New Year Red Packet Guide: Beyond Alipay, These Apps Also Give Cash Rewards

·

As the Lunar New Year approaches, the festive atmosphere is growing stronger—and so are the digital red packet wars across major tech platforms. While Alipay’s “Collect Five Fu” has become a seasonal tradition, savvy users know that real rewards come from playing multiple apps smartly. This guide reveals how to maximize your holiday cashback by exploring lesser-known but highly rewarding campaigns—from TikTok's lucky animal cards to Gaode Map’s Monopoly-style game.

Whether you're a student looking for extra pocket money or a family planner aiming to stretch your budget, these New Year cash grab strategies offer real value with minimal effort. Let’s dive into the top apps where you can collect red packets, win cash prizes, and even score luxury giveaways—no luck required, just smart participation.

👉 Discover how to boost your digital wallet this Lunar New Year with smart reward tactics.

🔹 Core Keywords for Maximum Visibility

These keywords naturally align with what users search for during the holiday season: quick, legitimate ways to earn small sums through mobile apps without heavy investment.

Why Relying Only on Alipay Is a Missed Opportunity

Alipay’s “Collect Five Fu” (集五福) remains the most iconic digital red packet event in China, drawing over 900 million participants since its debut in 2016. But here’s the truth: the average cash reward per person is often less than ¥2. While nostalgic and fun, it shouldn’t be your only strategy.

Other platforms have stepped up their game in 2025 with clearer rules, better odds, and higher-value rewards—including instant cashouts, luxury items, and even gold bars. By diversifying your efforts across several apps, you can significantly increase your total earnings.

Let’s explore the top alternatives worth your attention this Spring Festival.

🎯 TikTok: Collect Zodiac Cards for Multiplied Rewards

TikTok’s 2025 campaign centers around Zodiac Card Collection, running from January 14 to January 28. The goal? Gather all 12 animal signs divided into two sets:

Each completed set unlocks eligibility for prize pools—with the second round doubling your share, up to 30x more if you finish both.

How to Play:

Hidden Bonus: The “Golden Koi” Prize

The first 50,000 users who complete the first round get an additional Koi Red Packet:

This early-bird mechanic rewards speed and consistency—perfect for dedicated players.

👉 Unlock exclusive tips to win big in app-based holiday campaigns.

🌐 Baidu: Travel Across China to Win Big

Baidu is handing out ¥500 million in cash rewards in its “Travel Across China” campaign (云游中国集卡), running from January 13 to February 12—giving you a full month to play.

The concept is simple: collect digital cards representing China’s provinces. Each milestone unlocks a share of the prize pool. Completing special combinations—like Beijing, Sichuan, Jiangsu, and Shandong—can win you a ¥10,000 jackpot.

Tips to Maximize Earnings:

New users receive an instant welcome bonus—making this one of the most beginner-friendly campaigns.

📱 Kuaishou: Collect Fortune Cards & Spin the Money Tree

Kuaishou’s version of the classic card game adds social flair. You collect five core cards:

Once you’ve gathered all five, merge them into a Golden Card and unlock:

Special Tools:

First-time Golden Card creators get upgraded access to grab gold bars on New Year’s Eve—a rare chance at high-value prizes beyond cash.

💳 JD Finance: Collect Five Treasures for Prizes

JD Finance ditches the “Fu” theme for a treasure hunt vibe with Five Treasure Cards:

You collect these via a gacha-style 9-grid draw system using “dumplings” (团子). There are two types:

Pro Tip:

Avoid auto-draw when holding exchangeable dumplings. Manually optimize your pulls when you’re close to completing a set—it increases efficiency and reduces waste.

Extra draws come from:

Unused cards can be exchanged for gifts—but hurry, stock is limited.

🚗 Gaode Map: Monopoly-Inspired Game with Real Cash

Yes, even Gaode Map joins the party—with a full-fledged board game experience. Players roll dice across city maps (Beijing, Shanghai, Hangzhou, etc.), landing on special tiles that trigger rewards.

Key Tile Types:

G-coins can be used in the final raffle for electronics, travel vouchers, or physical goods. You also earn more dice rolls by completing real-world tasks like setting car profiles or sharing routes.

It’s not just fun—it turns routine navigation into earning opportunities.

🧩 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Which app offers the highest chance of winning real money?
A: Baidu and Kuaishou offer more consistent small wins (¥1–¥20), while TikTok’s early-bird Koi rewards give top performers large payouts.

Q: Do I need to spend money to participate?
A: No. All activities are free and based on engagement—watching videos, sharing content, or completing simple tasks.

Q: Can I really win gold bars or iPhones?
A: Yes—but odds are extremely low. These are promotional prizes meant for viral sharing. Focus on guaranteed small wins instead.

Q: Are these campaigns safe and legal?
A: Yes. All listed apps are regulated Chinese tech giants running official holiday promotions.

Q: When are rewards distributed?
A: Cash is typically released within 7 days after the event ends. Physical prizes require timely redemption confirmation.

Q: Is there a way to automate these tasks?
A: No—and using bots violates terms of service. Stick to manual participation to avoid disqualification.

Final Tips for Maximizing Your Red Packet Haul

  1. Start Early: Many rewards favor first-completers (e.g., TikTok’s Koi红包).
  2. Invite Active Friends: Incentivize real engagement—it boosts your progress.
  3. Track Daily Tasks: Consistency beats bursts of activity.
  4. Use Wild Cards Wisely: Save them for rare cards.
  5. Don’t Ignore G-coins or Virtual Currency: They often lead to surprise prizes.

👉 See how tech-savvy users turn holiday apps into personal income streams.

While Alipay started the trend, the real winners this Lunar New Year will be those who look beyond one platform. With strategic play across TikTok, Baidu, Kuaishou, JD Finance, and even Gaode Map, you can turn downtime into real gains—making this Spring Festival not just joyful, but profitable too.