[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/moneydoneright.com\/passive-income\/cash-back-and-rewards\/apps-and-sites\/rakuten-review\/#Article","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/moneydoneright.com\/passive-income\/cash-back-and-rewards\/apps-and-sites\/rakuten-review\/","headline":"Rakuten Review","name":"Rakuten Review","description":"Rakuten Basics: Rakuten, formerly Ebates, is a well-established service that helps you get cash...","datePublished":"2020-04-07","dateModified":"2025-03-14","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/moneydoneright.com\/author\/logan-allec\/#Person","name":"Logan Allec, CPA","url":"https:\/\/moneydoneright.com\/author\/logan-allec\/","identifier":4,"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/6e74dd0453a5871d1dcfde6d40d9494765ca8bfdb01927cefee4564d4bee9075?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/6e74dd0453a5871d1dcfde6d40d9494765ca8bfdb01927cefee4564d4bee9075?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Money Done Right","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/moneydoneright.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Money-Done-Right-Personal-Finance-and-Investing-Blog.png","url":"https:\/\/moneydoneright.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Money-Done-Right-Personal-Finance-and-Investing-Blog.png","width":488,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/moneydoneright.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/rakuten-review.jpg","url":"https:\/\/moneydoneright.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/rakuten-review.jpg","height":460,"width":1900},"url":"https:\/\/moneydoneright.com\/passive-income\/cash-back-and-rewards\/apps-and-sites\/rakuten-review\/","video":{"@context":"http:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"VideoObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=-x80_C4MMhY#VideoObject","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=-x80_C4MMhY","name":"Rakuten Review: Is This Cash-Back Site Still Worth It?","description":"Rakuten, formerly Ebates, is a well-established service that helps you get cash back on online and in-store purchases just about anywhere you shop.  But how does it stack up?  Is Rakuten legit?  And what's up with its weird payment schedule?  In this Rakuten review, I explain how Rakuten works, walk you through making a purchase and getting cash back through Rakuten, go over the Rakuten pros and cons, and tell you the kind of people Rakuten is good for (and not so good for).\n\n\u25ba My Rakuten Referral Bonus Link: https:\/\/moneydoneright.com\/rakuten\/\n\n\u25ba My Other Cash-Back Sites and Apps Reviews (PLAYLIST): https:\/\/youtube.com\/playlist?list=PLHmwDU0qD1fgOfu7ZqUagWhkR7JNscpqS\n\nTable of Contents:\n0:00 Rakuten Review\n1:16 Rakuten Homepage\n1:32 Always Read the Fine Print!\n2:19 Getting Started on Rakuten\n3:08 Beware Using Other Coupons or Promo Codes\n3:22 How Rakuten Makes Money\n3:56 Rakuten Extension\n4:27 Buying Something Through Rakuten\n5:00 Rakuten Categories\n5:14 Getting In-Store Cash Back Through Rakuten\n5:54 Rakuten Referral Program\n6:23 Rakuten Payment Schedule\n6:54 Rakuten Payment Methods\n8:54 Rakuten Pros and Cons\n11:16 Who Rakuten Is Good For\n12:22 Who Rakuten Isn't Good For\n\n#cashback #savemoney #rakuten","thumbnailUrl":["https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/-x80_C4MMhY\/default.jpg","https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/-x80_C4MMhY\/mqdefault.jpg","https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/-x80_C4MMhY\/hqdefault.jpg","https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/-x80_C4MMhY\/sddefault.jpg","https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/-x80_C4MMhY\/maxresdefault.jpg"],"uploadDate":"2021-10-13T15:00:00+00:00","duration":"PT13M16S","embedUrl":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/-x80_C4MMhY","publisher":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UCQ9WUXlSuLlbi5BLkgtEUEA#Organization","url":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UCQ9WUXlSuLlbi5BLkgtEUEA","name":"Logan Allec","description":"Logan Allec is a CPA and the founder of Choice Tax Relief, which specializes in helping people with their IRS and state tax debt.","logo":{"url":"https:\/\/yt3.ggpht.com\/43_VKqrbO06RGMcxfdQbDXosrkVRq1yf5QgSQEiR4ILUGWV9fJtTh0o2ftYMYqVo6PwnEOPRdg=s800-c-k-c0x00ffffff-no-rj","width":800,"height":800,"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=-x80_C4MMhY#VideoObject_publisher_logo_ImageObject"}},"potentialAction":{"@type":"SeekToAction","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=-x80_C4MMhY#VideoObject_potentialAction","target":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=-x80_C4MMhY&t={seek_to_second_number}","startOffset-input":"required