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Why was the cashback received lower than expected?

Written by Joe

There are three main reasons why your cashback may be lower:

  1. Transaction limit exceeded
    Your purchase amount is higher than the cashback limit for that specific category.

  2. Period limit reached
    You’ve reached your monthly cashback limit for the current period.

  3. Incorrect Category

    The transaction was not recognized under the category you expected, so a different (usually lower) cashback rate was applied.


(1 and 2) The transaction reached a limit

How is cashback calculated in these cases?

  • The category cashback rate (e.g., 2%, 3%) is applied only up to the category limit.

  • Any remaining amount may still earn cashback at the default/base rate (1%), if:

    • It’s eligible, and

    • You haven’t reached the default cashback limit.

  • If the default cashback limit is also reached, no further cashback is applied.


Understanding Promotional Limits

When you spend beyond the promotional cashback limit, the cashback calculation is divided into two parts: the promotional rate applies only up to the limit, and the standard rate applies to any amount exceeding the limit. Below is a detailed explanation:

Promotional cashback offers, such as a 20% cashback boost, are subject to a predefined spending limit. This limit determines the maximum amount eligible for the promotional rate. For example, if your promotional limit is 300 EUR, only purchases up to this amount will qualify for the 20% cashback rate.

Cashback Rates Beyond Limits

Once your spending exceeds the promotional limit, the standard cashback rate (typically 1%) applies to the excess amount. For instance:

  • If you spend 100 EUR and your promotional limit is 95 EUR, you will earn 20% cashback on the first 95 EUR and 1% cashback on the remaining 5 EUR.

Similarly, if you continue to make purchases after fully utilizing your promotional limit, all subsequent eligible spending will earn cashback at the standard rate of 1%.


Cashback Limits

Limits are monthly. There are no yearly limits. Each merchant has its own limit.

Merchant / Category

Rate

Cap (payment amount)

All eligible purchases (default)

1%

€600 per transaction · €3,000 per month

Uber, Bolt

3%

€60 per transaction · €600 per month

Just Eat, Deliveroo, Uber Eats, Glovo, Bolt Food

3%

€60 per transaction · €600 per month

Netflix

20%

€24 per month

YouTube Premium

20%

€16 per month

Amazon Prime

20%

€5 per month

Disney+

20%

€16 per month

ChatGPT

20%

€23 per month

Gemini

20%

€23 per month

Claude

20%

€22 per month

Xbox Game Pass

20%

€35 per month

Twitch

20%

€35 per month

PlayStation Plus

20%

€19 per month

Nintendo

20%

€4 per month

Steam

20%

€10 per month

Why a transaction may not match the expected category

For a transaction to qualify for a specific cashback category:

  • The merchant must be classified with the correct MCC (Merchant Category Code).

  • For specific campaigns, the merchant name must clearly match the expected provider.


Example:
If you pay for a Claude subscription, the transaction description should clearly include “Claude” in the merchant name. Otherwise, it may not qualify for that category.

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