Cash back is useful, but only on planned spending

The break-even equation

At a 5% reward rate, $1,380 in eligible planned spending would produce $69 in rewards. That would equal the current annual membership price after the trial. At $600 in eligible spending, the same rate would produce $30.

This calculation ignores returns, exclusions, caps and category changes. It is a planning example, not a promise of rewards.

$300 eligible spend at 5%

$15

$600 eligible spend at 5%

$30

$1,000 eligible spend at 5%

$50

$1,380 eligible spend at 5%

$69

Avoid the reward trap

• Do not buy early just to reach a reward threshold
• Do not treat returned purchases as lasting savings
• Check whether a category is permanent or promotional
• Compare the final price with other retailers, not only the percentage

Current-offer discipline

Amazon's current move-in-season announcement expands selected cash-back categories for a stated promotional window. This page is reviewed against Amazon's published update, but the checkout and program page remain authoritative.