name=seek_to_second_number"},"interactionStatistic":[[{"@type":"InteractionCounter","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=-x80_C4MMhY#VideoObject_interactionStatistic_WatchAction","interactionType":{"@type":"WatchAction"},"userInteractionCount":14306}],{"@type":"InteractionCounter","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=-x80_C4MMhY#VideoObject_interactionStatistic_LikeAction","interactionType":{"@type":"LikeAction"},"userInteractionCount":233}]},"commentCount":"1","comment":[{"@type":"Comment","@id":"https:\/\/moneydoneright.com\/passive-income\/cash-back-and-rewards\/apps-and-sites\/rakuten-review\/#Comment1","dateCreated":"2021-11-23 14:07:15","description":"Thanks in advance for using my link!   https:\/\/www.rakuten.com\/r\/RUBYTO118?eeid=28187","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Pearl","url":""}}],"about":["Cash Back"],"wordCount":4561,"keywords":["schema"],"articleBody":"\t    \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tRakuten\t\t\t\tBasics: Rakuten, formerly Ebates, is a well-established service that helps you get cash back on online and in-store purchases just about anywhere you shop.Pros: The service is free and works in 2,500+ stores, including travel sites, as well as 10,000+ restaurants.Cons: Cash back payments are made on a rigid quarterly schedule with no exceptions, and customer service may be slow to resolve problems.\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tLegitimacy (Details)\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t10\/10\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPotential Earnings (Details)\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t9\/10\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tTime Required (Details)\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t9\/10\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tFees (Details)\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t10\/10\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tEase of Use (Details)\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t9\/10\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCustomer Support (Details)\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t7\/10\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tOur Review Methodology        We may receive a commission if you sign up or purchase through links on this page.  Here's more information.    Table of ContentsToggleWhat Is Rakuten?Rakuten Features: How To Earn Cash Back Using RakutenRakuten Payoff OptionsRakuten\u2019s Payout ScheduleSign Up BonusHow Does Rakuten Work?Rakuten WebsiteRakuten Browser ExtensionRakuten Mobile AppTips and Hacks for Using RakutenRakuten Customer SupportHow Does Rakuten Make Money?Is Rakuten Legit?Is Rakuten Safe?How To Sign Up For a Rakuten AccountHow Rakuten Is Different From AmazonPopular Stores On RakutenRakuten FeesRakuten Pros & ConsAlternatives to RakutenIs Rakuten Worth It?Frequently Asked QuestionsWhat Is Rakuten?Rakuten acquired Ebates, one of the top U.S. cash-back sites, in 2014.While it kept using the Ebates name for a few years, in 2019 it switched over to Rakuten branding.Fortunately, the transition hasn\u2019t impacted its status as a popular way to earn cash back online.Rakuten still offers the same kind of deals at roughly 2,500 stores in a wide range of categories including clothing and accessories, travel and vacation, health and beauty, and more.If you\u2019d like to watch a review of Rakuten, check out my YouTube video below!Rakuten Features: How To Earn Cash Back Using RakutenHere are the features of Rakuten that help you earn cash back.Search and Find Deals at Places You Already ShopThe easiest way to get cash back is to search for stores that you were going to buy from anyway.Here you can see the Rakuten homepage, which displays featured deals, limited-time offers, etc.CategoriesIf you click \u201cCategories\u201d, you\u2019ll be able to see the various categories of stores that you can shop at to get cash back through Rakuten.SearchUsing the search bar at the top of the page, you can search for specific stores to earn cash back at.Rakuten Coupon MagicWhen you\u2019re shopping online at participating stores using the Rakuten browser extension, Rakuten\u2019s Coupon Magic feature finds the best offer codes and\/or coupons to apply to your purchase.When you\u2019re checking out, an \u201cApply Coupon\u201d alert will appear in your shopping cart. Click it, and Coupon Magic automatically gives you the best discounts.Extra Cash-Back EventsRakuten partners with retailers to offer more cash back than usual for a limited time.Keep an eye out for these offers on the Rakuten site or app. One of the