Count rebates only when measuring the cost they actually offset

Subtract a rebate from realized cost only when you can establish its amount, eligibility and receipt. A potential reward belongs in a separate scenario until the conditions have been satisfied. Otherwise, the reported saving can disappear when the reward is unavailable or worth less than assumed.

Cash cost and conditional cost

Imagine a hypothetical swap costs $3 in measured economic shortfall and qualifies for a stated reward of two reward tokens. If those tokens are not yet received, the realized swap cost remains $3.

A forecast can show a conditional adjusted cost. At an assumed $0.40 per reward token, the gross reward value is $0.80 and the conditional net cost is $2.20. If claiming requires a separate $0.30 transaction, the conditional result becomes $2.50. All of those assumptions should remain visible.

Do not value rewards as guaranteed cash

A displayed token value may differ from executable sale proceeds. If the reward cannot be transferred, claimed immediately or sold at the stated size, explain that limitation. Avoid treating a future token allocation or points balance as an already realized dollar payment.

For standard token accounting, ERC-20 balances and transfer events help establish whether the relevant tokens reached the recipient. They do not by themselves establish a market value or the terms of a reward program.

Compare alternatives before and after the reward

Report the underlying swap outcome without incentives, the received incentive separately, and any resulting adjusted cost. That presentation reveals whether the route itself executed competitively and whether a temporary benefit changed the user's total result.

Use the same reward treatment for every alternative. Counting one route's maximum advertised incentive while ignoring another route's actually received rebate produces a biased comparison. Preserve the program terms consulted, eligibility evidence and receipt when a rebate materially affects the conclusion.