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® (see rates and fees): 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 and 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 (see rates and fees) 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.
Related reading:
- How to maximize shopping portals for your online purchases
- How to earn bonus cash back or Amex points on your online shopping purchases with Rakuten
- Quick Points: Supercharge your Rakuten earnings with Amex points
- The best credit cards for online shopping
- How to earn more points and maximize elite status benefits by double dipping
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
- Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
- Ability to earn MQDs through spending
- Various statement credits for eligible purchases
Cons
- Steep annual fee of $650
- Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
- Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees