Use Rakuten For FREE Cash Back On Online Purchases (That You’re Already making) And Get A Free $10 Cash Back!
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That’s right, you read that correctly. No scams, no tricks–just straight cash, homie! (Hehe.)
I’m all about finding good deals online, but especially due to the current crisis going on in the world right now with the outbreak of the Coronavirus, I felt the need to share this insanely easy way to earn some free cash back on the essential (or non-essential!) items we are all already online shopping for right now.
The even better news is that not only can using Rakuten (formerly Ebates) add some extra income into your pocket for doing nothing–which most of us are pretty much doing right now–but it will also help put some more money back in your pocket for the foreseeable future, as well! Because let’s face it, even before we were quarantined in our homes, didn’t we already prefer online shopping if it allowed us to skip the hassle of going to a physical store (if we didn’t have to)!?
Rakuten simply gives you FREE money for shopping, and I promise it’s not a scam (I’ve already received a good bit of cash back these past few years using it)! Sometimes I order things online and forget to use it, and I get mad at myself because it’s just leaving money on the table (and ain’t nobody got time fo that!)
What Is Rakuten & How Does It Work?
Here’s a quote from Rakuten’s website that explains a little better what they do:
“Since our founding in 1997, Rakuten has helped shape the way people shop online, offering Cash Back, deals and shopping rewards on the world’s largest selection of products and services. To date, our 12 million members in the U.S. have earned over $1 billion in Cash Back at their favorite stores.”
Basically, Rakuten, is an online and app-based platform that gives people cash back when they make a purchase using a Rakuten link. They want to help consumers save money on the things they are already purchasing.
To earn cash back through Rakuten, all you have to do is log into your account and click on whatever retail brand you are interested in shopping on (or you can go straight to the store’s website, but I’ll explain that in a few).
The percentage of cash you will be earning back on your purchase is clearly defined below the store name on their website in large, orange text, so it’s not easy to miss! Click “Shop Now” and you will be redirected to the retailers website where you would just go about making your purchase as normal–and you will earn cash back! It’s as simple as that.
There are over 2,500 stores where you can earn cash back, so there plenty of options, and I’ve never really had an issue finding something I needed through one of their stores. Some of the Rakuten stores include Nordstrom Rack, Walmart, Gap, Amazon, Sears, Lululemon, Sephora, Nike, Nordstrom, Khols, Postmates (heyooo – who isn’t getting food delivered right now!?) Target, World Market, etc. (just to name a few).
You can also use the app to get cash back before checking out in-stores.
In addition, Rakuten also promotes a list of which stores have special deals and offers currently going on, such as Promo/Coupon Codes, Buy One Get One Free deals, Up to “X”% off (25%, 30%, 50%, up to 70%), Free Gifts With Purchase, Free Shipping, etc.
This is awesome because YOU CAN STILL USE COUPON CODES AND PROMOS/DISCOUNTS in addition to getting the cash back!! [Insert song, “Hallelujah” sung by that Orchestra — you know the one!]
The Rakuten Browser Extension
The Rakuten button is my favorite way to use Ebates, because it’s so easy. It’s a browser extension that you can install for Google Chrome and Safari, so you don’t have to log in to Rakuten.com prior to shopping (in case you forget).
When you’re shopping on a website that has a cash back offer, the extension will send you a pop-up in the upper right-hand corner of your screen that shows you what offer is available, along with any coupon or promo codes that are currently available on that site.
I couldn’t capture it all in the screen shot below, but if you could see my screen and you were to click on the browser button and keep scrolling down on the pop-up, you would see it displayed all of the (several) coupon codes that are available on Sephora.com right now.
Also, if you’re browsing on a store website that does not have any cash back offers with Rakuten, the pop up will ask if you want to be redirected to a similar store that does!
So. Easy.
The Rakuten App
The Rakuten App (available for both iPhone and Android users) is the best way to get cash back if you do a lot of in-store shopping or shopping on your mobile device. Plus, it’s much easier than carrying around coupons. Just download the app and look up the coupons and cash-back offers while you’re on the go.
To find the In-Store offers, just make sure you click on the “In Store” section by going to the search bar at the bottom of the app, clicking on “All Categories” in the top right corner, and selecting “In Store.”
THIS IS IMPORTANT, though! Make sure you link your credit card that you’re shopping with in those stores to your Rakuten account on the app!
This is how the app will track your purchases when you shop in-stores and credit you your cash back. Also, it may take a few hours or days to register your purchased, so your cash back balance may not change immediately.
Travel & Vacations
Yup! Not only does Rakuten offer cash back on regular purchases, but they also offer cash back on travel and vacation-related bookings and purchases!
Search for vacation rentals, flights, hotels, and travel packages/tourist attractions through any of their partners mentioned on their site, and earn cash back for those bigger purchases as well!
Some of Rakuten’s travel partners include Booking.com, Expedia, VRBO, Hotwire, Travelocity, Priceline, certain airlines and car rental companies and the list goes on!
TIP: If you have a travel rewards credit card, make sure you pair it with Rakuten so you can maximize on your potential cash back and benefits!
Not sure which credit card to get to get the most out of your travel rewards? I highly recommend pairing either the Chase Sapphire Reserve or the Chase Sapphire Preferred credit card with the Chase Freedom Credit Card to maximize your points! I currently own the Chase Sapphire Reserve credit card, but the Chase Sapphire Preferred card is a great one to start out with that still gives you some amazing benefits!
Want to travel to Santorini? Or maybe you want to do a road trip around Ireland, instead? Wherever it is you want to travel to, book your trip on Rakuten and earn extra cash back. Plus, start saving up right now through cash back on your every day purchases!
Refer Your Friends and Earn More
Want to know how to earn even more cash back? Once you create a FREE account on Rakuten through my link, you can start referring your own friends & family (or heck, anyone!) to Rakuten and earn $25 for each referral once they’ve made their first purchase! They’ll also get that same $10 just for signing up!
This is a great way to get more cash back, without spending any money.
It really is a win-win-win for all!
And last but not least, the question you’ve all been waiting for…
Is Rakuten a scam?
The answer is NO! Absolutely not! Which is exactly why I felt the need to share this amazing platform with you–especially now when times are hard–since I’ve already made some easy money over the past few years, without really doing anything differently.
Rakuten makes their money by being an affiliate with the thousands of companies they partner with, which is how they are able to pay people like you and me! They make money whenever you shop through their link, just like you earn a commission whenever you refer a friend through your link!
For example: Sephora is linked on Rakuten.com. Sephora pays a certain percentage to Rakuten, when you shop through their link, for being an affiliate (partner) and referring customers to them. Rakuten then rewards you by giving you a little bit of that percentage as well (in the form of cash back) for using their website (which helps them–you see?).
As I said before, everyone wins and there is absolutely no scam involved! (Just straight cash, homie! HAH. Sorry, I couldn’t help myself again…)
In Conclusion…
There are a lot of cash back websites out there, but when it comes to a cash back comparison, Rakuten always wins!
So what are you waiting for? Do yourself a favor and sign up for a FREE account where you can earn CASH BACK just for shopping how you normally would–no strings attached! Plus, when you sign up through my link and spend $25 online, you will earn an extra $10 welcome bonus just for making your first purchase!
Don’t forget to pin these to save for later!
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