Cashback vs Points — what's the difference?
KAST Cashback and KAST Points both appear in your Rewards Hub, but they are not the same reward. Cashback is redeemable USD value that can apply to your next card purchase, while Points are a separate balance for Premium and Private members.
Both show up in your KAST rewards. Both grow when you spend. But they work in very different ways.
In short:
Cashback is redeemable USD value you can spend on your next card purchase. Every member earns it.
KAST Points are a separate rewards balance earned on top of cashback — exclusive to Premium and Private members.
Here is how they differ.
Cashback and points at a glance
| Reward type | What it is | Who gets it | How it works |
|---|---|---|---|
| USD Cashback | Redeemable USD value | Standard, Premium, Private | Earned on eligible card spend, then redeemed in the app and applied to the next card purchase |
| KAST Points | Separate points balance | Premium, Private | Earned separately on eligible card spend and tracked separately from cashback |
What cashback is
Cashback is the reward you can use toward card spending.
You earn it based on your membership tier. Then, when it becomes available, you redeem it in the Rewards Hub. After that, it becomes Redeemed inside your Rewards Balance as a separate spendable sub-balance.
Cashback rates by tier
| Membership tier | USD cashback rate |
|---|---|
| Standard | 1.5% |
| Premium | 2% |
| Private | 3% |
What points are
Points are a separate rewards balance. They are not USD cashback. Premium and Private members earn points on eligible card spend.
| Membership tier | KAST Points |
|---|---|
| Standard | No points |
| Premium | 1% on eligible card spend |
| Private | 2% on eligible card spend |
The practical difference
Here is the clean split:
- Cashback is redeemed in the app and then used toward card purchases
- Points are tracked in a separate points ledger
- Cashback is available across all tiers
- Points are available on Premium and Private
How cashback works
Cashback follows a simple flow:
- You make an eligible card purchase
- Cashback is awarded
- It becomes redeemable
- You tap Redeem
- It becomes Redeemed inside your Rewards Balance
- It applies automatically to your next card purchase
Cashback is not auto-redeemed. You need to redeem it in the Rewards Hub first.
What you can and cannot do with Card USD Cashback
You can:
- earn it on eligible card spend
- redeem it in the Rewards Hub
- use it toward your next card purchase
You cannot:
- withdraw it to an external wallet
- withdraw it to a bank account
- convert it to points
Refunds and clawbacks
If a transaction that earned cashback is later refunded or reversed, the related cashback can be clawed back.
If you already redeemed and used it, the shortfall can be deducted from your card spending account. In some cases, that can push the balance negative.
Quick comparison
| Question | Cashback | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Is it USD value? | Yes | No |
| Is it tracked separately? | Yes | Yes |
| Do all tiers get it? | Yes | No |
| Does it need redemption? | Yes | No |
| Can it be used toward card purchases? | Yes | No |
Points in the app
Points are tracked separately in your Rewards Hub and remain visible in the app as a separate balance.
The short answer
Cashback gives you redeemable USD value for card spend.
Points are a separate balance earned on eligible card spend for Premium and Private members.
If you see both in your account, that is expected. They work side by side, but they are not the same reward.
Cashback follows the Locked, Redeemable, and Redeemed classifications in the KAST Rewards Program Terms and Conditions.
Disclaimer: This content is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute investment, legal, tax, or financial advice. Digital assets involve high risk and may result in total loss. Please do your own research and consult professional advisors before making any decisions. Read full disclaimer here.