I've used Rakuten for a year and earned nearly $500 - here's how

Kayla Solino/ZDNET What if I told you that you can save on that purchase you were about to make via cash back, and that it's as easy as enabling a browser extension or using an app? While it sounds questionable, I'm here to quell your concerns. I've been using Rakuten's cash back program for over a year, and I've saved around $450 so far. I began using the platform in early 2024 -- and now I'm a user for life. Also: 3 ways Google Chrome and Wallet just made shopping a whole lot easier But before I break down how I did it, let's cover some basics. What is Rakuten? If you're unfamiliar with Rakuten, it's a similar system to the cash back offered on many credit cards. But instead of getting say 2% cash back on gas or groceries, you can save with varying percentage amounts at over 3,500 stores, restaurants, and travel bookings, even in-store. The percentage amounts change frequently and are sometimes even tailored to you. Rakuten might look too good to be true, but it's pretty simple. Cash back adds up in a Rakuten account as customers shop on store sites via Rakuten. Then, customers get paid out on what they've earned. How? Retail stores pay Rakuten for sending them shoppers, and Rakuten shares a cut of that cash with its customers. My lifetime Rakuten earnings, so you know I'm telling the truth. Screenshot by Kayla Solino/ZDNET It's primarily used for online shopping via a browser extension or the Rakuten app (or directly on Rakuten via desktop). It's an easy way to save on large and small purchases, and in this economy, every penny helps. Here are the six ways I used Rakuten to earn nearly $500 in 12 months. Also: The top 10 products ZDNET readers bought last month 1. Stay consistent It's easy to chalk up a service like Rakuten as not worth your time when often the cash back you earn from each purchase is under a few dollars, or even cents. But here's the thing -- every purchase made counts toward a larger cash back return. The best way to maximize what Rakuten offers is to shop using the service whenever possible. I primarily shop through the Rakuten app. It took time to form that habit, but now it's second nature. As a Gen-Z shopping editor, I spend most of my dollars online, and using Rakuten is a low-effort way to gain small amounts of cash back on products I was already going to purchase anyway. While 2% cash back on a $50 purchase isn't a lot, 2% cash back on a purchase that's several hundred dollars (think laptops, earbuds, tablets, and more) can quickly add up. Since some of my favorite retailers, like Target, Best Buy, Ulta Beauty, Nordstrom, and more, partner with Rakuten, most of my online purchases qualify for some percentage of cash back. Plus, if you're not a fan of online shopping, many retailers offer buy online, pick up in store, making it even easier to take advantage of the cash back without dealing with extra hassle. 2. Plan larger purchases As a shopping editor, I always recommend researching a product extensively and planning for the ideal time to buy, unless an immediate purchase is unavoidable. In most cases, some self-discipline, budgeting, and planning go a long way toward ensuring you can save money and maximize your cash. For example, let's say you're in the market for a new laptop in the next few months. Retailers like HP, Lenovo, Best Buy, and Dell are on Rakuten. Cash back rates change frequently and vary widely. If you know the model you're looking to purchase, I like to wait a few weeks to try and snag a higher cash back rate, or to see if a sale pops up. On products that don't see frequent sales, waiting for a higher cash back rate may be your best shot at making any money back. Here's an example. Last year, I broke a pair of my favorite Ray-Ban sunglasses. While it wasn't essential, I eventually wanted to replace the glasses when the time was right. So, I waited and kept checking in on cash back rates, and in the meantime, I saved the cost of the new sunglasses. In October, I finally got lucky. Ray-Ban was offering 15% cash back on Rakuten, so I could earn $23 back on a $152 purchase, essentially bringing the cost of the replacement sunglasses to $129. I used a promo code combined with this cash back offer, but if I hadn't, the amount would have been a smidge higher. Also: The top 10 laptops our readers bought this year so far (no. 1 surprised us) 3. Stay vigilant Since cash back rates constantly change, and Rakuten doesn't always advertise increased cash back percentages, the best way to save more is to regularly check in via the desktop or app to see the retailer rates. This is easier said than done, but I find the best way to do this is to take a quick daily scan of the stores you're particularly interested in. It's certainly not practical to wait for the highest cash back offer every time, so I try to just use Rakuten as much as I can when I'm regularly online shopping and then hold out for a higher cash back rate on products that have the potential to make a larger return -- i.e. tech products, purses, luxury or designer items, and more (and in my case, Ray-Ban sunglasses). 