to earn: check-ins, cashback, videos, offers, referrals
- Limited to US residents
- Earning potential depends on where you live
- No cash rewards
- Some readers report redemptions that did not arrive and scans that stopped working
- The website and FAQ explain little
My experience with CheckPoints
I checked out the CheckPoints app, its ways to earn, the rewards catalog, the sweepstakes and the support options. This is what I looked at, and what I did not test.
- First checked
- March 2020Review first published Mar 17, 2020
- Latest retest
- Checked: ways to earn, rewards, support
- Lowest reward
- $1 Amazon gift card335 points
- Best earner
- Check-insDepends on the stores near you
- The check-in and barcode scanning activities
- The cashback offers, videos and paid offers
- The referral program
- The rewards catalog, the sweepstakes, the FAQ and the contact form
- A gift card redemption. My review does not show a payout from CheckPoints.
- The sweepstakes games
CheckPoints at a glance
| What it is | Mobile rewards app: earn points for check-ins, barcode scans and other activities |
|---|---|
| Cost to join | Free |
| Minimum age | 13 |
| Ways to earn | Check-ins and barcode scans at partner stores, cashback offers, videos, paid offers, referrals |
| Video limit | Up to 500 points a day |
| Minimum cashout | $1 Amazon gift card (335 points) |
| Rewards | Gift cards such as Amazon, Target and Walmart, or sweepstakes tickets. No cash. |
| Apps | Android and iOS. No desktop version. The app needs your location. |
| Where you can join | US only |
| Support | FAQ and a contact form on the support page |
Is CheckPoints legit and safe?
Yes, CheckPoints is legit. It does pay its members for completing its tasks. But that doesn’t mean it is a good way to earn extra cash. Here is what you should know.
- Some readers report redemptions that did not arrive
In 2023, two readers wrote that gift card redemptions took more than a month or never arrived, and that support stopped replying. One of them had used CheckPoints for over 2 years without this issue and says other people still got their gift cards within minutes.
- Your earnings depend on where you live
Check-ins are by far the best way to earn. If there are not many partner stores near you, you will not earn much. Offers you can do at home don’t pay a lot.
- The app needs your location
CheckPoints asks you to turn on your GPS so it can work properly. Some readers also report scans and check-ins that stopped working.
- Sweepstakes are a gamble
You can trade points for sweepstakes tickets and play for prizes, mostly points and sometimes cash. There is no guarantee you win anything, so you can end up with less than you put in.
- The referral reward has conditions
CheckPoints promises a $25 gift card per referral, but in my experience your referral must first meet requirements, like earning a certain number of points. The website does not explain this.
My takeCheckPoints can be a fun way to earn rewards. It offers a low payout threshold, and the app is user-friendly. However, its earning potential mostly depends on the area you live in, so you can’t really expect to earn from it on a regular basis. It can serve as a decent secondary app. Just don’t expect to earn cash, since all it offers are gift cards.
CheckPoints pays only in gift cards and depends on the stores near you. These sites in your country let you earn cash on a regular basis.
See the best sites in your countryHow you earn on CheckPoints
There are 5 ways to earn. Check-ins are by far the best one. Tap one to read more.
Check-ins and barcode scansBest earner
The app asks you to check in to major stores that partner with CheckPoints. Once you have checked in, you can scan the barcodes of the items on the store’s list to earn more points.
Every check-in and activity earns you points. If you go out often and there are many partner stores near you, this is where you earn the most.
Cashback offersShown per offer
Shop online at partner stores and earn back some of the money you spend. There are not as many offers as on pure cashback sites and apps, but there is a decent number.
Watching videosUp to 500 points a day
Watch videos, mostly ads, to earn points. You can watch as many as you like, but you earn at most 500 points a day this way. After that, stop, because more videos earn you nothing.
Paid offersShown per offer
Small tasks like answering a survey, playing a game or registering on a site. Surveys and games are the most common.
Follow the instructions carefully, because that is the only way to make sure you get the reward. The points are credited to your account as soon as you complete the offer.
Referral program$25 gift card, with conditions
Share your referral code. The people you invite enter it when they register. CheckPoints promises a $25 gift card for every person you refer.
In my experience, your referral must first meet certain requirements, like earning a certain number of points. So you only get something if the people you invite use the app very actively.
How much can you make?
Technically, you can’t earn cash from this app, only gift cards. How much you earn mostly depends on how active you are and how often you go out.
Check-ins are by far the most rewarding opportunity, but only if you live in an area with a lot of partner stores. Don’t expect to earn a lot from the offers you can do at home.
So the earning potential mostly depends on where you live. With plenty of stores to check in to, you can earn a decent amount.
