This article explains which purchases are eligible to earn cashback with your KAST Card and why some transactions may not qualify.
Good to Know
Cashback eligibility is determined by the Merchant Category Code (MCC) assigned to the transaction by the merchant's bank and the payment network. KAST does not control how merchants are classified.
How Cashback Eligibility Works
When you pay with your KAST Card, the merchant is assigned an MCC that identifies the type of business or transaction.
Cashback is awarded based on this classification—not simply on the merchant's name or the products they sell.
Because of this:
- Similar merchants may use different MCCs.
- The same merchant may process different types of purchases under different MCCs.
- A merchant's website or advertised business category may not match the MCC used to process your payment.
Which Purchases Usually Earn Cashback?
You can earn cashback on eligible KAST Card purchases when:
- Your membership tier includes cashback rewards.
- The purchase is made with your KAST Card.
- The transaction qualifies under the applicable MCC.
- You haven't reached your monthly cashback spend cap (if your membership tier has one).
Cashback is typically applied after the transaction has been completed and settled.
Which Purchases Usually Don't Earn Cashback?
Some transactions are generally excluded from cashback, including:
- ATM withdrawals
- Cash advances
- Money transfers and transfer-like transactions
- Quasi-cash transactions (such as purchasing certain financial products)
- Fees and charges
- Refunded or reversed transactions
- Chargebacks
- Cancelled or disputed transactions
Eligibility rules may change over time and can vary depending on your membership tier, rewards program, or promotional campaign.
Not Sure if Your Purchase Qualified?
If you expected cashback but didn't receive it:
- Open the KAST app.
- Find the transaction in your activity.
- Check whether cashback was applied (it may first appear as Locked Cashback). If no cashback reward appears on the transaction, the transaction is not eligible for cashback.
- If you're still unsure, contact KAST Concierge and provide:
- the transaction date
- the transaction amount
- the merchant name
- a screenshot of the transaction (if available)
Our team will review the transaction and explain whether it qualified for cashback.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Didn't I Receive Cashback?
There are several possible reasons:
- The merchant's MCC isn't eligible for cashback.
- The transaction type is excluded.
- The purchase was refunded or reversed.
- You reached your monthly cashback spend cap.
- Your account is temporarily restricted.
Why Doesn't a Normal Purchase Qualify for Cashback?
Cashback depends on the MCC used to process the transaction, not simply on the merchant's name or business.
For example, two stores selling similar products may use different MCCs, and the same merchant may process different types of purchases under different MCCs. This means one purchase may qualify for cashback while another similar-looking purchase may not.
When Is Cashback Applied?
Cashback is typically calculated after the transaction has been completed and settled.
Pending transactions usually won't show cashback until processing is complete.
Do Refunds Affect Cashback?
Yes. If a purchase that earned cashback is later refunded, reversed, or charged back, the associated cashback may also be removed from your account.
Do ATM Withdrawals or Money Transfers Earn Cashback?
No. ATM withdrawals, cash advances, money transfers, quasi-cash transactions, and similar financial transactions generally aren't eligible for cashback.
Do Fees Earn Cashback?
No. Fees, interest charges, reversals, chargebacks, cancelled transactions, disputed transactions, and similar adjustments don't qualify for cashback.
What Happens if I Reach My Monthly Cashback Limit?
If your membership tier includes a monthly cashback spend cap, eligible purchases made after you reach that limit won't earn additional cashback until the cap resets.
Does My Membership Tier Affect Cashback?
Yes. Your membership tier determines:
- whether you're eligible for cashback,
- your cashback rate, and
- whether a monthly cashback spend cap applies.
You can view your current membership benefits in the KAST app.
Can KAST Change a Merchant's MCC?
No. Merchant Category Codes are assigned by the merchant's acquiring bank and the payment network. KAST cannot change or override a merchant's MCC.