How to Start Earning Cashback with Rakuten: A Step-by-Step Guide
Who doesn’t love the idea of getting paid to travel? With Rakuten, the popular cash-back shopping portal, you can earn cashback on your everyday purchases — from online shopping to travel bookings — without lifting a finger beyond clicking a few buttons.
I love using Rakuten and talk about it a lot here because it’s a game-changer. Personally, I use it to get cash back on many of my travel bookings, and I can’t recommend it enough.
Ready to learn how to travel cheaper with Rakuten and make the most of your travel budget? Let’s dive in!
How Does Rakuten Work for Travel?
If you’re new to Rakuten, here’s a quick overview of how it works. Essentially, it’s a cash-back portal that partners with thousands of retailers and travel companies. These partners offer various amounts of cash back when you make a purchase through Rakuten.
Here's how it works:
- Sign Up: Create a free account clicking here on Rakuten's website or app.
- Find Travel Deals on Rakuten: When you’re ready to book your next trip, head over to Rakuten’s website or app and search for your favorite travel sites. Rakuten partners with tons of travel companies—think airlines, car rental services, hotels, and booking sites. You’ll find options like Expedia and Hotels.com. You can also search for specific offers, like cash back on flights or hotels, or special promotions.
- Make Your Purchase and Get Paid to Travel: Complete your booking like you normally would. Imagine earning cashback on your hotel or flight bookings — it’s like getting a mini-vacation bonus! It’s perfect for travelers who want to make their trip even more affordable.
- Earn Cash Back: After you’ve completed your booking, Rakuten will credit your account with cash back, usually within a few days to a week. You can choose to get your cash back via PayPal or check, or you can even donate it to a charity if you’re feeling generous.
Maximize Your Earnings with Bonus Deals and Referrals
Rakuten isn’t just about earning cashback on your purchases; there are plenty of ways to boost your rewards even further.
- Look for Bonus Cashback Offers: Rakuten regularly offers promotions with higher-than-usual cashback rates, especially during holidays or special sales events like Black Friday or Cyber Monday. If you’re planning a big shopping spree, keep an eye on these offers to maximize your savings.
- Refer Friends and Earn More: If you love Rakuten (and I’m sure you will), you can refer friends and family to sign up. When they make their first purchase, you’ll both earn a bonus! It's an easy way to rack up some extra cashback without having to shop at all.
Not only can you earn cash back on your travel bookings, but you can also use Rakuten for your everyday purchases. Whether it’s shopping for new luggage, clothes, or gadgets for your trip, or simply buying household essentials, Rakuten has partnerships with a wide range of retailers to help you save money.
And the best part is that there are no restrictions on what you can buy – as long as you make the purchase through Rakuten’s links, you’ll be earning cash back. This makes it a great tool for saving money not just on travel expenses, but also on regular purchases.
Don’t You Have To Shop A Lot To Earn Cash Back With Rakuten?
No, you don’t have to shop a lot to earn cash back with Rakuten. In fact, there are no minimum shopping requirements. Whether you make a lot of purchases or only a few, you will still receive your cash back at the end of the 3 month period.
My Personal Experience with Rakuten
As someone who doesn’t shop frequently, I was initially hesitant to try out Rakuten. However, after signing up and making my first purchase through their site, I was pleasantly surprised by how much cash back I received.
It’s amazing how much it adds up over time! Now, I never make a purchase before checking Rakuten to see if there’s a cash back offer for me to use.
Final Thoughts
Rakuten is a total game-changer for anyone who loves to travel. It’s free, easy to use, and it rewards you for doing what you already do: shopping and traveling. With the simple steps outlined above, you’ll be on your way to earning cashback in no time — whether you’re picking up everyday items or booking your dream vacation.
I’ve been using Rakuten for a while now, and it’s honestly one of my favorite tools for saving money. I love getting those little cashback notifications, and over time, they really add up. So, go ahead and sign up, start shopping, and enjoy the rewards — happy earning!
Disclaimer: Some of the links in this blog post may be referral links, and if you sign up through them, I may earn a small commission. It doesn’t cost you anything extra, and it helps me keep bringing you helpful tips and guides. Thanks for supporting!