Maximising Your eBucks Rewards: A Monthly Checklist
Updated for the 2026/27 FNB eBucks year, with the new rules that take effect on 1 July 2026 (original checklist by Dylan Govender, maintained by southafricafacts.co.za).
Looking to get the most out of your eBucks rewards with FNB? Here's a simple, step-by-step guide to ensure you're maximising your benefits each month.
ā ļø Big changes for 2026/27: FNB has reworked eBucks again. The Virtual Card rule is now a single target of 80% of your total spend, every reward level dropped by 500 points, and the Smart Spend earn caps have been cut across all three tiers, so you now spend more to earn less. Read the Smart Spend section below before you plan your month.
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The big change for 2026/27: Smart Spend earn cuts
Smart Spend is the general reward you earn for hitting your monthly card-spend targets, separate from partner earn at the likes of Pick n Pay and Engen. The press coverage focused on points and levels, but the change that hits your pocket hardest is the cut to these caps. In every tier you now have to spend more to earn less.
| Account | Old max | New max | Spend to hit the new max |
|---|---|---|---|
| Premier | R600 | R450 | R30,000 (up from R25,000) |
| Private Clients | R1,500 | R900 | R50,000 (up from R40,000) |
| Private Wealth | R3,000 | R2,000 | R100,000 (up from R75,000) |
These are the maximums at reward Level 5 with 80% of your spend on the Virtual Card. That is a 25% cut for Premier, 40% for Private Clients, and a third for Private Wealth. Partner earn at Engen, Pick n Pay, Clicks and others is unchanged for now, so that side of the programme still works well if you reach your level.
When Do You Get Your eBucks?
eBucks are allocated on the 15th of every month, a fixed "eBucks PayDay". FNB often releases special travel deals and partner discounts around this date, so it's worth checking the app on the 15th.
The Monthly Checklist
The steps below are the activities that collect reward level points and move you up from Level 1 to Level 5. FNB does not publish these point values in a single table, so treat the figures as an indicative guide to the activities that count. The earn-rate and level changes further down come straight from FNB's official 2026 earn pages.
1. Track Your Rewards
Make it a habit to check your rewards every month. Navigate to the Track my rewards tab on the FNB app: FNB app, eBucks, Earn, Track my rewards. It keeps you aware of where you stand and what you still need to do to move up a level.
2. Set Up Smart Budget Categories
Ensure you have at least 3 Smart budget categories set up and view your Smart budget each month via: FNB app, Nav-igate life, Nav>>Money, Smart budget. You can pick up extra points by engaging with My Net Worth or checking your Credit Status.
3. Maintain a Healthy Credit Score
Keep a close eye on your credit score and view your Smart budget every month. A healthier credit status earns more points, so a dark green status is worth more than a light green one.
4. Maximise Child Accounts or Savings
Link your child to your Family Profile and earn points with an active FNBy transactional account, or earn more by growing their FNBy savings account. The qualifying savings amount steps up by tier (Premier R200, Private Clients R300, Private Wealth R400).
5. Make a Minimum Monthly Deposit or 10 Debit Transactions
Meet your monthly minimum deposit, or perform at least 10 qualifying debit transactions in the month:
- Premier: R19,500 deposit or 10 transactions
- Private Clients: R32,500 deposit or 10 transactions
- Private Wealth: R60,000 deposit or 10 transactions
- RMB Private Banking: R32,500 deposit or 10 transactions
Accepted debit transactions include ATM cash withdrawals, cardless cash withdrawals, debit card purchases, eWallet and Money Transfers, plus PayShap and Instant Payments, among others.
Not sure which FNB account package you're on, or which tier best fits your spending? Compare your options with our FNB Account Package Finder.
6. Use FNB Pay Bills
Every month, use FNB Pay Bills on the FNB App to pay at least two bills, including utilities, DStv, and insurance. Larger bills earn more than small ones, so set your regular accounts up to pay through the app.
7. Real-Time Payments (PayShap / Instant Pay)
Making real-time payments, also known as Instant Pay or PayShap, earns reward level points and these payments also count as qualifying debit transactions for step 5.
8. Virtual Card Spend (new rule for 2026/27)
The old split between online and in-store spend is gone. There is now a single target: put at least 80% of your total monthly card spend on your FNB Virtual Card.
Hitting the 80% target unlocks the higher Smart Spend earn rates and the reward level points that move you up the levels. Miss it and you drop to the much lower physical-card earn rate.
- You can pay with Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay, or Scan to Pay in the FNB app and it still counts.
- Customers aged 70 and above do not need to meet the 80% Virtual Card requirement.
