How Does Rakuten Cashback Work?

Every time you shop online, there is money available to you that most people never collect. It is called cashback. And Rakuten is one of the best and easiest ways to get it.

Rakuten gives you real money back every time you shop at thousands of online stores. You do not need a special card. You do not need to clip coupons. You just need to click one button before you shop, and Rakuten does the rest.

This guide explains exactly how Rakuten cashback works in simple language, how to set it up in minutes, and the best ways to earn as much cashback as possible in 2026. It also shows you how to combine Rakuten with coupon codes so you save money two ways on every single order.

What Is Rakuten?

Rakuten is a free cashback website and app. When you shop online through Rakuten, it gives you a percentage of your money back as cashback. That percentage varies by store some stores pay 1%, others pay 5%, and some pay even 10% or more.

Rakuten earns a fee from the online store every time one of its members makes a purchase. Rakuten shares part of that fee with you. So the store pays Rakuten, and Rakuten pays you. You get free money back on purchases you were going to make anyway.

Rakuten works in the US, the UK, Canada, and Australia. It used to be called Ebates in the US before the name changed to Rakuten in 2019. It is one of the largest cashback platforms in the world and has paid out billions of dollars to its members.

Simple version: You shop. The store pays Rakuten a fee. Rakuten gives some of that fee back to you as cash. The store is happy. Rakuten is happy. You have more money in your pocket. Everyone wins.

How Does Rakuten Cashback Work

Here is the basic process, explained as simply as possible:

Step 1: Sign up for a free Rakuten account

Go to Rakuten.com (US/UK) and create a free account. It takes about two minutes. You just need your email address and a password. No credit card required.

Step 2: Find the store you want to shop at

Once you are logged in, search for the store inside Rakuten. You will see how much cashback that store is currently offering for example, ‘5% cashback at Nike’ or ‘8% cashback at Wayfair’.

Step 3: Click Shop Now to visit the store

This is the most important step. Click the Shop Now button on Rakuten to go to the store. This click tells Rakuten that you are going to shop there. Do not open the store in a separate tab always go through Rakuten.

Step 4: Shop and pay as normal

Browse the store, add items to your cart, apply any coupon code you have, and complete your purchase as you normally would. Rakuten works quietly in the background.

Step 5: Cashback is added to your account

After your purchase, Rakuten records the transaction and adds your cashback to your account. It shows as ‘pending’ at first, then ‘confirmed’ once the store verifies you kept the order and did not return it.

Step 6: Get paid every three months

Rakuten pays out cashback every quarter in January, April, July, and October. You can receive your money via PayPal or as a cheque in the post. No minimum withdrawal amount in most cases.

Remember: Step 3 is critical. You MUST click through to the store from inside Rakuten not by typing the store address yourself. If you visit the store directly without clicking through Rakuten first, your cashback will NOT be tracked and you will earn nothing.

How Much Cashback Does Rakuten Pay?

The cashback rate depends on which store you are shopping at. Here are some real examples of the kinds of rates Rakuten offers across popular store categories:

Store category	Typical Rakuten rate	On a $200 order	On a $500 order
Fashion & clothing	5%–12%	$10–$24 back	$25–$60 back
Home & furniture	3%–8%	$6–$16 back	$15–$40 back
Electronics	2%–5%	$4–$10 back	$10–$25 back
Beauty & skincare	5%–10%	$10–$20 back	$25–$50 back
Sports & fitness	4%–8%	$8–$16 back	$20–$40 back
Travel & hotels	2%–6%	$4–$12 back	$10–$30 back
Food & supplements	5%–12%	$10–$24 back	$25–$60 back
Pet supplies	5%–10%	$10–$20 back	$25–$50 back

Rates change regularly and Rakuten sometimes runs bonus events where rates double or triple for 24 to 48 hours. Checking the Rakuten homepage before any big purchase is worth doing to see if a bonus rate is currently active.

How to Install the Rakuten Browser Extension

Rakuten has a free browser extension that makes the whole process even easier. Instead of visiting Rakuten first and clicking through, the extension watches for supported stores as you browse and activates cashback automatically.

