How to Save Big on Travel Deals with Rakuten: Your Ultimate Guide
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So, you’re planning your next trip and looking for ways to save money on flights, hotels, rental cars, and all those fun extras. If you haven’t been using Rakuten yet, you’re missing out! Rakuten offers easy cashback on tons of travel purchases – and it’s super simple to get started. Let’s break down how you can maximize your savings on travel products and get the most out of every dollar you spend.
First things first, you’ll need a Rakuten account. If you don’t have one yet, head over to Rakuten’s website or download the app on your phone. Signing up is free, and it only takes a couple of minutes. Here’s a little insider tip: Rakuten usually offers a welcome bonus if you sign up through a referral link. So, if you know someone who uses Rakuten, ask them for their referral link and score a bonus on your first purchase!
The Rakuten browser extension is a game-changer for snagging deals! Once installed, this little tool will alert you whenever you’re on a site that offers cashback through Rakuten. For example, if you’re browsing travel sites like Expedia, Priceline, or Hotels.com, the extension will pop up and remind you to activate cashback. This is especially handy if you’re someone who forgets about these deals once you start comparing prices.
Now, let’s get into the fun part: finding deals! Head over to Rakuten’s website and check out the Travel category under Stores. Rakuten partners with tons of popular travel brands like Booking.com, Marriott, and even rental car services like Hertz. You can see the cashback rates, which are usually listed as a percentage (e.g., “3% cashback on hotels” or “5% cashback on flights”). These rates change often, so make a habit of checking Rakuten whenever you’re booking a trip to ensure you’re getting the best deal.
Rakuten doesn’t just offer cashback; they also list promo codes that can save you even more. For example, you might find a code for “10% off hotels” or “$50 off a flight.” Before you book anything, click into the travel site on Rakuten to see if they have any additional promo codes available. Just add the code at checkout on the booking site, and you’ll get both the discount and cashback from Rakuten. Score!
You can earn cashback on nearly all types of travel bookings, which is awesome for covering everything you’ll need on your trip. Need a flight? Rakuten partners with airlines and travel sites like Expedia and CheapOair, so you’re covered. Looking for a hotel? There are tons of options here too. And don’t forget the car rental! Many top rental agencies work with Rakuten to offer cashback on their services. You’re pretty much set to save on every part of your trip.
Here’s a pro tip for those who use a travel rewards credit card: you can stack Rakuten cashback with your credit card points or miles. Let’s say you’re earning 2x miles on travel purchases with your credit card – well, you’ll still get those miles plus Rakuten cashback. It’s like getting double rewards on the same purchase!
Like most things in life, timing matters. Cashback rates on Rakuten change, especially during holiday seasons or Rakuten’s special cashback events (like their birthday sale or Black Friday). If you’ve got some flexibility with your travel plans, try to wait for a higher cashback rate to maximize your savings. Even waiting a day or two could land you better deals on your travel bookings.
Rakuten’s referral program is a great way to earn a little extra cashback on the side. For every friend who signs up with your link and makes a qualifying purchase, you’ll get a bonus. Once your friends start planning their trips, they can save, and you’ll earn a little extra too. It’s a win-win!
Once you’ve accumulated some cashback, it’s time to enjoy the fruits of your travel planning skills! Rakuten lets you cash out via PayPal or check, and they send payments every quarter. You don’t have to do anything special – Rakuten will automatically transfer your earnings once you reach their minimum payout threshold.
Saving money on travel with Rakuten is easy, whether you’re looking for flights, hotels, or car rentals. By combining cashback, promo codes, and credit card rewards, you can stretch your travel budget way further. Next time you’re planning a trip, make Rakuten your first stop, and watch the savings pile up. Safe travels and happy saving!
1. Set Up a Rakuten Account (It’s Free!)
First things first, you’ll need a Rakuten account. If you don’t have one yet, head over to Rakuten’s website or download the app on your phone. Signing up is free, and it only takes a couple of minutes. Here’s a little insider tip: Rakuten usually offers a welcome bonus if you sign up through a referral link. So, if you know someone who uses Rakuten, ask them for their referral link and score a bonus on your first purchase!
2. Install the Rakuten Browser Extension
The Rakuten browser extension is a game-changer for snagging deals! Once installed, this little tool will alert you whenever you’re on a site that offers cashback through Rakuten. For example, if you’re browsing travel sites like Expedia, Priceline, or Hotels.com, the extension will pop up and remind you to activate cashback. This is especially handy if you’re someone who forgets about these deals once you start comparing prices.
3. Check for Travel Deals and Cashback Offers
Now, let’s get into the fun part: finding deals! Head over to Rakuten’s website and check out the Travel category under Stores. Rakuten partners with tons of popular travel brands like Booking.com, Marriott, and even rental car services like Hertz. You can see the cashback rates, which are usually listed as a percentage (e.g., “3% cashback on hotels” or “5% cashback on flights”). These rates change often, so make a habit of checking Rakuten whenever you’re booking a trip to ensure you’re getting the best deal.
4. Double Up on Savings with Coupons and Promos
Rakuten doesn’t just offer cashback; they also list promo codes that can save you even more. For example, you might find a code for “10% off hotels” or “$50 off a flight.” Before you book anything, click into the travel site on Rakuten to see if they have any additional promo codes available. Just add the code at checkout on the booking site, and you’ll get both the discount and cashback from Rakuten. Score!
5. Use Rakuten for Flights, Hotels, and Car Rentals
You can earn cashback on nearly all types of travel bookings, which is awesome for covering everything you’ll need on your trip. Need a flight? Rakuten partners with airlines and travel sites like Expedia and CheapOair, so you’re covered. Looking for a hotel? There are tons of options here too. And don’t forget the car rental! Many top rental agencies work with Rakuten to offer cashback on their services. You’re pretty much set to save on every part of your trip.
6. Stack Your Rakuten Rewards with Credit Card Points
Here’s a pro tip for those who use a travel rewards credit card: you can stack Rakuten cashback with your credit card points or miles. Let’s say you’re earning 2x miles on travel purchases with your credit card – well, you’ll still get those miles plus Rakuten cashback. It’s like getting double rewards on the same purchase!
7. Plan and Time Your Purchases
Like most things in life, timing matters. Cashback rates on Rakuten change, especially during holiday seasons or Rakuten’s special cashback events (like their birthday sale or Black Friday). If you’ve got some flexibility with your travel plans, try to wait for a higher cashback rate to maximize your savings. Even waiting a day or two could land you better deals on your travel bookings.
8. Refer Friends to Earn Even More
Rakuten’s referral program is a great way to earn a little extra cashback on the side. For every friend who signs up with your link and makes a qualifying purchase, you’ll get a bonus. Once your friends start planning their trips, they can save, and you’ll earn a little extra too. It’s a win-win!
9. Cash Out Your Earnings and Enjoy!
Once you’ve accumulated some cashback, it’s time to enjoy the fruits of your travel planning skills! Rakuten lets you cash out via PayPal or check, and they send payments every quarter. You don’t have to do anything special – Rakuten will automatically transfer your earnings once you reach their minimum payout threshold.
In a Nutshell…
Saving money on travel with Rakuten is easy, whether you’re looking for flights, hotels, or car rentals. By combining cashback, promo codes, and credit card rewards, you can stretch your travel budget way further. Next time you’re planning a trip, make Rakuten your first stop, and watch the savings pile up. Safe travels and happy saving!