From Groceries to Gadgets: How to Earn $100s Back with Rakuten

How I Earned $3,000+ with Rakuten – And How You Can Too

Imagine getting paid just for buying what you already planned to. That’s exactly what Rakuten offers — and I’ve personally earned over $3,000 in real cash back. If you shop online even occasionally, this guide could put serious money back in your wallet.

What Is Rakuten (And How Does It Work)?

Rakuten (formerly Ebates) is a free cashback site and app that pays you to shop at thousands of partner retailers. Here’s how it works:

You sign up for free
Shop at your favorite stores (like Target, Walmart, or Nike) through Rakuten
Get paid a percentage back from your purchases — either in PayPal, check, or even AmEx Membership Rewards points

Rakuten partners with 3,500+ stores and often boosts cashback during holidays, flash sales, or back-to-school events.

How to Start Earning in 5 Minutes

Here’s how to get started:

Sign up for Rakuten here — new users get a $30 bonus after a qualifying purchase 🔥
Install the Rakuten browser extension (this is KEY!)
Use the app or desktop portal to browse deals before you shop

Pro Tip: Always activate Rakuten before checking out. If you forget, Rakuten may not track your cashback.

Best Ways to Maximize Rakuten Rewards

1. Double-Dip with Coupons & Credit Card Points

Stack Rakuten cashback with:

Coupon codes (Rakuten’s extension applies them for you!)
Credit card rewards (use a cashback or travel rewards card)
Storewide sales

2. Earn AmEx Points Instead of Cash

If you have an AmEx card that earns Membership Rewards, you can opt to get AmEx points instead of cash.

Cashback Rate	AmEx Points	Value @ 1.2¢/point
8% cashback	8x points	9.6% effective return

Best for travelers or points hackers who redeem through airline or hotel partners.

3. Shop During Rakuten’s Double Cashback Events

Keep an eye out for seasonal promos, where cashback rates are boosted (e.g. Nike jumps from 6% → 12%).

Can You Use Rakuten In-Store Too?

Yes! Just:

Link your credit card in the Rakuten app
Activate offers
Use that card at the store checkout

You’ll automatically get credited within a few days.

Rakuten also works on gift cards, hotel bookings, and flights!

My Real Earnings

In one month, I earned:

$62 from an LG store purchase on (Rakuten had 20% cashback on LG.com purchases!)
$21 from Priceline hotel reservation
$8 from Advance Auto Parts
$13 from Target

That’s $104 in one month — from purchases I was going to make anyway.

Since I joined Rakuten, I earned almost $3,500 as you can see in the snippet below.

How and When You Get Paid

Rakuten pays out quarterly
Options: PayPal, check, or AmEx points
You’ll see a “Big Fat Check” or deposit arrive based on your payout preference

Summary: Why Rakuten Is a No-Brainer

✅ It’s free
✅ It works with stores you already shop at
✅ You can double-dip with points, coupons, and card rewards
✅ Payouts are real and reliable