The Complete Guide to Card-Linked Offers in Canada: How to Stack Cashback and Save

If you're shopping online or in-store in Canada and not using card-linked offers, you're leaving hundreds—sometimes thousands—of dollars on the table every year. Card-linked offers are one of the most powerful yet underused money-saving tools available to Canadians, allowing you to stack cashback from multiple sources on the same purchase.

Imagine buying a new LG TV: you earn cashback from Paymi (5%), Rakuten in-store cashback (3%), plus your credit card's rewards (2%), all on the same $1,000 purchase. That's $100 back—just for shopping smarter.

This guide will show you exactly how card-linked offers work in Canada, which platforms offer them, how to activate and stack them, and proven strategies to maximize your savings on every purchase.

What Are Card-Linked Offers?

Card-linked offers are promotions that automatically apply cashback, points, or statement credits when you use a registered credit or debit card at participating retailers—both online and in physical stores.

Unlike traditional cashback portals where you click through a website or scan receipts, card-linked offers work automatically once activated. Link your card once, activate an offer, then simply pay with that card. The cashback tracks and credits to your account automatically.

How Card-Linked Offers Differ From Traditional Cashback

Traditional Cashback Portals (like shopping portals):

• Require clicking through a website before shopping
• Only work for online purchases
• Track through browser cookies (can be unreliable)
• Require separate logins and tracking

Card-Linked Offers:

• Work automatically after one-time card linking
• Available for both in-store AND online purchases
• Track through your actual card transactions (more reliable)
• Stack with other rewards programs
• No clicking through required—just activate and shop

The key advantage? You can use card-linked offers to bring online-style cashback deals to your in-store shopping—something that was nearly impossible before these platforms existed.

The Major Card-Linked Offer Platforms in Canada

Let's break down the top platforms offering card-linked cashback in Canada, how they work, and what makes each unique.

1. Drop App

Overview: Drop is one of Canada's most popular card-linked rewards apps with over 5 million members. Founded in 2016, Drop is one of the pioneers in the automatic cashback model in Canada.

How It Works:

1. Download the Drop app and create an account
2. Link your credit or debit card(s) through secure bank-level encryption
3. Select 5 favorite merchants (this initial selection cannot be changed)
4. Shop at participating retailers automatically earn Drop points
5. Redeem points for gift cards (5,000 points = $5)

Key Features:

• Automatic tracking: No need to activate offers each time
• 500+ partner brands: Including Amazon, Walmart, Uber Eats, and more
• 5,000 points per week earning cap: Limits how much you can earn weekly
• Multiple redemption options: Gift cards to major retailers
• Surveys and tasks: Earn bonus points through quick surveys
• Chrome extension: Get notified of cashback opportunities while browsing

Best For: Set-it-and-forget-it shoppers who want passive earnings at their regular stores.

Limitations: The 5,000 point weekly cap and inability to change your initial 5 merchants can be restrictive.

2. Paymi (CIBC's Official Partner)

Overview: Paymi is Canada's official card-linked cashback program, partnered with CIBC as their recommended cashback platform. Unlike other apps, Paymi focuses exclusively on card-linked offers with hundreds of online and in-store partners.

How It Works:

1. Sign up for free through the Paymi app or website
2. Connect your bank or credit cards using bank-level encryption
3. Browse available offers and activate the ones you want
4. Shop online or in-store using your linked card
5. Earn cashback automatically—no coupon codes or special links needed
6. Withdraw cashback directly to your bank account anytime (no minimum, no fees)

Key Features:

• No earning limits: Unlike Drop, there's no weekly or monthly cap
• Direct bank deposit: Cash goes straight to your account, not gift cards
• Works with CIBC cards: CIBC cardholders get enhanced offers
• In-store and online: One platform for both shopping methods
• Referral bonuses: Earn extra cash when friends sign up
• Exclusive offers: Regular promotions for featured retailers

Partner Merchants Include:

• HelloFresh (up to $30 cashback)
• Bass Pro Shops & Cabela's
• Mary Brown's Chicken
• Altitude Sports
• SkipTheDishes
• Kernels Popcorn
• And hundreds more

Best For: Canadians who want flexible cashback with no limits and direct bank deposits. Especially valuable for CIBC cardholders.

3. Rakuten In-Store Cash Back

Overview: While Rakuten is famous for online shopping cashback (formerly Ebates), many Canadians don't know they also offer card-linked IN-STORE cashback. This is the secret weapon for stacking online and in-store savings.

