Ratuken review: proven secrets for earning the most money

We’re BIG FANS of Rakuten.
It’s easier than ever to EARN CASH BACK AT MORE THAN 2500 STORES ONLINE. Many people earn hundreds of dollars a year!
We’ll teach you how to “SUPERCHARGE” your earnings. Learn how to optimize double and triple cash back weeks, coupon and promo codes, daily deals, buy one – get one free deals, and even “STACK YOUR CASH BACK!
We’re especially excited to tell you about the new cash back button and HOTEL AND VACATION CASH BACK DISCOUNTS. There are even “in-store” cash backs!
Written by Joel and Leah DePeri
THIS POST MAY CONTAIN AFFILIATE LINKS. PLEASE READ OUR DISCLOSURE FOR MORE INFORMATION.
Rakuten Review Quick Facts
12 Million Rakuten members
Total Cash Back Earned $1,000,000,000+
Number of Merchants 2500+
Sign up Bonus
$10 Walmart Gift Card or $10 Ratuken Cash Back
Receive your Payment by Check, Paypal, or donate to your favorite Charity.
We have something to share with you…
We’re in love with Ratuken.
We first learned about Rakuten a few years ago. At the time, it was a fun way for us to earn a few dollars in cash rebates while we shopped online.
But that changed last year, when we realized there were ways to SUBSTANTIALLY INCREASE OUR EARNINGS.
Here are some of Ratuken’s 2500+ stores…
There are 2500+ stores offering cash back on everything you buy!!
Here are some stores that were recently offering cash back (We think you will recognize a few).
Macy’s | Apple | Disney Store | Nike |
Groupon | Bed Bath & Beyond | Kohls | Sephora |
Pottery Barn | Lands End | Saks Fifth Ave | Marriott |
LL Bean | New Balance | Staples | British Airways |
Best Buy | Dell | Amazon | Childrens Place |
Ebay | Barnes & Noble | Hilton | Gap |
Ulta Beauty | Walmart | Buy Buy Baby | Gamestop |
Samsung | Lord & Taylor | HP.com | Hilton |
How does Rakuten work?
Ratuken is our favorite online cash back and coupon website.
It’s easy to use. It only takes a few minutes to sign up. You can be earning money on items you normally buy online in no time at all.
Here’s how it works…
Sign up for Rakuten. Simply type in the store you wish to make a purchase from to check if they are a Rakuten merchant. Click on the store link and you will be automatically sent to the store website. There is nothing else to do. Rakuten creates a record of your purchase and sends you a rebate four times a year.
Example – Let’s say you want to buy a dress and shoes for a wedding you’re attending next month. You ran a search online and you found something attractive and reasonably priced at Macy’s. The total charge is $118.00. You checked the Rakuten website and noticed that Macy’s is participating in Rakuten’s Triple Cash Back week. This means that the normal 3% cash rebate is tripled to 9%. You definitely don’t want to miss this special offer, so you click on the Macy’s link and make a purchase. Rakuten makes a note of the transaction and sends you a check for $10.62 in their next payout cycle. It’s that easy!
Get CASH BACK on Every Purchase!
My friend did all her shopping online for Christmas and had a cash back check for $245 mailed to her!”
ACTUAL TESTIMONIAL
Here’s what we like…
Double and Triple Cash Back Weeks
Love the Double and Triple Cash Back weeks!
Check out some of the promotions from a recent cash back week…
Macy’s | 9% Cash Back |
Dell | 8% Cash Back |
JC Penney | 9% Cash Back |
Coach | 10% Cash Back |
Groupon | 6% Cash Back |
Under Armour | 10% Cash Back |
Nike | 10% Cash Back |
Coupons, Promo Codes, and Daily Deals!
There are MANY COUPON CODES for you to save big $$$ on.
Here are some that were running during a recent holiday weekend.
Don’t forget… you also earn your Rakuten percent cash back!
Shutterfly | 50% off Everything |
Kohls | Extra 30% off |
Carters | 50% off sitewide + extra 25% off $40 |
Gap | up to 50% off sitewide + extra 20% off |
Old Navy | 40% off sitewide |
The Childrens Place | 50% off sitewide + Free Shipping |
CVS | 30% Off Sitewide + Free Shipping |
Black Friday and Cyber Monday Deals
Rakuten really goes WILD on these monster retail days!