most popular is Double Cash Back.Under \u201cDouble Cash Back Stores\u201d, you can view all the stores temporarily offering double cash back through Rakuten.In-Store Cash BackUnder \u201cIn-store cash back\u201d, you can get cash back on in-store purchases by selecting an offer at a particular store, clicking \u201cLink Offer\u201d, and then making your purchase using a linked credit or debit card.Note that you must click \u201cLink Offer\u201d before each purchase to get cash back on that purchase, so if you forget something at a store and have to go back for it, you\u2019ll have to click \u201cLink Offer\u201d again to get any cash back.At the store, you simply pay with the linked credit card, and the cash back will appear in your account the next day.There\u2019s no need to show the Rakuten app at the store, or submit a receipt.This is a big advantage over other cash-back sites. Many others, such as Receipt Hog, require you to take the time to photograph and submit a receipt for every purchase. Rakuten\u2019s process is seamless.Warning: Cash back is usually substantially higher for online purchases than for in-store purchases.For example, on a recent shopping trip, Macy\u2019s was offering 6% cash back for online purchases but only 1% for items bought in the store.Travel & VacationsUnder \u201cTravel & Vacations\u201d, you can view the travel site offers available through Rakuten.Rakuten offers cash back on a variety of travel-related purchases including flights, lodging, rental cars, cruises, and vacation packages.Referral ProgramUnder \u201cRefer & Earn $30\u201d, you can get your personal referral link to invite friends to Rakuten for a bonus.This bonus is subject to change, but currently, if someone uses your link and then makes a purchase of at least $30 through Rakuten in their first 90 days, both you and they will get a $30 bonus.Rakuten Cash Back Visa Credit CardThe Rakuten Cash Back Visa credit card provides decent benefits and matches up well against many other rewards credit cards.There\u2019s no annual fee, and you\u2019ll receive a $30 bonus after your first purchase.Using the card earns an extra 3% cash back on most Rakuten purchases, on top of any other cash-back offer.But only purchases that qualify for a cash-back offer get you an extra 3% with the Rakuten Cash Back Visa; all others earn 1% cash back.Say you buy pet food and cleaning supplies from Target, but only the pet food has a qualifying cash-back offer from the store.Paying with the Rakuten Cash Back Visa will get you an additional 3% cash back on the pet food, but just 1% cash back on the cleaning supplies.There are other exceptions to the 3% cash back. You\u2019ll only get 1% purchases made through:Rakuten DiningGiftcardmail.comRaise.comGiftcards.comThese and non-Rakuten purchases earn 1% cash back. There\u2019s no limit on how much you can earn.Other cards may get you moreWhile the Rakuten card offers decent rewards on qualifying Rakuten purchases, it may not always be your best option for other purposes.For example, it comes with a 3% foreign transaction fee, so it\u2019s not the best card for traveling.Additionally, for those purchases that only get 1% cash back with the Rakuten card, you can earn 2% with the Citi Double Cash and 1.5% with the Chase Freedom Unlimited.Check it out: Best Cash-Back Credit CardsRakuten Payoff OptionsYou have several options for getting your cash back delivered to you. There are no fees for cashing out.Your Big Fat CheckThe classic method is what Rakuten likes to call a Big Fat Check, which will be mailed to you.PaypalYou can also have payments sent to your PayPal account.PayPal payments will be made to the PayPal account associated with the email address you specify in your Rakuten Account.Whether you choose a Big Fat Check or PayPal, you\u2019ll need to add a valid mailing address to your Rakuten account for either payment method.American Express RewardsIf you have an American Express card that\u2019s part of the Membership Rewards program, you can also choose to get your Rakuten cash back through the American Express Membership Rewards.According to Rakuten, you can get 1 American Express Membership Rewards point per dollar for each percent of cash back you earn through Rakuten.For example, if you spent $100 through Rakuten on a 5% cash back offer, you could either get $5 by redeeming your cash back normally or 500 points by redeeming it through the American Express Membership Rewards.When you redeem points through the Amex platform itself, each point is worth a maximum of a single cent, meaning your rewards would be no more than you would get by redeeming your cash back normally.On the other hand, if you transfer your Membership Rewards points to the right travel partners, you can get