How to Make Money on Rakuten (2025): Complete Guide

Ever wondered how people actually make money on Rakuten just by shopping online? If you’re ready to make money on Rakuten in 2025, the process is easier (and more profitable) than you might think.

This complete guide will walk you through everything from how Rakuten’s cashback system works, to the most effective ways to stack rewards, referrals, and bonuses. You’ll learn how users earn anywhere from $100 to over $4,000 a year using Rakuten—without starting a business or needing a huge social following.

By the end of this post, you’ll be equipped with clear steps, monetization methods, tools, and tips to start earning money through Rakuten in under 30 minutes.

Key Takeaways

• Cash Back from Daily Shopping – Earn up to 20% back just by shopping at Rakuten’s 3,500+ partner stores online and in-store.
• Stack Rewards for Bigger Profits – Combine Rakuten cash back with credit card points and promo codes to maximize every transaction.
• Referral Bonuses & Affiliate Perks – Get $30+ per referral and use affiliate links for passive income potential.
• Easy Setup, Instant Access – All you need is a Rakuten account and browser extension to start earning within minutes.
• Real Users Earn Thousands – Some users report over $4,000/year in earnings by leveraging cashback, bonuses, and smart shopping tactics.

How to Make Money on Rakuten?

Making money on Rakuten is surprisingly easy because you’re not selling, creating content, or managing inventory—you’re just shopping smarter.

At its core, Rakuten is a cashback portal that rewards you for purchases you were likely going to make anyway. The real win? Rakuten earns affiliate commissions from stores and shares that commission with you, the shopper.

Even better, you can boost your earnings with tools like the Rakuten browser extension, mobile app, and linked credit/debit cards for in-store offers. Many users also take advantage of seasonal cashback boosts and referral bonuses.

Because there’s no upfront cost, no product creation, and minimal time investment, it’s one of the most passive and beginner-friendly ways to earn.

What do you need to get started?

To make money on Rakuten, all you need is a free Rakuten account. Sign up on the website or app, then install the browser extension or mobile app. You’ll also want to link your credit/debit card for in-store rewards, and consider joining with a cashback-friendly credit card. Optional: a PayPal account for fast payout or a Rakuten Credit Card to stack points.

How much money you can make on Rakuten?

Most users earn between $50 and $500 annually, but high-volume shoppers or coupon-stackers can easily earn $1,000–$4,000+. For instance, one UK user reported earning over £4,000 in a single year by stacking Rakuten deals with sales and loyalty programs.

Cashback rates vary by merchant and range from 1% to over 20%. Seasonal promos can spike rates and give bonus cash for using the app or extension.

Pro tip: Pair Rakuten with other cashback platforms and time your purchases around seasonal boosts to scale your earnings.

18 Best Ways to Make Money on Rakuten

Whether you’re a savvy shopper, content creator, or small business owner, these 18 proven tactics show exactly how to make money on Rakuten—covering cashback, stacking, referrals, travel bookings, and affiliate options to maximize every purchase.

1. Earn Cash Back from Online Purchases

The most common way to make money on Rakuten is by earning cash back whenever you shop online. Rakuten partners with over 3,500 stores, including popular retailers like Walmart, Target, Sephora, and Best Buy. When you click through Rakuten to make a purchase, the retailer pays Rakuten a commission, and Rakuten shares that commission with you as cash back.

This method is incredibly beginner-friendly because you’re getting paid for the shopping you already do. Most cash back rates range from 1% to 10%, but seasonal promotions can push earnings to 20% or higher. Over the course of a year, these small percentages add up to hundreds—or even thousands—of dollars.

To maximize your online cashback earnings, always check the Rakuten app or website before buying, and install the browser extension. This ensures you never miss a deal, and the extension will even pop up if a store is eligible for cash back.

How to Earn Cash Back Online on Rakuten?

• Sign up for a free Rakuten account
• Install the Rakuten browser extension on Chrome or Safari
• Visit Rakuten and search for the store you want to shop at
• Click the store link to activate cash back tracking
• Complete your purchase as normal
• Receive cash back automatically in your account

Quick Tip: Always start your shopping through Rakuten or use the browser pop-up to avoid missing cash back.

2. In-Store Cash Back with Linked Cards

Rakuten also allows you to make money in-store by linking your credit or debit cards to your account. This method is perfect for people who still prefer physical shopping but want the same benefits as online cashback.

