Author: Kelly Hills
Popular credit card offers might come to mind right away when you consider how to get cash back for your purchases. However, using shopping portals to make the most of cashback offers on products you must buy can also be successful.
You won’t be subject to fees or interest charges while using a shopping platform like Rakuten for cash back and other benefits.
You can decide whether or not Rakuten is worthwhile by reading this review, which will provide you with all the information you need before you get started.
What is Rakuten?
Rakuten is a website and mobile application developed in Menlo Park, California, in 1998. The business has been offering clients cashback on practically everything they purchase for more than 20 years, ranging from 1% to 40% cashback.
The catch? The only way to buy items is with your Rakuten account.
You may spend your cashback on pretty much anything. While it may not always seem like you are getting a lot of money back, it eventually adds up.
How does Rakuten work?
Using Rakuten is simple. You only need to create a Rakuten account. After that, you can find the names of the stores you want to shop at once you log in. You can then download the Rakuten browser extension after doing this.
Rakuten has an alphabetical list that you can utilize or use the search bar to locate a store. Once you’ve found the store of your choice, click on it.
The Rakuten portal will direct you to the store’s website, where you may begin shopping.
Shopping via Rakuten is similar to shopping directly from the store website because the link takes you to the store’s official site from the Rakuten site. The only exception is that since you used your Rakuten account to access the store, you will receive cash back on any qualified purchases.
Using the Rakuten browser extension will allow you to shop through Rakuten without going to the company’s website, which is another option. The extension will appear every time you visit a website that offers cashback on purchases. Clicking the button in the popup will activate Rakuten and allow you to earn cashback.
Cashback earnings
The percentage of cashback you’ll receive from purchases is displayed next to each retailer link on the Rakuten website or in the browser bar. The cashback percentage varies from retailer to retailer and is also influenced by the items you buy.
Walmart might, for instance, give 5% cash back on regular purchases but 20% back on purchases of home products. Additionally, the reward percentage varies and shifts occasionally depending on store promotions.
Opening a support ticket is simple if you discover that cashback earnings from a previous shopping trip or online purchase are missing from your account.
You will have to:
- Register with Rakuten
- Access the help page.
- Select “Missing Cashback” from the menu.
- Include the date the order was placed, and the payment amount in the order’s information.
Additionally, if you have an American Express card and use it to make purchases through Rakuten, you can opt to receive Amex rewards points rather than cash back.
In-store cashback
By syncing your credit card with the Rakuten app, you can receive cashback when making in-store purchases.
Fees
There are no fees or other extra costs while using Rakuten.
Referrals
Another fantastic benefit is the opportunity to earn money each time a friend uses your referral link to sign up with Rakuten. Each referral now makes you $30.
Pros and cons of Rakuten
Pros
- Simple-to-use browser extension
- Zero fees
- You receive $30 per referral through the referral program.
- Some retailers provide up to 20% cashback.
Cons
- You may easily overspend or make impulsive purchases.
- Only receive quarterly cashback (4 times a year)
- Stores carry a wide range of exempted goods.
Would you try out Rakuten?
Rakuten is a fantastic and trustworthy way to get money back for items you would purchase. As long as the company you’re buying from is a member of Rakuten’s network, it’s pretty simple to set up and get cash back. Another excellent strategy to increase your income is to place an order from a company providing double cash back. Additionally, the quarterly PayPal deposits (or mailed cheques) offer you something to anticipate.