Nearly 670 million people worldwide use Apple Pay, and a growing number are leaving real cash back on the table by not pairing it with the right rewards strategy. The Apple Card's Daily Cash program — accepted at over 90% of U.S. merchants, per Capital One Shopping — turns everyday spending into automatic returns with no points to track. Whether you're fueling up, booking travel, or grabbing prescriptions, the right merchants stack serious savings. Pair these strategies with mobile payment rewards and apps that save you money to maximize every dollar. Here are the 10 best ways to earn Apple Pay rewards right now.
Quick Answer
Apple Pay doesn't have its own rewards program, but pairing it with the Apple Card unlocks Daily Cash — up to 3% back at select merchants like Apple, Uber, and Walgreens, 2% on all other Apple Pay purchases, and 1% everywhere else. Accepted at over 90% of U.S. merchants, rewards post automatically with no points tracking required.
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Summary Table
| Item Name | Cash Back / Reward Rate | Best For | Website |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apple Purchases | 3% Daily Cash | Apple device & service buyers | Visit Site |
| Apple Pay Everywhere | 2% Daily Cash | All Apple Card holders | Visit Site |
| Exxon and Mobil Gas Stations | 3% Daily Cash | Frequent drivers | Visit Site |
| Ace Hardware | 3% Daily Cash | Home improvement shoppers | Visit Site |
| Booking.com | 3% Daily Cash | Frequent travelers | Visit Site |
| Hertz | 3% Daily Cash | Business & leisure car renters | Visit Site |
| Nike | 3% Daily Cash | Sneaker & apparel shoppers | Visit Site |
| Uber and Uber Eats | 3% Daily Cash | Ride-share & food delivery users | Visit Site |
| Walgreens | 3% Daily Cash | Pharmacy & everyday essentials | Visit Site |
| Apple Card Savings | 4.40% APY (high-yield savings) | Apple Card users growing Daily Cash | Visit Site |
Apple Pay Rewards: 10 Easy Ways to Earn in 2026
Below you'll find detailed information about each option, including what makes them unique and their key benefits.
1. Apple Purchases
Shopping directly through Apple's ecosystem is one of the most straightforward ways to earn Apple Pay rewards. Purchases made at Apple.com, the Apple Store app, and physical Apple retail locations often qualify for cashback through linked rewards cards, with some cards offering 3% back specifically on Apple purchases made via Apple Pay.
Key perks:
- Apple Card users earn 3% Daily Cash on all Apple purchases
- Applies to hardware, apps, subscriptions, and accessories
- Cashback credited daily, not monthly
2. Apple Pay Everywhere
Using Apple Pay at any participating merchant — grocery stores, restaurants, retail chains, and online checkouts — unlocks rewards through your linked credit or debit card. According to Capital One Shopping, Apple Pay is accepted at over 85% of U.S. retailers, making it one of the broadest contactless payment networks available for earning rewards consistently.
What you get:
- 2% Daily Cash with Apple Card at any Apple Pay terminal
- Compatible with most major rewards credit cards
- Works in-store, in-app, and online
3. Exxon and Mobil Gas Stations
Paying for fuel with Apple Pay at Exxon and Mobil stations activates a specific rewards opportunity through the Exxon Mobil Rewards+ app, which can be linked directly to your Apple Wallet. Apple Card holders earn 3% Daily Cash at these stations, making routine fill-ups a reliable source of mobile payment cashback alongside the standard Rewards+ points program.
Notable perks:
- 3% back for Apple Card users at Exxon and Mobil
- Stack Apple Pay cashback with Exxon Mobil Rewards+ points
4. Ace Hardware
Ace Hardware accepts Apple Pay at checkout, making it easy to earn Apple Pay rewards when buying tools, paint, lawn care supplies, and home improvement items. Ace also runs its own loyalty program, Ace Rewards, which stacks on top of any cashback or points your Apple Pay-linked card provides. Frequent shoppers can double-dip on rewards across both programs.
Notable perks:
- Ace Rewards earns 10 points per $1 spent in-store
- Apple Pay accepted at most locations nationwide
- Combine card-level cashback with Ace Rewards points simultaneously
5. Booking.com
Booking.com supports Apple Pay for hotel and accommodation reservations, letting travelers earn card-linked rewards on every booking. Using a cashback or travel rewards card through Apple Pay here means you accumulate points on stays, flights, and car rentals without manually entering payment details. Booking.com's Genius loyalty tiers add further discounts on top of your card's earning rate.
Key features:
- Apple Pay accepted on mobile app and mobile browser checkout
- Genius tier discounts of 10–20% stack with card rewards
- Covers 2.9 million+ properties globally
6. Hertz
Hertz accepts Apple Pay at rental counters and through its mobile app, allowing drivers to collect card-based rewards on every rental charge. Pairing a travel rewards card via Apple Pay with a Hertz Gold Plus Rewards membership creates a dual earning opportunity — card points plus Hertz rental credits on the same transaction. This makes Hertz a strong option for frequent business travelers chasing maximum reward value.
What you get:
- Hertz Gold Plus Rewards earns 1 point per $1 spent on rentals
- Apple Pay streamlines checkout at participating airport and city locations
- Stack card cashback on top of Hertz loyalty credits
7. Nike
Nike supports Apple Pay across its app and website, making it one of the better retail destinations for earning Apple Pay rewards through your linked credit card. When you shop Nike using Apple Pay, any cash back or points from cards like Apple Card stack on top of Nike's own Member Rewards program, which offers early access and exclusive discounts.
Notable perks:
- Apple Card earns 2% Daily Cash on Nike purchases via Apple Pay
- Nike Membership is free and combinable with card rewards
- Available on Nike app, website, and select retail locations
8. Uber and Uber Eats
Both Uber and Uber Eats accept Apple Pay in-app, making every ride or food delivery a chance to accumulate cash back through your linked rewards card. The Apple Card, for instance, earns 2% Daily Cash on Uber transactions paid via Apple Pay, and frequent users can see meaningful returns over time without any extra steps.
What you get:
- 2% Daily Cash with Apple Card on all Uber and Uber Eats orders
- Seamless in-app payment — no card entry required
- Works for rides, food delivery, and Uber One memberships
9. Walgreens
Walgreens accepts Apple Pay in-store and online, letting shoppers earn rewards on two fronts simultaneously — through the myWalgreens loyalty program and through any cash back offered by their Apple Pay-linked credit card. Walgreens Cash rewards accumulate on eligible purchases and can be redeemed on future visits, pairing naturally with card-based incentives for everyday pharmacy and health spending.
Key features:
- myWalgreens members earn 1–5% Walgreens Cash on purchases
- Apple Pay accepted at all US Walgreens locations
- Stack loyalty rewards with card cash back for maximum return
10. Apple Card Savings
The Apple Card Savings account directly amplifies Apple Pay rewards by automatically depositing your Daily Cash cashback into a high-yield savings account. Every purchase you make with Apple Card via Apple Pay earns Daily Cash (up to 3%), which grows in your Goldman Sachs-backed savings account at 4.50% APY — turning everyday spending rewards into compounding interest without any fees or minimum balance requirements.
Key perks:
- Up to 3% Daily Cash on Apple purchases, 2% on all Apple Pay transactions
- 4.50% APY on accumulated cashback — no fees, no minimums
- Rewards deposit automatically; no manual transfers needed
Final Words
Whether you need cash back, travel perks, or retail discounts, these 10 Apple Pay rewards options offer something worthwhile for every spender. Ready to start managing your spending smarter and earning more with every tap?