How can we help?

How do I redeem Cash Back for an e-gift card?

Open the Rakuten iOS App to redeem any time before the next payment date. You need a minimum of $5 confirmed Cash Back. Choose your e-gift card and complete the steps to redeem your Cash Back. We’ll send your e-gift card to the email address associated with your Rakuten account within 48 hours. Learn more

What e-gift cards do you offer?

You can choose from e-gift cards at top stores including Grubhub, Ulta Beauty and more! Explore all e-gift cards in the Rakuten iOS App.

How long does it take for my e-gift card to arrive?

You’ll receive your e-gift card via email within 48 hours after redeeming at the email address associated with your Rakuten account.

You’ll also receive a confirmation email immediately after redeeming with your order number, date, amount and other details for reference if you encounter any problems.

Be sure to save both emails for future reference!

My e-gift card never arrived. What should I do?

Your e-gift card will be sent to the email address associated with your Rakuten account. Be sure to check your Spam folder.

If it’s been longer than 48 hours and you still haven’t received your e-gift card, contact us.

There was an issue redeeming my Cash Back. What should I do?

Sorry to hear that. Try redeeming again in a few hours. If you’re still having trouble, contact us.

Where can I find my e-gift card?

Your e-gift card details will be sent to the email address connected to your Rakuten account. Open the email to access your e-gift card number and instructions for using it. Can’t find it? Contact us.

How do I use my e-gift card?

Open the email with your e-gift card. Select See Card Details, then enter the e-gift card number and pin (if needed) at checkout. Be sure to save a copy of your e-gift card so you can access it later.

You can use your e-gift card to pay when you shop online or in-store. To use in store, open the e-gift card email and select See Card Details to open a barcode that can be scanned in store.

Can I cancel my e-gift card order?

Once you redeem your Cash Back for an e-gift card, we are unable to cancel your request. Double check to make sure that your email address and all other details are correct before redeeming.

I earn American Express Membership Rewards® points. Can I redeem points for e-gift cards?

At this time, members who earn in points are not eligible to redeem for e-gift cards.

I don’t have the Rakuten iOS app. Can I still redeem my Cash Back for e-gift cards?

Currently, redemption is only available on the Rakuten iOS app. We hope to make it available for the Rakuten Android app and Rakuten.com soon!

Is this available for all Rakuten members?

Right now, only select members can redeem their Cash Back for e-gift cards, based on their shopping history and Cash Back balance. If you aren’t seeing the option to redeem your Cash Back in your Rakuten iOS App now, check back again soon!

Why Didn’t I Earn Cash Back on my full purchase when using a Gift Card?

Walmart, Fanatics, and Best Buy don’t allow Cash Back on the portion of the purchase made with a gift card. For example, if you get a $20 gift card and use it when purchasing a $100 item, you’ll still receive Cash Back on $80 of your purchase.

To get paid, make sure you:

1. Add your address. We use your mailing address to verify your identity (even if you’re getting paid via PayPal or American Express Membership Rewards® Points). On our website, you can add your address in Account Settings. If you’re using the App, go to Account then Choose How You Get Paid.

2. Earn at least $5.01. You need minimum confirmed earnings of $5.01 Cash Back before the next payment date to get paid. Cash Back must be confirmed by the store before the payment date to be included in your payment. If your Cash Back Balance is $5.00 or less, it will carry over to the next payment date.

Getting Paid

You’ll be paid for any confirmed Cash Back, bonuses and other rewards via the payment method you selected (check, PayPal or American Express Membership Rewards® points) every three months. Pending Cash Back will remain in your account until it becomes confirmed.

Rakuten Payment Dates:

• February 15
• May 15
• August 15
• November 15

How long does it take for pending Cash Back to be confirmed?

Once the store sends us your order details, your Cash Back will be pending. It will be added to your confirmed balance and included in your next payment, unless we receive new information from the store.

Online and in-store Cash Back is usually confirmed within 20 to 100 days after your purchase. Cash Back on dining will be confirmed within 20 to 25 days after you dine.

Travel Cash Back is typically confirmed within 45 to 120 days after completing your booking.

Bonuses usually depend on an order and will be confirmed at the same time as the Cash Back. Your refer-a-friend bonuses will be confirmed once your friend makes a purchase and their Cash Back is confirmed.

Remember, your Cash Back, bonuses and other rewards need to be confirmed by the payment date to be included.

Want to track your next Cash Back payment? Track My Big Fat Check

There are two ways to receive your Cash Back payments:

• Big Fat Check
• PayPal payment

Either method you choose is completely free. Payments are sent every three months on our payment schedule. 

Big Fat Check

If you opt for a Big Fat Check, you will receive a check issued to the name and address in your Account Settings (or “Choose How to Get Paid” in the App).

PayPal

Payments can be sent to the PayPal account of your choice. You’ll be asked for verification when you select this method or update your PayPal email address. For more information about PayPal verification, please visit PayPal.

If you choose to receive a PayPal payment, your payment will be issued to the account associated with the PayPal email address in your Account Settings (or “Choose How to Get Paid” in the App).

Track My Payment

Many banks offer a feature to deposit your Big Fat Check without going to the ATM or the branch. The feature can be found in most banking apps for mobile phones. Here are the steps you would need to follow:

1. Install your bank’s mobile app on your phone, if you haven’t already.
2. Find the mobile deposit feature.
3. Take a picture of the front and back of your check when prompted to do so in their app. You will need to detach the top part of the check and endorse it.

For more information about mobile deposit of your Big Fat Check, please see our blog post on this topic.

It’s important to us that you receive your payments. We realize that it is possible for checks to not make it to the right delivery address or to become somehow destroyed, and we’re here to help. If your Big Fat Check is ever missing, lost, destroyed or expired, we are happy to issue a replacement.

In addition, while our Big Fat Checks are valid for 90 days, we also have an additional 90-day grace period. So each of our checks is actually valid for 180 days (or 6 months) from the issue date.

Please Contact Member Services to tell us about your lost, missing, expired or damaged check.

As of June 2024, Cash Back for Change has been discontinued. Thanks to your generosity, we donated over $90,000 to partner nonprofits and helped make a difference in the lives of others.

Starting with the August 15, 2024 payment, your change will no longer automatically be donated and you will receive your full confirmed Cash Back balance.

You can support brands that give to important causes here.

Questions? Contact Us