Do Grocery Stores Give Cash Back? Which Charge Fees and Which Don't
Cashback at the grocery store sounds like a simple, free way to get cash. But the answer to whether stores charge — and how much — varies significantly depending on where you shop. Here is the complete picture.
What is cashback at a store?
When you pay by debit card at a retailer's register, many stores allow you to add a cash amount on top of your purchase. You buy a $2 item, ask for $40 cashback, and the total on your debit card is $42. The store's register counts out $40 in notes from the till. No ATM required.
This is not the same as credit card cashback rewards — those are a separate system where a percentage of your spending comes back as a statement credit or points. In-store cashback is immediate physical cash from the register.
Do grocery stores charge for cashback?
It depends entirely on the chain. Here is a breakdown of the major US grocery and retail stores:
Stores that offer free cashback
| Store | Fee | Maximum cashback |
|---|---|---|
| Walmart | Free | $100 |
| Target | Free | $40 |
| Costco | Free (members only) | $200 |
| Whole Foods | Free | $200 |
| Trader Joe's | Free | Varies by location |
| Aldi | Free | $100 |
| Publix | Free | $100 |
| CVS Pharmacy | Free | $35 |
| Walgreens | Free | $20 |
| 7-Eleven | Free | $20 |
Stores that charge a cashback fee
| Store | Fee | Maximum cashback |
|---|---|---|
| Dollar General | $0.50–$1 | $40 |
| Family Dollar | $0.50–$1 | $50 |
| Dollar Tree | $1–$2 | $50 |
| Kroger (some locations) | $0.50 | $300 |
| Harris Teeter | $0.50 | $200 |
Note: fees and limits can change and may vary by location. Always confirm at the register.
Why do some stores charge and others don't?
Providing cashback isn't entirely free for retailers. There are processing costs associated with debit transactions, and cash management (counting, securing, depositing) has a cost too. Most large chains absorb this as a customer convenience. Smaller chains and dollar stores — which operate on tighter margins — have increasingly introduced fees to cover the cost, particularly after Dollar General and Kroger re-introduced fees in 2019 and 2024 respectively.
Cashback limits by store
Every store caps how much cash you can get in a single transaction. Common limits:
- $20–$40: Pharmacies (CVS, Walgreens), convenience stores, dollar stores
- $100: Most major supermarkets (Walmart, Aldi, Publix)
- $200–$300: Warehouse clubs (Costco), some Kroger locations, Whole Foods
If you need more than the store limit, you either need to make multiple transactions or find another source.
Do you need to make a purchase?
Yes. Cashback requires a qualifying purchase on your debit card — the cash is added to the purchase total. You cannot walk in, hand over your card, and get cash without buying something. Most people buy a low-cost item to unlock the cashback. There is no minimum purchase amount at most stores, so a $0.50 candy bar works.
Debit card only — credit cards don't work
In-store cashback is only available on debit card transactions in the United States. Credit cards cannot be used for cashback at the register. This is a regulatory and processing distinction — cashback is a debit card feature.
The alternative: peer-to-peer cash exchange
If you need cash and the nearest store with free cashback is out of your way, or you need more than the store limit, peer-to-peer cash exchange is another option. Apps like Cashtic connect you with nearby people who have cash and will exchange it for a digital payment — typically at a 1–3% commission.
For amounts above $100, P2P exchange via Cashtic is often more practical than multiple store trips and imposes no purchase requirement. For small amounts at a free-cashback store, in-store cashback is hard to beat.
Find free cash near you: Browse Cashtic by country to find local cash providers who charge less than a Dollar Tree cashback fee.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get cashback without buying anything?
No. In-store cashback always requires a purchase transaction. You need to buy at least one item.
Does Dollar Tree do cashback?
Yes, but Dollar Tree charges a fee of approximately $1–2 per cashback transaction. Maximum is typically $50.
Does Walmart charge for cashback?
No. Walmart offers cashback free of charge on debit card purchases, up to $100 per transaction.
Does Dollar General charge for cashback?
Yes. Dollar General charges $0.50–$1 per cashback transaction depending on the amount and location.
What is the maximum cashback I can get at a grocery store?
The highest common limit is $200–$300 at Costco (members only) and Whole Foods. Most standard supermarkets cap at $100.
Can I get cashback with a credit card?
No. In-store cashback at the register is a debit card feature only in the US. Credit card cashback rewards are a separate product — they return a percentage of purchases as statement credits, not as physical cash at the register.