Cyber Monday has become one of the most anticipated shopping events of the year, especially for those who prefer to do their shopping online. It’s the perfect opportunity to snag great deals on a wide range of products, from electronics to clothing to home goods. And if you start your online shopping at big-name retailers via Rakuten, you can get an even better deal with 10-20% cash back on top of the already great discounts.
Rakuten, formerly known as Ebates, is one of the best online shopping portals available. It partners with hundreds of retailers, both big and small, to offer cash back on eligible purchases. All you have to do is start your shopping journey at Rakuten and click through to the retailer’s website from there. Rakuten will track your purchase and reward you with cash back, which can be redeemed as a check or via PayPal.
But the benefits of Rakuten don’t stop there. If you join Rakuten today through November 30th, you can earn an increased $40 one-time bonus by spending at least $40 within 90 days at retailers like Walmart, Target, Marriott, Saks, Home Depot, Nordstrom, Instacart, and many others. This increased referral offer is set to expire on Thursday, November 30th, so it’s a great time to take advantage of this opportunity.
Existing Rakuten members can also participate in this offer by referring a friend. If the new member joins and meets the spending requirements, both the existing member and the new member will earn $40. It’s a win-win situation for both parties.
What sets Rakuten apart from other cash-back portals is its flexibility. While cash back is the default option, you can also choose to earn American Express Membership Rewards points instead. This is especially beneficial if you’re a frequent traveler and want to use your rewards for flights, hotels, or other travel-related expenses. However, it’s important to note that the one-time bonus for signing up today will be $40, regardless of whether you choose cash back or Amex points.
Normally, Rakuten offers $25 to $30 for each referral, with no earning limit as long as the new member spends the required amount. However, joining without a referral usually only grants a one-time bonus of $10. With this increased bonus offer, it’s a great opportunity to earn a bonus and share the benefits with your friends and family.
If you’re new to Rakuten, here’s a brief overview of how it works. Rakuten links marketing agreements with individual retailers, who then pay Rakuten commissions on purchases that originate from the site. Rakuten then passes a portion of those commissions on to the customer. It’s a win-win-win for the retailer, Rakuten, and the customer.
To make things even easier, you can download the Rakuten plug-in for your browser. This plug-in will notify you if there’s a rebate available when you visit a retailer’s website. It simplifies the process of earning rewards for your online shopping.
It’s important to note that going through Rakuten for your online purchases may mean sacrificing higher rewards through airline shopping portals. If there are any bonus offers through those sites, you may want to consider using them instead. However, given the current referral offer, Rakuten could be a better option for maximizing your rewards.
When it comes to choosing a credit card to use for your online purchases, pay close attention to any potential bonus categories. However, a card that offers solid value for everyday purchases is always a good choice. Any cash back or Amex points you earn through Rakuten will come in addition to the earnings on your credit card. You may even be able to stack an Amex Offer or Chase Offer at select merchants, so be sure to check those to avoid leaving money on the table.
For example, if you have The Platinum Card from American Express, you can enjoy up to $100 in statement credits at Saks every calendar year. Since Amex applies these credits on the back end, you should still earn the cash back or bonus Amex points on the full subtotal of your purchase by starting at Rakuten and clicking through to Saks.
In conclusion, Cyber Monday is an excellent day for online shopping, and Rakuten makes it even better with its cash-back offers. If you join Rakuten today through November 30th, you can earn a $40 one-time bonus by spending at least $40 within 90 days at various retailers. Existing members can also participate by referring a friend. Rakuten offers flexibility by allowing you to choose between cash back and American Express Membership Rewards points. With its wide range of partner retailers and easy-to-use plug-in, Rakuten is a must-have for online shoppers. So don’t miss out on this opportunity to earn bonus cash back or Amex points on your online shopping purchases.