Do you want to save money while shopping in your favourite stores? Do you also want to start earning Cash Back every time you shop? If your answer to these questions is yes, you can leverage the tremendous benefits Rakuten Canada offers.
There are several Cash Back websites, programs, and apps. It might seem complicated to distinguish the legitimate one from scam Cash Back programs. As one of the few legitimate and credible Cash Back websites available, Rakuten Canada rewards its members for shopping on its platform and other participating retail stores.
The question, however, is whether it is worth the effort and can you earn money for shopping online? The short answer is yes, and here’s how it works.
What is Rakuten?
Rakuten is an online and app-based Cash Back shopping service that rewards its users whenever they make a qualified purchase from any partner retail stores through Rakuten Canada’s online shopping portal.
A Quick Overview of Rakuten Canada
Rakuten is a Japanese-based eCommerce and online retailing company with a multinational presence and operations. Rakuten (formerly Ebates) has since 1997 helped transform the culture of online shopping. In 2014, Rakuten acquired Ebates to expand its member base and improve its user experience.
To date, the company claims to have grown to over 12 million members in the US and Canada who have earned over $12 billion in Cash Back. In Canada, more than $100 million have been paid to Canadians since 2012.
Rakuten Canada, as an online Cash Back shopping portal with headquarters in Ontario, lets its users earn Cash Back rewards on eligible purchases while shopping at their favourite retail stores.
With over 750 million partner retail stores and thousands of coupons, deals, and rebates, you can get Cash Back savings when you shop on the Rakuten Canada platform.
How Does Rakuten Work?
Rakuten uses a simple, straightforward, and well-known business model, which is similar to affiliate marketing. Rakuten earns commissions from partner retail stores for sending traffic in the form of referring its members to their online stores.
Rakuten advertises the deals, coupons, and other available promos offered by these retail stores to generate sales.
In exchange, the retail stores will pay a commission for sales generated through the Rakuten link (referral). As a result, when you shop and make purchases, Rakuten Canada splits and share that commission with you in the form of Cash Back.
To earn Cash Back on Rakuten Canada, you must be a member/user by joining the online army of shoppers.
How to Join Rakuten (Sign Up)
Rakuten Canada is free to use shopping platform. The sign-up process is easy and straightforward. You can register on the Rakuten Canada website with your email and a password of 8-12 characters. Enter the captcha code, agree to the terms of membership, and click on Join Now.
Alternatively, you can sign up with your existing Facebook and Apple ID accounts. You’ll earn a C$5 welcome bonus on sign up.
Note: Your $5 welcome bonus is credited to your Rakuten Canada account after your first purchase of $25 or more within 30 days of signing up.
How to Earn Cash Back On Purchases
As a registered member of Rakuten Canada, you’re one click away from earning your first Cash Back reward. Simply take a shopping trip by clicking on any of your favourite items or retailers (online or mobile app) to make a purchase.
Also, you can make use of the Rakuten Canada Google Chrome extension for faster and automatic Cash Back alerts at participating stores.
With every purchase at one of the partner stores, you’ll earn a Cash Back percentage about the deals and coupons on offer.
App, Tools, and Services
You can earn more Cash Back on Rakuten Canada through the following:
Rakuten Mobile App
Download the Rakuten App for iOS and Android to earn Cash Back anytime and anywhere with the latest deals, coupons, and app-exclusive offers on display.
Rakuten Button Extension
Install the Rakuten Button browser extension for automatic Cash Back and coupon activation on store sites.
Refer-A-Friend Program
Refer your friends and family members to Rakuten.ca and earn up to $25.
Rakuten Gift Card Shop
Earn Cash Back on over 100 dinings, grocery, movie, mall, and gas gift cards.
In-Store Purchases
Earn Cash Back when you shop in-store and link a credit card.
How to Get Paid On Rakuten Canada
You can get your Cash Back rewards through three available payout options.
PayPal
Rakuten Canada deposits your Cash Back in your verified PayPal account.
Big Fat Cheque
A cheque is directly mailed to your postal address. Rakuten Canada bears the cost of sending the cheque to you.
Amazon Electronic Gift Certificate
You can also redeem your Cash Back in the form of an Amazon.ca e-gift certificate through the redemption codes that will be sent to you via email.
When you shop online through Rakuten Canada, you can earn Cash Back by clicking on your favourite partner retail store. Rakuten will display the deals, coupons, and Cash Back offers available in each online store. The moment you finalize your purchases, the company will automatically credit your Rakuten account with the Cash Back percentage within 48 hours.
Every three months (quarterly), Rakuten Canada pays out the accumulated Cash Back to you via the payment method you have chosen in your account settings.
