🎁 Limited Time: Get $30 Free With Rakuten
New members get $30 cashback bonus after their first qualifying purchase of $30+. This is the highest bonus Rakuten offers - normally it's only $10.
Get Your $30 BonusRakuten At A Glance
What it is: Cashback app/browser extension
Cashback rates: 1-15% (up to 40% during sales)
Stores: 3,500+ including Amazon, Walmart, Target, Nike
Minimum payout: $5
Payment methods: PayPal, Check
Signup bonus: $30 (with our link)
Our rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)
What is Rakuten?
Rakuten (formerly Ebates) is a cashback platform that pays you a percentage of your purchase when you shop online. It's been around since 1999 and has paid out over $3.5 billion to members.
Here's how it works:
- Sign up for free (get $30 bonus with our link)
- Install the browser extension or use the app
- Shop at 3,500+ stores through Rakuten
- Get cashback deposited to PayPal or check every quarter
That's it. You shop like normal, but now you get 1-15% back on everything.
How Much Can You Actually Earn?
Let me break down realistic earnings:
Rakuten Earnings Potential
| Shopper Type | Monthly Spend | Avg Cashback % | Monthly Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Light Shopper | $100-200 | 5% | $5-10 |
| Regular Shopper | $300-500 | 6% | $18-30 |
| Heavy Shopper | $500-1000 | 7% | $35-70 |
| Holiday Shopping | $1000+ | 10%+ | $100+ |
My personal experience: I've earned $500+ over 2 years just shopping at stores I was already using. During Black Friday and holiday sales, cashback rates jump to 10-15% at most stores.
Best Stores on Rakuten (Highest Cashback)
Here are some of the best cashback rates you'll find:
Top Rakuten Cashback Rates
| Store | Regular Rate | Sale Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Sephora | 6% | Up to 12% |
| Nike | 6% | Up to 10% |
| Walmart | 3% | Up to 10% |
| Target | 1% | Up to 5% |
| Macy's | 6% | Up to 15% |
| eBay | 1% | Up to 4% |
| Hotels.com | 6% | Up to 10% |
| Expedia | 5% | Up to 10% |
Pro tip: Check Rakuten before every purchase. The browser extension makes this automatic - it pops up whenever you're on a supported store.
Rakuten vs. Competitors
How does Rakuten compare to other cashback apps?
Cashback App Comparison
| Feature | Rakuten | Honey | Ibotta | TopCashback |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Cashback | 5-15% | 1-5% | 2-5% | 5-15% |
| Stores | 3,500+ | 30,000+ | 300+ | 4,000+ |
| Signup Bonus | $30 | $0 | $10 | $10 |
| Min Payout | $5 | $10 | $20 | $10 |
| Payment | PayPal, Check | PayPal, Gift Cards | PayPal, Gift Cards | PayPal, ACH |
Bottom line: Rakuten offers the best combination of high cashback rates and a generous signup bonus. While Honey has more stores, their cashback rates are much lower.
Rakuten Pros and Cons
✅ Pros
• High cashback rates - Often 5-15%, up to 40% during sales
• $30 signup bonus - Highest in the industry
• Easy browser extension - Automatically notifies you of cashback
• Major retailers - Works at stores you already shop
• Low payout threshold - Only $5 minimum
• PayPal payments - Fast and convenient
• In-store cashback - Link a card for physical store cashback
❌ Cons
• Quarterly payouts - You get paid every 3 months, not instantly
• Must shop through Rakuten - Need to activate cashback first
• Some exclusions - Gift cards and certain items don't qualify
• Cashback can take time - 1-7 days to appear in account
How to Maximize Rakuten Earnings
1. Install the Browser Extension
The extension automatically alerts you when you're on a cashback-eligible site. No more forgetting to activate Rakuten before buying.
2. Stack with Credit Card Rewards
Rakuten cashback stacks with your credit card rewards. Use a 2% cashback card + 10% Rakuten = 12% total back.
3. Shop During Double Cashback Events
Rakuten regularly runs promotions where rates double. Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and back-to-school are the best times.
4. Use In-Store Cashback
Link a debit or credit card to get cashback at physical stores too, not just online.
5. Refer Friends for $30 Each
You get $30 for every friend you refer who makes a qualifying purchase. They also get $30!
Is Rakuten Legit?
Yes, Rakuten is 100% legitimate. Here's why you can trust it:
- Founded in 1999 - Over 25 years in business
- Publicly traded company - Owned by Rakuten Inc (Japan's largest e-commerce company)
- $3.5 billion paid out - They've actually delivered billions to members
- 15+ million members - Massive, verified user base
- A+ BBB rating - Excellent Better Business Bureau standing
I've personally received over 8 quarterly payments from Rakuten without any issues.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Rakuten make money?
Rakuten receives a commission from stores when you shop through their links. They share a portion of that commission with you as cashback.
Can I use Rakuten with coupons?
Yes! You can stack Rakuten cashback with coupon codes, store sales, and credit card rewards.
Does Rakuten work on Amazon?
Rakuten offers cashback on Amazon, but only on select categories (not everything). It's usually 1-3% on eligible items.
When do I get paid?
Rakuten pays quarterly: February 15, May 15, August 15, and November 15. Payments are sent via PayPal or check.
Is there a minimum purchase to get the $30 bonus?
Yes, you need to make a qualifying purchase of $30 or more within 90 days of signing up to get the $30 bonus.
Final Verdict: Is Rakuten Worth It?
Our Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)
Rakuten is a no-brainer. It's completely free, takes 2 minutes to set up, and pays you for shopping you're already doing. The $30 signup bonus alone makes it worth it - that's free money for a single purchase.
If you shop online at all, there's no reason not to use Rakuten. I've earned $500+ in 2 years with zero extra effort.
🎁 Get Your $30 Rakuten Bonus
Sign up for free, make one purchase of $30+, and get $30 cashback. It's literally free money.
Claim Your $30 Now💡 Want More Cashback Apps?
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