One of TPG’s favorite online shopping portals has just announced the best offer for new members ever: If you join Rakuten by September 30 through the referral link and then spend at least $50 at a qualified retailer within 90 days of becoming a member, you and your referral will take home a one-time bonus of $50.
If you are not familiar with Rakuten, you can start shopping online there and then go on to many popular businessmen like Walmart, Target, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Lowe’s.
Joining without a recommendation usually only gets a one-time bonus of $10, so it’s worth using the referral link to access the bigger bonus to get started. The common recommendation bonus is $30, and we have seen a $40 offer in the past. However, this is the first time it’s hitting $50 – so if you’re not a member, now is your chance to get the best bonus this site has ever made.
When you use it, Rakuten also offers some increased revenue rates for every dollar spent by many popular brands, making it a great time to start shopping online rewards.
Read more: How to Buy Bonus Cashback or Amex Points on Online Shopping on Rakuten
Overview of Rakuten
Rakuten is an online shopping portal that works with hundreds of online retailers, from home brands like Target and Nike to small businessmen like Gorjana.
By starting a purchase in Rakuten and clicking on the Merchant from there, you will take home cash or American Express membership bonus points for every eligible purchase – in addition to the income you use to purchase on the reward credit card.
You can even download the Rakuten plugin to make things easier. After installing this feature, you just need to go directly to the merchant’s website. The browser extension will then inform you if there is a cash return, such as the following example from Macy’s (the cash refund rate may have changed since this screenshot):
This friendly reminder simplifies your online shopping rewards.
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You might be wondering that all of this is possible. Rakuten entered into a marketing agreement with individual retailers, where the purchase committee began paying the website commission. Rakuten then passes a portion of these commissions to the client. The retailer gets extra business, and you and Rakuten enjoy these purchase cuts, which is a win-win for all parties.
To join a new member and earn grabs with a $50 bonus, visit this link and complete the online tips by September 30.
If you are a member who wants to recommend a friend, just log in to your Rakuten account and click the “Reference and Earn” button in the top line. You can choose to email your friends or share your referral link via another route, although note that a $50 referral bonus may not be available for all accounts.
Related: Get free points and miles, recommend friends to loyalty programs and credit cards
How to make the most of rakuten
Although Rakuten is advertised as a cashback portal, you can boost your rewards by shifting your income preferences to American Express membership bonus points.
In the example above, you will bring home 5 Amex points for every dollar spent at Macy’s. Since the September 2025 valuation, the PEG AMEX points are 2 cents (this option can provide higher returns on your online purchases thanks to the transfer partner and valuable redemption option.
However, the rewards for new members who join through the referral link are usually only cash back. You can link the membership bonus account after joining, but the one-time bonus will be paid in cash (after eligible purchase). That is, if a friend or family member joins (and completes the expenditure requirement) through your referral link, you turn your income preference to Amex points, and you will receive reward points based on any referral quotes at the time, rather than cash back.
Please note that making online purchases through Rakuten can mean sacrificing higher rewards you can earn through things like airline shopping portals, especially if there are any rewards through these sites. Using the shopping portal collector to compare the money-making rate is always a good idea.
Related: How I Get Nearly 30,000 Amex Member Reward Points with the Help of Rakuten
Which credit card should I use?
If you are buying online, keep an eye on any potential bonus categories. However, the best option is probably to use a card that provides reliable value for everyday purchases, such as:
Remember that in addition to the income on the card, you can also get any cash back points or Amex points brought home through Rakuten. You can even stack AMEX offers or chase offers in some merchants, so be sure to check these products first to avoid leaving money on the table.
For example, holder American Express Platinum Card® Up to $100 statement credits per calendar year are available on SAKS Fifth Avenue (up to $50 from January to June and another $50 from July to December; registration is required).
Since AMEX uses these points on the backend when purchasing (rather than through the promo code), you should still earn cashback or bonus AMEX points by starting with Rakuten and clicking SAKS.
Related: Airline and Hotel Catering Rewards Program: Which is the best for you?
Bottom line
Using an online shopping portal like Rakuten can help you get rewards on your online purchases and provide the best rewards for new members, and now is the best time to sign up for Rakuten (or recommend your friends and family). However, this lifted offer will only last a few weeks, so don’t miss it – join Rakuten today.
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