Here’s how it works: you browse in-store offers on the Rakuten app, link your card, and then shop at participating retailers. When you pay with your linked card, Rakuten automatically tracks the purchase and gives you cash back.

This approach is effortless once you set it up, and it’s a great way to combine in-store deals with other rewards programs, like loyalty points or credit card cash back. If you regularly shop at grocery stores, department stores, or restaurants in Rakuten’s network, you could see significant passive earnings.

How to Use In-Store Cash Back on Rakuten?

• Open the Rakuten app and log in
• Link your primary credit or debit card
• Browse and “activate” in-store offers in the app
• Shop in person at the participating retailer
• Pay with your linked card to trigger cash back
• Check your account for automatic rewards

Quick Tip: Link multiple cards to avoid missing rewards if you switch payment methods.

3. Referral Program Bonuses

Rakuten’s referral program is one of the easiest ways to make bonus money. Every time you refer a new user, you can earn $30 or more, as long as they make a qualifying purchase. Your friend also receives a welcome bonus, which makes this method a win-win.

Referrals are especially powerful if you have friends, family, or followers who shop online frequently. Sharing your unique referral link via social media, email, or messaging apps can turn casual recommendations into cash. Some savvy Rakuten users even dedicate blog posts or short videos explaining how to sign up for extra bonus payouts.

How to Earn with Referrals on Rakuten?

• Log in to your Rakuten account and locate your referral link
• Share your link with friends, family, or social media followers
• Encourage them to sign up and make their first purchase
• Wait for the first purchase to trigger your referral bonus
• Repeat to earn unlimited referral rewards

Quick Tip: Post referral links in private groups or communities for faster sign-ups without spamming.

4. Stack Credit Card Cash Back with Rakuten

If you want to maximize Rakuten earnings, combine cash back with your credit card rewards. This strategy, known as stacking, lets you double-dip on rewards: you earn Rakuten cash back plus your credit card’s cash back or points.

For example, if Rakuten offers 10% cash back at Nike and your credit card offers 3% on online purchases, you effectively earn 13% back on that transaction. Over time, stacking can turn moderate spending into impressive earnings.

The best part is that this method requires no extra work beyond paying with the right card. Consider cards with rotating categories or high online rewards for the biggest boosts.

How to Stack Rewards on Rakuten?

• Activate cash back through Rakuten before shopping
• Pay with a cash back or travel rewards credit card
• Keep receipts or digital confirmations for reference
• Combine with coupons or seasonal Rakuten bonuses
• Track your total effective return to see your savings grow

Quick Tip: Use Best Cashback Credit Cards for Online Shopping to identify the top cards to stack with Rakuten.

5. Use Rakuten for Travel Bookings

Rakuten isn’t just for shopping—it also pays cash back for travel bookings like hotels, flights, and car rentals through partners like Expedia, Priceline, and Booking.com.

This method can generate large payouts because travel purchases are often higher-value transactions. Booking a $1,000 vacation with 5% cash back immediately nets $50. Some travel portals also stack with airline or hotel loyalty programs, giving you an extra layer of rewards.

To maximize your travel earnings, plan ahead and always compare rates between Rakuten and the hotel or airline directly to ensure you’re not paying more just for cash back.

How to Earn on Travel Bookings on Rakuten?

• Log in to Rakuten and search for travel partners
• Activate cash back by clicking your preferred booking site
• Book your hotel, flight, or rental as normal
• Receive cash back once your trip is completed
• Combine with loyalty points for maximum savings

Quick Tip: Time your bookings during Rakuten travel bonuses or seasonal promotions for 2x–3x rewards.

6. Partner with Rakuten Advertising

For content creators, Rakuten Advertising (formerly LinkShare) is a more advanced way to make money on Rakuten. Instead of shopping, you earn commissions by promoting Rakuten’s partner stores through affiliate links on your website, blog, or social media.

When someone clicks your affiliate link and makes a purchase, you earn a commission. This is different from the regular Rakuten Rewards program because you’re effectively joining Rakuten’s advertiser network. Popular niches include fashion, beauty, tech, and travel—anything you can link to on Rakuten’s partner list.

Affiliate marketing requires some setup and traffic, but once established, it can generate passive income at scale.

How to Start with Rakuten Advertising?

