If you’re tired of watching gas and food prices eat up your budget, you’re not alone.
As a delivery and rideshare driver who’s constantly on the road around Norfolk, VA and sometimes in Raleigh, NC, I had to find a smarter way to make every mile and every meal work for me—not against me. That’s where the Upside app (formerly Get Upside) comes in.
I’ve been using Upside for about two years now, and I’m using this Cornerstone Master Review to break down:
- How Upside works
- How I personally use it in Norfolk and Raleigh
- Why it’s especially powerful for delivery and rideshare drivers
- How to stack cash back on gas + popular restaurants
- Why their referral program is one of my favorites
👉 Call to action:
If you want to follow along as you read, download Upside with my referral link:
https://upside.app.link/MG9EF
What Is Upside (Formerly GetUpside)?
Upside is a free cash back app that pays you real money on everyday purchases like:
- Gas
- Restaurants
- Groceries
According to their app listing and website, you can earn up to 25¢ per gallon cash back on gas, up to 45% back at restaurants, and up to 30% back at grocery stores, depending on the offer. Google Play+1
A few key details about Upside:
- It’s not points or confusing rewards. It’s actual cash you can send to your bank, PayPal, or gift cards. Google Play+1
- It works on top of your normal credit card rewards and store loyalty programs, so you’re stacking savings instead of choosing just one. Upside
- Users have earned over $1B in cash back, and frequent users average around $290 per year just by using the app on their normal routine. Upside+1
So if you’re already driving, already buying gas, already eating out… Upside is basically turning your existing habits into extra money.
My Real-Life Experience in Norfolk, VA and Raleigh, NC
I’m based in Norfolk, Virginia, and I’ve also used Upside while spending time in Raleigh, North Carolina. That’s one thing I love: this app doesn’t stop working just because you cross a city line. Offers pop up in multiple markets all over the country.
If you check out my adventures getting cash back with Get Upside in Norfolk. It can come in handy if you live here or come and visit
The Firehouse Subs Surprise on Little Creek Rd
Let me share one of my favorite recent examples.
Last week, I pulled up to Firehouse Subs on Little Creek Rd in Norfolk—one of my go-to spots. I was just planning to grab a sub like usual.
As I got close, my phone buzzed with a notification from Upside:
6% cash back at Firehouse Subs.
I had no idea they were part of the Upside program.
Instant smile.
I love moments like that because it feels like confirmation that no movement is wasted. I was already going there. I was already going to eat. Now I’m getting cash back for something I was going to do anyway.
Two Years of Quiet Cash Back
Over the last two years, here’s what I’ve noticed using Upside:
- At first, it took me a little while to get used to the process.
- Once it “clicked,” I started checking the app before I:
- Fill up my tank
- Choose where to grab a quick bite
- Now I get that little boost of happiness when I see emails and app notifications saying I earned more cash back.
My personal goal is to save as much money as possible when I shop, then put that money to work:
- I can reinvest it
- Use it for food or business expenses
- Or let it accumulate and move it into my investment account at the end of the year
It might not seem like a lot at first, but small amounts add up when you’re strategic. Upside helps me be a better steward of my money and my miles.
Why Upside Is Perfect for Delivery & Rideshare Drivers
If you drive for Uber, Lyft, DoorDash, Instacart, Grubhub, Amazon Flex or any delivery/rideshare platform, Upside fits your lifestyle perfectly.
- You’re already on the road
- More miles = more gas purchased = more opportunities for gas cash back.
- You often eat on the go
- Instead of just grabbing food anywhere, you can pick restaurants on Upside and get cash back on those meals too. Upside works with tons of national brands like bp, 7-Eleven, and many popular restaurant chains. Google Play+1
- There’s even been a partnership between Uber and GetUpside/Upside offering fuel savings for drivers, which tells you this app is taken seriously in the gig driver space. Business Wire+1
For drivers, every little bit you can claw back from rising prices can be the difference between barely breaking even and actually making a profit.
👉 Call to action for drivers:
If you’re a delivery or rideshare driver, download Upside with my link and make your next tank of gas your first “profit tank” instead of a pure expense:
https://upside.app.link/MG9EF
How the Upside App Works (Step-by-Step)
Here’s the basic flow, whether you’re in Norfolk, Raleigh, or anywhere else they have offers:
- Download the app & create an account
- Use my referral link: https://upside.app.link/MG9EF
- Turn on location services so you can see offers near you.
- Find offers on the map or list view
- Filter by Gas, Grocery, or Restaurant. Upside+1
- Claim your offer before you buy
- When you see a good gas price or a restaurant you like, tap to claim the offer in the app. Usually you have a time window to redeem it. FOX 13 News Utah (KSTU)+1
- Pay as usual
- Pay with a credit or debit card like you normally would.
