Rakuten

Formerly known as Ebates, Rakuten is a leading cash-back and shopping rewards company. Members earn Cash Back on purchases made through the Rakuten website, app, or browser extension at thousands of partner stores. Rakuten earns a commission from stores for sending them shoppers, and they share that commission with you in the form of Cash Back.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Rakuten a scam?

No, Rakuten is a highly reputable, publicly traded company founded in 1998 (originally known as Ebates). They have paid out over $2 billion in Cash Back to members.

How does Rakuten make money?

It is a simple affiliate model: Stores (like Nike or Walmart) pay Rakuten a commission for sending you to their site. Rakuten simply splits that commission with you.

When do I get paid?

Rakuten follows a quarterly schedule. They send payments every three months (February, May, August, November) via 'Big Fat Check' or PayPal. You must have at least $5.01 in your account to get paid; otherwise, it rolls over to the next period.

Can I earn Cash Back in physical stores?

Yes! You can link your credit card to the Rakuten app, activate an 'In-Store Offer', and then use that card at the physical store to earn Cash Back automatically.

What if my Cash Back is missing?

Sometimes tracking fails. If you made a purchase but didn't get Cash Back, you can go to the 'Help' section on their website and submit a 'Missing Cash Back' ticket with your order number. They are usually very quick to fix it.