Here is how to install it:

1.    Open Google Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge.

2.    Search for ‘Rakuten browser extension’ or visit the Chrome Web Store.

3.    Click ‘Add to Chrome’ (or your browser name) and confirm the installation.

4.    Log in to your Rakuten account when the extension asks.

5.    A small Rakuten button will appear in your browser toolbar. When you visit a supported store, it will light up and offer to activate cashback with one click.

Why the extension helps: Without the extension, you have to remember to go to Rakuten.com first before every shopping trip. The extension reminds you automatically when you land on a store that offers cashback so you never miss earning by accident.

How to Combine Rakuten With Coupon Codes

This is where Rakuten gets really powerful. Rakuten cashback and coupon codes work at completely different stages of your purchase so they do not cancel each other out. You can use both on the same order.

Here is the order to do things:

.Find your coupon code first

Go to TheDiscountEmpire and search for a coupon code for the store you want to shop at. Copy the best available code and keep it ready.

Go to Rakuten and click through to the store

Find the store inside Rakuten and click Shop Now to visit it. This activates your cashback tracking.

Shop as normal and add items to your cart

Do not open new tabs or close the browser keep shopping in the same window.

Apply your coupon code at checkout

Paste the code into the discount code box. Your order total goes down.

Complete your purchase

Pay as normal. Rakuten calculates your cashback on the amount you actually paid after the coupon discount.

Real example: You buy a $150 jacket. A 20% coupon code from TheDiscountEmpire saves $30 so you pay $120. Rakuten pays 8% cashback on $120 = $9.60 back. Rewards card 2% on $120 = $2.40 back. Total saved: $42. That is 28% off the original price from three sources working together.

For the full guide on combining every available saving layer, our coupon stacking guide explains the exact process step by step.

8 Ways to Maximise Your Rakuten Cashback in 2026

1. Always Check the Current Rate Before You Shop

Rakuten rates change over time. A store that paid 4% last month might be paying 8% this month. Before any significant purchase, log in to Rakuten and check the current rate for that store. This takes 30 seconds and can double your cashback.

2. Look for Double Cashback Events

Rakuten regularly runs special promotions called Double Cashback events. During these events, usually tied to Black Friday, Cyber Monday, or specific holiday weekends the cashback rate at selected stores doubles for 24 to 48 hours. Sign up for Rakuten emails so you never miss these events.

3. Use Rakuten for Big Purchases Especially

Cashback is a percentage of what you spend. Small orders earn small amounts. But on a $600 sofa, a $300 laptop, or a $200 pair of trainers, even a 5% cashback rate returns $10 to $30. For large purchases especially, activating Rakuten before checkout is essential not optional.

4. Compare Rakuten Rates With Other Cashback Apps

Rakuten is not always the highest-paying cashback platform for every store. Before a big purchase, quickly check TopCashback (especially for UK shoppers) and see if it offers a better rate. Our best cashback apps 2026 guide shows you how the main platforms compare.

5. Stack Rakuten With the Honey Extension

Honey auto-applies coupon codes at checkout. Rakuten earns cashback on your purchase. These two tools do different jobs and can run at the same time. Honey handles code-finding automatically; Rakuten earns money back on what you pay. Together they cover both saving layers with minimal effort.

6. Do Not Use Incognito Mode or a VPN

Cashback tracking relies on browser cookies to record your purchase. Incognito mode blocks cookies. VPNs can interfere with tracking. Always shop in a normal browser window with your VPN turned off when using Rakuten. If tracking fails, your cashback is lost.

7. Check for Rakuten In-Store Cashback

Rakuten has expanded into in-store cashback in the US. You can link your credit or debit card to your Rakuten account and earn cashback automatically when you shop in physical stores at participating retailers no clicking required. Check the Rakuten app or website to see which stores participate near you.

8. Submit a Missing Cashback Claim If Something Goes Wrong

Sometimes cashback does not appear in your account even when you followed all the steps. This can happen if the tracking cookie was lost, if you had multiple browser tabs open, or if the retailer’s system had an issue. Every major cashback platform, including Rakuten, has a ‘Missing cashback’ claim form. Fill it in with your order number and date, and Rakuten will investigate. Most legitimate claims are approved within 30 days.

Why Is My Rakuten Cashback Pending?

