
Rakuten promotions run all year long, but their $40 sign up bonus comes around only once per year. I’ll break down details on how to nab this Rakuten offer, as well as what to expect when cashing out your rewards.
About Rakuten
If you’re buying anything online, then you need Rakuten. Otherwise, it’s like throwing away free money.
Rakuten is a rebate website that rewards you in real cash for shopping at over 2,500 retail stores and brands. Cash back rewards range as high as 40% on regular Rakuten offers, though go as high as 80% on their daily deals promotions.
Rakuten app – Use the Rakuten mobile app to earn rewards on your online shopping. Simply download the app to get started.
Rakuten extension – If you prefer shopping from your desktop, then the Rakuten coupon extension will nab you the best cash back deals online.
Get the nitty gritty details on all things Rakuten in my Rakuten review.
Rakuten $40 Sign-Up Bonus

Around the busy holiday season between mid-October though early December, new Rakuten members can sign up and earn a $40 welcome bonus. This is a significant increase from the typical $10 sign up bonus Rakuten promotes during the rest of the year.
Claiming your Rakuten $40 Welcome Bonus
In order to take advantage of this special Rakuten promotion, simply follow the steps below.
- You must be a new Rakuten member
- Join using an invite referral link (you can use my link here)
- Shop your favorite stores on Rakuten
- Make your first purchase of $40 or more within 90 days to qualify for the $40 Welcome Bonus
If you’re reading this outside of the special Rakuten promotional period, then you’ll still be able to earn a higher reward bonus using this referral link, then joining without it.

Other Rakuten Promotions
In addition to a welcome sign up bonus, you’ll have an opportunity to earn money for anyone you refer to Rakuten with your unique referral link. This Rakuten promotion is available for all new and current active members.
Rakuten $40 Referral Offer
The Rakuten $40 referral offer will reward you $40 per referral who joins Rakuten through your referral link. If you have a spouse or partner, they can join with your special link. Doing so will earn you $40 and it will also earn your partner $40.
When you add the $40 bonus you’ll earn when signing up with this link here, you’re looking at $120 in free money between you and your partner! That's certainly an amount that can help ease pain from all the holiday spending.


The Fine Print
Below are further important details to know about the Rakuten $40 referral bonus offer.
- Referrals must be new Rakuten members
- Your referral must sign up using your referral link
- There is no limit to how many referral bonuses you can earn
- You can expect to receive your referral bonus within 60 days of your referral’s qualifying purchase
- If you refer more than 10 people in a single calendar quarter, you’ll be eligible for additional Rakuten benefits and earnings.
- Rakuten has the right to suspend or terminate the refer-a-friend program at their own discretion
For more information on the program, check out the Rakuten referral terms page.
How to Cash Out
Once you’ve reached the minimum threshold of $5.01, you can cash out your Rakuten rewards. You can choose to have a paycheck mailed to you, or have the money sent to your Paypal account.
You can also enroll in the American Express program that allows you to shop Rakuten to earn Membership Rewards points on eligible purchases. 1% cash back is equal to 1 additional point for every $1 spent through Rakuten.
Rakuten Promotions Conclusion
This Rakuten promotion is available for a limited time and only during the holiday season. Make sure to take advantage of this Rakuten offer to earn more cash back rewards than ever before!
If you’re looking for other ways to save, then read how the Fluz app can help you earn more money when paired with Rakuten.
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