Shipping costs are one of the largest ongoing expenses for small businesses and e-commerce sellers. While negotiating better rates with carriers is important, an often-overlooked strategy is leveraging cashback apps to indirectly lower shipping costs. Platforms like Fluz, Rakuten, and Ibotta can help businesses earn rewards and savings that add up significantly over time. Here’s how to use these platforms to stretch your shipping budget further.
Buy Discounted Shipping Gift Cards through Cashback Apps
One of the simplest ways to save is to buy discounted USPS gift cards or shop discounted FedEx gift cards through Fluz. With Fluz, small businesses can purchase digital gift cards at a discount or earn instant cashback rewards, effectively lowering the cost of shipping services like USPS Priority Mail or FedEx Ground. This tactic is especially helpful for businesses that ship consistently but don’t yet qualify for volume-based discounts.
Stack Savings with Cashback Portals like Rakuten
Rakuten offers cashback when shopping through its partnered merchants, including Staples, Office Depot, and Dell. If you’re buying printers, shipping labels, or packing materials, shopping through Rakuten can help offset those costs. Over time, these savings can fund a significant portion of your shipping budget.
Use Ibotta for Business Essentials
While Ibotta is best known for grocery savings, it also partners with big-box retailers like Walmart and Target. Small business owners can earn cashback when purchasing shipping tape, postal scales, and storage bins—helping you stretch your operational budget. Regular use of these savings adds up, giving you more flexibility to reinvest in better shipping processes.
Combine Cashback with Credit Card Rewards
Stacking cashback from apps with business credit card perks can double your savings. For example, buying discounted FedEx gift cards through Fluz using a rewards credit card earns you both Fluz cashback and card-based points or miles. Over time, this layered approach helps reduce your total shipping spend while unlocking benefits like travel rewards or statement credits.
Automate Gift Card Purchases for Recurring Savings
If your business ships regularly, consider setting reminders to purchase USPS gift cards or FedEx gift cards as part of your routine. Fluz offers instant digital gift card delivery, so you can buy exactly what you need right before paying for postage or printing labels—no delays, no plastic cards.
Monitor Promotions and Limited-Time Cashback Boosts
Cashback platforms frequently offer bonus rewards during promotions. Signing up for alerts from Fluz, Rakuten, and Ibotta ensures you catch these boosts, which are perfect for stocking up on shipping boxes, tape rolls, or return mailers ahead of high-volume periods like Q4 or seasonal sales.
Reducing shipping expenses isn’t just about negotiating rates—it’s about being resourceful with everyday tools. By using cashback apps like Fluz, Rakuten, and Ibotta, small businesses can lower their costs across shipping services, supplies, and operations. Combining discounted gift cards, cashback stacking, and timely offers creates a sustainable way to ship smarter and protect profit margins.
