Rakuten (formerly Ebates) is a cashback shopping portal that pays you a percentage back when you shop through its links at thousands of participating retailers.
How Rakuten Works
- Install the Rakuten browser extension or start shopping trips via the app
- Shop as normal at any of thousands of partner retailers
- Cashback is automatically calculated and credited to your account
- Get paid via PayPal or check once per quarter, or choose Amex points
Step-by-Step Guide to Getting Started
- Sign up for a free Rakuten account
- Install the Cash Back Button browser extension for automatic activation
- Shop at a participating retailer by starting your trip through Rakuten first
- Complete your purchase as normal don't navigate away before checking out
- Wait for the cashback to clear its pending period, then receive your payout
Pros
- Works alongside existing store sales and coupons — stacks with savings
- Extra 10% bonus typically offered in your first week as a new member
- Thousands of participating retailers across most shopping categories
Cons
- Cashback tracking occasionally fails if you navigate away from the retailer mid-trip
- Payouts are issued quarterly by default, not instantly
- Requires remembering to start your shopping trip through Rakuten first
Verdict
Rakuten is genuinely useful if you install the browser extension and let it auto-prompt you the cashback is essentially free money on purchases you were making anyway.