You should always use online shopping portals to get something extra on your purchase. And few portals are better or easier to use than Rakuten – especially right now.
Rakuten (previously known as Ebates) is currently offering 11% (or more!) cashback at hundreds of stores for Nov. 11. But these bigger bonuses only last today, so act fast!
Never used Rakuten before? It gets better. You can stack those cashback rates with a huge bonus for first-time users, earning a $40 bonus after signing up and making your first purchase of at least $40 or more.
This is one of the most lucrative bonuses we've seen from Rakuten, and it's made a comeback. Combined with those huge cashback bonuses available at 200-plus retailers, this is a great time to pull the trigger on an online purchase.
Got a card that earns American Express Membership Rewards points, like The Platinum Card® from American Express or the American Express® Gold Card? It gets even better.
Rakuten allows all members to earn Amex points instead of cashback. So that $40 initial cashback bonus nets you 4,000 Amex points – plus the bonus you get from the retailer itself. That's a great return if you've got some online shopping to do.
Thrifty Tip: Add the Rakuten browser plugin to Google Chrome and Rakuten will alert you when you can earn cashback on your purchase through that retailer!
Taking advantage of these huge bonuses is as simple as navigating to Rakuten.com, clicking through to the retailer, and making your purchase. Combined with this initial bonus, you can earn a sizable sum of cashback in just one purchase through Rakuten.
Need to use your $50 Saks Fifth Avenue credit, Amex Platinum cardholders? Do it now through Rakuten, which is offering an 11% bonus (or 11x Amex points) at Saks today!
How Rakuten Works
Getting in on these cashback bonuses is easy. First, sign up for Rakuten if you haven’t already. You’ll earn an additional $40 bonus after completing your first purchase of at least $40 in the first 90 days. Full disclosure: We also get a bonus, so we appreciate it if you use our link!
Whether you’re shopping at Amazon and Target or buying a Blue Apron subscription, you’ll get a percentage of your purchase price back from hundreds of stores. You’ll get paid every three months, through either a paper check or a PayPal transfer.
Here's an example of just how powerful stacking these bonuses can be. Let's say you've been eyeing a $150 jacket or shirt at Saks Fifth Avenue as a gift for someone … maybe even yourself. Here's what you'd want to do:
- First things first, sign up for Rakuten
- Click through from Rakuten over to Saks Fifth Avenue, then make your purchase as normal
- You'll earn 11% cashback on that $150 purchase: $16.50 – or 1,650 Amex Membership Rewards points
- You'll also earn $40 cashback (or 4,000 Amex points) for your first purchase of $40 or more
Add it up and that's $56.50 cashback, reducing your net cost to $93.50 – or you're earning 5,650 valuable Amex points on the purchase. And if you've got an unused $50 Saks Fifth Avenue Credit on an Amex Platinum Card, the savings go even further by using that card at checkout.
Read more: Use Online Shopping Portals to Earn More Points & Miles!
Bottom Line
Rakuten is one of the best ways to get something more out of your online shopping. With this $40 referral bonus and huge, 11% cashback bonuses available today, it's a fantastic deal and a no-brainer for any shopping you need to get done.
But these bonuses will go furthest today for Nov. 11. So act fast if you've got some online shopping to do!