• Sign up for a free Rakuten Advertising affiliate account
• Browse merchant programs and request to join
• Get unique affiliate links for each product or store
• Share links via your website, blog, or social media
• Earn commissions when visitors make purchases

Quick Tip: Combine affiliate content with How to Make Money on Rakuten in 2025 guides to boost trust and conversions.

7. Convert Cash Back to Points or Miles

Some users prefer to maximize travel rewards by converting Rakuten cash back into American Express Membership Rewards points. This option can often yield a better value than cash, especially for frequent travelers redeeming points for flights or hotel stays.

With this method, every $1 of Rakuten cash back equals 1 Membership Rewards point. Points can be worth 1–2 cents each depending on how you redeem them, meaning your effective earnings could double.

How to Convert Rewards on Rakuten?

• Link your American Express Membership Rewards account to Rakuten
• Opt to earn points instead of cash back
• Shop as normal through Rakuten
• Receive points instead of cash in your account
• Redeem for flights, hotels, or transfers to airline partners

Quick Tip: Use this method only if you can redeem points for travel at higher-than-cash value.

8. Join Seasonal Bonus Events

Rakuten frequently runs seasonal bonus events during holidays like Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and back-to-school season. During these events, cash back rates can double or triple, and special promos can add $40–$50 in bonuses.

This is a great way to earn big without changing your habits. Many savvy shoppers time their big purchases for these seasonal promotions to maximize returns.

How to Leverage Bonus Events on Rakuten?

• Watch your email or Rakuten dashboard for upcoming promos
• Activate the seasonal bonus or flash event
• Shop at participating retailers with boosted cash back
• Complete purchases within the promo window
• Collect bonus cash back automatically

Quick Tip: Combine seasonal bonuses with referral promos to stack extra rewards in a single transaction.

9. Become a Cashback Blogger or Influencer

If you like sharing deals and hacks online, you can make money on Rakuten by blogging or creating content around cashback strategies. People are always looking for ways to save, and by providing value, you can earn referral bonuses and affiliate commissions.

This method is popular among finance and lifestyle bloggers who create tutorials or shopping guides. Posting on TikTok, Instagram, or YouTube can also drive traffic and sign-ups.

How to Start as a Cashback Influencer on Rakuten?

• Choose a platform (blog, YouTube, TikTok, or Instagram)
• Share tips, deal roundups, and Rakuten referral links
• Build a community of followers interested in saving money
• Earn bonuses when followers sign up through your links
• Scale with affiliate and sponsorship opportunities

Quick Tip: Best Side Hustles Using Cashback Apps posts attract readers ready to click referral links.

10. Participate in Limited-Time Rakuten Promotions

Rakuten occasionally offers limited-time promotions like “Double Cash Back Stores” or “Spend $30, Get $30 Bonus.” These short-term offers are one of the fastest ways to boost your account balance.

The key is staying alert. Promotions often last only a few days, and the best deals happen around major sales periods.

How to Maximize Limited-Time Promos on Rakuten?

• Opt into Rakuten email or app notifications
• Check the promotions tab weekly
• Activate offers immediately when available
• Plan larger purchases around the promo window
• Combine with credit card and referral stacking

Quick Tip: Enable app notifications so you never miss short-term, high-payout opportunities.

11. Use Rakuten with Cashback Browser Extensions

Many savvy shoppers use Rakuten alongside other cashback browser extensions like Capital One Shopping, Honey, or Coupert. These tools compare real-time deals, apply promo codes, and check for competing cash back rates. While Rakuten handles the actual cash back payout, using a companion extension can alert you when rates spike or coupons become available. This strategy makes sure you’re not leaving money on the table—and can lead to a better effective return per purchase.

Quick Tip: Install multiple cashback tools but only activate Rakuten during checkout to avoid tracking conflicts.

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12. Leverage Rakuten’s Daily Deals and Featured Stores

Rakuten promotes daily deals and rotating “double cash back” stores on its homepage and app. These are often tied to flash sales or overstock promotions, offering brief windows of extremely high payouts—sometimes 10% to 20% from top brands. Smart users check these updates each morning to plan what they’ll buy that day or week. You can even set alerts for your favorite stores to never miss an opportunity.

Quick Tip: Bookmark the Featured Stores tab in the app to check daily for limited-time bonus offers.

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13. Shop Wholesale or Bulk Through Rakuten

If you regularly purchase items in bulk—such as office supplies, household products, or groceries—you can use Rakuten to earn big returns on high-volume spending. Wholesale sites like Sam’s Club, Office Depot, and Costco often appear in Rakuten’s merchant list. Businesses or large families benefit the most here, as they can stack bulk savings with cashback on essential purchases.