9. Multi-Product Purchases
Buy 3 or more different product types (for example prepaid electricity, lotto, airtime or bundles, gaming, and vouchers) from at least 3 different categories, totalling at least R300 in a month, to earn 500 reward level points. This is an easy way to pick up extra points.
10. Insurance and Qualifying Products
Holding qualifying FNB Life cover, such as Life Customised, Funeral, or Estate Protector, earns reward level points each month. Active FNB Short Term Insurance also unlocks the better flight discounts covered in the travel section below.
Reward Level Thresholds (Updated for 2026/27)
Every reward level across all tiers dropped by 500 points, so Level 5 is a little easier to reach on paper. Premier and Private Wealth customers also have 2,500 additional levelling points available to help hit the targets. The new Level 5 thresholds are:
| Account | Points to reach Level 5 |
|---|---|
| Premier | 9,500 (was 10,000) |
| Private Clients | 11,000 (was 11,500) |
| Private Wealth | 13,000 (was 13,500) |
Use the eBucks calculator to see exactly where you stand and where you can close the gap.
Where to Spend and Earn (Partner Changes for 2026/27)
| Partner | Status |
|---|---|
| Pick n Pay | ā Main grocery partner, up to 20% back in eBucks at Level 5 |
| Engen | ā Up to R8/litre back in eBucks, work out your savings with our eBucks Fuel Rewards Calculator |
| Clicks | ā Active partner |
| Takealot / MrD | ā Active partners |
| Koodoo (new) | š Gaming and tech retailer from June 2026, earn and spend eBucks on PlayStation consoles, games and accessories, up to 100% back on selected items |
| Golfers Club (new) | š Earn 30% back in eBucks, and you can pay or part-pay with eBucks |
Earlier changes still in effect: Shoprite and Checkers were replaced by Pick n Pay during 2025, and iStore is no longer an eBucks partner.
Travel, Home Loan and Other New Benefits
- Flights: get up to 80% off the full ticket price (including taxes and surcharges) on selected local and international flights. International airline coverage expanded from 4 carriers to 10. The biggest discount tiers need active FNB Short Term Insurance.
- Travel insurance: FNB Travel Insurance now covers medical and related costs only, it no longer covers baggage or missed flights, so plan accordingly.
- Home loan perks: FNB bond holders can now earn move-in vouchers, welcome gifts, and milestone rewards at years 3, 6 and 9. There is up to R30,000 in rewards for taking out a new FNB home loan or switching your existing bond to FNB, with the amount depending on your tier.
- Aspire upgrades: device and appliance deals now extend to Aspire clients with up to 20% back, plus a 99c loaf of bread each week for those who qualify.
- Islamic banking bonus: Islamic Premier, Private Clients and Private Wealth account holders can earn extra levelling points for maintaining balances above R30,000 (1,000 points) or R50,000 (2,000 points).
- Forex fees: FNB customers can earn up to 50% of their forex fees back in eBucks when converting rand or sending money abroad. Use our currency converter and forex fee comparison to see which provider costs the least before you convert.
Tips for Reaching Level 5
- Use the calculator on the eBucks website to identify gaps in your points tally.
- Check Track My Rewards every month so you always know how far you are from the next level.
- Move recurring expenses like fuel, subscriptions, and groceries onto your Virtual Card so you clear the 80% target without thinking about it.
- Pay bills through the app rather than EFT where possible.
- Remember that the Smart Spend reward has been cut, so for many people the partner earn at groceries and fuel is now the most valuable part of the programme.
- FNB Connect customers can earn up to 15% back in eBucks on prepaid bundles and SIM plan purchases.
Remember, your strategy should be adapted to fit your specific account type and needs. Happy maximising your eBucks!
š¬ Community Discussion
Join the conversation on the South Africa Facts community forum. These related eBucks discussions and guides go deeper on the topics above:
- eBucks Rewards, Questions, Tips and Discussion Thread
- What is eBucks PayDay? (Explained)
- FNB eBucks Fuel Boost: Earn Up to R540 Back Per Tank
- eBucks Fuel Rewards Calculator, see exactly what you earn at Engen
- How to Earn eBucks on Device Purchases (Complete Guide)
- eBucks for Business: How the FNB Rewards Programme Works and How to Reach Level 5
- FNB eBucks vs. Discovery Vitality
- FNB Fusion Account vs Credit Card, what's the actual difference?
- FNB Personal Account Packages South Africa
- New tool: FNB Account Package Finder, which account earns you the most eBucks?
Last updated: June 2026 | Rules apply to the 2026/27 eBucks year (1 July 2026 to 30 June 2027). Earn rates and level thresholds verified against FNB's official 2026 eBucks earn pages.