Rakuten

## My Rakuten Review

Rakuten (formerly known as Ebates) is the absolute king of cash back shopping. I've been using it for years, and it's genuinely one of the easiest ways to save money online. If you shop online regularly and aren't using Rakuten, you're literally leaving money on the table.

### What Is Rakuten?

Rakuten is a free cash back rewards platform that partners with over 3,500 online stores. When you shop through Rakuten, you earn cash back on your purchases - typically ranging from 1% to 10%, with special promotions sometimes offering up to 40% cash back!

Founded in 1997 in Japan, Rakuten is one of the world's largest internet companies (think of them as the Amazon of Japan). They've paid out over $3.7 billion in cash back to members since launching in the US in 1998.

### Why Rakuten Is Legit:

**1. It's Actually Free**
No subscription fees, no hidden costs, no credit card required. Rakuten makes money from affiliate commissions from stores, and they share a portion with you. Simple as that.

**2. Massive Store Selection**
Over 3,500 stores participate, including virtually every major retailer:
- **Fashion**: Nike, Adidas, Nordstrom, Macy's, Gap, Old Navy
- **Tech**: Best Buy, Microsoft Store, Lenovo, Dell
- **Home**: Walmart, Target, Home Depot, Wayfair, Bed Bath & Beyond
- **Beauty**: Sephora, Ulta, MAC Cosmetics
- **Travel**: Hotels.com, Booking.com, Expedia
- **Groceries**: Walmart Grocery, Instacart
- **And thousands more...**

If you shop online, chances are 99% that the store is on Rakuten.

**3. Competitive Cash Back Rates**
Rakuten consistently offers some of the highest cash back rates in the industry. They negotiate exclusive deals with retailers and pass the savings to members.

**4. Easy To Use**
Three ways to earn:
- Shop through Rakuten's website
- Use the Rakuten browser extension (automatically activates)
- Use the Rakuten mobile app

I personally use the browser extension - it automatically pops up when I'm on a Rakuten store, so I never miss cash back.

**5. Reliable Payments**
Rakuten pays out quarterly (every three months) via check or PayPal. I've received dozens of payments over the years - always on time, always accurate. You can also opt for direct deposit for faster payments.

**6. Referral Bonus**
The $40 welcome bonus is one of the best in the industry. Just spend $40 within 90 days (which you'd probably do anyway), and you get a free $40. That's 100% return on your money!

### How I Use Rakuten:

**Step 1: Install the Browser Extension**
This is the game-changer. Once installed, the extension automatically notifies you when you're shopping on a Rakuten partner store. One click activates your cash back - takes 2 seconds.

**Step 2: Shop Normally**
I don't change my shopping habits at all. I shop at the same stores I always do. The only difference? Now I'm getting paid for it.

**Step 3: Stack With Other Deals**
Here's the real power move: Rakuten cash back stacks with:
- Store sales and promotions
- Coupon codes (Rakuten even suggests codes!)
- Credit card rewards
- Store loyalty programs

Example: I bought a laptop from Dell during Black Friday:
- Dell sale: 25% off
- Rakuten cash back: 12% (special promo)
- Credit card points: 2% back
- Total savings: Nearly 40% off!

**Step 4: Collect Quarterly Payments**
Every three months, I get a check or PayPal payment with all my accumulated cash back. Last year, I earned over $600 just by shopping like I normally do.

### Real Cash Back Examples:

Here are some actual cash back rates I've earned (rates change frequently, so always check current offers):

- **Macy's**: 10% cash back (regularly runs 10% promos)
- **Sephora**: 4% cash back
- **Nike**: 5% cash back
- **Walmart**: 2% cash back
- **Hotels.com**: 5% cash back
- **Best Buy**: 1% cash back (but stacks beautifully with sales)
- **eBay**: 2% cash back

During special shopping events (Black Friday, Cyber Monday, Double Cash Back Days), these rates often double!

### The $40 Sign-Up Bonus Breakdown:

**What You Need To Do:**
1. Sign up using a referral link (like mine!)
2. Spend $40+ on qualifying purchases within 90 days
3. Wait for your purchase to be verified (typically 1-2 weeks)
4. Receive your $40 bonus (paid in your first quarterly payment)

**Pro Tips:**
- Your first purchase MUST be within 90 days to qualify
- Make sure the store is a qualifying retailer (99% are)
- Shop through the Rakuten link/extension to ensure tracking
- Avoid using ad blockers, which can interfere with tracking

**Easy Strategy:**
Just buy something you were already planning to purchase. Need new shoes? Buy from Nike through Rakuten. Need household items? Shop Walmart through Rakuten. You'd spend the $40 anyway - now you get a free $40 bonus PLUS cash back on your purchase!

### Rakuten vs. Competitors:

**Rakuten vs. Honey**
- Rakuten: Better cash back rates, more reliable, actual cash payments
- Honey: Focuses more on coupon codes, gives "Honey Gold" points (less valuable)

**Rakuten vs. TopCashback**
- Rakuten: Better user experience, browser extension, quarterly payments
- TopCashback: Sometimes slightly higher rates, but clunkier interface

**Rakuten vs. Swagbucks**
- Rakuten: Pure cash back, simpler, better rates for shopping
- Swagbucks: Multiple earning methods (surveys, videos), but lower shopping rates

For pure shopping cash back, Rakuten wins hands down.