a value of more than a penny per point, making this a slightly more lucrative way to redeem your points.However, getting a better value on your cash back by redeeming through the American Express Membership Rewards can be difficult and time-consuming.So if you\u2019re looking for a simple way to redeem your cash back, you\u2019re probably better off just cashing out via check or PayPal.Cash-Back EarningsTo view your cash-back earnings from Rakuten, you can hover over your name in the top right and then click on \u201cCash Back Balance\u201d.On this screen, you can see your specific transactions and the cash back you earned from them.For example, this screen shows my Overstock purchase of $23.55 and my cash-back earnings for that purchase.Rakuten\u2019s Payout ScheduleUnlike apps that let you cash out immediately or as soon as you have a certain minimum balance, Rakuten pays out quarterly on a set schedule.You\u2019ll only get your quarterly payment if you have a balance of at least $5.Balances of less than $5 are rolled over to the next quarter, meaning you\u2019ll have to wait another three months for a chance to cash out..simple_table-32741 table tr th{\ttext-align: center;\t\t}.simple_table-32741 table tr td{\ttext-align: center;\t\t}Rakuten Payment SchedulePurchase PeriodPayment DateJanuary - MarchMay 15April - JuneAugust 15July - SeptemberNovember 15October - DecemberFebruary 15Payout ConsistencyI\u2019ve never had any problems with the consistency or accuracy of payouts from Rakuten, having always been paid the right amount.According to Rakuten, my last payout of $100 was paid on June 17, which my PayPal records confirm.Sign Up BonusAs of November 2023, Rakuten offers a $30 welcome bonus. The bonus is for new members only. To get the bonus, you have to spend at least $30 through Rakuten within 90 days of joining.This is a fairly standard bonus \u2014 other cash-back sites like BeFrugal, ShopAtHome, and TopCashBack offer a $10 welcome bonus too.\t\t\tRakuten, formerly Ebates, is a well-established service that helps you get cash back on online and in-store purchases just about anywhere you shop.4.5\/5 Rating\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t.st3-33495.btn.btn-default:hover{border-color: #4db848;color: #4db848;background: #fff !important;}\t\t\t\t\tDownloadWe earn a commission on this offer.\t\t\tHow Does Rakuten Work?Rakuten gets commissions from retailers for directing you to their stores, then splits those commissions with you. You won\u2019t pay any fees for using the service or cashing out.You can shop through the:Rakuten websiteRakuten mobile app for iOS or AndroidRakuten web browser extensionClicking on a store through any of these platforms starts a Rakuten \u201cShopping Trip,\u201d or order for that store, that will stay active for three months.You\u2019re not obligated to complete a Shopping Trip that you\u2019ve started, but only purchases made through Shopping Trips are eligible for cash back.Rakuten WebsiteVisit Rakuten.com on any browser and sign up with your email or Google or Facebook account.You\u2019ll get a $30 sign up bonus after you spend $30 on eligible purchases. If you have a referral code be sure to enter it.How to Purchase Items Through Rakuten.comTo make a purchase through the Rakuten website, you can start by either searching for the store you want in the search bar at the top or clicking one of the featured offers elsewhere on the site.I wanted to buy a little Halloween decor, so I used the search bar to search for \u201coverstock.com\u201d.TermsAfter you select an offer, you can view the terms, categories, and exclusions on cash back at that particular store.At Overstock, for example, Rakuten was offering 4% back with exclusions on certain items like real estate, cars, donations, etc.Coupons and Promotional CodesAccording to Rakuten\u2019s cash back terms for most stores, using a coupon or promotional code to make a purchase could void your cash back.Why?Essentially, Rakuten and other cash-back sites earn their money by receiving an affiliate commission when you make a purchase through them.They then give you a portion of the affiliate commission they receive.For example, if I made a purchase from Overstock through Rakuten, Rakuten would receive a commission from Overstock.Rakuten would then give me a portion of that commission to incentivize me to continue shopping through Rakuten.However, if I were to use a different coupon or promotional code for Overstock, another affiliate might get credit for my purchase, meaning that Rakuten would receive no affiliate commission and, by extension, I would get no cash back.Therefore, if you use a coupon or promotional code to make a purchase through Rakuten, you may end up losing your cash back.On the