If you’re looking for a one-stop shop that offers all your online shopping needs and lets you earn cashback, Rakuten Canada is the platform for you.
Rakuten Canada is an online platform that offers cashback rewards when you shop from your favourite stores. With thousands of trusted retailers and millions of products at your fingertips, Rakuten Canada has become one of Canada’s favourite cashback sites.
This Rakuten Canada review will explore everything that Rakuten offers, its pros and cons, safety, referral bonuses, and how to start earning cashback when you shop.
What is Rakuten Canada?
Originally founded as Ebates Inc. in 1998 by two deputy district attorneys in the US, Rakuten has grown widely since it expanded to Canada in 2012.
The company now has over 5 million members in Canada. They are also present in China and South Korea.
Today, Rakuten Canada users can access over 2,500 retailers and earn higher cash back from shopping from their favourite stores. You can access over 750 Canadian retailers and earn up to 30% cashback, plus over 10,000 coupons for even greater savings.
Some popular brands include Nike, eBay, Ulta, Walmart, Sephora, Nordstrom, Macy’s, Groupon, Kohl’s, Aeropostale, Ace Hardware, Cabela’s, Target, Barney’s, Justice, Turbotax, etc.
How does Rakuten Work in Canada?
Rakuten Canada directs traffic to major stores in Canada and advertises the coupons and deals these stores offer. In return, Rakuten gets paid for the sales generated for the stores.
Stores have products for sale, and Ratuken advertises the product. They receive a commission from the stores if they facilitate the product’s sale. Through this affiliate marketing, Rakuten Canada earns a commission from any eligible purchase from its partner brands.
Rakuten Canada gets paid for sending businesses to participating stores and shares some of its commission with its users. Rakuten has paid out over $1 billion as cashback to its members.
When you shop online, visit Rakuten and search the stores you want to buy from; if the store partners with Rakuten, their cashback offering will be displayed.
Click on the store, and you will be directed to the store’s website to make your purchases. Rakuten currently partners with over 750 stores in Canada and over 2,500 stores on the US website.
Your account will be credited with cashback in less than 48 hours when you make a purchase. Your cashback accumulates in your account and is paid out every three months. The payout schedule is as follows:
Purchases Duration | Big Fat Cheque Sent |
Jan 1 - Mar 31 | May 15 |
Apr 1 - Jun 30 | Aug 15 |
July 1 - Sep 30 | Nov 15 |
Oct 1 - Dec 31 | Feb 15 |
Benefits and Downsides of Rakuten
Pros
- Free Signup
- Earn 30%cashback to shop
- Offers access to more than 2,500 partner stores (750 stores in Canada)
- Earn a $30 bonus by referring your friends and family to Rakuten
- It can be accessed from your desktop, laptop, or mobile phone
Cons
- Only Quarterly Payment
- Rakuten lures people to make more purchases for cashback
- Most Rakuten partner stores exclude some products for cashback
- Permanently Disable Your Account Without Notice
Is Rakuten Canada Worth It?
If you are a Canadian resident and do lots of shopping online, and your favourite stores are partners with Rakuten, you would find Rakuten Canada worthwhile.
For example, if you shop from Hudson’s bay, which offers 7.5% cashback, a $200 purchase can get you $15 cashback. This reward can add up to some serious savings.
Also, Rakuten advertises coupon codes and other discounts from participating stores. You can compare with what’s available on their website for the best savings possible.
How To Sign Up For Rakuten Canada
Signing up for Rakuten is easy. You can get started by using your Facebook account or entering your email address and password.
As a Canadian, you can get a $5 bonus when you sign up. You can become a member of Rakuten U.S. if you make online purchases from US-based stores. Your Canada and US accounts will track your cashback separately.
When your signup is complete, you can access the Rakuten website anytime to purchase items online from your favourite stores through your smartphone, tablet or desktop.
How To Get Paid on Rakuten Canada
When your sign-up is complete, you can start shopping and receive cashback. You have three options for getting paid on Rakuten Canada:
- Big Fat Cheque: You can have your cheque mailed to your postal address
- PayPal: You can have your cashback deposited in your PayPal account
- Charity: You can send your cashback to any charity of your choice. You can even send your cashback to friends and family members.
Is Rakuten Legit?
Yes, Rakuten Canada is legit.
Rakuten is certified by TRUSTe and Payment Card Industry Security Standards Council (PCI).
Furthermore, the platform has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBC). This is in addition to its clear terms and conditions detailing how your information is used.
In addition to the daily testing by McAfee security, Rakuten doesn’t require you to make a payment before accessing its service. This is a top sign of a legit site.
Rakuten Referral Program
Aside from earning cashback from purchasing items at participating stores, you can also earn money (Bonus Rewards) by referring friends and family to Rakuten.
You can find your referral link on the website after you signup. Forward the link to the person, and they can use it to signup.
For the current Rakuten promotional offer, you can earn up to $30 for each person that joins Rakuten using your referral link and completes their first online purchase.
Rakuten vs. PC Money Account
PC Money Account is a digital banking platform offered by President’s Choice Financial, a subsidiary of Loblaw Companies Limited. PC Money Account offers a no-fee chequing account and a rewards program that allows users to earn points on purchases made with their debit card. These points can be redeemed for free groceries at participating stores.
Rakuten and PC Money have their own unique advantages. Rakuten offers a lucrative cash-back rewards program that can help users save money on their online purchases. In contrast, PC Money Account offers a no-fee chequing account and a rewards program to help users save money on everyday purchases.
If you are an avid online shopper and want to earn cash-back rewards on your purchases, Rakuten may be the better choice. On the other hand, PC Money Account may be the better option if you are looking for a no-fee chequing account and want to earn rewards on your everyday purchases.
> Read our PC Money Account review
Final Thoughts on Rakuten Canada Review
Rakuten Canada is worth considering if you are an online shopper looking for a platform that offers cashback on purchases.
With over 2,500 partner stores, access to thousands of coupons and deals, and a referral program, Rakuten has become a popular cashback site for Canadians.
Although it has some downsides, such as quarterly payouts and store exclusions, the platform is legit and offers a secure shopping experience.
Signing up is easy, and you can get started with a $5 bonus. So, start earning cashback on your online purchases and save some money with Rakuten Canada. This Rakuten Canada review is positive, and I recommend it to anyone looking to save on purchases.
FAQs on Rakuten Canada Review
Does Rakuten Work in Canada?
Yes. Rakuten works in Canada through Rakuten.ca. On this site, all the stores are shipped to Canada. You can also use Rakuten.com to shop, but you must verify that the store will ship your purchase to Canada.
Is Rakuten a Ripoff?
A company that partners with over 2,500 stores and pays over $1 billion cashback to its users is not a scam.
Does Rakuten Give You Money?
Yes. Rakuten gives you money in the form of cashback for making purchases through its over 2,500 partner stores.
If you have more questions about this Rakuten Canada review, let me know in the comment section.
