Stores That Give Cash Back at Checkout

Updated May 2026 · Sources: CFPB Cash-Back Fee Report (2024), individual retailer policies

Most major US grocery stores, pharmacies, and big-box retailers let you get cash back at the register when you pay by debit card — no ATM required. The catch: a handful of large chains charge a fee for the service, while others offer it completely free.

Here's every major retailer, their cash back limit, whether they charge a fee, and what to watch out for.

Cash Back at Checkout vs. Cash Back Apps

If you searched for "cash back near me" hoping for cash in your pocket, make sure you're not thinking of a rebate app. Cash back at checkout (this page) means a cashier or card terminal hands you physical cash right now, added to a debit card purchase — it's an ATM alternative. Cash back apps like Ibotta, Rakuten, and Upside work differently: you scan a receipt or shop through their link, and they credit a percentage of your spend to an account balance you can withdraw later, often after a delay or minimum threshold.

Both are useful, but for different problems. Need cash in hand today? Use the table below or find a nearby store on the map. Want to earn money back over time on planned purchases? A rebate app is the better fit.

Debit Card Cash Back vs. Credit Card Cash Back

One more mix-up worth clearing up: "debit card cash back" and "credit card cash back" sound similar but work completely differently.

• Debit card cash back at checkout — the topic of this page. You pay with your debit card and PIN, and the cashier or terminal hands you physical cash on top of your purchase total. It's an instant ATM alternative.
• Credit card cash back — a card rewards program. Your issuer pays you back a percentage (typically 1–5%) of what you charge, as a statement credit or rewards balance you redeem later. No physical cash changes hands at the register.

Important: register cash back is a debit-card-only feature requiring a PIN. If you're trying to get cash in hand, make sure you're paying with debit — a credit card won't work for cash back at checkout, even at stores listed below.

Full List: Cash Back Limits and Fees by Store

Tap a column header to sort.

Limits and fees are based on standard debit card transactions. Individual store policies may vary. EBT/SNAP transactions typically cannot receive cash back. Data sourced from CFPB (2024) and individual retailer policies.

Stores That Charge a Fee for Cash Back

Does Dollar Tree give cash back? (Limits & Fees)

Yes. Dollar Tree offers cash back with a $1.00 fee per transaction up to a $50 limit. It is debit card only (PIN required). Its sister brand Family Dollar (owned by Dollar Tree Inc.) charges a $1.50 fee with the same $50 limit. Both chains are among the few US retailers that charge a fee. If you have a Walmart, Target, or CVS nearby, you can get cash back completely free.

Does Dollar General charge for cash back?

Yes. Dollar General charges $1.00 to $2.00 per cash back transaction depending on the location. The maximum cash back limit is $40, available strictly in $10 increments ($10, $20, $30, or $40). At $1–$2 on a $20–$40 withdrawal, this represents an effective 2.5% to 5% fee rate.

Does Kroger charge for cash back?

Yes. Kroger and its family brands (Ralphs, Fred Meyer, Harris Teeter, Pick 'n Save, King Soopers) charge a tiered fee: $0.50 to $0.75 for cash back amounts up to $100, and up to $3.50 for larger amounts up to $300. Kroger Plus cardholders may avoid the fee at select locations.

Stores That Give Cash Back for Free (No Fee)

Does Walmart charge for cash back?

No. Walmart offers completely free cash back up to $100 per transaction on debit card purchases at staffed registers and self-checkouts nationwide. With zero fees and high availability, Walmart is typically the best option for fee-free cash.

Does Safeway & Albertsons do cash back?

Yes. Safeway and Albertsons offer free cash back on debit card purchases with some of the highest limits in retail: up to $200 at Safeway and up to $300 at Albertsons. Other subsidiary brands (Vons, Jewel-Osco, Tom Thumb, Shaw's) follow similar fee-free policies.

Does ALDI do cash back?

Yes. ALDI offers free cash back up to $100 on debit card and EBT purchases at checkout. No fee is charged — simply select cash back on the terminal and enter your PIN.

Does Target give cash back?

Yes. Target offers free cash back up to $40 on debit card purchases in $10 increments at both staffed checkout registers and self-checkout lanes with zero fees.

Does CVS do cash back at self-checkout?

Yes. CVS offers free cash back up to $35 in $5 increments ($5, $10, $15, $20, $25, $30, $35) at both staffed registers and self-checkout kiosks.

Does Walgreens give cash back?

Yes. Walgreens offers free cash back up to $20 on debit card purchases at the register. No fee is charged.

Does Trader Joe's give cash back?

Yes. Trader Joe's offers free cash back on debit card purchases, typically up to $50 (and up to $200 at select locations). No fee is charged.

Can I get cash back at Whole Foods?

Yes. Whole Foods offers free cash back up to $200 on debit card purchases at the register and self-checkout with no fee.

Does Publix charge for cash back?

No. Publix offers free cash back up to $100 on debit card purchases with zero fees across all locations in the Southeast US.

Looking for cash back outside the US? See our guides for stores that give cash out in Australia and stores that give cash back in Canada.

Stores That Don't Give Cash Back

Not every retailer offers this service. Coffee shops (Starbucks), most gas station convenience stores, restaurants, and specialty or apparel retailers generally don't provide cash back at checkout — many of these registers simply don't hold enough cash float to cover it. If you're at a store that doesn't offer cash back, your best bet is the nearest large grocery store, pharmacy, or big-box retailer from the table above, or check the map for what's closest.

How to Get Cash Back at Checkout

1. Make any purchase at a staffed register or eligible self-checkout.
2. Pay with your debit card and enter your PIN when prompted.
3. Select "Cash Back" on the card terminal and choose your amount.
4. Collect the cash from the cashier or the machine's cash dispenser.

Most stores require a minimum purchase to receive cash back — typically $0.01 or any valid transaction. You generally cannot request cash back without buying something.

When the Store Has No Cash Back: Alternatives

If you're in a location where no cash back stores are nearby, or the limits are too low, you have a few options:

• Your bank's ATM network — fee-free if you stay in-network.
• Peer-to-peer cash exchange — Cashtic connects you with nearby people willing to hand over cash directly in exchange for a digital payment, often faster and cheaper than any ATM.
• Prepaid card ATM networks — Allpoint and MoneyPass have 50,000+ surcharge-free ATMs.