Earn on Just About Everything!
Who doesn’t love getting money back from shopping? Especially on things you’re already buying! That’s the magic of using Rakuten with cash back offers.
This guide will show you how to use Rakuten to earn cash back on your online shopping, putting money back in your pocket with very little effort.
What is Rakuten?
Rakuten (formerly known as Ebates) is a free platform that partners with thousands of online stores. When you shop through them, they receive a commission from the retailer, and they share a portion of that with you as cash back. It’s a win-win!
How Does Rakuten Cash Back Work?
It’s simple:
- Sign Up for Free: Create a Rakuten account at Rakuten.com. If you use my link here you get $30 after your first purchase. It’s quick and easy!
You can also download their mobile app (iOS and Android).
2. Find Your Store: Search for your favorite stores online or in the Rakuten search bar. They partner with everything from big department stores to smaller boutiques.
3. Activate Cash Back: This is the most important step! Before you shop on a store’s website, you must activate the cash back offer through Rakuten.
There are two ways to do this:
- Rakuten Browser Extension (Highly Recommended): Install the Rakuten browser extension (available for Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and others).
When you visit a store’s site, a pop-up will automatically appear, reminding you to activate cash back. Simply click ‘Activate’ and you’re all set!
- Rakuten Website/App: Alternatively, you can find the store on Rakuten and click the “Shop Now” button. This will redirect you to the store’s website.
4. Shop as Usual: Once you’ve activated cash back, you’ll be redirected to the store’s website. Shop and checkout as you normally would. Rakuten automatically tracks your purchase.
5. Get Paid: Rakuten sends out cash back payments every quarter (every three months) via PayPal, American Express Membership Reward Points or Check. You can choose your preferred payment method in your account settings.
Tips for Maximizing Your Rakuten Cash Back
- Install the Browser Extension: This will ensure you never forget to activate cash back.
- Look for Double Cash Back Deals: Rakuten frequently offers promotions where you can earn double the usual cash back.
- Use Rakuten for Travel: Earn cash back on hotels, flights, rental cars, and vacation packages.
- Check for In-Store Cash Back: Some stores offer in-store cash back through Rakuten. You’ll usually need to link a credit or debit card.
- Refer Friends: Earn bonuses for referring friends who sign up and make qualifying purchases.
Real-World Example
Let’s say you want to buy a $130 pair of shoes from Adidas. If Rakuten offers 10% cash back:
- Go to the Adidas website and the Rakuten browser extension will automatically pop-up.
- Activate the 10% cash back.
- Click “Shop Now” and buy the shoes on Adidas’s website.
- Rakuten tracks the purchase, and you get $13 cash back ($130 x 0.10 = $13).
Is Rakuten Worth It?
Yes, absolutely! I’m not one to pass up a chance to save money, and you shouldn’t either. It’s free, easy to use, and you earn money back on purchases you were already going to make.
Start Earning Today
Sign up for Rakuten and get $30 after your first purchase and start earning cash back today!
Disclosure: Our website is reader-supported. If you purchase from our partner links, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
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