The first question after a purchase is almost always how long it will take. The answer has several stages, and each one has its own timing. This guide explains the timeline we work with, what the statuses mean and how the payout is handled.

The statuses

• Pending: the shop has reported the order. It is recorded, but not yet final.
• Confirmed: the shop has accepted the order after its return period. The amount is now yours to pay out.
• Paid: the amount has been sent to your PayPal account.
• Declined: the shop rejected or cancelled the order, or the part you returned was removed.

Stage 1: the order appears

After you buy, the shop reports the order. Often this happens within hours, sometimes after a few days. Travel orders and small shops may be slower.

Stage 2: the shop confirms

The shop waits through its return and cancellation period before it confirms. In practice this is usually 30 to 90 days after purchase. Shops with a long return window take longer, shops with strict final sale rules can be quicker. Travel bookings confirm after the trip.

Stage 3: late bookings

Some orders are reported late. Orders can be added to your account up to 180 days after the purchase. This is the reason we ask you to keep confirmation emails for a while and why we do not close a missing order case early.

Stage 4: payout

Once your confirmed balance reaches 20 USD, you can request a payout by PayPal. The request is checked by hand. We look at the account, the confirmed orders and the PayPal address to protect you and the programme from errors and misuse. After the check the money is sent. Below 20 USD your balance stays and grows with the next orders.

A timeline example

This example uses made-up dates. You order on 1 March. The order appears as pending on 2 March. The shop's return period ends on 31 March, and it confirms in the middle of April. Your confirmed balance now reaches 22 USD. You request a payout and, after the check, receive it by PayPal. From purchase to money, that is about six to seven weeks. With a shop that confirms after 90 days it would be about four months.

Why we check by hand

Manual review slows things a little, but it prevents wrong payments and fake accounts. It also lets us look at unusual cases rather than reject them automatically. Payout times depend on the volume of requests.

What can change the amount

• Returns and cancellations lower or remove the cashback.
• Shops may recalculate if prices were corrected or items were out of stock.
• Exclusions such as gift cards or shipping can mean a lower base than the card statement shows.

Tips to speed things up

• Check your PayPal address before the request.
• Keep the confirmation emails for all pending orders.
• Do not request payouts of tiny amounts if you plan more purchases; it is easier to collect and pay out once you are over 20 USD.

Where to read more

The full rules are in the terms of use. If an order does not appear, see missing cashback. For travel, see travel cashback. We look at shop information every day, and the conditions, including when cashback does not apply, are written on each shop page.