How It Works:

1. Create a Rakuten account (or use your existing one)
2. Add your credit card to your Rakuten profile
3. Browse current in-store offers and link them to your card
4. Shop in-store and pay with your linked card
5. Cashback appears in your account within 7 days
6. Get paid via check, PayPal, or Interac every 3 months

Key Features:

• Single-use offers: Each linked offer is good for ONE purchase only
• Re-link capability: Can re-link the same offer up to 3 times total
• Combines with online: Use the same account for online and in-store shopping
• Postal code search: Find participating stores near you
• Major retailers: Best Buy, The Source, Indigo, Sport Chek, and more
• No purchase minimum: Earn cashback on any amount

Important Limitation: You must link the offer BEFORE making your purchase. Retroactive cashback is not available.

Best For: Shoppers who want to combine Rakuten's excellent online rates (up to 15% cashback) with in-store shopping at major Canadian retailers.

4. AIR MILES Card-Linked Offers

Overview: AIR MILES launched their Card-Linked Offers program to let collectors earn bonus miles without showing their AIR MILES card. Simply link any Canadian-issued Mastercard and earn automatically.

How It Works:

1. Visit airmilescardlink.ca
2. Link your Canadian Mastercard to your AIR MILES account
3. Browse featured offers (updated regularly)
4. Shop at participating retailers and pay with your linked Mastercard
5. Earn bonus AIR MILES automatically—no card presentation required

Key Features:

• Mastercard exclusive: Only works with Mastercard-branded cards
• No AIR MILES card needed: Earn without presenting your collector card
• Bonus mile opportunities: Often offers elevated earning rates
• Seasonal campaigns: Special back-to-school, holiday promotions
• Stackable: Can be combined with your regular in-store AIR MILES

Recent Partner Offers:

• Ashley Furniture
• HP Store
• Kitchen Stuff Plus
• Decathlon
• Simons

Best For: Existing AIR MILES collectors who use Mastercard and want to maximize their mile earnings on specific purchase categories.

5. Amex Offers

Overview: American Express cardholders get exclusive access to Amex Offers—card-linked promotions delivering statement credits or bonus points. These are some of the most valuable card-linked deals in Canada.

How It Works:

1. Log into your Amex account online or via the Amex app
2. Browse available offers in the "Amex Offers" section
3. Register your card for the offers you want
4. Use your registered Amex card for qualifying purchases
5. Receive statement credits or bonus points automatically

Key Features:

• High-value offers: Often $5-$50 statement credits on specific spend amounts
• Shop Small campaigns: $5 back at local retailers
• Mix of online and in-store: Works for both shopping methods
• Expiration dates: Offers are time-limited
• One-time use: Most offers valid for single purchase meeting requirements

Typical Offer Examples:

• Spend $50 at select restaurants, get $10 back
• Spend $175, get $35 back (up to 2 times)
• Spend $5.99, get $5.99 back (effectively free)

Important: Not eligible for Corporate Amex, Gift Cards, or Prepaid Cards. Personal cards only.

Best For: American Express cardholders who actively check for new offers and can plan purchases around high-value promotions.

6. Save.ca Card-Linked Program

Overview: Save.ca launched Canada's first "all-in-one savings stack" in early 2025, combining card-linked offers with receipt uploads in a single platform.

How It Works:

1. Connect your credit or debit cards to the Save.ca app
2. Browse and activate card-linked offers
3. Shop online or in-store
4. Upload receipts for additional cashback (optional)
5. Withdraw earnings anytime

Key Features:

• Dual earning: Card-linked + receipt upload for maximum cashback
• Launch partners: Decathlon, Simons, Zwilling, Lyft, Mary Brown's, Ashley, Bass Pro Shops
• Privacy-focused: Maintains user privacy while providing merchant insights
• New platform: Still growing partnership network

Best For: Deal hunters who want flexibility to earn through both card-linking and receipt scanning.

