Cash, gift cards, points and credit: what you actually get

Withdrawable cash

Money you can move to a bank account or PayPal, or receive as a check. It's the only form you can spend anywhere. We only use the word "cash" when an app's official terms say you can withdraw it as money.

Gift cards and prepaid cards

Store gift cards only work at that store. Prepaid cards (such as a Visa reward) are broader but can carry fees or activation steps. Neither is the same as cash.

Points

Points have no fixed dollar value unless the program publishes one. Their worth depends on what you redeem them for, and some expire. We don't invent a conversion rate.

App or store credit

Credit you can only spend inside the app or store. It usually can't be withdrawn or transferred.

Four bonus types that get confused

• Referral rewards: paid to an existing user when someone they invited qualifies.
• New-user signup offers: paid to the new user after a qualifying action.
• Publisher affiliate commissions: paid by a store or app to a website or creator. You never receive this.
• Non-transferable credit or points: stays inside the program.