How I Earned Cash Back on Everyday Purchases with Rakuten (And You Can Too!)Post
🔒 Affiliate Disclaimer:
This post contains affiliate links. I may earn a commission if you sign up through my link, at no extra cost to you. I only recommend tools I use and love, like Rakuten.
If you’re anything like me, you love finding clever ways to save money, especially on things you’re already buying. That’s exactly how I stumbled across Rakuten, a completely free cashback platform that pays you real money every time you shop online at popular retailers.
In this post, I’ll walk you through:
Exactly how Rakuten works
My personal cashback earnings (yes, real dollars!)
How to sign up and get a free $30 bonus
U.S. stores that are part of the program
My best tips for maximizing savings
And why you’d be leaving money on the table if you don’t sign up today
Let’s jump in!
What is Rakuten?
Rakuten (formerly known as Ebates) is a free platform that gives you cash back when you shop at your favorite online stores. It partners with over 3,500+ top U.S. brands like Walmart, Target, Macy’s, Best Buy, Sephora, and many more.
When you shop through Rakuten’s website or browser extension, they get a commission from the retailer, and they share a portion of that commission with you.
💡 In simple terms:
You shop.
They get paid.
You get cash back.
No points. No coupons (though they offer those too). Just straight-up cash.
How I Got Started (And Scored My First $30 Bonus)
I first heard about Rakuten from a friend who swore she got paid just for buying makeup at Sephora. I was skeptical. But when I saw there was a $30 sign-up bonus for new users (after spending $30), I figured, “Why not?”
Here’s exactly how I got started:
I signed up through a referral link (you can use this one to get your own bonus).
I shopped at Target through Rakuten, buying basic household stuff—laundry detergent, paper towels, and some snacks. Total? Just over $32.
Within a week, I saw the cash back appear in my Rakuten account, along with the $30 bonus!
Result:
✅ I got 2% cashback from Target = $0.64
✅ I received a $30 welcome bonus
✅ That’s $30.64 for shopping I would have done anyway
Since then, I’ve earned hundreds of dollars in cashback from Rakuten. It’s like getting a discount on every purchase, without clipping a single coupon.
Top U.S. Retailers You Can Shop with on Rakuten
Here are just a few of the big-name U.S. stores where Rakuten works:
Store Average Cash Back
Walmat 1–5%
Macy’s 3–10%
Sephora 2–5%
Best Buy 1–2%
Kohl’s Up to 6%
Ulta 3%
Nike 5%
Adidas 10%
Old Navy 2-4%
Hotels.com 5-10%
Expedia Up to 8%
Chewy 2%
PetSmart 2%
Sam’s Club 2-3%
TIP: Cashback rates change often, especially during holidays or sales events. I’ve seen Macy’s go from 4% to 12% during Black Friday!
Real-Life Examples of My Rakuten Earnings
🛍️ Example 1: Holiday Shopping
Store: Macy’s
Items: Pajamas, towels, cookware
Spend: $120
Cashback Rate: 10%
Earned: $12.00
🐶 Example 2: Pet Essentials on Chewy
Spend: $64 on pet food and treats
Cashback: 2%
Earned: $1.28
🧳 Example 3: Booking Hotels on Expedia
Spend: $480 for a 3-night stay in Miami
Cashback Rate: 8%
Earned: $38.40
💰 Total Earnings in One Month: $61.68
How to Use Rakuten (Step-by-Step)
Option 1: Use the Rakuten Website
Go to rakuten.com
Log in to your account
Search for the store (e.g., Nike, Walmart)
Click “Shop Now”
Rakuten redirects you to the store, where you shop like normal
Done! Cashback tracks automatically.
Option 2: Install the Rakuten Chrome Extension (Highly Recommended)
With this tool, Rakuten automatically alerts you when a store offers cashback.
Go to the Chrome Web Store → Search for "Rakuten"
Add the extension to Chrome
It pops up when you're browsing eligible sites
Just click “Activate Cashback” and you’re good to go!
This is the method I use 90% of the time, it’s seamless, and I never miss a deal.
How and When Do You Get Paid?
Rakuten pays out once every quarter via:
PayPal
Or a physical check (if you prefer "Big Fat Checks")
You just need to hit the $5.01 threshold in earnings. But with the $30 bonus alone, you’ll get your first payout fast.