SiteOnce you read the terms and decide that an offer is right for you, you can carry out your purchase on the store\u2019s website as normal after clicking \u201cShop Now\u201d.After shopping on Overstock for a while, I decided to purchase a \u201cLighted Fall Harvest Glass Dome Decoration\u201d.I completed my transaction as normal and then returned to Rakuten.Rakuten Browser ExtensionThe Rakuten browser extension, also called the Rakuten Cash Back Button, is another tool for staying up to date on the latest Rakuten offers. It\u2019s currently available for:Chrome, versions 21+Safari, versions 6+Firefox, versions 15+Edge, all versionsInternet Explorer, versions 11+Rather than going through the Rakuten site every time you want to earn cash back, the extension will let you know if the site you\u2019re on has any active offers.It also checks for coupon codes and lower prices at other sites to help you avoid spending more money than necessary.Rakuten\u2019s Chrome extension has a five-star rating on over 40,000 reviews, with more than three million total users.It\u2019s the most convenient way to use Rakuten on desktops and laptops.Rakuten Mobile AppRakuten offers mobile apps for both iOS and Android.You can download from the Apple App Store or Google Play, or go to the Rakuten website and have a download link sent to your phone.The Rakuten iOS app is compatible with devices running iOS 10.0 or later, including:iPhoneiPadiPod TouchThe Rakuten Android app is compatible with devices running Android 5.0 and up.App users gain access to exclusive coupons and flash sales that aren\u2019t available through the site or using the browser extension.You\u2019ll receive a push notification for any deals.Furthermore, the app\u2019s geo-push notifications track your location and let you know when you\u2019re close to a physical store that offers cash back through Rakuten.Shopping In-Store With the Mobile AppMost in-store offers provide 1% to 5% cash back.You can opt in to mobile push notifications for deals in your area.Your rewards will be deposited into your account once the store confirms the purchase.To get cash back on in-store purchases you first have to link a credit card to your Rakuten account.This is necessary for Rakuten to coordinate with the store to confirm you\u2019ve made an eligible purchase and what kind of cash back you have earned.To get cash back on an in-store purchase:Find an offer and select \u201cLink offer.\u201dAdd a credit card, or choose one you\u2019ve already added, to link to.Then pay with the linked card. You won\u2019t need to submit a receipt.You can link a debit card, too, but to get Rakuten cash back you must run the debit card as a credit card at the time of purchase.That means signing instead of entering your PIN.Cash Back on LyftRakuten automatically connects with the Lyft app, allowing you to earn cash back on every ride.Rakuten Mobile App Includes RestaurantsFinally, the Rakuten mobile app includes cash back at more than 10,000 restaurants through Rakuten Dining.These offers aren\u2019t available through the site or extension.To take advantage of cash back at restaurants:Link your credit card to the app (if you haven\u2019t already)Enable cash back at restaurantsPay at participating restaurants with the linked cardTips and Hacks for Using RakutenHere are some helpful hints and troubleshooting tips for using Rakuten.Read the Fine Print to Make Sure You\u2019re Getting the Expected RateWhen using Rakuten or any cash-back portal, you should always make sure to read the fine print before making a purchase so that you know the exact terms of your rewards.According to Rakuten\u2019s homepage, for example, you can earn up to 6% cash back on purchases at Walmart.\u00a0However, according to the \u201cCash Back Categories\u201d on the Walmart-specific page, this 6% only applies to purchases at the Walmart Photo Center.Purchases made in other categories come with much smaller amounts of cash back or no cash back whatsoever.Because of this, you should always make sure you look at the \u201cCash Back Categories\u201d before purchasing something to make sure that you\u2019ll actually get cash back on your purchase.That being said, Rakuten does offer cash back on all purchases made at some stores, so your rewards won\u2019t always be limited to specific categories.What To Do If Your Web Browser Prevents Cash-Back TrackingIn order to take advantage of Rakuten\u2019s cash-back and discount deals, it has to track your online shopping activity.Some browsers prevent this kind of tracking as a way to protect your privacy.If you\u2019re having trouble, check the store\u2019s page on Rakuten. Most stores have figured out a workaround for the tracking problem, but not all have.If you run into this kind