How to Activate Card-Linked Offers: Step-by-Step

The activation process varies slightly by platform, but follows this general pattern:

Step 1: Download and Sign Up

• Install the app or visit the website
• Create an account with your email
• Verify your identity (may require phone verification)

Step 2: Link Your Cards

• Navigate to the card linking section
• Choose your bank from the list
• Enter your online banking credentials (encrypted connection)
• OR manually enter card details
• Accept terms and conditions

Step 3: Browse Offers

• Check the available offers in the app
• Filter by category, cashback amount, or location
• Read the offer terms carefully (minimum purchase, exclusions, expiry)

Step 4: Activate Offers

• Click "Activate" or "Link Offer" on offers you want
• Some platforms activate automatically (Drop)
• Others require manual activation per offer (Rakuten, Paymi)

Step 5: Shop and Earn

• Use your linked card for purchases
• No need to show your phone or mention the offer
• Cashback tracks automatically based on your transaction

Step 6: Track and Withdraw

• Check your app to see pending and confirmed cashback
• Wait for the payout period (varies by platform)
• Withdraw via your preferred method

The Ultimate Guide to Stacking Card-Linked Offers

This is where card-linked offers become truly powerful. Stacking means combining multiple cashback sources on the same purchase to multiply your savings.

The Holy Trinity of Stacking

For maximum savings, stack these three layers:

Layer 1: Card-Linked Offer (Paymi, Drop, Rakuten In-Store)
Earn: 3-10% cashback

Layer 2: Credit Card Rewards
Earn: 1-5% cashback or points (depending on your card and category)

Layer 3: Merchant Loyalty Program
Earn: Points, rewards, or additional discounts from the retailer

Real-World Stacking Example: Buying an LG TV

Let's say you're buying a $1,000 LG TV online from Best Buy:

1. Paymi card-linked offer: 5% = $50 cashback
2. Rakuten online shopping: 2% = $20 cashback
3. Your credit card: Tangerine 2% electronics = $20 cashback
4. Best Buy Rewards: 10 points per dollar = future savings

Total Cashback: $90 on a $1,000 purchase = 9% back!

Your effective cost: $910 instead of $1,000

Stacking Rules You Must Know

Rule #1: Online vs In-Store Stacking

• Online purchases: Can stack shopping portals (Rakuten, GCR) + card-linked offers + credit card rewards
• In-store purchases: Can stack card-linked offers + credit card rewards + store loyalty

Rule #2: Activation Order Matters

• Always activate card-linked offers FIRST
• Then click through shopping portals (for online)
• Finally, use your rewards credit card to pay

Rule #3: One Card-Linked Offer Per Platform Per Purchase

• You can use multiple platforms simultaneously
• But can't double-dip within the same platform
• Example: You CAN use Paymi + Drop on same purchase
• Example: You CANNOT use two Paymi offers on same purchaseRule #4: Check Terms for Stacking Compatibility
• Most card-linked offers can be stacked with other programs

Rule #5: Track Everything

• Keep a spreadsheet of activated offers
• Screenshot offer terms before purchasing
• Monitor your apps to confirm cashback posts

Advanced Stacking Strategies

Strategy 1: The Triple-Dip In-Store
Use multiple card-linked apps for the same in-store purchase:

• Activate Paymi offer (5% back)
• Activate Drop (if that store is in your 5)
• Activate Rakuten in-store offer (3% back)
• Use AIR MILES Mastercard (earn AIR MILES)
• Pay with linked card

Result: 8%+ cashback + AIR MILES on in-store shopping

Strategy 2: The Online Mega-Stack
For online purchases, combine everything:

• Activate card-linked offers (Paymi, Drop)
• Click through Rakuten or GCR shopping portal
• Use browser extension (Rakuten, Honey) for coupon codes
• Pay with category-bonus credit card
• Sign up for merchant email list for first-time buyer discount

Result: 10-20% total savings possible

Strategy 3: The Gift Card Hack
Buy discounted gift cards, then stack on top:

• Buy gift cards through Paymi partners (earn cashback)
• Use discounted gift cards at checkout
• Activate card-linked offers
• Still earn credit card rewards

Example: Buy $100 Best Buy gift card for $95 (5% off), use it with 5% Paymi offer + 2% credit card = 12% total savings

Strategy 4: The Seasonal Multiplier
Time purchases around promotional periods:

• Black Friday / Cyber Monday elevated rates
• Back-to-school bonus offers
• Holiday shopping bonuses
• New customer welcome bonuses

Combining elevated rates (10% instead of 2%) with stacking multiplies savings dramatically.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Mistake #1: Forgetting to Activate
Card-linked offers require activation BEFORE purchase. Shopping first, then activating = no cashback. Set calendar reminders for major purchases.

Mistake #2: Using the Wrong Card
If you linked your Visa but paid with Mastercard, you won't get the cashback. Double-check which card has the active offer.

