- Who runs RetailMeNot
- How RetailMeNot cash back works
- Cashing out of RetailMeNot
- Who can earn cash back on RetailMeNot
- The inactivity rule on RetailMeNot accounts
- The RetailMeNot browser extension and your data
- What the RetailMeNot lawsuits are about
- RetailMeNot quick facts
- How to avoid fake RetailMeNot offers
- My verdict on RetailMeNot
- Frequently asked questions
RetailMeNot is a legit savings site, founded in 2006 and owned by the publisher Ziff Davis, that lists promo codes and pays cash back through PayPal or Venmo. Its cash back is for US residents aged 18 or over, with a minimum of 5.01 US dollars to redeem. The catch: rewards depend on tracking, and quiet accounts can lose their balance.
RetailMeNot has been around so long that many people assume it's just a list of codes. These days it's a cash back programme and a browser extension too, and that's where the questions start. I've read RetailMeNot's terms, its latest announcement and its extension listing, so here's what the company says about how you earn, how you get paid and what can trip you up.
Who runs RetailMeNot
According to Wikipedia, RetailMeNot was founded in 2006 and is headquartered in Austin, Texas. It has changed hands several times. J2 Global agreed to buy it from Vericast in 2020 and completed the deal that autumn; J2 Global later took the Ziff Davis name, and RetailMeNot's own press releases now describe it as a Ziff Davis company.
The cash back side is handled by a separate business. RetailMeNot's terms say all cash back rewards are issued by RetailMeNot Rewards, LLC, an Ohio company. That's normal for reward programmes, but it's useful to know who your balance sits with.
How RetailMeNot cash back works
The terms explain the mechanics. You click a promotion link on RetailMeNot, shop in the same session, and pay in US dollars. Your browser tracks the purchase, and once RetailMeNot verifies that it qualifies, the reward becomes an Approved Reward. Until you redeem it, the terms say it has no monetary value, so don't count a pending balance as money in the bank.
RetailMeNot announced that it guarantees at least 1% cash back across more than 4,000 merchants, and that this cash back can be stacked on top of active promo codes and offers. It's a small percentage, but on purchases you were making anyway, it adds up.
A few habits help the tracking work in your favour. Start from RetailMeNot every time rather than going straight to the shop, finish your purchase in the same session, and avoid hopping between other savings sites or extensions before you pay, because the terms tie the reward to the promotion link you clicked. If a reward doesn't appear, your order confirmation is the evidence you'll need.
Cashing out of RetailMeNot
Once your approved balance reaches 5.01 US dollars, you can redeem it for cash through PayPal or Venmo. The terms say payment is generally issued within minutes of redeeming. That's quicker than many reward apps, though the wait before a reward is approved varies by retailer.
Who can earn cash back on RetailMeNot
The terms say cash back promotions are for individual users who live in the United States and are at least 18. If you're outside the US, you can still browse the site's offers, but the cash back programme isn't written for you.
The inactivity rule on RetailMeNot accounts
This is the clause I'd want every user to read. If your account hasn't been credited with a qualifying purchase in the previous 12 months, RetailMeNot can deduct a monthly maintenance charge of two US dollars, or your whole balance if it's smaller. If the account stays inactive for 24 months, the cash back is treated as expired and can't be redeemed.
- Redeem whenever you pass the minimum rather than letting a balance sit.
- If you stop using RetailMeNot, cash out first.
- Keep the app or extension on one browser so purchases track cleanly.
The RetailMeNot browser extension and your data
The extension's Chrome Web Store listing, published by RetailMeNot, Inc., says it finds and applies promo codes and cash back automatically at checkout. The same listing discloses that it handles your web history and activity data. That's the trade-off with any shopping extension: it can only spot savings if it can see where you shop. If that bothers you, use the website instead and click through manually.
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What the RetailMeNot lawsuits are about
Wikipedia notes that in 2025 three class-action lawsuits were filed alleging that RetailMeNot used cookie stuffing to earn affiliate commissions. In plain terms, the claim is that the extension could take credit for a sale that a creator or another site had referred. These are allegations made in lawsuits, not findings, and RetailMeNot's side hadn't been tested in court in the sources I found.
For shoppers, the case is mostly about who gets the commission, not about whether you get your cash back. It matters more if you're a creator earning from referrals. If that's you, it's worth reading my piece on the YouTube Shopping affiliate programme alongside this.
RetailMeNot quick facts
| What I checked | What RetailMeNot's pages say |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2006, Austin, Texas |
| Owner | Ziff Davis |
| Who issues cash back | RetailMeNot Rewards, LLC |
| Eligibility | US residents aged 18 or over |
| Minimum to redeem | 5.01 US dollars |
| Payout methods | PayPal or Venmo |
| Minimum cash back rate | At least 1% at more than 4,000 merchants |
| Inactive accounts | Charges after 12 months, expiry after 24 months |
How to avoid fake RetailMeNot offers
Scam sites copy big brand names, and savings sites are no exception. RetailMeNot pays cash back through PayPal or Venmo after you redeem in your account. It doesn't need your bank login, card PIN or a fee to release your balance. If a message promises a huge RetailMeNot reward and asks for any of those, it's fake. For other ways to save on gadgets, see my round-up of sites for saving on tech.
My verdict on RetailMeNot
I'd call it legit and worth using if you're in the US and already shopping online. The cash back is modest but real, it pays out quickly through PayPal or Venmo, and the terms are clear. Just cash out regularly, mind the inactivity rule, and decide whether you're comfortable with an extension reading your browsing.
Frequently asked questions
Is RetailMeNot legit?
Yes. RetailMeNot was founded in 2006, is owned by Ziff Davis, and publishes terms explaining how its cash back is earned and paid.
How do you get paid by RetailMeNot?
Once your approved balance reaches 5.01 US dollars, you can redeem it for cash through PayPal or Venmo. The terms say payment is generally issued within minutes.
Can you use RetailMeNot cash back outside the US?
The terms say cash back promotions are for US residents aged 18 or over.
Does RetailMeNot cash back expire?
If no qualifying purchase is credited for 12 months, a monthly maintenance charge can apply, and after 24 months of inactivity the cash back is treated as expired.
Is the RetailMeNot extension safe?
It's published by RetailMeNot, Inc., and its store listing says it handles web history and activity data to find codes and cash back. Use the website instead if you'd rather not share that.
