How to Get $50 Back When Planning Your Next Trip

I've been using Rakuten for years, mostly to get a little cash back on things I was going to buy anyway.Travel is one of the times I use it most. Before I book something or buy what I need for a trip, I check Rakuten to see whether the hotel, travel company or store I'm already planning to use is offering Cash Back.I don't usually write about cash back offers, but Rakuten is running the best referral bonus I've personally seen from them, so this one seemed worth sharing.

Right now, if you're new to Rakuten, sign up through my referral link and make at least $50 in qualifying Cash Back purchases within 90 days, you'll get a $50 bonus.

And full disclosure right up front: I get $50 too if you qualify.

The current $50 referral offer is available for new members who sign up by September 30, 2026.

You can sign up here:www.rakuten.com/r/MADICO2

or go to www.rakuten.com and use my referral code: MADICO2

How Does the $50 Rakuten Bonus Actually Work?

There are a few requirements, so I want to make this as clear as possible.

1. You need to be new to Rakuten.

This particular referral offer is for new Rakuten members.For the current promotion, you must reside and be located in one of the 50 U.S. states or Washington, D.C.

2. Sign up through my referral link.

Use my link when you create your Rakuten account so Rakuten can track the referral. www.rakuten.com/r/MADICO2

or go to www.rakuten.com and use my referral code: MADICO2

3. Make at least $50 in qualifying purchases within 90 days.

You don't have to spend $50 all at once.You can make one qualifying purchase or several qualifying purchases that add up to at least $50 within 90 days of joining.The important part is that the purchases have to earn Rakuten Cash Back. So this isn't simply a matter of spending $50 online. You need to start your shopping through Rakuten and purchase from a participating store or company offering Cash Back.

4. Start your shopping through Rakuten.

You can use the Rakuten website, app or browser extension.Find the store or company you want to use, activate the Cash Back offer and Rakuten will send you to its regular website.Then shop like you normally would.You're still buying directly from the store or travel company. Rakuten is tracking that you started your shopping trip through them so you can earn the available Cash Back.

5. Rakuten verifies your purchases.

The $50 bonus isn't instant.Rakuten first has to confirm that your purchases qualify for Cash Back. Returns, cancellations and exchanges can affect whether a purchase counts toward the $50 requirement.Once your qualifying purchases have been confirmed and you've met the referral requirements, the $50 bonus is added to your Rakuten Cash Back and included with an upcoming Cash Back payment.

Why I Use Rakuten for Travel

Before a trip, there are usually quite a few things I'm going to spend money on anyway.A hotel. Something I need for the trip. Clothes or shoes. Maybe luggage or another travel purchase.I check Rakuten first.If the company or store I'm already planning to use is there, I activate the Cash Back and then make the purchase I was going to make anyway.That's really it.I'm not choosing a more expensive hotel because it happens to be on Rakuten or buying another suitcase because I can get a little money back.I use Rakuten after I've decided what I need, not as a reason to spend money.And that's exactly how I would approach this $50 offer.

The $50 Bonus Is on Top of Regular Cash Back

The referral bonus doesn't replace the normal Cash Back you can earn from qualifying purchases.Participating stores and travel companies offer their own Cash Back rates, and those rates can change.So while you're making the purchases needed to qualify for the $50 bonus, you can also earn whatever regular Cash Back is being offered on those purchases.And after the one-time referral bonus is over, you can keep using Rakuten whenever somewhere you're already shopping is offering Cash Back.Those smaller amounts adding up over time are the reason I've continued using it for years.And although travel is when I tend to notice Rakuten most, it's not limited to travel. There are participating stores across clothing, beauty, home, electronics, gifts and plenty of other categories.

One Thing I Wouldn't Do

Don't spend $50 on things you don't need just to get a $50 bonus.Seriously.This makes sense if you're already planning a trip, booking something or have other shopping coming up during the next 90 days.If you're spending the money anyway, you might as well check whether you can get some of it back.If you weren't already going to spend the money, keep your $50.

The Short Version

If you're new to Rakuten:Sign up through my referral link by September 30, 2026. Make at least $50 total in qualifying Cash Back purchases within 90 days of joining. That can be one purchase or several.Your purchases have to earn Rakuten Cash Back.Once the requirements are met and the purchases are confirmed, you get a $50 bonus.I get $50 too. If you already have shopping or travel expenses coming up, you can sign up here:

www.rakuten.com/r/MADICO2

or go to www.rakuten.com and use my referral code: MADICO2

Once you've joined, just get in the habit of checking Rakuten before you book or buy something. That's how I've always used it. Nothing fancy. Just a little money back on things I was going to pay for anyway.

Referral disclosure: I'm a Rakuten member and this post contains my personal referral link. If you sign up through it and complete the qualifying requirements, you'll receive the promotional bonus and I'll receive referral bonus too. There is no additional cost to you for using my referral link.Offer terms and eligibility are determined by Rakuten and may be changed or cancelled by Rakuten.