Rakuten is one of the absolute best shopping portals out there – an easy way to earn extra cashback (or valuable Amex Membership Rewards points!) on your online shopping. If you want a huge bonus, you'll want to shop using Rakuten today.
To kick off April, you can currently earn 12% (or more) cash back at many premium retailers like Adidas, Nike, and Dr. Martens. It's not just clothing retailers, we're also seeing this deal for hotel websites, meal kit services, tax preparation companies, and more.
If you have a Membership Rewards-earning credit card like *amex platinum* or *amex gold*, you could earn at least 12x points for every dollar you spend at these retailers.
It appears some Rakuten users are even being targeted for up to 15% cash back (or 15x Amex points) after making a purchase. But you'll have to act fast as this elevated Rakuten cashback promotion is today only.
You can see the full list of retailers here.
It gets even better if you've never used Rakuten: You can stack those 12% (or 15%) cashback rates with a big bonus for first-time users, earning an extra $30 after signing up for Rakuten and making your first purchase of at least $30 or more.
Remember: Rakuten allows all members to earn Amex points instead of cash back. So that $30 initial cashback bonus nets you 3,000 Amex points plus the bonus you get from the retailer. That's a great return for your online shopping.
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.
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 $30 bonus after completing your first purchase of at least $30 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 a paper check or a PayPal transfer, whichever you select.
Here's an example of just how powerful stacking these bonuses can be. Let's say you've been eyeing a $200 excursion through Viator, which is currently offering 8% back through Rakuten. Here's what you'd want to do:
- First things first, sign up for Rakuten
- Click through from Rakuten over to Viator, then make your purchase as normal
- You'll earn 8% cash back on that $200 purchase: $16 – or 1,600 Amex Membership Rewards points
- You'll also earn $30 cashback (or 3,000 Amex points) for your first purchase of $30 or more
Add it up and that's $46, reducing your net cost to $154 – or you're earning 4,600 valuable Amex points on the purchase.
Read more: Use Online Shopping Portals to Earn More Points & Miles!
Bottom Line
Rakuten is one of the best ways to get more out of your online shopping. With a $30 referral bonus for new members and big 12% (or more) cashback bonuses available at many stores, it's a fantastic deal and a no-brainer for any shopping you need to get done.
But you'll want to pull the trigger on those purchases soon. These 12% cashback offers end today, Monday, April 1!