Quick Tip: Use Rakuten with bulk buys during bonus events to increase your per-transaction cashback significantly.

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14. Combine Rakuten with Rebate Apps

Rakuten plays well with rebate apps like Ibotta, Fetch Rewards, and Receipt Hog. After completing your Rakuten-linked purchase, you can upload receipts to these apps to earn extra gift cards, points, or cash. This strategy doesn’t interfere with Rakuten’s tracking and lets you double- or triple-dip across platforms. It’s a smart way to squeeze more value from every transaction—especially on groceries, personal care, and everyday household goods.

Quick Tip: Upload receipts within 24 hours to Ibotta or Fetch after earning Rakuten cash back to avoid rejection.

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15. Use Rakuten as a Cash Back Tool for Freelancers

Freelancers and solopreneurs can make money on Rakuten by using it for business purchases—like office furniture, software, and tech gear. Many of these categories are available through Rakuten partners like Dell, Staples, and Microsoft. Since business expenses are often higher-ticket, freelancers can reclaim hundreds in cash back annually. Bonus: cashback isn’t taxable income if you’re purchasing business needs with business funds.

Quick Tip: Always keep receipts for tax purposes—Rakuten cashback doesn’t reduce deductible expenses.

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16. Optimize Rakuten Use with Family or Shared Accounts

Households can boost Rakuten earnings by centralizing purchases under one account. If multiple family members shop online, use the same Rakuten login and credit card to combine all cashback in one pot. This is especially effective during holidays or back-to-school shopping. Some users also create separate shopping profiles to stay organized while funneling all purchases through a single Rakuten account.

Quick Tip: Use shared logins but set app alerts so everyone remembers to activate cashback before each purchase.

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17. Shop Discounted Gift Cards + Rakuten for Extra Savings

You can stretch your budget even further by purchasing discounted gift cards through sites like Raise or Gift Card Granny—then using them with Rakuten. First, buy the gift card at a discount (e.g., $90 for a $100 card), then shop through Rakuten and pay with that card. This stacks the gift card savings with Rakuten’s cash back for a powerful combined effect.

Quick Tip: Make sure the gift card store also offers Rakuten cashback before stacking your strategy.

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18. Join Rakuten’s Birthday and Anniversary Bonuses

Rakuten occasionally sends users special offers around birthdays and account anniversaries. These may include limited-time cash back boosts or personal referral incentives. While not widely advertised, these offers land in email inboxes, especially for long-time or highly active members. They’re easy to redeem and can add extra value for users who regularly shop through Rakuten already.

Quick Tip: Keep your Rakuten profile updated with your correct birthdate to unlock these one-time bonuses.

Step by Step Guide to Make Money on Rakuten

If you’re ready to start earning, here’s a complete beginner-friendly roadmap to make money on Rakuten from zero to your first payout. Follow these steps to maximize your earnings efficiently.

Step 1: Create Your Free Rakuten Account

Start by signing up for a free Rakuten account via the website or mobile app. The process takes just a few minutes and requires only basic information like your email address. Signing up also makes you eligible for Rakuten’s welcome bonus after your first purchase.

Step 2: Install the Browser Extension and Mobile App

Installing the Rakuten browser extension ensures you never miss a cashback opportunity online. The extension automatically notifies you if a store you visit is eligible for rewards. Downloading the mobile app lets you access in-store offers and activate cashback wherever you shop.

Step 3: Link Your Credit or Debit Cards

Link your main credit or debit cards to Rakuten for in-store cash back. This feature allows Rakuten to automatically detect eligible purchases at partner stores without extra effort. Make sure to link all the cards you use for daily shopping to maximize rewards.

Step 4: Activate Your First Online or In-Store Offer

Before shopping, always activate your cashback by clicking through Rakuten or the app. For in-store shopping, “activate” the offer in the app before visiting the store. This step ensures your purchase is tracked and eligible for rewards.

Step 5: Start Shopping and Stacking Rewards

Shop at your favorite retailers through Rakuten’s platform and consider stacking rewards with your credit card or loyalty programs. High-value purchases, like travel bookings or electronics, can earn you significant cashback when combined with credit card points.

