Rakuten offers cash back for shopping at over 3,500 stores, free to join, and shares commissions with members as cash back, paid quarterly. Members also get a $30 sign-up bonus. Since 1998, Rakuten has paid out over $1 billion in cash back.
You'd be silly not to get cash-back for items you would have bought anyway. You can do this by shopping online with Rakuten.
Every time I shop online, I start at Rakuten and then I get cash back deposited into my PayPal account.
Hello, cash back!
Rakuten is my favorite way to make money when I shop online and right now they are offering a $30 sign up bonus through this link. You can save money with over 3,500 stores. When you use Rakuten to shop, you get cash back.
Click here to sign up for Rakuten and get $30 to start.
What is Rakuten?
Rakuten (Formerly Ebates) offers cashback if you purchase from their network of shopping sites. You already know you can shop for pretty much everything imaginable online. Rakuten isn’t exactly a shopping portal on its own.
Rather, they give you cash back if you shop through their affiliate links to various websites, including the big-name retailers like Amazon, Best Buy, Kohl’s, Nordstrom, Lowe’s, and many more.
As you probably already know – shopping online is practical and is very desirable for people our age. I use Rakuten for all my online shopping. I only shop a moderate amount, usually, I get stuff on Amazon or different department stores and I rather use Rakuten in order to get paid for stuff I would buy anyways.
The only bad thing I have to say about this site/app is that I didn't discover it early enough. Yes, I had seen the television ads, but I figured there must be a catch, perhaps a paid membership, or some ungodly number of uses required to actually get any benefit. But no… its plain, easy, and a comply free way to earn money.
I have been a member for more than 3 years and I have already earned a few hundred bucks in cash back. The number of stores that partner with is very large – so no withdrawal needed from your store addictions. I use Walmart a lot and you can get up to 10% cash back at times!
Getting Started with Rakuten
How To Sign Up for Rakuten
Signing up for Rakuten is a breeze. All you need to do is head over to their website or download the Rakuten app. Provide your email address and create a password, or use your Google, Facebook, or Apple account to save time. Once you're registered, you're all set to start shopping and earning cash back.
Understanding Rakuten's Platform
Rakuten is an online platform that partners with various stores, offering you cash back whenever you shop through their site or app. It's like having a personal shopping assistant that rewards you every time you make a purchase.
With over 3,500 stores to choose from, your options are virtually endless. Some popular retailers include Amazon, Sephora, and Overstock. The cashback rates range from 1% to 40%, with some stores even offering higher cash back on specific categories.
Here's a quick rundown of how Rakuten works:
- Search stores and deals: Use the search bar on Rakuten's website or app to find your favorite online stores or browse their categories to discover new ones.
- Start shopping: Click on the store's logo or the “Shop Now” button, and Rakuten will redirect you to the store's website. Now, shop as usual and complete your purchase.
- Earn cash back: Once you've completed your shopping, Rakuten will track your purchase and add the cash back to your account.
To make it even easier, consider adding the Rakuten browser extension to your internet browser. This way, you'll be notified automatically when you visit a participating online store and can activate cash back with just one click.
Remember to check Rakuten for current offers and deals, as they update them frequently. Make the most of your online shopping and enjoy the cash back you've earned!
Pros & Cons of Rakuten
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Benefits
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DownsidesEarning and Redeeming Cashback
Maximizing Cash Back Offers
To make the most of your Rakuten experience, you can maximize cash back offers by shopping strategically. Keep an eye out for special deals and promotions from the platform's partnered retailers. Here are some ways to boost your cashback earnings:
- Shop during holidays and sales events: Rakuten often offers higher cash back rates during these times.
- Use the Rakuten browser extension: Install the browser extension to be notified of cash back offers when you visit participating store websites.
- Combine promo codes and discounts: Look for promo codes and discounts on Rakuten while shopping, as these can be used along with cashback offers.
- Check the “Hot Deals” section: Rakuten regularly updates this section with top deals and limited-time offers from various retailers.
Cash Back Rewards Program
- In-store Cash Back: Link a credit card to your Rakuten account, add an offer, and make a purchase at a participating store. Offers are usually active for 45 days. Cash back is only available for physical purchases and must be paid with the linked card. Debit cards must be used as credit. Cash back is added to your account after the store confirms your purchase.
- Cash Back on Purchases: Choose a store on the Rakuten website, mobile app, or browser extension, activate Cash Back, and make an eligible purchase.
- Cash Back Rewards: Rakuten splits commissions from partner businesses with users as cash back rewards.
Payment and Rewards Redemption
Rakuten is user-friendly when it comes to redeeming your cashback rewards. Once your rewards balance reaches $5.01 or more, you can cash out via:
- Check: Rakuten sends a physical check to your mailing address.
- PayPal: Your cashback rewards are deposited into your linked PayPal account.
- Gift cards: Redeem your rewards for gift cards from popular retailers.