of problem, Rakuten recommends..simple_table-46499 table tr th{\ttext-align: center;\t\t}.simple_table-46499 table tr td{\ttext-align: center;\t\t}If tracking is blocked by . . .Try using . . .Mobile browserMobile appMobile appChrome browserDesktop browserChrome browserAlways Check for Limited-Time DealsRakuten usually has some kind of limited-time deal available, like this one-day-only 12% cash-back offer that was good in 90 different stores.Military, First Responder, and Other DiscountsActive-duty military, first responders, and others are eligible for higher cash back from some retailers.For example, as of November 2021, the mobile computing accessories retailer Targus was offering:25% off for military veterans25% off for college students25% off for teachers25% off certain items for military spousesRakuten Customer SupportRakuten\u2019s app and website both have a Help Center that explains some of the service\u2019s main features and answers common questions.Support is offered through a chatbot, but it can only respond to preset questions. If you need more help, you are offered a contact form that promises a human response.Some reviewers complain that Rakuten customer service isn\u2019t very prompt. The company doesn\u2019t promise timely responses, and if you want quick answers you\u2019re probably better off reaching out through social media.How Does Rakuten Make Money?Rakuten gets commissions from retailers for directing you to their stores, then splits those commissions with you. You won\u2019t pay any fees for using the service or cashing out.Is Rakuten Legit?Based on my experience, app store ratings, and third-party services, Rakuten checks out as a legit operation.The U.S. version of Rakuten launched as Ebates in 1999, so it\u2019s been around for more than 20 years, making it one of the oldest and best-established cash-back services.According to the company, it\u2019s paid out more than $1 billion in cash back to 12 million members in the U.S. alone (there are also dedicated Rakuten sites for Canada, Japan, Korea, and France).Rakuten does seem to have experienced some growing pains over the years, but considering its longevity, large membership, and reliable results, you can feel confident it\u2019s a legitimate way to earn cash back when you shop.Member Reviews Are SolidAs of November 2021, Rakuten has more than 187,000 reviews on the App Store with an average rating of 4.8 out of 5, and has more than 70,000 reviews on Google Play, with an average rating of 4.2 out of 5.While reviews are generally positive, both the iOS and Android version have a good number of negative reviews, with users reporting technical difficulties or problems with rewards that are not credited or that mysteriously disappear.When members complain about lost rewards in the app store review section they are asked to email support for further help, so we don\u2019t know if those complaints are ever resolved.It\u2019s a good idea to document all qualifying purchases, just in case. Take screenshots of online purchases and keep in-store receipts.Is Rakuten Safe?Your personal information would appear to be as safe with Rakuten as with any other online platform, based on reviews and third-party ratings.For example, Rakuten has a good rating with the Better Business Bureau.Rakuten provides a complete company profile on the BBB site, and with 375 complaints closed over the last three years and 401 user reviews averaging just under 4.5 out of 5, earns an \u201cA\u201d rating.How To Sign Up For a Rakuten AccountTo sign up for Rakuten on their website:On the Rakuten.com home page, click Join Now.In the pop-up box, enter your email address and create a password.Once you access the site, choose whether or not to install the Rakuten browser extension.Look for codes and deals from your favorite stores.You can also sign up on the Rakuten app.How Rakuten Is Different From AmazonAmazon sells and ships products directly to customers.Rakuten provides cash-back incentives on products purchased from other companies.Rakuten and Amazon no longer have a partnership, and no discounts are available from Rakuten on Amazon purchases.Popular Stores On RakutenHere are recent cash-back rates for the top 10 U.S. retail stores*..simple_table-45467 table tr th{\ttext-align: center;\t\t}.simple_table-45467 table tr td{\ttext-align: center;\t\t}Popular Stores on RakutenStoreListed Cash Back Rate**WalmartUp to 6%Amazon.comNo discountKroger Supermarkets1%Home DepotNo discountCostcoCoupons onlyWalgreensUp to 3%Target1%CVSUp to 5%Lowe\u2019s2%Albertsons1%*According to the National Retail Foundation list**Information retrieved from Rakuten on 11\/8\/2021Rakuten FeesRakuten is free to use. There are no fees for using the site, nor are you charged fees when you get your payout.Rakuten Pros & ConsProsMany stores participate.