As many others comment on the great customer service, I agree 100%. I have been a long-time member and Rakuten has always addressed my concerns promptly and honestly. The rebate checks are always se... See more
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I've been a member for years, prior to the current name being Rakuten. I won't shop any major online retailer without going through Rakuten! I get my rebate check every 3 months as scheduled when I us... See more
BEWARE: This Apps is a scamming app! They are using your orders & receipts to claim the cash back from the company & will come up with weird excuses not to pay your portions! For the first few trips... See more
Easy to use with browser reminders & an awesome C/S response team. Your going to shop & buy on line anyway, why no just use the Rakuten browser extention to save & get a few extra bucks back for d... See more
Company details
- #6 of 12 best companies in Cashback Provider
- #3 of 7 best companies in Coupon Service
About Rakuten.com (USA)
Written by the company
What is Rakuten Rewards?
Rakuten Rewards is a Cash Back website that pays users for shopping at select stores. We are one of the biggest Cash Back companies in the world, and we have been making the e-shopping experience more enjoyable since 1997. We have over 10,000 employees, over 17 million U.S. members, and over $3.7 billion distributed in Cash Back, making us an established, trusted program on the e-commerce scene. Rakuten headquarters is located in Tokyo.
How does Rakuten work?
Getting Cash Back rewards from Rakuten is easy. Simply sign up for a free account, and then start shopping on the Rakuten website, through the Rakuten app, or by downloading the Rakuten browser extension. Money gets added to your Cash Back balance when you shop at an affiliate store. You can then get paid via PayPal or check. If it seems too good to be true, here’s how it works: Companies in Rakuten’s affiliate network pay us commissions whenever one of our members shops with them, and we share those commissions with you as Cash Back.
How is Rakuten different?
The word “rakuten” means “optimism” in Japanese. It's a word that defines the way Rakuten operates, from the opportunities we provide our members to the brands we affiliate with. We are different because we want to make spending money a more rewarding experience for all our members. Membership is completely free and there’s no limit to how much money you can earn in Cash Back. There are also no rebate forms you need to mail in and there’s no complicated points system that hides how much money you’ve actually earned. We do as we promise and pay you in cash, which is why Rakuten is a global leader on the e-commerce scene.
What stores can you shop at?
Many stores and companies are part of the Rakuten affiliate network, from big-box stores such as Target and Walmart to websites such as Hotels.com and Upwork.com. Rakuten is expanding to all sorts of businesses so you can make money while eating at restaurants, planning trips, and fixing your car. Download the browser extension, Rakuten Cash Back Button, if you want to stay up to date on all the stores you can earn Cash Back with. It will highlight available offers in search results and alert you to store sites that are part of the affiliate network.
When will I get Cash Back?
Rakuten members get their earned Cash Back every three months. Stores will verify with us that the order was complete when you purchase with them, which can take a few hours to a few days, depending on the store. Once the purchase is verified, we’ll let you know Cash Back has been added to your account. Any order that’s still pending on payday will be added to the next payment cycle.
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Contact info
800 Concar Dr, 94402, San Mateo, United States
- 415 908 2200
- memberservices@rakuten.com
- www.rakuten.com
Rakuten
4.5
Excellent
33K reviews
Replied to 48% of negative reviews
Typically replies within 1 week
Very poor and frustrating customer…
Very poor and frustrating customer service.
The platform is difficult to deal with.
There is no credibility.
You do not truly represent Japan.
Date of experience: July 06, 2025
BEWARE: Rakuten is a scamming Apps!
BEWARE:
This Apps is a scamming app! They are using your orders & receipts to claim the cash back from the company & will come up with weird excuses not to pay your portions! For the first few trips, they will give your portion of the cash back to make the Apps look legitimate! Then, they will ask you for the receipt and order details. After receiving the requested receipts, they will come up with fishy excuses not to pay you.
In reality, they are claiming cash back using your order number & receipts, keeping the whole cash back for themselves & never paying the customers.
Date of experience: May 04, 2025
Don't use this site
Don't use this site. In short, they are just collecting data on you and not giving you anything. It used to be a great site, but now they are just a bait-and-switch. They lure you in with generous but illusory cash back offers and then deem almost all of the purchases as ineligible after you complete the purchase, even if your purchase doesn't fall within the listed exclusions.
Date of experience: June 30, 2025
Terrible experience — no cashback and poor customer support
I placed two Lightbox Jewelry orders through Rakuten yesterday morning, expecting 3.5% cashback as advertised. However, Rakuten failed to track both purchases.