Keep in mind that Rakuten pays out rewards quarterly, so be patient as you wait for your payment or gift card. Ensure you keep track of your shopping trips with Rakuten to monitor your cashback rewards and make adjustments to your shopping strategies if needed.
Rakuten's Browser Extension
The Rakuten Browser Extension, also known as the Rakuten Button, is a great tool to make your shopping experience more convenient and rewarding. To start using the Rakuten Button, follow these easy steps:
- Download the browser extension for your preferred web browser (Chrome, Firefox, Edge, or Safari).
- Create or sign in to your Rakuten account.
- Whenever you visit a participating online retailer, the Rakuten Button will notify you if cashback or coupon codes are available.
- Click the button, and the extension will apply any available savings automatically for you.
The Rakuten Cash Back Button comes with several benefits that make online shopping even better:
- Ease of Use: With the browser extension, you don't have to visit Rakuten's website every time you want to earn cashback. Just shop as you normally would, and the extension will do the rest for you.
- Savings: Earn cashback on your purchases by simply activating the extension when it alerts you. Plus, you'll receive access to exclusive coupon codes and even double cashback offers on selected partners.
- Coupon Codes: The Rakuten Button also helps you save more by automatically testing and applying available coupon codes during the checkout process, so you don't have to search for the codes yourself.
- Cash Back Updates: You can easily track your earnings with the Rakuten Button, as it will automatically update your cashback balance within your account.
In summary, the Rakuten Browser Extension simplifies your shopping experience by providing easy access to cashback rewards, coupon codes, and exclusive offers. With just a few clicks, you can enjoy all the benefits of Rakuten without ever needing to visit their website first.
Shopping with Rakuten
Finding the Best Deals
Shopping with Rakuten is a great way to earn cash back on your purchases, both online and in-store! To find the best deals, start by browsing through their platform or using their browser extension. They have partnered with various retailers, including Amazon, Walmart, and Target. This means you can easily earn cash back on your favorite stores.
Be sure to check out the Hot Deals section for special offers like free shipping, BOGO deals, and more. This is the go-to place for finding extra discounts, so it's worth a visit before making any online purchases. Here's a quick rundown of what to expect when shopping with Rakuten:
- Thousands of partner stores to choose from
- Cashback ranging between 1% and 40%
- Hot Deals section for limited-time offers
- Browser extension for easy access to deals
In-Store vs. Online Shopping
With Rakuten, you can earn cash back on both online and in-store purchases. For online shopping, simply click through their portal or use the browser extension before making your purchase. Your cash back will automatically be credited to your Rakuten account.
For in-store cash back, you'll need to link a credit or debit card to your Rakuten account. Then, activate the in-store offer and pay with that linked card at the participating retailer. Your cash back will be added to your Rakuten account within a few days.
Here's a comparison table to show the differences between in-store and online shopping with Rakuten:
| Online Shopping | In-Store Shopping | |
|---|---|---|
| Cash Back | Automatically credited | Requires paying with linked card |
| Activation | Click through portal or use extension | Activate offers before shopping |
| Offers | Hot Deals, various online retailers | Specific in-store offers |
By taking advantage of both online and in-store shopping options with Rakuten, you can maximize cash back and save on your favorite brands. So, don't wait! Give it a try and enjoy the rewards.
Should You Use Rakuten?
Rakuten is free and will never cost you anything, so you can only benefit from using the site. You shop for something you would normally buy and then get money back in return.
If you don’t shop much online, Rakuten might not be for you. Let’s say you only spend $20 per month online. With an average cashback rate of 5%, you’re only looking at $1 cash back. Is it worth your time? Probably not.
For me, I like to shop online from time ot time — so this makes Rakuten worth my time.
Security and Legitimacy
Is Rakuten Safe and Legit?
Rakuten is a well-established company that has been around since 1998. They are known for offering cash back rewards to their users, ranging from 1% to 40% on various purchases. With over two decades of experience, you can be confident that Rakuten is a legitimate platform.
When it comes to security, Rakuten takes appropriate measures to protect your information. They don't require users to provide any payment information directly to them, which is reassuring. Additionally, SSL encryption is employed on their site to ensure that your data remains private and secure while browsing.
Customer Feedback and Ratings
To gauge the reliability and trustworthiness of Rakuten, we used it ourselves but also checked customer reviews and ratings. On Trustpilot, Rakuten holds an overall rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars, which speaks to the positive experiences many users have had with the platform. Meanwhile, Rakuten is accredited by the Better Business Bureau, further attesting to its legitimacy and commitment to customer satisfaction.
In summary, you can trust Rakuten as a safe and legitimate platform for earning cashback rewards on your online purchases. With high ratings and proper security measures in place, there's little reason to doubt the platform's trustworthiness.
Rakuten offers cash back for shopping at over 3,500 stores, free to join, and shares commissions with members as cash back, paid quarterly. Members also get a $30 sign-up bonus. Since 1998, Rakuten has paid out over $1 billion in cash back.