\u00a0Rakuten offers cash back at over 2,500 stores, so you can get cash back through Rakuten at almost any major online retailer\u00a0except Amazon.Low redemption threshold.\u00a0Rakuten has a redemption minimum of only five dollars, meaning that if you get an average of 4% cash back on your purchases, you only have to spend $125 to be able to redeem cash back from Rakuten.User-friendly design.\u00a0Rakuten\u2019s user interface is well-designed and easy to use; I personally found Rakuten the most user-friendly cash-back portal I\u2019ve used.Excellent referral program. Rakuten\u2019s referral program is extremely lucrative, giving both the person being referred and the person doing the referring a large bonus.ConsRigid payment schedule. With most cash-back sites, you can cash out once you hit a certain threshold, but with Rakuten, your money is paid out on a quarterly schedule that you can\u2019t control.No redemption bonuses. Unlike other cash-back sites like BeFrugal, Rakuten doesn\u2019t offer any direct redemption bonuses for redeeming through specific methods. While Rakuten does allow users to redeem cash back for American Express Membership Rewards points that could be redeemed for slightly more, Rakuten itself offers no redemption bonuses, and redeeming Amex points for more value can be complicated.No guarantee you\u2019re getting the best deal. Rakuten might not always offer the highest cash back you could receive at a given store at a given time, so you might be able to get more cash back through a different platform. However, the same is true of all cash-back portals; you can\u2019t be sure that the one you\u2019re using has the highest offer for a given store at a given time.Alternatives to Rakuten.btn.btn-blue.dift:hover, .btn.btn-default.dift:hover {color: #4db848;border-color: #4db848;background: #fff !important;}\t\t\t Rakuten\/EbatesBeFrugalTopCashBackShopAtHome \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPros and Cons\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tVisit\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tRead Review\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tVisit\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tVisit\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tVisit\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tNumber of Stores\t\t\t\t\t\t\t2,500+\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t5,000+\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t4,000+\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t2,000+\t\t\t\t\t\tFees\t\t\t\t\t\t\tNone\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tNone\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tNone\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tNone\t\t\t\t\t\tMinimum Payout\t\t\t\t\t\t\t$5.01\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t$1\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t$0.01\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t$20\t\t\t\t\t\tPayout Timing\t\t\t\t\t\t\tQuarterly\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t30-90 days after qualifying purchase\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t1-2 months after qualifying purchase\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t30 days or more\t\t\t\t\t\tPayout Options\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCheck, PayPal\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tZelle, ACH Direct Deposit, Venmo, PayPal, Gift Cards\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tACH Direct Deposit, PayPal, eGift cards\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCheck, PayPal, Gift Cards\t\t\t\t\t\tPayout Bonuses\t\t\t\t\t\t\tNone\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t1-6% if paid out as gift card\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tNone\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tNone\t\t\t\t\t\tMobileApp\t\t\t\t\t\t\tYes\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tYes\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tYes\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tYes\t\t\t\t\t\tDesktop Version\t\t\t\t\t\t\tYes\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tYes\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tYes\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tYes\t\t\t\t\t\tBrowser Extension\t\t\t\t\t\t\tYes\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tYes\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tYes\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tYes\t\t\t\t\t\tIn-StoreCash Back\t\t\t\t\t\t\tYes, when you use a linked card\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tNo\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tYes\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tYes, when