CashKaro works by earning a commission when you click through to an Indian shopping site from CashKaro and buy, then passing most of it back to you as cashback, which you can move to your bank account by NEFT once it's confirmed. The rule most people miss: Amazon and Flipkart purchases earn Rewards instead, and Rewards are only paid as gift cards, never cash.
CashKaro is one of the big cashback sites in India, and its rules are clear once you know there are two kinds of earnings. Most confusion comes from mixing up cashback and Rewards, or from shopping in a way that breaks tracking. Here's how it works, straight from CashKaro's own FAQ.
Where CashKaro's cashback comes from
CashKaro says retailers pay it a commission when you shop through it, and it passes most of that commission to you as cashback. The money comes from the retailers' advertising and customer acquisition budgets, which is why the service is free. CashKaro says it works with 1500+ shopping websites, from Amazon and Flipkart to Dominos, Mobikwik and MakeMyTrip.
How to earn cashback, step by step
- Log in to CashKaro before you shop.
- Search for the retailer and click a deal on its CashKaro store page.
- Shop on the retailer's site as you normally would, in the same session.
- Watch for an email confirming your pending cashback, which CashKaro says arrives within 5 minutes to 72 hours.
- Once the cashback is confirmed and you've reached the minimum, request payment.
You can't skip step two. CashKaro says you must visit the retailer via CashKaro; buying direct and sending a receipt later doesn't work, because the retailer has no record of you coming from CashKaro.
Cashback versus Rewards
| Cashback | Rewards | |
|---|---|---|
| Where you earn it | Most partner retailers | Amazon and Flipkart |
| How it's paid | Bank transfer via NEFT, or an Amazon gift card | Gift cards only, never cash via NEFT |
| When it tracks | Pending email within 5 minutes to 72 hours | Pending within 72 hours |
If your confirmed cashback and Rewards together pass CashKaro's minimum, you can request payment, but any Rewards portion can only come as gift cards. CashKaro says gift cards should reach your email within 5-6 business days of your request.
Pending and confirmed: why it takes time
Pending means the retailer has acknowledged your purchase, but it's still inside the return or cancellation period. Once that period ends, the retailer confirms the sale and pays CashKaro in its next monthly payment cycle, and your cashback moves to Confirmed. CashKaro says this can take anywhere between 48 hours to 90 days from the purchase. Cancel the order and the cashback is cancelled too.
What stops cashback tracking
- Outside codes: use only voucher codes supplied by CashKaro. Some retailers pay less, or nothing, when a code is used, and the store page says which.
- Comparison sites: don't use a quote or code from a price comparison site, and don't browse one mid-purchase, or the commission goes elsewhere.
- Broken sessions: retailers may decline cashback if the purchase wasn't completed in the same session.
- Offline buying: telephone and in-store purchases don't earn.
- Taxes and delivery: CashKaro says cashback is sometimes not paid on GST and delivery amounts, which explains a lower figure than expected.
- Browser settings: allow cookies, JavaScript and third-party images, and clear your cookies before you start.
Getting paid
When your confirmed balance is high enough, go to My Account, open My Earnings and request payment. Cashback can go to your bank account by NEFT or be taken as an Amazon gift card; Rewards can only be taken as gift cards. CashKaro says gift card values are rounded to the nearest five after any bonus is added, so a balance just under a round number may come out slightly lower or higher. Referral earnings apply to Rewards too, so friends who mostly shop on Amazon or Flipkart still count.
A small habit that helps: always use the orange buttons on CashKaro to leave for the retailer, never a bookmark or a search result, and keep that tab open until you've paid.
Claiming missing cashback
If no cashback email arrives, wait 3 days, because retailers can take that long to track a sale. After that, raise a Missing Cashback ticket from My Account, and do it within 10 days of the transaction: CashKaro says no claims are accepted after 10 days. You'll need the retailer name, date, amount and order ID, so keep every retailer confirmation email.
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CashKaro says enquiries take between 3 days to 40 days depending on the retailer, and the retailer's decision is final. Its support team works Monday to Friday between 10 am and 6 pm IST, with a 48 hour response time.
My verdict on how CashKaro works
CashKaro is useful for regular online shoppers in India who are disciplined about starting every order from CashKaro and skipping outside codes. Treat Amazon and Flipkart Rewards as gift card money, keep your order emails, and claim anything missing inside 10 days. It's a saving on spending you'd do anyway, not an income. For more ideas, see my guide to legitimate ways to make money online and my tips to save money and avoid a loan.
Frequently asked questions
How long does CashKaro take to confirm cashback?
CashKaro says it can take between 48 hours to 90 days from your purchase, depending on the retailer's return or cancellation period.
Can I withdraw CashKaro Rewards to my bank?
No. Rewards from Amazon and Flipkart purchases are paid only as gift cards, not as cash via NEFT.
Why didn't my CashKaro cashback track?
Common reasons are using a code not supplied by CashKaro, using a comparison site mid-purchase, not finishing in the same session, or buying offline.
What is the deadline to claim missing CashKaro cashback?
Wait 3 days, then submit a Missing Cashback ticket within 10 days of the transaction. CashKaro accepts no claims after 10 days.
Is CashKaro free?
Yes. CashKaro says it's a free cashback service, paid for by retailers' commissions.