- Prove your purchase (depends on the location) FOX 13 News Utah (KSTU)+1
- Either check in at the pump or inside the store,
- Or snap a picture of your receipt and upload it.
- Get your cash back
- Your cash back shows up in the app.
- You can cash out to bank, PayPal, or gift cards (like Amazon, Walmart, etc.). Google Play+1
Once you’ve done this a couple of times, it becomes second nature. It’s just part of how you shop.
Stacking Savings: Gas + Popular Restaurants (Firehouse Subs, Chipotle, BP, 7-Eleven & More)
My favorite way to use Upside is to stack savings in a way that:
- Doesn’t require a lot of extra effort
- Works with places I already like
Here’s my general strategy:
1. Gas First
Before I head out to drive or run errands, I:
- Open Upside
- Look at nearby gas stations
- Compare the price + cash back with what I see on the signs
Some of the big names that often show up on Upside include BP, 7-Eleven, Shell, Circle K, Marathon, and more (availability can change by area). Google Play+1
I choose the station that gives me the best real value (not just the lowest posted price, but the best price after cash back).
2. Then Food
Since I’m already out, I like to double-dip:
- I check if restaurants I already enjoy are on Upside:
- Firehouse Subs (like the one on Little Creek Rd in Norfolk)
- Chipotle
- Other fast-casual and quick service spots in my area
If there’s a decent cash back offer, that becomes my go-to food stop for the day.
3. Stack on Top of Other Rewards
Whenever possible, I stack Upside with:
- Credit card rewards (like 2–3% cash back or points)
- Store loyalty programs or apps (for free items, discounts, etc.) Upside+1
That’s when you really feel the power of the app:
gas savings + restaurant cash back + card rewards + loyalty perks = serious value over time.
The Upside Referral Program (Why I Call It “One of the Best”)
One of my favorite parts of Upside is the referral program.
At the time I’m writing this, my personal referral offer looks like this:
- When I refer a friend with my link https://upside.app.link/MG9EF,
- I can earn around 15¢ per gallon extra cash back on gas on their first fill-up,
- Plus an extra 10% on restaurants and groceries from that referral’s activity, based on the offer I’ve seen.
Important note:
Referral bonuses and exact terms can change over time and may vary by promotion, so always double-check the details inside your app’s referral section.
But the bottom line is this:
- You’re helping your friends and family save money
- You’re multiplying your own earnings at the same time
For someone who drives a lot, that can add up over a year—especially if you refer other drivers, coworkers, and family members who are constantly filling up and eating out.
Want to try it and kick off your own savings + referrals?
Download Upside with my referral link here:
https://upside.app.link/MG9EF
Local Upside Guides I’m Creating (Hampton Roads & Beyond)
Because I live in Hampton Roads, I’m turning this Cornerstone Master Review into the “hub,” and then I’ll be creating supporting local blogs that dive deeper into specific areas.
From this main article, I’ll be linking out to:
- Norfolk, VA Upside Guide – gas stations & restaurants that have worked best for me in Norfolk.
- Virginia Beach Upside Guide – beachfront drives, tourist areas, and local gems where Upside shows up.
- Chesapeake Upside Guide – great stops along your daily commute.
- Portsmouth Upside Guide – how to save while driving around the city and waterfront.
- Newport News Upside Guide – spots where locals can stretch their gas and food budget.
- Suffolk Upside Guide – for folks who drive a lot between cities and want to optimize every trip.
I’ll also be creating restaurant-specific blogs that tie certain locations to Upside:
- Firehouse Subs (including the Little Creek Rd location in Norfolk)
- Chipotle
- BP gas stations
- 7-Eleven
- And other popular chains that show up in the app in my area
Those posts will help you zero in on your city or your favorite places, so you’re not just using Upside—you’re using it with a local game plan.
Is Upside Legit?
Short answer: Yes, Upside is legit.
- It’s a well-known app with hundreds of thousands of ratings and a strong rating average in the app stores. Google Play+1
- The company (formerly GetUpside) has raised major funding and has been recognized as one of the fastest-growing tech companies in North America. Upside+1
Is every single offer huge? No.
But when you combine:
- Smart gas choices
- Upside restaurant offers
- Your normal driving & eating habits
- The referral program
…it becomes a powerful long-term saving and earning tool, especially if you’re on the road as much as delivery and rideshare drivers are.
Final Thoughts: No Movement Is Wasted
For me, using Upside is part of a bigger mindset:
Be a good steward of your money and your movement.
I’m already:
- Driving
- Eating
- Shopping
By adding Upside to the mix, I turn those everyday activities into micro investments:
- That cash back can go toward groceries, business expenses, or investing
- I can look back at the end of the year and say,
“All those little trips really added up to something.”
If you want to start doing the same thing:
Download Upside with my referral link and start stacking your own cash back today:
https://upside.app.link/MG9EF