you use a linked card\t\t\t\t\t\tCoupons\t\t\t\t\t\t\tYes\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tYes\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tYes\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tYes\t\t\t\t\t\tReferralBonuses\t\t\t\t\t\t\t$10\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t$30\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t$10\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t$10\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t \t\tIs Rakuten Worth It?Rakuten rates pretty highly as a way to save a little extra money without doing too much work.Who Rakuten Is Best ForRakuten is a good fit for someone who is willing to give up a little time to save a few dollars.My Overstock purchase took an extra minute or so through Rakuten and earned me 94 cents in cash back.Extrapolated to an hourly wage, that equates to $56.40 per hour.Given that this cash back is essentially a tax-free discount, this time-spent-to-rewards rate is pretty high, making Rakuten a good option for someone who is willing to spend a little extra time to maximize their rewards.Who Rakuten Is Not ForOn the other hand, Rakuten probably isn\u2019t a good fit for someone who doesn\u2019t care about making a few dollars here and there; like other cash-back portals, most of its cash-back percentages outside of holiday season are in the single digits.Therefore, if the prospect of saving a few dollars a month doesn\u2019t excite you, Rakuten is probably not for you.\t\t\tRakuten, formerly Ebates, is a well-established service that helps you get cash back on online and in-store purchases just about anywhere you shop.4.5\/5 Rating\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t.st3-33495.btn.btn-default:hover{border-color: #4db848;color: #4db848;background: #fff !important;}\t\t\t\t\tDownloadWe earn a commission on this offer.\t\t\tFrequently Asked QuestionsHere are some short answers to basic questions people often have about Rakuten..accordion-list .accordion-title:hover{color: #4db848;}Is Rakuten a ripoff?No, the site is not a ripoff. Rakuten has thousands of positive reviews on third-party sites. I can personally attest that I\u2019ve always been paid on-time.What Is the downside of Rakuten?The main downside is the time it takes to go through Rakuten compared to simply buying directly from the online store or site you want to use. Is Rakuten membership free?Yes, it\u2019s free to join Rakuten. You won\u2019t pay any fees for using the site or for redeeming your cash back.Are Rakuten and Ebates the same thing?Yes, they\u2019re the same. Rakuten bought Ebates in 2014, then changed the Ebates site name to Rakuten in 2019. The Rakuten site looks and works just as it did when it was Ebates. If you used Ebates before it became Rakuten, you should still have access to your account and any remaining cash back.Can Rakuten be used in-store?Yes, you can use Rakuten in stores. To get cash back on an in-store purchase:- Find an offer and select \u201cLink offer.\u201d- Add a credit or debit card, or choose one you\u2019ve already added.- Then pay with the card you added. You don\u2019t need to show the app in-store or submit a receipt.When does Rakuten have the best deals?The best deals on Rakuten are usually during the holiday shopping season. For example, in November 2021, Macy\u2019s upped their usual 2% cash back rate to 6%. The rate at Nike shot up from 1.5% to 8%. Many other retailers also doubled or tripled their rates.When was Rakuten started?Rakuten was founded in Tokyo in 1997. The U.S. version of the site, formerly known as Ebates, started in 1999.What stores does Rakuten use?Rakuten partners with more than 2,500 stores. Does Rakuten work with Amazon?No, Rakuten does not work with Amazon. Previously you could earn Rakuten cash back on Amazon purchases, but you can\u2019t anymore. According to Rakuten: \u201cAmazon is no longer affiliated with Rakuten and does not sponsor or endorse Rakuten services.\u201d"},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Passive Income","item":"https:\/\/moneydoneright.com\/passive-income\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Cash Back And Rewards","item":"https:\/\/moneydoneright.com\/passive-income\/\/cash-back-and-rewards\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Apps And Sites","item":"https:\/\/moneydoneright.com\/passive-income\/\/cash-back-and-rewards\/\/apps-and-sites\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":4,"name":"Rakuten Review","item":"https:\/\/moneydoneright.com\/passive-income\/cash-back-and-rewards\/apps-and-sites\/rakuten-review\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]