Black Friday and Cyber Monday are the biggest online saving days of the year.
You definitely want to use Rakuten during the holiday shopping season. WE SAVE BIG every purchase we make.
Whether you are looking for electronics, toys, apparel, appliances or even holiday and home decor, you’re sure to find a deal for everything you are looking for this holiday season on Rakuten.
Special Cash Back Events
You can earn SUBSTANTIAL CASH BACK during the monthly special events.
Here are a few awesome savings events that were featured…
March | 14% cash back at 200+ stores |
Ebates Birthday Week in May | 15% cash back at 400+ stores |
June | 10% cash back at 300+ stores |
How to “SUPERSIZE” Your Rakuten Earnings
Get the Cash Back Button
Never miss cash back again!
In the past, we missed getting cash back because we didn’t remember to check if the website we were making a purchase from was an Rakuten merchant (remember that you have to click the Rakuten link to get credited). There was a several hundred dollar order from Advance Auto Parts that we missed. And the sign up incentive from Fios. That hurt!
Well, that won’t happen again.
The new Rakuten Cash Back Button is an automated tool that proactively finds discounts and lets you earn Cash Back—without visiting Rakuten first.
You definitely want to take advantage of this!
Simply download the Google Chrome Rakuten App. The Rakuten Activation Button automatically appears in the upper right corner of your screen whenever you are on the website of an Rakuten merchant. Just click to activate and shop as normal.
This new feature alone has BOOSTED our Rakuten earnings substantially. We won’t ever miss an opportunity to get cash back anymore!
We HIGHLY RECOMMEND that you use it yourself. You will be happy you did .
The Advantages of the Rakuten Cash Back Button |
Automatic notification that a website is an Rakuten merchant |
Automatically applies promo coupon codes for even more savings |
Easily view your Cash Back earned |
Cash back notifications in search results (we like this!) |
In Store Cash Back
Now you can earn cash back when you are shopping in a retail store!
This new program lets you link your credit card to Rakuten so you can earn money while you are shopping. Simply look through the offers, link to the ones you like, and start saving.
100 stores participating (more on the way!) | |
Lord & Taylor | Bed Bath & Beyond |
Petco | Buy Buy Baby |
Saks Fifth Avenue | Macy’s |
GNC | Under Armour |
Restaurant 5% Cash Back
Here’s a great way to earn extra money whenever you go out to eat.
Earn 5% cash back at 10,000 restaurants when you link your credit card to Ratuken. There is no need to notify anyone. Just use your charge card as you ordinarily would and 5% of the total will automatically be added to your earnings.
Here’s a real bonus…
The 5% earnings are calculated on the ENTIRE BILL… including tax and tip!
Hotel and Vacation 5% Cash Back
Now it’s possible to book your hotel room and earn 5% cash back at thousands of hotels when you use the Rakuten link.
You’re reading that right.
A full 5% cash back. No blackout dates. Always.
We were ABSOLUTELY STUNNED when Rakuten unveiled this new program. This incentive alone will save the average family $100 or more on their vacation.
Thanks, Rakuten!
Download the Rakuten App to your Smartphone
Discover the hottest daily deals, new sale announcements, coupon codes, and more with the Rakuten Smartphone App.
Get notified when you get cash back.
Get notified when DOUBLE OR TRIPLE CASH BACK is offered at your favorite stores.
Use your phone to link with Rakuten to qualify for cash back when you are shopping in a retail store that offers In-Store Cash Back.
Rakuten Visa Credit Card
How about an EXTRA 3% Cash Back in addition to the regular cash back you earn when you make a purchase through Rakuten!
The Rakuten Visa Card will MAXIMIZE the amount of cash back you can earn.
Rakuten Visa Credit Card Advantages |
3% EXTRA Cash Back on more than 2500+ stores |
1% Cash Back on other purchases |
$10 Cash Back Bonus on your first purchase |
Stack your Cash Back
Are you aware that there are coupon codes for 20 million products on the Rakuten website?
