Parking can take a big bite out of your budget, especially if you live or work in a busy city. But just like you save on groceries, dining, or shopping, you can also use cashback apps to cut down on parking costs. Two of the most popular options are Rakuten and Ibotta, both of which make it easy to earn rewards on purchases you’re already making.

Rakuten: Earn cashback on parking reservations
Rakuten partners with parking platforms and travel booking sites that let you reserve your spot ahead of time. When you book through Rakuten’s links, you’ll not only get access to competitive rates but also earn cashback on your reservation. If you’re someone who flies often, this is especially useful for airport parking, where daily rates are notoriously high.

Ibotta: Flexible rewards for parking services
Ibotta is more flexible, offering cashback opportunities across a wide range of categories, including transportation and travel services. When you buy digital gift cards for parking through Ibotta or redeem deals directly, you can get a portion of your money back instantly. It’s simple: scan your receipt, confirm the purchase, and watch the rewards stack up.

Stacking your savings
The real magic comes when you combine cashback apps with other savings strategies. For example, you can pay for your parking through Rakuten or Ibotta using a rewards credit card, allowing you to earn twice. Some drivers even add discounted parking gift cards into the mix for a third layer of savings.

Why this works long term
While the percentage back may seem small at first, these apps reward consistency. If you park downtown five times a week or travel frequently, the cashback adds up over months and years. What feels like a few extra dollars per week can turn into hundreds of dollars saved annually.

Parking doesn’t have to drain your wallet. By taking advantage of Rakuten and Ibotta, you can make every parking purchase a little cheaper and turn an unavoidable expense into a smarter financial move.