Cashback: tracking, exclusions and missing payments

Treat cashback as a possible extra, not money already earned.

1. Read the cashback provider’s merchant terms before shopping. Check exclusions, voucher restrictions, new-customer rules and the claim deadline.
2. Follow its tracking instructions. Switching devices or using a different promotional link can affect attribution; check the provider’s guidance rather than assuming it will track.
3. Keep the order number, date, eligible amount and advertised rate. Do not share receipts publicly unless personal details have been removed.
4. Distinguish tracked, pending, confirmed and payable amounts. Returns or cancellations may invalidate cashback.
5. If it does not track, raise a missing-cashback claim through the provider within its deadline. Record only money actually received in your earnings tracker.

Would this still be a worthwhile purchase if the cashback were declined?