🗓️ Payout schedule:
Shopping Dates Payment Sent
Jan 1 – Mar 31 May 15
Apr 1 – Jun 30 Aug 15
Jul 1 – Sep 30 Nov 15
Oct 1 – Dec 31 Feb 15
Why Rakuten is a Game Changer for Smart Shoppers
If you’re the kind of person who wants to stretch every dollar, Rakuten is your secret weapon. It’s not just a money-saving tool—it’s a mindset shift. It turns ordinary spending into opportunities for cash rewards. For families, students, remote workers, or anyone on a budget, Rakuten is a low-effort, high-impact solution.
Think of it this way: What if your weekly grocery or back-to-school shopping could earn you gas money, a free coffee, or even a weekend getaway? That’s
🧠 Pro Tips to Maximize Your Rakuten Earnings
Stack Cashback with Coupons: Use Rakuten’s built-in coupon tool to combine cashback with promo codes.
Refer Your Friends: Each successful referral earns you $30, and they get $30 too.
Shop During High-Reward Periods: Big sales like Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and back-to-school season offer increased cashback rates.
Use Rakuten In-Store Offers: Link your credit card in the app to earn cashback while shopping in physical stores.
Sign Up for Email Alerts: Get notified when your favorite stores have high cashback.
📱 Using the Rakuten Mobile App
Don’t limit yourself to desktop shopping. Download the Rakuten App on iOS or Android and:
Get cashback on mobile purchases
Access in-store offers
Activate cashback on rideshare, food delivery, and more
Stores like DoorDash, Uber Eats, and Instacart are often available with mobile-exclusive cashback deals.
📊 Rakuten vs. Other Cashback Apps
Feature Rakuten Honey Ibotta Dosh
Cashback ✅ Yes ❌ No ✅ Yes ✅ Yes
Coupons ✅ Yes ✅ Yes ❌ No ❌ No
In-Store Use ✅ Yes ❌ No ✅ Yes ✅ Yes
Referral Bonus ✅ $30 ✅ Points ✅ Points ✅ Points
Rakuten stands out for its high-value referral program and the simplicity of cash payouts.
📅 Best Times to Use Rakuten for Maximum Savings
Here’s a seasonal cheat sheet:
January: Fitness, health, winter clearance
April: Travel, spring apparel
July: Summer sales, Prime Day
September: Back-to-school, tech
November: Black Friday & Cyber Monday (HUGE cashback boosts!)
December: Holiday gifts, last-minute deals
💬 Real User Testimonials
"I earned over $250 using Rakuten last year, mostly from booking travel and shopping at Macy’s. It's a no-brainer." – Amanda R.
"I got my $30 bonus after buying dog food! Easiest money ever." – James T.
"I use the browser extension so I never miss a deal. It just works." – Christine L.
❓FAQs About Rakuten
Is Rakuten legit?
Yes, it’s a well-established, publicly traded company that has paid over $2 billion to users.
Does it cost anything?
No, Rakuten is 100% free to use.
Can I use Rakuten with other coupon codes?
Yes! You can stack Rakuten cashback with promo codes and credit card rewards.
What if I forget to activate cashback?
You must click through Rakuten or use the extension. It won’t track automatically otherwise.
Can I use Rakuten in-store?
Yes! Link your credit/debit card in the mobile app to earn cashback in physical stores.
🛍 Rakuten by Shopping Category
Groceries: Instacart, Sam’s Club, Vitacost
Fashion: Macy’s, Nordstrom, Shein, ASOS
Electronics: Best Buy, Dell, HP, Lenovo
Travel: Expedia, Hotels.com, Priceline
Beauty: Ulta, Sephora, Glossier
Home: Bed Bath & Beyond, Wayfair, Overstock
✅ Final Thoughts + $30 Bonus Link
Rakuten has helped me turn ordinary shopping into easy extra money. Whether you're shopping for groceries, gifts, travel, or even takeout, cashback adds up quickly, and painlessly.
If you haven’t joined yet, don’t miss out on your free $30 bonus when you sign up and spend $30. It’s a win-win.
👉 Click here to join Rakuten now and start earning!