After you complete a purchase, your cashback shows as ‘pending’ in your Rakuten account. This is normal. Here is what the different statuses mean:

Status	What it means	What to do
Pending	Rakuten has recorded your purchase but the store has not confirmed it yet	Nothing — just wait. This usually takes 7 to 30 days.
Confirmed	The store has verified your order and the cashback is approved	Nothing — Rakuten will pay this in your next quarterly payout.
Paid	Cashback has been sent to your PayPal or posted as a cheque	Check your PayPal or look for the cheque in the post.
Declined	The store rejected the cashback — usually because the item was returned or excluded	If the order was not returned, submit a missing cashback claim.
Not tracking	Your purchase was not recorded at all	Submit a missing cashback claim with your order details.

Rakuten vs TopCashback – Which Is Better?

The honest answer is that both are good and worth having. Here is a quick comparison so you can decide which to prioritise:

	Rakuten	TopCashback
Best region	US, UK, Canada, Australia	UK (strongest), some US
Average cashback rates	Strong across all categories	Often highest rates for UK stores
Payout method	PayPal or cheque	Bank transfer, PayPal, or gift cards
Payout frequency	Every quarter (4x per year)	Anytime once confirmed
Browser extension	Yes — activates automatically	Yes — activates automatically
Double cashback events	Yes — regular bonus events	Yes — occasional bonus events
Best for	US shoppers and general retail	UK shoppers and bills/insurance

For most US shoppers, Rakuten is the better starting point. For UK shoppers, TopCashback often has higher rates. The best approach is to sign up for both platforms and check which offers the higher rate before each significant purchase. It takes 60 seconds and can make a meaningful difference.

How Much Can Rakuten Save You in a Year?

Here is an honest estimate based on a regular online shopper spending $300 per month, using Rakuten consistently:

Category	Monthly spend	Rakuten rate	Monthly back	Yearly back
Fashion	$80	8%	$6.40	$76.80
Home goods	$60	5%	$3.00	$36.00
Electronics	$50	3%	$1.50	$18.00
Beauty	$50	8%	$4.00	$48.00
Food & other	$60	5%	$3.00	$36.00
TOTAL	$300	~6% avg	$17.90	$214.80

Bottom line: Over $214 back per year just from Rakuten on purchases you were going to make anyway. Add coupon codes from TheDiscountEmpire on top and the total saving easily reaches $500 to $700 per year from the same $300/month of spending.

Final Thoughts Start Using Rakuten Today

Rakuten is one of the simplest and most reliable ways to save money online in 2026. Sign up for free, click through to stores from inside Rakuten before you shop, and collect your cashback payout every three months.

The most important habit is the click. Before you visit any online store, open Rakuten first. One click activates your cashback. Skip that click and the money is gone you cannot claim it after the purchase is made.

Combine Rakuten with coupon codes from TheDiscountEmpire and a rewards card, and you have three independent savings running on every order, none of which conflict with the others.

Sign up at Rakuten.com today. Then bookmark TheDiscountEmpire for verified coupon codes. Together they cover the two biggest savings layers available to any online shopper in 2026.

FAQs

1. Is Rakuten cashback available on every product from a participating store?
No. Some products, brands, or categories may be excluded from cashback offers. Always review the cashback terms on the store’s Rakuten page before completing your purchase to confirm that your items qualify.

2. Can I earn Rakuten cashback when shopping on my phone?
Yes. You can earn cashback by shopping through the Rakuten mobile app or by activating cashback from a supported mobile browser. Just make sure cashback is activated before you place your order.

3. Does cancelling or returning an order affect my Rakuten cashback?
Yes. If you cancel an order or return eligible items, the associated cashback is usually removed or adjusted because the retailer no longer pays a commission on that purchase.

4. Are Rakuten cashback rates the same for every shopper?
Not always. Cashback rates can vary based on promotions, retailer offers, your location, or whether you are a new or existing Rakuten member. Checking the current offer before buying helps you get the best available rate.

5. Is Rakuten worth using for small online purchases?
Yes. While the cashback on a single low-cost order may be modest, frequent everyday purchases can add up over time. Consistently activating cashback on all eligible purchases can lead to meaningful annual savings.