When I attempted to manually add the orders later in the day, I found that Lightbox Jewelry had been completely removed from Rakuten’s site — no store page, no link, nothing. I contacted customer support multiple times, but the responses were vague, unhelpful, and ultimately useless.
This experience reflects poorly on Rakuten’s reliability and integrity. Removing a store without warning right after a promotion, then refusing to honor cashback, is unacceptable. Very disappointed.
Date of experience: June 26, 2025
Reply from Rakuten.com (USA)
Hi there - We're sorry to hear you didn't receive your Lightbox Cash Back. While Lightbox is no longer on Rakuten, your eligible purchases can still earn Cash Back at the time when it was on Rakuten. Please email us at socialhelp@rakuten.com with your order confirmations and we'll take a look.
Review: Still missing $10 Welcome Bonus (not Cash Back Boost)
Review:
I signed up for Rakuten as a new user through their mobile app, expecting the widely advertised $10 Welcome Bonus for first-time purchases. Nowhere during the registration process was it clearly stated that this bonus only applies if you register through a specific promotional link.
No warning. No message. Nothing.
I reached out to support — and instead of helping, they responded with generic info about a temporary 10% Cash Back Boost (which has nothing to do with the promised welcome reward). They completely ignored my actual question.
This feels incredibly misleading. Rakuten actively promotes this $10 bonus to attract new users but hides the fine print.
It’s a bait-and-switch tactic — and it’s honestly disappointing.
I was ready to make a purchase, but now I’m reconsidering whether I want to use this service at all. It’s not about the $10 — it’s about trust.
Date of experience: June 27, 2025
Excellent Service
As a Rakuten Affiliate, I somehow went to the fast support request for Affiliates Window on Rakuten Support. I know that a minute of a reply can be automatic for a 1st Support Request. However, follow-up Replies take 4-20 hours on Rakuten Support for a Rakuten Employee to respond, which is exceptional Service right now. I would recommend Rakuten to anyone who is looking to get Cashback on Rakuten.
Date of experience: June 13, 2025
You sent me several email addresses
You sent me several email addresses. I had money only on 1 account. I did not receive a cent on the other account. You closed this account absolutely unfairly. This is a scam!!!
Date of experience: June 10, 2025
As many others comment on the great…
As many others comment on the great customer service, I agree 100%. I have been a long-time member and Rakuten has always addressed my concerns promptly and honestly. The rebate checks are always sent, without requesting the check, or jumping through hoops. I highly recommend checking Rakuten before purchasing, as many companies participate with the cash back program.
Date of experience: June 07, 2025
RAKUTEN SCAM
They straight out lied and said I could make money on there site said I only had a 30 one time reset fee then it went to 75 I paid that then they wanted another172 dollars to move forward and since I didn’t have it was out 110 bucks . So much for making money SCAM
Date of experience: June 02, 2025
🥶🥶🥶Liars
🥶🥶🥶Liars, scammers, don't trust them. They will try to collect money and then block you.
Date of experience: June 01, 2025
Reply from Rakuten.com (USA)
Hi there - For an order to be eligible for Cash Back, they must be placed by the Rakuten member and not anyone else. We reserve the right to withhold, deny or cancel any bonuses and/or rewards and/or terminate your account if Company, in its sole discretion, deems any bonus and/or reward as fraudulent, abusive, unethical, suspicious or otherwise inconsistent with the General Terms and Conditions or any other applicable law or regulation.
If you think our systems have made an error and would like our customer service team to take a second look, please email us the details socialhelp@rakuten.com.
A fraudulent network with influential…
A fraudulent network with influential patrons
Date of experience: June 01, 2025
I use to love Rakuten but....
I use to love Rakuten, however the company just recently changed how you are able to get cash back. Now, if you use a discount/coupon code that is not provided by Rakuten (which it's a rarity if they provide a code), they will not give you cash back. The companies run sales all of the time. This should be illegal and Rakuten should be ashamed of themselves for no longer giving cash back if you use military, new customer, spend a certain amount and receive "x" amount of dollars back, and the list goes on. I will not longer be using their app any longer and will share with friends and family of their recent changes.
Date of experience: May 04, 2025
SCAM
I claimed my cashback, and here Rakuten answer: "We have found a number of accounts in violation of our program terms related to yours. Due to the abuse of our program, our risk department has ended membership for all related accounts."
But I have only 1 account I have used for 2 years. I'm pretty familiar with cashback terms, so I never violate or abuse system.
People, AVOID Rakuten! This will happen with you sooner or later.
