Earn $40 when you sign up for Rakuten, the shopping portal that keeps on giving back

Savvy shoppers and fans of cash back, rejoice! Rakuten — a shopping portal that offers varying amounts of cash back across tons of retailers, both online and in person — is currently bursting with killer deals.

If you’re new to Rakuten, use this referral link to sign up — you’ll get a $40 bonus when you spend $40, which is a solid offer considering Rakuten’s usual referral bonus nets you $30 instead of $40.

Once you’ve created your account, you can refer friends and family and get unlimited referral bonuses for every person who signs up.

Recent deals we’ve seen on Rakuten

Typically, you’ll find cash-back rates floating somewhere between 2% and 8% — while these rewards rates are solid, what you really want to keep an eye out for are the double-digit cash-back rates (especially when they hit 20% or more).

Recently, Rakuten has offered great deals, including:

20% cash back on Ulta purchases (valid Monday only)
20% cash back on PetSmart purchases (valid Tuesday only)
20% cash back on LG products (valid Wednesday only)

Check often, as the deals vary from hour to hour and day to day. Right now, there are offers for 10% cash back from a variety of retailers like Saks Fifth Avenue, Disney and Expedia.

I’ve got two pups at home, so I’m always scanning cash-back rates for pet retailers like PetSmart and Chewy. In fact, I’ve previously netted more than $30 in cash back from a single PetSmart transaction when Rakuten offered a whopping 25% cash-back rate.

My current lifetime cash-back Rakuten earnings are just shy of $300 — and that’s in a single year of membership. If you’re not using this portal while you shop online, you’re leaving money on the table.

Plus, the rewards don’t stop there. Depending on which method of payment you choose, you’re also primed to earn credit card points, miles or cash back on top of the Rakuten cash back you earn with every purchase.

And if you’re looking for ways to top off your American Express Membership Rewards points balance, Rakuten lets you earn this reward currency instead of cash back if that better suits your needs. So, instead of getting 15% cash back, you could earn 15 Membership Rewards points per dollar spent. That can yield a significantly higher value overall if you maximize the points with travel partners.

That’s one of TPG staffer Summer Hull’s favorite ways to use Rakuten.

The best credit cards for Rakuten purchases

Rakuten users will earn cash back in addition to any earnings on the credit card they swipe. At most merchants participating in these promotions, you’ll want to pay with a credit card that earns bonus points or miles on everyday purchases, such as:

Chase Freedom Flex®: Earn 5% back on up to $1,500 in quarterly rotating categories (that you must activate to benefit from)
Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express: Earn 3% cash back on online purchases from U.S. retailers (on the first $6,000 spent during a calendar year, then 1% cash back until the following year). Cash back is received as reward dollars that can be redeemed for statement credits or amazon.com checkout.
Citi Double Cash® Card: Earn 2% cash back on all purchases — 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases (see rates and fees).

One caveat is that you cannot make Amazon purchases via Rakuten — though you can optimize your Amazon purchases when you use your Prime Visa at checkout.

For additional options, see our favorite cards for online shopping.

Bottom line

Rakuten is truly the gift that keeps on giving — in addition to a sweet sign-up reward, members also get access to tons of cash-back deals from various retailers, including travel booking sites, restaurants and stores like Nordstrom Rack, Lowe’s, Macy’s and The North Face.

Whether you’re on the hunt for your next date night outfit, camping gear, skincare, pet treats, cleaning supplies, electronics, flower delivery services or toys, chances are, Rakuten is partnered with a retailer that’s got exactly what you need.

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