### Tips To Maximize Your Rakuten Earnings:

**1. Install the Browser Extension**
Cannot stress this enough. The extension ensures you never miss cash back and makes the whole process effortless.

**2. Check Rakuten Before Every Online Purchase**
Make it a habit. Before checking out, open Rakuten to see if you can get cash back.

**3. Follow Double Cash Back Days**
Rakuten regularly runs "Double Cash Back" promotions where rates double at participating stores. Sign up for email alerts.

**4. Stack With Coupons**
Rakuten often suggests coupon codes at checkout. Use them! Cash back + coupons = maximum savings.

**5. Use Rakuten for Travel**
Hotels, flights, and car rentals all qualify. I've earned $100+ in cash back on single hotel bookings.

**6. Shop During Sales**
Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and holiday sales are prime time. Stores often increase cash back rates during these events.

**7. Refer Friends**
Every friend who signs up and makes a qualifying purchase gets you $40. I've earned hundreds just from referrals.

**8. Set Your Payment Preference**
Choose PayPal for faster payments, or check if you prefer traditional mail.

### Common Questions:

**Q: Is it really free?**
A: Yes! Completely free. No fees, no subscription, no credit card required to sign up.

**Q: How does Rakuten make money?**
A: Affiliate commissions. Stores pay Rakuten for sending customers. Rakuten shares a portion with you.

**Q: How long until I get my cash back?**
A: Purchases typically show as "pending" in your account within 24-48 hours. Once verified by the store (usually 1-2 weeks), it becomes available for payment. Payments go out quarterly.

**Q: Can I use Rakuten with coupon codes?**
A: Yes! Cash back stacks with most coupon codes. Rakuten even suggests codes.

**Q: What if my cash back doesn't track?**
A: Contact Rakuten support with your order number. They're very responsive and will credit your account if you have proof of purchase.

**Q: Can I use Rakuten in-store?**
A: Yes! Some stores offer in-store cash back when you link your credit card and shop at physical locations.

**Q: Is there a minimum payout?**
A: Payments are sent quarterly if your balance is at least $5.01. If under $5, it rolls over to the next quarter.

### Who Should Use Rakuten?

Honestly? Everyone who shops online. Whether you buy:
- Clothing and shoes
- Electronics
- Home goods
- Beauty products
- Travel bookings
- Groceries
- Pet supplies
- Office supplies
- Literally anything online

You should be using Rakuten.

The only people who might not benefit are those who rarely shop online (but even then, one or two purchases per year can earn meaningful cash back).

### What I Don't Love:

I'm going to be honest - there are very few downsides to Rakuten. But here are some minor points:

**1. Quarterly Payments**
Unlike some competitors that pay monthly or on-demand, Rakuten pays quarterly. This isn't a dealbreaker, but if you want instant cash, you'll have to wait.

**2. Occasional Tracking Issues**
Very rarely (maybe 1-2% of the time), cash back doesn't track properly. This is usually due to ad blockers or not clicking through Rakuten before checkout. Customer support fixes it, but it's a minor hassle.

**3. Cash Back Rates Change**
Stores adjust their cash back rates based on their marketing budgets. A store offering 10% today might only offer 2% next month. This is true for all cash back platforms, not just Rakuten.

**4. Some Exclusions**
Certain product categories (like Apple products, video game consoles) are often excluded from cash back. Always check the store's terms.

These are truly minor issues. Rakuten remains the best cash back platform I've used.

### My Final Verdict:

**Rating: 10/10**

Rakuten is the closest thing to "free money" you'll find online. It requires almost zero effort (especially with the browser extension), costs nothing, and consistently delivers cash back on purchases you'd make anyway.

**The Numbers Don't Lie:**
- Over 15 million members
- $3.7+ billion paid out in cash back
- 3,500+ partner stores
- A+ rating from Better Business Bureau
- Trusted since 1998

**Bottom Line:**
If you shop online and you're not using Rakuten, you're literally throwing away money. The $40 sign-up bonus alone makes it worth joining - that's essentially a free $40 for doing nothing different than you already do.

I've been a Rakuten member for years, and it's become such a seamless part of my shopping routine that I don't even think about it anymore. The browser extension just pops up, I click once, and boom - cash back. Then every three months, I get a nice PayPal payment that feels like a surprise bonus (even though it's not a surprise - I earned it!).

**The referral program is a win-win:** You get $40 when you sign up and make your first qualifying purchase, and I get $40 for sharing a service I genuinely love and use myself. Honestly, I'd recommend Rakuten even without the referral bonus - it's that good.

If you're serious about saving money and maximizing the value of your online shopping, Rakuten is an absolute must-have tool. Sign up, install the extension, and start earning cash back today. Your future self will thank you when those quarterly checks start rolling in!