Does Rakuten Work with Amazon? How to Earn Cashback on Eligible Purchases

EllieB

Picture earning cash back on almost everything you buy online—it feels like a win-win, doesn’t it? Rakuten has become a favorite for savvy shoppers looking to save while they spend, offering rewards on purchases from countless retailers. But what about Amazon, the giant of e-commerce? With its vast selection and competitive prices, you might wonder if these two powerhouses team up to boost your savings even further.

What Is Rakuten?

Rakuten is a leading cashback platform that rewards you for shopping online at participating stores. It partners with thousands of retailers across various industries, enabling you to earn money back on everyday purchases.

How Rakuten Works

Rakuten operates by partnering with brands and earning a commission when you purchase through its links. A portion of this commission is then shared with you as cashback. After creating an account, you can browse deals, click affiliate links to shop, and receive cashback in your account once the transaction is verified.

For example, if you’re buying electronics from Best Buy via Rakuten’s platform, you’ll earn a percentage of the total purchase amount as cashback. Payments are issued quarterly through PayPal or checks.

Benefits Of Using Rakuten

Using Rakuten provides several advantages:

1. Cashback Rewards: Earn up to 40% in cashback at select stores like Walmart and Macy’s.
2. Wide Retail Network: Access deals from over 3,500 partnered retailers.
3. Sign-Up Bonus: Receive bonuses like $30 when joining and meeting spending requirements.
4. Seasonal Promotions: Enjoy increased cashback rates during holiday sales events.
5. Browser Extension & Mobile App: Simplify shopping and automatically find savings with these tools.

These features make it easier to maximize savings while handling routine online purchases efficiently.

Does Rakuten Work With Amazon?

Rakuten collaborates with numerous retailers to offer cashback rewards, but its partnership with Amazon is unique. While many shoppers expect seamless integration, the collaboration has specific conditions.

Rakuten’s Partnership With Amazon

Amazon’s affiliation with Rakuten focuses on select categories rather than a full-site partnership. Unlike other retailers partnering across all products, Amazon limits cashback opportunities to specific departments like clothing, beauty, and home essentials. Electronics or gift cards don’t typically qualify for cashback through Rakuten.

This selective approach reflects Amazon’s strategy of maintaining control over promotional incentives while still leveraging Rakuten for targeted customer engagement. You can find eligible categories listed on the Rakuten platform or app under Amazon’s store page.

Cashback Availability For Amazon Purchases

Cashback availability depends on both product eligibility and purchase method. To earn cashback from eligible items at Amazon, you need to activate a shopping session through either the Rakuten website or browser extension before completing checkout. Orders made directly on Amazon without linking from Rakuten won’t generate rewards.

For example, if you’re purchasing household goods that fall under an approved category via a properly initiated session, you’ll receive cashback based on the percentage specified by Rakuten for that category during your transaction period.

Steps To Use Rakuten With Amazon

Using Rakuten with Amazon enables you to earn cashback on eligible purchases by following a few simple steps. Focus on maximizing savings by understanding product eligibility and leveraging Rakuten’s tools.

Account Setup And Linking

Create a free account on Rakuten’s platform. Provide your email, set up a password, and complete the sign-up process. Once registered, log in to your account via the website or mobile app.

Search for “Amazon” in the search bar within Rakuten’s interface. If eligible categories are available, click on the specific deal link to activate it before shopping on Amazon. Ensure you’re logged into both accounts during this process.

Finding Amazon-Compatible Deals

Navigate to the “Stores” section of Rakuten’s site or app and select Amazon from the list of retailers. Cashback offers will be listed under supported categories such as clothing, beauty items, and home essentials. Review each category carefully to confirm eligibility before proceeding.

For example, if purchasing skincare products under Beauty & Personal Care is included in cashback deals but electronics are excluded that month, focus your purchase plan accordingly.

Tips For Maximizing Rewards

Activate deals through Rakuten immediately before adding items to your cart on Amazon; only items purchased during an active session qualify for rewards. Use the browser extension for desktop shopping—it highlights available cashback offers automatically when browsing Amazon’s site.

Limitations And Considerations

Rakuten’s collaboration with Amazon provides opportunities for savings, but there are constraints you should understand to fully benefit from the platform.

Restrictions With Amazon Purchases

Eligibility for cashback on Amazon is limited to specific categories. For instance, purchases in clothing, beauty products, and home essentials often qualify, while electronics or books typically do not. Before shopping, check Rakuten’s website or app to confirm eligible product categories.

Cashback rates may vary by category. For example, one category might offer 3% cashback while another offers none. If you’re buying multiple items across different categories, some of those items might not earn any rewards.

Shopping sessions must be activated through Rakuten before checkout on Amazon. Forgetting this step disqualifies your purchase from earning cashback. Also, switching tabs or leaving the session disrupts tracking and prevents rewards.

Amazon gift cards and subscriptions don’t qualify for cashback under Rakuten’s terms. These exclusions mean that even frequent shoppers might hit barriers when trying to maximize savings.

Common Issues Users Face

Users often report missed cashback due to tracking errors during shopping sessions. Ad blockers can interfere with tracking cookies used by Rakuten; disabling them ensures accurate transaction logging.

Mobile app complications arise when users navigate away from Rakuten before completing their purchase on Amazon’s app or mobile browser. To avoid losing rewards mid-process, complete transactions within a single session without interruptions.

Misunderstanding eligibility criteria leads many users to expect cashback on ineligible items like groceries or digital products. Carefully reviewing listed restrictions avoids disappointment after a purchase.

Delayed reward processing frustrates some users who expect immediate payouts. Cashback credits typically appear in accounts within days but withdrawals are only available quarterly once reaching a minimum threshold (e.g., $5).

Alternatives To Rakuten For Amazon Shopping

Several platforms provide cashback or rewards for shopping on Amazon, complementing or replacing Rakuten’s services. These alternatives offer unique features and potential savings.

1. Honey

Honey’s browser extension automatically applies coupon codes at checkout and earns you “Gold” points for purchases made through its links, redeemable for gift cards, including Amazon credits. Unlike Rakuten, Honey emphasizes discounts over direct cashback.

1. TopCashback

TopCashback offers higher cashback rates by passing 100% of retailer commissions to users. It supports select Amazon categories like furniture and home essentials, mirroring Rakuten’s limitations but potentially providing greater rewards for eligible items.

1. Ibotta

Ibotta focuses on grocery items but includes certain Amazon categories through its mobile app. By scanning receipts or linking accounts, you can earn cashback on specific products listed in the app’s offers section.

1. Swagbucks

Swagbucks lets you earn points (SB) via online shopping, surveys, and watching videos. Redeem these points as PayPal cash or Amazon gift cards after making qualified purchases through their portal.

1. Capital One Shopping

This tool compares prices across retailers while searching for promo codes to lower your costs instantly on Amazon purchases. Though it lacks direct cashback options like Rakuten, it helps maximize value by identifying the lowest prices available.

Each platform has distinct advantages depending on your preferences and shopping habits. Comparing their benefits ensures you’re optimizing savings when purchasing from Amazon without solely relying on Rakuten’s limited compatibility with the site’s categories or products.

Conclusion

Rakuten offers a simple way to earn cashback on your online purchases, but its compatibility with Amazon has certain limitations. While you can benefit from cashback in select categories, understanding the restrictions and properly activating deals is key to maximizing rewards. Exploring alternative platforms alongside Rakuten can further enhance your savings when shopping on Amazon. By staying informed and using the right tools, you can make the most of every purchase.