Gold (XAUUSD) is one of the most traded instruments among retail CFD traders. It moves fast, trends well and reacts strongly to news — which also means many gold traders open a lot of positions and pay a lot in spreads. A gold trading rebate returns part of that cost to you on every lot you close.
This guide explains how rebates on gold work, how they differ from forex rebates, and how to estimate what you could get back.
Why gold traders should care about costs
Gold spreads are usually wider in dollar terms than spreads on major currency pairs, and they can widen further around US data releases, the daily rollover and periods of thin liquidity. If you trade gold intraday, those costs add up quickly.
A rebate does not narrow the spread you see on your platform. Instead, it pays back part of the broker’s revenue from your trades — so your net cost per lot is lower.
Net cost per lot = spread cost + commission − rebate
How lot sizes work on XAUUSD
On most MetaTrader brokers, 1 standard lot of XAUUSD = 100 troy ounces. A $1 move in the gold price is therefore worth about $100 per standard lot, $10 per 0.10 lot and $1 per 0.01 lot. Contract specifications can differ between brokers and account types, so check the symbol specification in your platform or on the broker’s official website.
For rebates, gold volume is counted in lots just like forex: a 0.25-lot gold trade counts as 0.25 lots.
Do gold trades earn the full rebate?
Not always. Brokers pay partners set amounts that often vary by instrument group — forex majors, metals, indices, energies and so on. As a result, the rebate on gold can be different from the headline forex rate.
Our published maximums are:
| Broker and account | Maximum rebate |
|---|---|
| Exness Standard | Up to $14 per lot |
| XM Standard | Up to $15 per lot |
| Vantage Standard STP | Up to $20 per lot |
Treat these as the ceiling. If gold is your main instrument, message us on Telegram at @pip_refund before you open an account and we’ll tell you what currently applies to metals on your chosen broker.
Worked example: an intraday gold trader
Suppose you trade gold most days and close around 25 trades a week at an average of 0.20 lots:
- Weekly volume: 25 × 0.20 = 5 lots
- Monthly volume (4 weeks): 20 lots
| Exness Standard | XM Standard | Vantage Standard STP | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gold lots per month | 20 | 20 | 20 |
| Rebate per lot (up to) | $14 | $15 | $20 |
| Monthly rebate (up to) | $280 | $300 | $400 |
| Yearly rebate (up to) | $3,360 | $3,600 | $4,800 |
If the metals rate on your account is lower than the headline rate, your rebate will be proportionally lower. You can run your own figures in the rebate calculator.
Mixed portfolio example
Many traders mix gold with currency pairs. If you close 12 lots of EURUSD and 8 lots of XAUUSD in a month, the forex portion earns up to the headline rate, and the gold portion earns the metals rate, which may be the same or lower. Add the two together for your total.
Tips to lower your gold trading costs
- Avoid trading into the rollover. Spreads on gold often widen sharply around the daily server rollover.
- Be careful around major US data. Spreads and slippage can jump just before and after releases such as payrolls and inflation figures.
- Measure your real cost per lot. Record your average spread on XAUUSD over a week on a demo or small live account at each broker you’re considering.
- Compare net cost, not headline spread. A slightly wider spread with a bigger rebate can work out cheaper than a tighter spread with no rebate.
- Size positions sensibly. Gold is volatile. A 0.01-lot position is often plenty while you’re testing a strategy.
For more general cost-cutting ideas, see How Forex Rebates Are Calculated.
Which broker suits gold traders?
All three brokers in our programme offer XAUUSD on MetaTrader. The best choice depends on your style:
- Vantage offers the highest headline rebate in our programme (up to $20/lot on Standard STP) and is popular with EA users. See the Vantage broker page.
- Exness is known for fast automated withdrawals and flexible leverage. See the Exness broker page.
- XM suits traders who want small position sizes and a simple account structure. See the XM broker page.
Trading conditions on gold — spreads, margin requirements, trading hours and swap — vary by broker and change over time. Check the latest conditions on the broker’s official website.
How to start earning gold rebates
- Open an account through the partner link on the relevant broker page.
- Choose the qualifying account type (Exness Standard, XM Standard or Vantage Standard STP).
- Submit your trading account ID through the sign-up form.
- Trade as usual — rebates are calculated on closed lots and paid weekly.
A note on risk
Gold is a highly volatile instrument, and trading CFDs on margin carries a high risk of losing money. A rebate reduces your costs but does not guarantee profits. Only trade with money you can afford to lose, and never increase volume just to earn a larger rebate.