The payout schedule is as follows:
| Purchases Posted Between | Big Fat Cheque Sent |
| Jan 1 – Mar 31 | May 15 |
| April 1 – June 30 | Aug 15 |
| July 1 – Sept 30 | Nov 15 |
| Oct 1 – Dec 31 | Feb 15 |
Note: If you’ve earned less than $5.01 Cash Back, Rakuten will carry over your money to the next cheque date. Also, bonus rewards do not count towards the $5.01 minimum.
Rakuten Canada List of Stores (Partnership Retail Stores)
Rakuten Canada currently has over 750 retail stores where members can shop and earn up to 30 percent Cash Back on their purchases. Also, on the Rakuten US website, you have access to over 2500 stores of various products.
The following are some of the participating online retail stores available on the Rakuten Canada website:
- Old Navy
- Indigo
- Lenovo
- Ebay
- Hudson’s Bay
- TSC
- Dyson
- Sportchek
- Keurig
- GAP
- Aveda
- Rakuten Kobo
- SAIL
- Under Armour
- Clarins
- Nord VPN
- Levi’s
- Kiwico
- Skin Store
- Vichy
- Cafe Britt
- Pizza Pizza
- Shoppers Drug Mart
- Tim Hortons
- Idea Shape
- Uber Eats
- Fresh Co
- Roots
- Sephora
- Mastermind Toys
- The Home Depot
- Walmart
- Lululemon
- Staples
- Dell
- Altitude Sports
- Hello Fresh
- Air Canada Vacations
- Lumin
- HP
- SUZY
- WAZO
- Banana Republic, and more.
Deals, Coupons and Promotions
You can enjoy Cash Back on hot deals and juicy promos that are regularly on offer, including:
- Boxing week
- Black Friday week
- Cyber Monday
- Canada day
- Women’s deal
- Men’s deal
- Tech deals
- Holiday deals
- Flash sales, etc.
Rakuten Canada Pros
- It has an easy to use platform.
- The Rakuten Canada website is free to use with a simple sign-up process.
- Members have access to over 750 online retail stores.
Rakuten Canada Cons
- The payout schedule doesn’t allow for prompt payments.
- Not all products at participating retailers qualify for Cash Back.
- Cash Back values change from time to time.
Rakuten Customer Service and Support
Rakuten Canada provides several pre-answered topical questions that serve as guides and support for members of the website. These topics, together with the frequently asked questions (FAQs), cut across all aspects of the website to enhance user experience.
Besides, members of the platform can contact the Support Team through the Feedback form available on the site, especially about missing Cash Back.
Ease of Use
Rakuten Canada’s website and Mobile App has an intuitive and easy to navigate interface. Each section is divided into categories with unique colourful representation. Rakuten Canada has a simple sign up process. Besides, you can use the search box to find any store or coupons of your choice.
Is Rakuten Canada Worth it?
If you’re a regular online shopper, you’ll be amazed at how much Cash Back you can accumulate within a short period. Familiarise yourself with the website and retail stores to identify different products that you like. Make purchases and earn Cash Back to your Rakuten Canada account.
You can equally leverage the coupons, promo codes, and other weekly deals to earn more. Ensure that you go for what you’d typically purchase, not because there’s a rebate on the product. Within a short time, your accumulated rewards will be sent to your preferred payout channel.
Rakuten Canada FAQs
Is Rakuten legit?
Rakuten is legit and not a scam. You can earn Cash Back and get paid, depending on how regularly you shop online. To date, Rakuten Canada has paid over $100 million in Cash Back to its members.
Is Rakuten.ca available in multiple languages?
Yes, Rakuten.ca is currently available in English and French languages. The French version of Rakuten.ca can be accessed via the menu button to the right of the search bar on any Rakuten.ca page or under My Account in the Account Settings Page.
Is Rakuten App available for Apple devices?
The Rakuten mobile app is available for download on both Google Play and Apple Store for Android and iOS users.
Is the Rakuten App available in multiple languages?
Yes, the Rakuten app is currently available in English and French. To access the French version of the Rakuten app, go to the language settings on your device and change it to French.
How Does the Refer-A Friend Program Work?
Rakuten offers a reward to members for spreading the word about earning Cash Back. If you refer someone with your unique link (found on the refer-a-friend page) and the person makes a qualifying purchase, you can both earn a reward.
Is my Rakuten Canada account the same as my Rakuten.com account?
No. If you already have a Rakuten.com account, you can use the same email and password on Rakuten.ca, but they are two separate accounts on two independent sites. You can have an account on each site if you like.
