Last updated on March 28th, 2026
Are you familiar with Rakuten, the online shopping app that gives you cash back when you make a purchase?
Did you know you can use Rakuten to book travel?
Well, you can! It’s a good way to reduce rising travel costs.
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Rakuten returns a portion of what you spent back to you after you make and “fulfill” a purchase. (More on fulfillment later, as it determines when you get your cash back for hotel and other travel-related bookings.) Your up-front cost is the same, but down the road you’ll get some cash back.
I’m not much of a shopper, so I didn’t think Rakuten was something I would use. However, a friend convinced me to try it, and I’m glad she did.
I’ve used Rakuten over the past couple of years now, and using it really does make a difference. You only get back a relatively small percentage of what you spend, but if you were going to spend that money anyway, you are definitely coming out ahead. (I got $300 back after last summer’s travels, so that was nice.)
How Rakuten works
Once you sign up for a FREE Rakuten account, you can sign in to make online purchases that give you cash back. You can set it to notify you that a business participates in Rakuten as you surf the web, or you can log in and search right from the Rakuten website. (Tip: Set it to tag sites that participate in the program as you search. It’s way easier than searching from Rakuten’s website, and that way you’ll see what is and isn’t eligible on Google and other search sites.) You can use it the same way on an iPhone, or you can use the app. HOWEVER, if you are on an Android phone or tablet, the ONLY way to get a Rakuten discount is through the app.
Join using this affiliate link and spend at least $50 on purchases of any type within 90 days to get both your regular Rakuten cash back AND an extra $50! (And I also get $50.) The most recent offer is $50, but it can change. Usually, we can still get at least an extra $30 back if you make a $30 purchase within 90 days of joining.
Usually people use Rakuten to buy clothes, electronics, home furnishings, and other goods online through major brands and retailers, but you can also use it on purchases made through Groupon, eBay, and similar sites.
And it’s a great way to get cash back for travel! And not just for buying a new suitcase or backpack. I almost only use it for travel booked on my computer, but I try to book all my rental cars and most hotels (fewer hotels now that Hilton doesn’t directly participate anymore – although you can still get cash back if you buy points) on sites that participate in Rakuten. That earned me over $200 in cash back last month for travel in the previous month. So, it is worth using.
Use Rakuten for travel bookings
Use Rakuten for travel by booking with participating companies. These range from familiar third-party booking sites to hotel chains, car rental companies, and even Princess Cruises! Independent travelers will find plenty of options that offer cash back through Rakuten. There are fewer advantages for travelers who like package tours, as there aren’t many tour companies in the program.
Participating travel businesses currently include:
- Third-party booking sites like Expedia, Hotels.com, Booking.com, and more.
- Hotel chains like Agoda, Best Western, IHG, and many more at all price points. (Marriott is listed, but seldom has a Rakuten discount.) Rakuten lets you get some of your booking cost back without missing out on hotel points like you would if you booked through a third-party site like Expedia. Marriott, and others will even give you cash back if you need to buy hotel points for a special occasion or to reach a certain level.
- Rental car companies, including Sixt and the third-party booking site RentalCars.com. Even my favorites, Alamo and Enterprise, are now part of the program.
- Most of the big cruise companies are here too. Not that I’m into big cruises. (I saw some cool things on my cruise, but big ships aren’t my thing.) But I won’t judge you if you are — especially if you can score some cash back.
- A few tour companies are in the program, although Gate 1 (which I’ve used for a couple of tours and a very pleasant spring tulip river cruise) now only has a coupon discount.
- Third-party tour aggregator Viator participates, although GetYourGuide doesn’t seem to.
- Lots of third-party cheap flight sites, which I don’t recommend because they won’t be there for you if something goes wrong.
This list changes frequently, so even if a company wasn’t on it a few months ago, it might be now.
Most businesses give 4% or less back, but some offer more. Sometimes much more as special deals. But even Hotel.com’s 1% back is better than nothing if you are booking anyway. That’s especially true if you can get both merchant points or discounts and Rakuten cash back. For example, book a hotel and rental car through Expedia and get the points/discount you earn through Expedia’s program AND cash back through Rakuten. On a bigger purchase, that can add up to real money.
But you have to wait to see your cash
Keep in mind that, like points programs for hotels and airlines, you won’t see your cash back until after you’ve completed your trip. That’s what the fulfillment requirement is all about.
And, because Rakuten pays out quarterly, you may still have to wait a few months after completing your travel to see your cash. But it will show up eventually!
Join now!
Start using Rakuten for travel (and more) now.
Join using this affiliate link and spend at least $50 on purchases of any type within 90 days to get both your regular Rakuten cash back AND an extra $50! (And I also get $50.) Note that these promotions change all the time, but seem to always be at least $30 back on a $30 purchase within 90 days of joining.