Date of experience: May 25, 2025
Reply from Rakuten.com (USA)
Hi there - At Rakuten we are very proud of the generous incentives we offer to people who refer new members. These referral incentives are awarded for new members who have never signed up before and who do their own shopping through Rakuten. Our automated systems try to prevent us from paying referral bonuses which do not meet this criteria. If you think our systems have made an error and would like our customer service team to take a second look, please email us the details to socialhelp@rakuten.com.
Saves me money
Saves me money! I really appreciate the Rakuten app it allows me to save extra money on stores that I frequently shop. I always shop through the Rakuten App. I really appreciate receiving the money that I save quarterly.
Date of experience: May 22, 2025
Danger❗️This is a scam company
Danger❗️This is a scam company. If you make a large amount of money, they will immediately take it and block your account.
Date of experience: May 18, 2025
Reply from Rakuten.com (USA)
Hi there - For an order to be eligible for Cash Back, they must be placed by the Rakuten member and not anyone else. We reserve the right to withhold, deny or cancel any bonuses and/or rewards and/or terminate your account if Company, in its sole discretion, deems any bonus and/or reward as fraudulent, abusive, unethical, suspicious or otherwise inconsistent with the General Terms and Conditions or any other applicable law or regulation. If you think our systems have made an error and would like our customer service team to take a second look, please email us the details socialhelp@rakuten.com.
Empty promises
I was to receive a 10% refund from hotels dot.com got nothing after spending $500 and a 12% from Priceline.com which I spent $1200 but got $2. This isn't the first time at empty promises. Kakuten uses these refunds to get you to buy but are just empty promises. I'm done. I received a "big fat check" for $27 when it should have been around $200. If you file a complaint you just get the run around.
Date of experience: May 22, 2025
Reply from Rakuten.com (USA)
Hi there - We're sorry to hear you're not receiving Hotels.com Cash Back. Please send your confirmation to socialhelp@rakuten.com and we'll be happy to take a look.
We apologize for any confusion regarding our rates. Please note that Priceline only offers $2 for Flights. These rates and amounts are found on their Rakuten page and shown in the app after clicking Shop Now.
Membership is worth it …
I’ve been a member for years and usually don’t have any reason to write comments. Why? Because I’m happy when I get a check or credit for shopping I would have done with or without Rakuten. So getting cash back is awesome! I tried the new feature recently - get a gift card. Well, the email unfortunately went to junk mail and I didn’t see it. I inquired and got an almost immediate response. It was caring and I was able to locate my gift card. As insensitive as online shopping can be, I was happy to feel listened to, and rewarded!
Date of experience: May 14, 2025
Rakuten refused to pay back a 15%…
Rakuten refused to pay back a 15% cashback offer, despite the fact I followed all the correct steps to trigger the cashback before checking out. When I reached out to customer support they simply refused to pay and listed 6 “possible reasons” why they won’t pay. None of the 6 were relevant to my situation. What a scammy way to get out of honoring your cash back offer. Rakuten should stand by their offers. I will never trust this brand again. I don’t know who the completion is for cash back but I will soon.
Date of experience: May 16, 2025
Reply from Rakuten.com (USA)
Hi Louis - We're sorry to hear that you didn't receive your Cash Back. We'd be happy to look into it and see what the issue is again. Please send us an email at socialhelp@rakuten.com and we'll take another look.
Do not use this company
Do not use this company. They used to be good when they were ebates. Now, they’re horrible. They deemed so many of my purchases ineligible even though they were done under their guidelines. They probably pocket any money they get and don’t pay out. Also, good luck getting in touch with them. They have no phone number or chat. You have to submit requests where you essentially get back automated responses. Won’t be using them anymore.
Date of experience: December 17, 2024
Rakuten is a scam now! Avoid!
I've been using Rakuten for years. But lately I've found out since last year they were scamming me. I haven't been checking since I'm always busy. I just found out today when I received a $6 payout so I checked and sadly most of my confirmed cashbacks from Macy's and all of my purchases from Temu went to $0 or they tag it ineligible. In fact after every purchases in a month I always get an email with my confirmed cashbacks. There's no way to get them again the process is really hard, also no live customer service can help you or you can talk with. I'm done with Rakuten! I still have screenshots of my cashbacks and how they went to 0!
Date of experience: April 30, 2025
Reply from Rakuten.com (USA)
Hi April - We're sorry to hear that your purchases were deemed ineligible. We'd be happy to investigate and see what the issue is with your Cash Back.
Please email us at socialhelp@rakuten.com and we'll assist you right away.
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