Retail Stores' Cash Back Policies: Where to Find Free Cash and Which Places Will Charge Fees

As bank branches continue closing across America and out-of-network ATM fees rise, retail stores have become essential places that give cash back for many shoppers. However, the landscape is changing rapidly—while some retailers still offer free cash back without fees, several major chains have introduced charges that particularly burden consumers in underserved communities.

Places That Give Cash Back Without Any Fees

If avoiding cash back fees is a priority, several major retailers continue to offer free withdrawals at checkout:

• Walgreens — Up to $20 in free cash back
• Target — Up to $40 in free cash back
• CVS — Up to $60 in free cash back
• Walmart — Up to $100 in free cash back
• Albertsons — Up to $200 in free cash back

These places that give cash back for free remain accessible in many communities, though availability varies by region. Unfortunately, as noted by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), these retailers may not be conveniently located in smaller towns or rural areas where banking access is already limited.

The Growing Problem: Retailers Now Charging for Cash Back

According to CFPB research, Americans pay over $90 million annually in cash back fees to major retail stores—money spent simply to access their own funds. This represents a significant shift from the traditional retail practice of offering free cash withdrawals as a convenience to shoppers.

Four major retailers have implemented cash back fees:

Family Dollar — Charges $1.50 for cash back withdrawals under $50. For consumers needing small amounts of cash, this fee can represent a substantial percentage of their withdrawal.

Dollar Tree — Imposed a $1 charge for cash back transactions under $50, following its parent company’s strategy to monetize previously free services.

Dollar General — Mystery shopping conducted by the CFPB in 2022 revealed fees ranging from $1 to $2.50 per withdrawal up to $40, depending on location. Given that Dollar General operates extensively in rural and economically disadvantaged areas, these fees disproportionately affect vulnerable consumers.

Kroger’s Regional Brands — The nation’s largest grocery chain charges varying rates across its subsidiary stores. Harris Teeter charges 75 cents for withdrawals up to $100 and $3 for $100-$200 transactions. Ralph’s and Fred Meyer charge 50 cents for up to $100 and $3.50 for $100-$300 withdrawals.

Why Stores Are Shifting to Fee-Based Models

The move toward charging for cash back reflects changing retail economics. Retailers argue these fees offset the costs of processing transactions, handling cash security, and maintaining in-store cash management systems. However, CFPB Director Rohit Chopra emphasized the broader concern: “As traditional bank branches disappear, many people living in small towns no longer have free access to withdraw money from their accounts. This has created conditions for retailers to charge fees for access to cash.”

The Disproportionate Impact on Vulnerable Communities

The transition to paid cash withdrawal services raises significant equity concerns. According to CFPB analysis, consumers with lower incomes and limited banking options face the heaviest burden, as dollar stores and discount retailers are concentrated in rural and underserved areas. For these communities, the emergence of cash back fees represents an additional financial barrier at a time when traditional banking alternatives have largely disappeared.

Understanding which places that give cash back for free and which impose charges has become essential for budget-conscious shoppers. The contrast illustrates a broader challenge facing American consumers: as financial access becomes increasingly fragmented, those with the fewest alternatives pay the most.