Rakuten pays you to shop online at stores you already use. You click through Rakuten before you buy, and a percentage of your spend comes back to you. No fees. No catch. This is my Rakuten review!

I use Rakuten on almost every online purchase. The smartest move most people miss: you can convert your cash back into American Express Membership Rewards or Bilt points instead of dollars. For miles collectors, that changes the math.

Here is how Rakuten works, what it pays, and how to get the most out of it in 2026.

rakuten review

What is Rakuten

Rakuten is a shopping portal. It partners with over 3,500 retailers, from Walmart and Target to Saks Fifth Avenue and Nike. You start your purchase at Rakuten, click through to the store, and shop as normal. Rakuten earns a commission from the retailer and shares part of it with you.

Rakuten launched in 1999 as Ebates. A Japanese company acquired it in 2014 and rebranded it. It has paid members over $4.6 billion in cash back since launch.

How Rakuten works

The process is simple:

  • Sign up for a free account at Rakuten.com.
  • Search for the store you want before you shop.
  • Click through to the retailer from Rakuten.
  • Buy what you were going to buy anyway.
  • Rakuten credits your account and pays you every quarter.

The browser extension makes this easier. Install it on Chrome and it alerts you when cash back is available on a site you visit. The app and extension also auto-apply coupon codes at checkout.

How much cash back you earn, honest Rakuten review

Rates change daily and vary by store. Typical rates run from 1% to 10%. Some stores hit 20% or higher during promotions. Rakuten regularly runs site-wide events where many stores jump to 20% back, and select retailers occasionally reach 100% back.

Always check the rate before you buy. A store at 2% today might be at 6% during a holiday weekend.

Realistic earnings example: a household spending $500 a month online across partner stores at an average 5% rate earns about $300 a year. Add sign-up and referral bonuses and that climbs to $400 to $500 annually. Heavy shoppers can clear $1,000.

The 2026 sign-up bonus

Rakuten is running its best-ever new member bonus through June 30, 2026. Sign up through a referral link, spend at least $50 on Rakuten shopping trips within 90 days, and you get a $50 bonus on top of your regular cash back.

This matters: signing up without a referral usually gets you only a $10 bonus. The referral link unlocks $50. The standard referral bonus is normally $30, so $50 is the highest Rakuten has offered.

An easy way to hit the $50 spend: buy a $50 gift card from a participating retailer. You meet the requirement and get $50 back.

Rakuten Review: How I earned 8000 AMEX Points ($80) in 3 weeks!

Earn Amex or Bilt points instead of cash

This is why Rakuten belongs in your miles strategy. You can switch your earning preference from cash back to American Express Membership Rewards or Bilt points.

You earn 1 point per cent of cash back. So a 5% cash back rate becomes 5 points per dollar. A $50 cash bonus becomes 5,000 Amex or Bilt points.

The Points Guy values Amex points at 2 cents each and Bilt points at 2.2 cents each as of April 2026. At those valuations, points often beat straight cash back. Your cash back can also convert retroactively to points across the full quarterly payout period.

One caveat on Bilt. Your payout depends on your Bilt status on the payout date. Blue members earn 50 Bilt points per $1 of cash back. Silver, Gold, and Platinum members earn 100 points per $1. That is why the bonus is advertised as “up to 5,000 points.” A Blue member gets 2,500. Status members get the full 5,000.

Note: the new member sign-up bonus pays as cash if you join through a referral link, even after you switch your preference. Link your Amex or Bilt account after joining to convert future earnings.

Stack Rakuten with your credit card

Rakuten cash back is separate from your credit card rewards. You earn both on the same purchase.

  • Start the purchase through Rakuten to lock in cash back or points.
  • Pay with your best rewards card for the category.
  • Use any retailer loyalty program on top.

One transaction, three layers of rewards.

How and when you get paid

Rakuten pays quarterly. Payout dates fall in February, May, August, and November, each covering the prior three months of earnings. You can take your money by PayPal or a physical check, called the Big Fat Check, with a $5.01 minimum.

Is Rakuten worth it

Yes, if you shop online at all. It is free, it stacks with your credit card, and the effort is close to zero once the extension is installed. For miles collectors, the option to earn Amex or Bilt points instead of cash makes it one of the easiest ways to grow your points balance on spending you would do anyway.

Frequently asked questions

Is Rakuten free?

Yes. There are no membership fees. Rakuten earns a commission from retailers and shares part of it with you.

How does Rakuten make money?

Retailers pay Rakuten a commission for sending them customers. Rakuten keeps part of that commission and passes the rest to you as cash back.

How do I get the $50 sign-up bonus?

Join through a referral link by June 30, 2026, then spend at least $50 on Rakuten shopping trips within 90 days of signing up. The bonus is added to your next payout.

Can I earn points instead of cash back?

Yes. Switch your earning preference to American Express Membership Rewards or Bilt points. You earn 1 point per cent of cash back. Bilt payouts depend on your Bilt status on the payout date.

How often does Rakuten pay out?

Quarterly, in February, May, August, and November. Each payout covers the previous three months. You can be paid by PayPal or check.

Do I earn Rakuten cash back and credit card rewards on the same purchase?

Yes. Rakuten cash back is separate from your credit card rewards. You earn both on a single transaction.

Does Rakuten work in stores?

Yes. Link a credit card to your account and activate in-store offers to earn cash back at physical locations and select restaurants.

5/5 - (1 vote)