Fluz works by having you buy a digital gift card in the app for the exact amount of your purchase, paid from your own card or bank, then pay the shop with that gift card and get instant cashback. It also pays you a share of the cashback your network earns, but Fluz itself says it can't guarantee any network income.
Fluz is a cashback app with an unusual twist: you don't pay the shop with your bank card directly. You buy a gift card for that shop inside Fluz, at the moment you're paying, and earn cashback on it. There's also a referral network element that deserves a clear-eyed look. Here's how it works, from Fluz's own help centre.
Paying with Fluz, step by step
- Before you pay, open the Fluz app, choose your store and enter your total after taxes and tips. Some stores make you pick from a list of values; choose the one closest to your total.
- Choose a payment method. Fluz charges it to create a digital gift card for that store.
- Confirm, and Fluz gives you instant cashback and the gift card.
- Pay with the gift card: show the barcode at the till, or paste the card number and PIN at an online checkout.
The order matters. You create the gift card first, then pay with it. Buying normally and opening Fluz afterwards earns nothing, because the cashback comes from the gift card purchase itself. It's worth having the app open and your total ready before you reach the till, especially in a queue, since you need the exact amount after tax and tips before the card is created.
Where the cashback comes from
Fluz says retailers fund the rewards from their marketing budgets, paying cashback instead of spending the money on traditional advertising. Your cashback lands in your Fluz wallet.
The network side
Fluz pays a second kind of reward: when people in your network shop through Fluz, you receive a portion of their cashback. Fluz says it doesn't rely on new members to keep generating payouts and charges no sign-up fees. It's equally clear on the limit: it can't guarantee network income of any amount, however big your network or however much its members spend.
My advice is to judge Fluz on your own purchases first. If the cashback on things you already buy is worth it, any network income is a bonus. If you're only joining for the network, read that disclaimer again.
Unlocking and withdrawing your balance
New members' rewards balances are locked until they reach a one-time lifetime rewards threshold. After that, you can withdraw at any time, above a small minimum per withdrawal. Two things don't count towards the threshold: cash refunded to your Fluz balance, and the cashback from purchases that were refunded.
- Add the account you want to withdraw to, under Accounts and Cards via your icon.
- Open your Fluz Wallet and tap Move Money.
- Tap Withdraw from Fluz and pick your method.
- Enter the amount, review and confirm.
Fluz says it charges no cash-out fees, but it does pass on any transfer fees incurred during processing. It also points out that it's a financial technology company, not a bank.
Using Fluz outside the US
Anyone aged 18 and over with a funding source in their own name can join, and you'll need a mobile number that accepts texts, not a landline. People outside the US can register, refer friends, build a network, buy gift cards and earn cashback.
The catch for international members is significant. Fluz says most gift cards it sells only work within the US, and Fluz gift cards are non-refundable, so if one doesn't work in your country, you can't get your money back. Some brands work more widely, such as Starbucks cards that Fluz says can also be used in Canada, England, Scotland, Wales, the Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland, Mexico and Australia, and cards bought for use abroad are billed and held in US dollars. Always check the merchant's own gift card rules before you buy, and start with a small purchase to test that the card works where you live.
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Rewards Status tiers
Fluz runs Rewards Status levels, Silver, Gold, Platinum and above, based on how much you spend through the app in a calendar year, from January 1 to December 31. Higher tiers bring perks such as giveaway entries, Referral Royalties, cashback Boosts and bonuses, and qualifying spending resets every January. Once you reach a status, Fluz says it stays valid for the rest of that year and the whole of the following year.
My verdict on how Fluz works
Fluz can work well for US shoppers who don't mind the extra step of buying a gift card at the till, because the cashback is instant. Treat the network income as uncertain, exactly as Fluz describes it, and never buy gift cards just to chase a tier, and if you live outside the US, be very careful: most cards are US-only and non-refundable. For other money-saving options, see my money-saving sites for tech products and my tips to save money and avoid a loan.
Frequently asked questions
How do you pay with Fluz?
Open the app before paying, choose the store, enter your total, buy a digital gift card with your linked payment method, then pay with that gift card.
Does Fluz guarantee network income?
No. Fluz says it can't guarantee network income of any amount, regardless of the size or spending of your network.
Why is my Fluz rewards balance locked?
New balances stay locked until you reach a one-time lifetime rewards threshold; refunded purchases and their cashback don't count towards it.
Can I use Fluz outside the US?
You can register, but Fluz says most gift cards it sells only work in the US and gift cards are non-refundable.
Who can join Fluz?
Anyone aged 18 and over with a funding source in their name and a mobile number that accepts texts.