Mistake #3: Assuming All Purchases Count
Read exclusions carefully. Common exclusions:

• Gift card purchases
• Sale items (sometimes)
• Certain product categories
• Purchases below minimum threshold

Mistake #4: Missing Expiry Dates
Card-linked offers often expire:

• Rakuten in-store: typically 7-30 days
• Amex Offers: 2-3 months usually
• Paymi: varies by offer

Check expiry before planning a purchase.

Mistake #5: Not Tracking Pending Cashback
Cashback can take 7-90 days to post. If it doesn't appear as "pending" within a week, contact support immediately with your receipt.

Mistake #6: Ignoring Terms of Service
Platforms can ban accounts for:

• Creating multiple accounts
• Returning items after claiming cashback
• Violating offer terms

Play by the rules to protect your earnings.

Security and Privacy: Is Linking Your Card Safe?

Short Answer: Yes, when using reputable platforms.

How Security Works:

1. Bank-Level Encryption: All major platforms use 256-bit encryption (same as online banking)
2. Read-Only Access: Platforms can only VIEW transactions, not initiate payments or transfers
3. No CVV or PIN Required: Platforms never ask for your card security code or PIN
4. Secure APIs: Connect through official banking APIs (Plaid, Flinks, Finicity)
5. Tokenization: Your actual card number is never stored—only an encrypted token

Privacy Considerations:

• Platforms see your transaction data (merchant, amount, date)
• Data is used to match offers and calculate cashback
• Some platforms share anonymized data with retail partners
• Read privacy policies to understand data usage

Red Flags to Watch For:

• Apps asking for your PIN
• Platforms requesting CVV for linking
• Unfamiliar apps with no reviews
• Sites without HTTPS encryption

Best Practices:

• Only link cards from established platforms
• Use a dedicated cashback credit card (not your main card)
• Enable account notifications
• Review linked cards quarterly
• Remove cards from apps you no longer use

Platform Comparison Chart

• Read terms carefully—some exclude combination with coupons or other offers
• Credit card rewards almost always stack with everything
• Frequently Asked Questions About Card-Linked Offers

Q: What's the difference between card-linked offers and cashback credit cards?

Cashback credit cards give you rewards for every purchase regardless of merchant. Card-linked offers provide additional cashback at specific retailers when you activate offers first. The key advantage? They stack together for maximum savings.

Q: Can I use multiple card-linked offers on the same purchase?

Yes! You can use one card-linked offer per platform per purchase. For example, activate a Best Buy offer on Drop, Paymi, and Rakuten, then earn from all three plus your credit card rewards on the same transaction.

Q: What happens if I return an item after claiming cashback?

Most platforms will reverse the cashback earnings if you return the item. Some platforms monitor this closely and may suspend accounts for excessive returns after claiming offers.

Q: How much can I realistically save annually using card-linked offers?

Active users who stack offers regularly report saving $300-$800 annually. Power users who optimize every purchase can save over $1,000 per year by combining multiple platforms strategically.

Q: Do I need a separate credit card for each platform?

No. You can link the same credit card to multiple platforms. However, some users prefer using different cards to track which platforms provide the best earnings for different spending categories.

Q: Are card-linked offers safe to use?

Yes, established platforms like Drop, Rakuten, and Amex use bank-level encryption. They only access transaction data (merchant name and amount), never your full card number or PIN.

Conclusion: Start Stacking Your Savings

Card-linked offers represent one of the most underutilized money-saving strategies available to Canadian consumers. By spending just 15-20 minutes setting up accounts across Drop, Paymi, Rakuten, AIR MILES, Amex Offers, and Save.ca, you can unlock hundreds of dollars in additional savings each year—without changing your spending habits.

The real power comes from stacking. A single purchase that earns you 5% from Paymi, 2% from Rakuten, 2% from your credit card, and store loyalty points can deliver 9%+ total returns. Over time, these savings compound into significant amounts that can fund vacations, pay down debt, or boost your emergency fund.

Remember the key principles: Always activate offers before shopping, link cards from established platforms only, and track your earnings regularly. Start with one or two platforms if you're new to this strategy, then expand as you become comfortable with the activation process.

The Canadian retail landscape is increasingly competitive, and card-linked offers are retailers' way of rewarding loyal customers while gathering valuable purchasing data. As a savvy consumer, you can leverage this dynamic to your advantage—earning substantial cashback while shopping at stores you already frequent.

Don't leave money on the table. Sign up for these platforms today, activate your first offers, and start experiencing the benefits of strategic stacking. Your future self will thank you for the hundreds of extra dollars in your bank account.