Hi! This blog post will explain how to earn cash back from shopping using Rakuten. I personally love receiving payments every few months from my own purchases, it feels great! If you want to learn more on how you can too then this blog post is for you.
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What is Rakuten
Rakuten is a cash back app and website that allows you to get money back on items you buy with a click of a button. They work with many different stores and companies such as Macy’s, H&M, Amazon, Sephora, Best Buy, Kohl’s and many more.
Rakuten was formally know as “EBATES.” And if you are wondering what Rakuten means? It’s Japanese for “Optimism.”
To help you better understand, stores pay Rakuten a commission for sending their own members to that company’s website. In return, Rakuten then shares the commission it received with that customer.
How does it work?
In order to earn cash back from shopping you need to sign up and create an account. Signing up is completely FREE! and you can do this via their website or through a referral link. If you want to sign up through my referral link Click Here.
The benefit of signing up with my referral link is that you can earn some money and I can too. We both receive extra cash but you need to be a new member, qualify and spend $30 or more on your first purchase. This amount can change from time to time due to their Refer-A-Friend promotions.
Ways to earn Cash Back
1. Shop online (via Rakuten’s Website). Sign in with your account, search for the store you want. It will show if it is giving cash back. If you decide you want to shop there click “Shop Now” and Rakuten will redirect you there in seconds. Shop and checkout like you normally would. Rakuten will take care of automatically adding the cash back to your account.
2. Shop via Rakuten’s App. This is by far my favorite since I’m usually on my phone. Download the app (It’s free!) and sign in to your account. Search for the store, click “Shop Now” and it will redirect you to their website. Make sure to read their conditions. Sometimes you may not be able to get cash back via the app.
3. Shop In-Store (via the Rakuten’s App). Not only does Rakuten allow you to get cash back online but in-store aswell! YES! I love it because I’m usually out running errands lol. Shopping in-store is a little different you need to have a credit card or debit card saved ahead of time. To add one using the App just go to “My Account” and click “Credit Cards.”
Rakuten allows you to add as many cards as you like. Visit the store and once you are ready to checkout make sure to click “Link Offer” and choose a credit or debit card. You can link the card before arriving to the store or inside the store.
This part is very important: make sure to pay using that linked card at checkout. You will not get the cash back if you use a different card. A tip to help avoid this issue is to link the offer to all the cards. Also, remember to click “Credit” at checkout if you are using a debit card. Rakuten will only give you cash back if you use the credit method. This means signing and not entering your PIN.
Any linked offer is valid for one purchase only. So remember to relink them when you want to use them again.
How long until I see my cash back
Rakuten will need to first get a confirmation from the store or website of your purchase(s). This can take a few hours or days. However, once the store or company confirms your purchase you will then be able to see it in you Rakuten account.
What if I still don’t see my cash back? If you followed their rules and still don’t see your cash back click on “My account” and then the tab “Missing cash back.” This will show all your shopping trips, pick the one you are inquiring about and click “Contact member services.”
Provide your order details and an agent will contact you ASAP via email. Sometimes after you submit it the cash back is added right away.
How to get paid
To get paid you need to have at least $5 or more in your cash back balance. If your cash back balance is less than this it will get carried over to the next period.
Rakuten allows you to choose your method of payment: check by mail or via PayPal. Both are completely free! Payments are sent every 3 months. This means you can get paid four times a year!
Is it safe to use?
Yes! I have been using Rakuten since 2016. When they were formally known as Ebates. I have been receiving my cash back payments since then and continue to do so. I love their cash back service and recommend them to everyone. But if you want more information definitely check out their website.
Download Rakuten’s browser extension
I highly recommend downloading and adding the Rakuten cash back button browser extension to your desktop or laptop. This makes it 10x easier.
Trust me all you have to do is visit a store’s website and a Rakuten button will pop up on your top right hand corner letting you know to activate & the percentage that it will give you back.
By clicking on the Rakuten cash back button it redirect you back to the website’s page but now its linked with Rakuten. This is how you will receive your cash back. Shop and check out normally.
Not only is the extension helping you get cash back but it helps you find and apply coupon codes via the store’s website! Super helpful and convenient. I have been able to find some great deals because of it.
By having the Rakuten extension button you can skip having to go through the Rakuten’s website before shopping. Just make sure to allow the Rakuten button to pop up. Check your settings on your computer or laptop. The Rakuten cash back button extension is available in Chrome, Safari, Firefox, and Edge. Visit your browser store and download onto your desktop or laptop so you don’t miss out on getting some cash back.
Referrals
Get EXTRA BONUSES by referring others!
It’s another way to share and help friends and families receive cash back on their purchases via your own Rakuten referral link. My referral link CLICK HERE.
Every time you refer someone and they join using your link, qualify and make a purchase of the amount Rakuten says (like over $30) you get a bonus and so do they 🙂
But this amount can change due to Rakuten’s different promotions but any little money helps. This is why it is nice to refer others. It’s a win-win for both sides. Best part bonuses are unlimited!
Right now, by using my Rakuten referral link you can receive $30 and I can receive $30 but this is limited as the promotion ends June 30,2023. You need to be a new customer, qualify and spend $30.
With over 3,500 stores to choose from Rakuten is a great way to earn cash back from shopping.
I hope my post on “How to earn cash back from shopping” gave you some insight on how to get money from purchases you would normally buy anyways.
Talk soon!