With so many cashback apps and coupon sites, it’s fair to be skeptical. After all, why would a company give you money just for shopping? In this post, I’ll break down exactly how Rakuten works, whether it’s a scam (spoiler: it’s not), and the pros and cons of using it so you can decide if it’s worth your time.
As a mom to two little kids, I want to save money any way I can. Aside from meal prepping, redeeming credit card points for cash, and selling things on Poshmark, Rakuten helps me put some extra money back in my pocket.
Note: this review contains a referral link. If you choose to sign up for Rakuten through my link, we’ll both get extra cash in our pockets. It’s a win-win!
I was a little confused by it all in the beginning. How does Rakuten work? Is Rakuten legit? When will I get my money (if ever?). After my mom repeatedly urged me to sign up, I finally did it, and honestly, I don’t know why I had waited so long. Once you sign up for Rakuten, it’s simple. And yes, Rakuten is legit.
The most important thing to do to help ensure you get your cash back is to do all of your shopping within the Rakuten app. Don’t follow any prompts to leave the app to open the store in a browser or alternative app. I’ve learned this the hard way!
*To qualify for a Referral Sign-up Bonus, you must be a new member and place qualifying orders totaling a minimum of $30 within 90 days of becoming a member. You must be located in the 50 United States, D.C., or Canada to qualify. Offer may be modified or cancelled anytime.
It’s absolutely not! This Japanese-owned company (formerly known as eBates) was established in 1997. And if you’re wondering why some company would pay you to shop, the answer is simple: it’s an affiliate model.
Think of it this way: Rakuten has affiliate partnerships with 3,500+ retailers. When Rakuten refers a shopper to their website who completes an order, Rakuten receives a commission. That’s pretty standard in affiliate marketing. Rakuten is different because they split their commission with you, the customer, which puts money back in your pocket. It’s a win-win for everyone!
• Rakuten gets commission from your sale from the retailer• You get cash back from Rakuten sharing their commission with you
Pretty cool, right? Plus, if you use my referral link to sign up, we’ll get $30 after making your first qualifying purchase.
✅ Legit and Well-Established – Rakuten has been around since 1997 (formerly Ebates) and has paid out millions in cashback to users.
✅ Free to Use – There’s no cost to sign up or use Rakuten. You just shop through their links to earn cashback.
✅ Wide Range of Retailers – Rakuten partners with thousands of stores, including Walmart, Target, Sephora, and more.
✅ Stackable Savings – You can combine Rakuten cashback with store sales, credit card rewards, and coupons for bigger savings. Black Friday deals are insane, too! I got 20% back at Athleta last year on top of 40% off sitewide.
✅ Easy Payouts – Cashback is sent via PayPal or check every quarter.
✅ Referral Bonuses – You can earn extra money by referring friends (usually $30 per referral when they make a qualifying purchase). Here’s my referral link.
✅ Browser Extension & App – The Rakuten browser extension automatically alerts you to cashback opportunities, and the app lets you earn while shopping on mobile.
❌ Cashback Isn’t Instant – Rakuten only pays out cashback quarterly, so you’ll have to wait a few months to receive your earnings.
❌ Cashback Can Be Denied – You might not get cashback if you don’t follow the correct process (e.g., disabling ad blockers, clicking the link before purchase). This has happened to me before.
❌ Limited In-Store Cashback – While some stores offer in-store cashback, most deals are online-only.
❌ Varies by Retailer – Some stores have low cashback rates (sometimes as little as 1%), and certain categories may be excluded.
❌ No Cashback on Gift Cards – Many retailers don’t allow cashback when purchasing gift cards.
I’ve “made” *checks app* $205.44 on Rakuten to date. Keep in mind, $40 of that was a referral bonus during Black Friday sales and I just downloaded this app about five months ago.
Speaking of Black Friday, the cashback deals during this time are insane. Not only are referral bonuses more significant, but the cashback at all my favorite stores was out of control.
• Athleta was 20% ($60) cashback.• Minted was 15% ($32) cashback.
That’s $92 in cashback from two purchases I would’ve made either way. Crazy! And yes, as I mentioned above, the cashback is stackable with retailer promotions. It’s not one or the other, it’s both.
As far as getting paid from Rakuten, they pay out quarterly so you do have to wait a bit. I opted to get the money sent to my PayPal account, but you can also receive a paper check in the mail, whichever you prefer. It’s worth the wait, trust me!
Rakuten is 100% legit and a simple way to earn cashback on purchases you’d be making anyway. While it’s not going to make you rich overnight, it’s an easy, no-risk way to save money over time. If you’re shopping online, there’s really no reason not to grab free cashback when you can.
💸 Ready to start earning cashback? Sign up for Rakuten here and get a welcome bonus when you make your first qualifying purchase!
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