4. Enable Rakuten to holiday shop My Rakuten quickly racked up nearly $500, which is not solely due to my love of a good deal. I've been strategically purchasing online via Rakuten when the cash back rates are near some of their highest, and doing so on planned purchases for birthdays, holidays, and more. Ensuring Rakuten was activated during Black Friday and Cyber Monday shopping was a huge plus, especially with retailer discounts and promotions. Plus, since I start my holiday shopping several months in advance for most major celebrations, I was able to maximize early holiday offers. If you don't think you can stay committed to shopping via Rakuten during the year (although I highly recommend forming the habit), at the very least, try to do so while you're already shopping for holiday gifts. Also: The top 10 robot vacuums ZDNET readers are buying in 2025 5. Take advantage of increased cash back rates Rakuten changes cash back rates frequently, and the key to success is recognizing them. You can expect to see significantly amplified cash back rates, over 10% or higher, a few times per year. During major holidays like Black Friday or Cyber Monday, cash back can sometimes reach over 15%. Rakuten also has flash sales and daily deals, as well as "For You" offers, which are usually slightly increased cash back rates at stores you frequent, at least in my experience. There's also Rakuten Give Big Week, where you can get 15% cash back at many stores. This year, Give Big Week ran from May 5-12. Shopping during these increased cash back periods is the best time to maximize your spending, and certainly comes in handy when you're likely to be doing increased shopping, like for the holidays. 6. Stack your savings There are a few more ways to save even more with Rakuten: Promo codes: Don't check out anywhere without checking for a promo code. It's as easy as typing the retailer and "promo codes" into Google. You may have to test a few out to get one that works, but chances are there's some type of savings floating out on the web. Sometimes, you won't be able to find one, but it's always worth a shot. Remember that discounts will decrease your cash back amount since the cash back savings are calculated based on your actual purchase amount. If you will use promo codes, though, it's best to use promo codes provided by Rakuten and avoid using codes found elsewhere, to avoid issues with your cash back, according to Rakuten. Remember that sometimes, savings offered via a discount code or promotional sale outweigh the cash back provided by Rakuten, so it's best to double-check before checking out. Credit cards: Certain credit or debit cards that offer cash back can be coupled with Rakuten for even more savings. If you pay using a card that offers 2% back, you get the credit to your card along with whatever cash back savings Rakuten offers. Essentially, you're getting more savings on the same purchase. Other cards offer points programs that can be linked with Rakuten. For example, if you're an American Express cardholder with a card that earns Amex Membership Rewards Points, you can earn Amex rewards points instead of cash back for purchases you make through Rakuten. The cash back you earn from Rakuten gets converted to rewards points and transferred to your Amex account. Do remember that if you choose to do this, your Rakuten account will only be able to earn rewards points and not cash back. While I don't personally convert my savings to points via a card program, it's an excellent option for those interested. FAQs Is Rakuten legit? Yes, Rakuten is a legitimate cash back program for savvy shoppers. It claims to have over 20 million members (including me). Rakuten says paid its customers over $3.6 billion since 1999. Is Rakuten free? Yes, Rakuten is free, with no hidden fees or charges. How does Rakuten give me my cash back? When? Your cash back is sent via PayPal or check within 15 days of your first purchase. After that, you get paid quarterly. I opt for a paper check. You can also get your earnings paid in membership rewards points on certain credit or debit cards. How does cash back work? Cash back essentially operates as a rebate. You can browse cash back offers on the Rakuten homepage or app. Generally, the amount of money back you receive will depend on the brand you're ordering from, and there's no limit to how much money you can cash out. Rates change frequently and sometimes suddenly. For example, say Ulta Beauty has a 2% cash back rate, and you spend $100. You'd earn $2 for that purchase. But if the rate were 15%, for example, you'd earn $15. Certain retailers have restrictions on what you can earn cash back for, though in my experience, I've encountered minimal cash back limitations for places I shop. It depends on where you're individually shopping, but remember that Amazon and Walmart purchases are not eligible for cash back. Walmart is no longer a participating retailer on Rakuten. Screenshot by Kayla Solino/ZDNET How do I join Rakuten? It's easy to join Rakuten, and it's free. You can now join for an extra 10% cash back on purchases made in your first 7 days. You can join online or via the app. All you need to do is create an account with an email address and a password. Plus, it has a referral program. You can invite friends and family (or be invited by) using your unique Rakuten referral link. Once a referral customer joins and shops, the referrer and referred earn $30 cash back. How do I get started? To sign up for Rakuten, you only need to create an account with an email address and a password on their website. Once you do that, you can log in via app or desktop (or download the Rakuten browser extension). Remember that the retailer you're shopping at must be part of Rakuten's network for you to receive cash back, and you must activate the browser extension every time you place an online order to receive the money back. If you don't prefer the browser extension (like me), you can shop retailers via their websites through the Rakuten app or website, which activates tracking to ensure you get cash back once you make an eligible purchase. Since I primarily shop on my phone, the app is my way. The app also allows you to add your credit and debit cards to your Rakuten wallet, so any eligible in-store purchases you make will be tracked for cash back. What's the Rakuten credit card? Like other major retailers, Rakuten has its credit card. The Rakuten American Express Card lets you earn an extra 4% cash back when you shop with Rakuten and 1% everywhere else. Plus, there's no annual fee. Those who sign up for a Rakuten American Express Card can get a $25 bonus when they spend $500 in the first 90 days on the card. Show more