Rakuten Review And Demo (How to Earn Thousands of Extra Points)

What is Rakuten?

Rakuten is a free shopping portal that offers users a way to earn cashback or American Express Membership Rewards points on purchases from thousands of popular retailers. Acting as a bridge between the shopper and retailer, Rakuten operates by redirecting users to their desired online stores, where they can complete their purchases at the same prices they’d find by visiting the store directly. By simply opting to shop through Rakuten, users can accumulate rewards on everyday purchases, with the added benefit of earning American Express points instead of cash if they choose.

Why Use Rakuten for Earning Points?

As stated, one standout feature of Rakuten is the ability to earn American Express Membership Rewards points instead of traditional cashback. Typically, these points accumulate at the same rate as cashback, meaning that if a retailer offers 10% cashback through Rakuten, users can instead earn 10 Membership Rewards points per dollar spent. This flexibility makes Rakuten an efficient and user-friendly way to add up points on day-to-day purchases, whether shopping for essentials or splurging on occasional indulgences.

For example, purchasing a $45 item through Rakuten with a 10% cashback rate would earn 450 Membership Rewards points instead of $4.50. These points can quickly add up, especially for those who frequently make purchases from Rakuten’s extensive list of partner stores.

Getting Started with Rakuten

1. Create an Account: To start using Rakuten, users first need to create a free Rakuten account. Rakuten often has a referral program where new users can earn bonus rewards, such as $30 cashback (or 3,000 Membership Rewards points) after making their first purchase of $30 or more.

2. Choose Reward Type: Once the account is set up, navigate to “Account Settings” and select how rewards should be earned. Users can choose the American Express option to earn points rather than cash, a choice that can later be changed back to cashback if preferred.

3. Shop Through Rakuten: After selecting the reward preference, users can begin shopping through Rakuten by either browsing the Rakuten website or using the Chrome extension, which alerts users to cashback or points opportunities without needing to visit Rakuten’s site every time (this is the way to go!).

4. Quarterly Payouts: Rakuten transfers earned points once every quarter to the linked American Express account, making it easy to enjoy a periodic influx of rewards without additional steps.

Stacking Rewards for Maximum Points

One of the main benefits of using Rakuten is the ability to stack rewards. When purchases are made through Rakuten, shoppers can earn points on top of any points or cashback their payment card offers. For example, a purchase of $45 through Rakuten with a rate of 10% would yield 450 Membership Rewards points, and paying with a credit card that earns 2 points per dollar would add an additional 90 points, totaling 540 points on that single transaction.

Even further, many credit cards, especially those from American Express, offer special deals and discounts that can be combined with Rakuten rewards. For instance, if a cardholder activates an American Express offer for an additional discount at a store available on Rakuten, they can receive both the Amex offer and the Rakuten points, effectively multiplying the reward value on a single transaction.

Important Tips to Avoid Overspending

Rakuten’s ability to stack offers and rewards can be an enticing way to maximize Membership Rewards points. But, remember to avoid making unnecessary purchases solely for the sake of earning points. The key to using Rakuten effectively lies in sticking to purchases that would have been made anyway. Overspending can reduce the value of rewards earned, so keeping purchases in line with personal budgets is crucial.

The Rakuten Chrome Extension

For those who want a seamless shopping experience, the Rakuten Chrome extension is a helpful tool. The extension automatically activates available offers whenever users visit a partnered store, making it easy to earn points without manually visiting Rakuten first. This setup can make earning rewards more passive, helping you accumulate points effortlessly on everyday purchases.

The Bottom Line

Rakuten is an effective and free tool for anyone looking to earn Membership Rewards points without any changes to shopping habits. From its straightforward setup to the ability to stack rewards with existing credit card benefits, Rakuten offers users a simple, powerful way to boost their points balance on routine purchases. Whether saving up for a travel redemption or just looking to get the most out of everyday spending, Rakuten is an essential tool in any rewards strategy (and something the Daily Drop personally loves).