Step 6: Use Referral Links for Bonus Earnings

Once you’ve made your first purchase, take advantage of Rakuten’s referral program. Share your unique link with friends, family, or social media followers to earn $30+ per referral. This is one of the easiest ways to scale your Rakuten income.

Pro Tip: Sharing through your blog or social media guide, like Best Side Hustles Using Cashback Apps, can drive more signups.

Step 7: Track Earnings and Payout Schedule

Check your Rakuten dashboard to track your cashback balance and bonus earnings. Rakuten pays out quarterly via PayPal or check, but your first payment can arrive about 15 days after your first qualifying purchase. Watching your earnings grow is motivating and helps you plan larger purchases around seasonal promos.

Step 8: Optimize with Seasonal and Limited-Time Promotions

Finally, watch for Rakuten’s seasonal events like Black Friday or back-to-school bonuses. Activating these promos can double or triple your cashback. Plan major purchases around these periods for the fastest path to $500–$1,000 per year in rewards.

Tips to Increase Your Rakuten Revenue

To boost your Rakuten earnings, focus on smart timing and stacking strategies. Always activate cash back through the website, app, or browser extension before making a purchase. Many users forget this step and miss out on rewards.

Stacking rewards is another powerful technique. Pair Rakuten cash back with your credit card rewards, store loyalty points, and promotional coupons for maximum returns. For instance, a 10% Rakuten offer combined with a 3% cash back card and a 5% store promo can yield an effective 18% return.

Finally, take advantage of seasonal promotions like Black Friday or back-to-school events, when Rakuten often doubles or triples cash back rates. By planning larger purchases around these periods, you can see hundreds of dollars in extra earnings annually.

Pro Tip: Follow guides like Best Side Hustles Using Cashback Apps for more creative ways to multiply your Rakuten income.

Best AI Tools for Maximizing Rakuten Earnings

AI tools can help you make money on Rakuten more efficiently by tracking offers and automating your shopping strategy. Extensions like Honey or Capital One Shopping use AI to compare coupon codes and ensure you get the best deal before finalizing your purchase.

Cashback tracking apps powered by AI, such as Kudos and MaxRewards, can automatically select the best credit card for each transaction. These tools make sure you’re not leaving money on the table.

For content creators using Rakuten affiliate links, AI-driven tools like Jasper or ChatGPT can help generate deal roundups, social posts, or blog content quickly. This allows you to scale your referrals and affiliate commissions with less effort.

Quick Tip: Pairing Rakuten’s browser extension with AI-based deal finders is a smart way to never miss eligible rewards.

Best Affiliate Platforms for Rakuten Creators

If you’re looking to scale your Rakuten income through referrals and content, understanding affiliate platforms is crucial. Rakuten Advertising is the company’s own affiliate network, giving you access to thousands of partner merchants for commission-based earnings.

Other affiliate platforms like Impact and CJ Affiliate can complement Rakuten, letting you diversify your offers. Pairing multiple affiliate networks can expand your content opportunities, especially if you’re creating blogs, newsletters, or social media posts.

By combining Rakuten’s referral program with affiliate marketing, you can turn casual shopping tips into a reliable income stream. This strategy works best for influencers, bloggers, and anyone sharing shopping advice online.

Pro Tip: Create comparison content like Best Apps Like Rakuten for Earning Cashback to increase affiliate clicks and trust with your audience.

Best Marketing Tools for Promoting Rakuten

Promoting Rakuten effectively can transform your referrals into a side hustle or full-time income. Social media schedulers like Buffer and Later help you consistently share cashback tips and seasonal promotions.

Email marketing tools such as Mailchimp or ConvertKit are excellent for creating weekly “deal roundups” featuring Rakuten links. Building a small but loyal email list of savvy shoppers can produce consistent referral income.

If you run a blog or website, SEO tools like Ahrefs or SEMrush help you find high-traffic keywords for cashback and shopping content. Combining SEO with seasonal deal updates can drive organic traffic that continues to earn year-round.

Quick Tip: Focus on evergreen topics like How to Make Money on Rakuten in 2025 to keep content profitable all year.

Conclusion

Rakuten makes it easier than ever to earn real cash from everyday shopping. By following the strategies in this guide—stacking rewards, activating bonuses, and using referrals—you could realistically earn $500 to $4,000 per year.

Whether you’re just starting with the browser extension or exploring affiliate opportunities, Rakuten is a low-risk, high-reward way to monetize your spending. Start small, stay consistent, and watch your earnings grow with every purchase.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)