That’s amazing!
We’re excited to teach you how to combine all those coupon codes with Cash Back so you could MAXIMIZE your earnings.
First, let us tell you that the “MAGIC” is combining as many discounts as possible. We’re talking about stacking a store sale, coupon code, cash back discount, and even the Rakuten Credit Card Visa discount.
Here’s how it’s done…
Let’s say you are planning a vacation to Florida. Your luggage has seen better days. You don’t think it will survive another flight.
You check the Rakuten website and discover that JC Penney is participating in Double Cash Back week. Their regular 3% Cash Back discount is doubled to 6%.
You click the link and see that JC Penney has a special coupon code for Rakuten customers – a 50% off for 48 hours sale!
You browse the JC Penney website and choose an attractive 3 piece American Tourister set with exceptional reviews for $400. It can be yours for $200 with the Rakuten code.
Time to check out. You will receive the 6% Cash Back ($12) from Rakuten in their next payment cycle.
$400 Original price of Luggage
– $200 Sale price with 50% Off Rakuten Code
________
$200
– $ 12 Rakuten Double Cash Back Discount
_________
$188 Final Price $212 Savings
You can earn a further 3% discount by using the Rakuten Visa Card. That will earn you an additional $5.64!
Tell everyone you know
You’re going to LOVE Rakuten. You will definitely want to tell your friends.
Here’s a recent incentive plan that will boost your earnings substantially…
Refer A Friend To Rakuten |
Invite a friend to Ebates They join and spend at least $25 You get $25, and they get $10 |
How does Rakuten make money?
Every time you make a purchase, you get cash back and Rakuten earns a thank you referral from the retailer for sending them a customer.
How it works – Petco sends a 8% commission to Rakuten any time a customer makes a purchase. Rakuten gives you 4% cash back for shopping at Petco and they keep 4% as a thank you referral fee.
This is a cost effective way for a retailer to earn a customer. The retailer is only charged when you make a purchase. That’s why Rakuten is such a great deal for you. The retailer is actually giving cash back to you rather than paying for expensive newspaper, television, and radio advertising coverage.
Is Rakuten available worldwide?
Rakuten has separate websites in Canada, Korea, and Japan.
When will I receive my first check?
Rakuten sends out their famous “Big Fat Check” four times a year.
Make a Purchase Between | You Get Paid On |
January 1 – March 31 | May 15 |
April 1 – June 30 | August 15 |
July 1 – September 30 | November 15 |
October 1 – December 31 | February 15 |
Boost your Cash Back
This is incredible!
Rakuten will contact you a week before they issue your “BIG FAT CHECK” (yes, that’s what they call it) and give you an option… they will mail you a check for the amount you have earned or you can BOOST that amount by instantly accepting a gift card from dozens of stores.
NIKE | BOOST your check by 15% |
Kohls | BOOST your check by 8% |
Petco | BOOST your check by 20% |
Old Navy | BOOST your check by 12% |
Bed Bath & Beyond | BOOST your check by 10% |
Macy’s | BOOST your check by 12% |
Ulta Beauty | BOOST your check by 10% |
Here’s what we wish were different…
We wish there was an option to get our cash back payment whenever we wished instead of waiting for the next payment cycle. We assume that it’s easier for them to send out checks all at once.
Your entire purchase at Amazon will not qualify for Cash Back. It is limited to certain categories. It’s still very extensive though. At the time we wrote this post… shoes, handbags, bedding, home decor, vacuums, cookware, bakeware, small appliances, kitchen tools, and Echo and Kindle devices were included.
In conclusion…
We know you will be very happy with Ratuken.
We use it numerous times each month and earn Cash Back on everything from vitamins to tires. Rakuten has saved us HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS on items that we were planning on buying anyway.
Please let us know if you have any questions. Always happy to hear from you!
Get CASH BACK on Every Purchase!
“I love saving money with Rakuten. I’ve been getting checks for years now. I have received over $4000 so far!
ACTUAL TESTIMONIAL
Have you discovered any ways to boost your Ebates income? I’m sure there are some that we aren’t aware of. We would love to hear more. Share with us in the comments below!