Rewards and minimums
| Reward | Minimum | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Gift cards: Amazon, Target, Walmart and more | $1 Amazon gift card (335 points) | Several gift cards in the rewards catalog |
| Sweepstakes tickets | Per ticket | Prizes are mostly points, sometimes cash. No guaranteed win. |
Every activity earns you points, which you exchange for gift cards. A $1 threshold is pretty low, in my opinion. For more sites with a low threshold, see the fastest paying sites.
Readers quote CheckPoints’ own message that an e-gift card can take up to 14 business days after you redeem.
How to join CheckPoints
CheckPoints is only available in the US, and you must be at least 13 years old.
Download the app from the Android or iOS app store, go through the registration, and allow the app to use your location. Then you are good to go.
There is no desktop version. You need a mobile device with an internet connection.
What readers told me
This review has 6 comments since 2022: 3 from readers and 3 replies from me.
Two readers in 2023 waited more than a month for a redemption or never received it, and got no useful answer from support. One says other people still received their gift cards within minutes.
A long-time user wrote in 2022 that the app worked well at first, but later scans and receipts kept failing.
“I have redeemed 32,000 points for a $100 Walmart E-Card card one in October 2022 & then January 2023 & as of today I’ve never received my Gift cards. … But other people are still getting their E-card with in minutes of redeeming their points.”
Mikael: Sorry to hear this, but thanks for taking the time to share your experiences so others can see.
“I’ve been trying to redeem pts for $25 for over a month. I get the same unproductive response.”
Mikael: Sorry to hear that. But thanks for sharing your experiences.
CheckPoints alternatives I have reviewed
| Site | Best for | Min. cashout | My rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Swagbucks | Cashback shopping, surveys, games and more, all free | About $5 PayPal; gift cards from 100 SB | 4.3 / 5 |
| InboxDollars | US only. Many daily ways to earn and a joining bonus | $15 first time, then $10 | 3.9 / 5 |
| KashKick | US only. Earnings shown in dollars, not points | $10 | 3.6 / 5 |
| Fetch Rewards | US only. Scan any receipt for points | 3,000 points ($3) | 3.3 / 5 |
| Ibotta | US only. Cashback on groceries, in store and online | $20 | 3.3 / 5 |
See also the top paid survey apps, or the top survey sites in your country. You will find a site you can join wherever you live.
How I scored CheckPoints
I use the same 100-point system for every platform. See how I test and rate.
CheckPoints scores 56 out of 100. It is a decent secondary app in the US, but these sites let you earn cash more often.
See the best sites in your countryCheckPoints FAQ
Is CheckPoints legit?
Yes. CheckPoints pays its members in gift cards for the tasks it offers. Some readers report redemptions that did not arrive, so redeem small amounts often.
What is the minimum payout?
A $1 Amazon gift card, which costs 335 points.
Does CheckPoints pay cash?
No. You can redeem gift cards such as Amazon, Target and Walmart, or sweepstakes tickets.
How do I earn the most points?
With check-ins and barcode scans at partner stores. How much you earn depends on how many partner stores are near you.
Who can join CheckPoints?
Only people in the US who are at least 13 years old.
Can I use CheckPoints on a computer?
No. CheckPoints is a mobile app for Android and iOS, and it needs your location.
How do I contact CheckPoints?
Check the FAQ first, then use the contact form on the support page.
Who checked CheckPoints for this review
If you have any comments, questions, or experiences with CheckPoints, I would love to hear from you in a comment below.
The problem I am having is I have redeemed 32,000 points for a $100 Walmart E-Card card one in October 2022 & then January 2023 & as of today I’ve never received my Gift cards. I have never had this issue before & I’ve been using Checkpoints for over 2 years. But other people are still getting their E-card with in minutes of redeeming their points. I get the first response were it states thank you for redeeming your points it is being reviewed & it can take up to 14 business days to receive your e-gift card but rest assured you will receive it. But I have not received anything and now I don’t even get a reply its like I am sending follow up emails for nothing. I really believe that someone within Checkpoints took my E-Gift card for themselves. So now I don’t even use Checkpoints anymore.
Sorry to hear this, but thanks for taking the time to share your experiences so others can see.
Check Points- What has happened to you?
When I first started using the app, it worked wonderfully, but as time went on, it has received failing marks from me and several of my friends that I talked into using it. In the beginning, there were lots of scans, check-ins, etc. Now, I’m lucky if it works 1 out of 10 times. I get the continued message that my scanned receipts are duplicated. NO they are not! So, I have given up wasting my time on this app.
Thanks for sharing your experiences.
I’ve been trying to redeem pts for $25 for over a month. I get the same unproductive response. “They’re working on It”. Obviously they aren’t
Nothing will scan no walk ins so i stopped trying.
It looks like the whole site is kaput
Sorry to hear that. But thanks for sharing your experiences.