Rakuten offering 3x Amex points, cash back for Memorial Day at select stores
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![a person sitting at a table in front of a window](https://r.search.yahoo.com/_ylt=AwrXgiNzcbNghTwAtVrQtDMD;_ylu=Y29sbwNncTEEcG9zAzIEdnRpZAMEc2VjA3Ny/RV=2/RE=1622401523/RO=10/RU=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.msn.com%2Fen-us%2Fmoney%2Fother%2Frakuten-offering-3x-amex-points-cash-back-for-memorial-day-at-select-stores%2Far-AAKw4RP/RK=2/{"default":{"load":"default","w":"80","h":"60","src":"//img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/BB1g7fdt.img?h=600&w=799&m=6&q=60&o=f&l=f&x=933&y=596"},"size3column":{"load":"default","w":"62","h":"47","src":"//img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/BB1g7fdt.img?h=468&w=624&m=6&q=60&o=f&l=f&x=933&y=596"},"size2column":{"load":"default","w":"62","h":"47","src":"//img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/BB1g7fdt.img?h=468&w=624&m=6&q=60&o=f&l=f&x=933&y=596"}})
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Popular online shopping portal Rakuten has a Memorial Day promotion offering a generous 3x (or more) the ordinary cash back or Amex points rate on purchases at participating retailers.
Heading to your favorite retailer’s website first without doing this one small step to your online shopping plan is equivalent to leaving free points or cash on the table.
Rakuten — formerly known as Ebates — allows you to select either cash back or American Express Membership Rewards points when you shop online. If you’re looking to take advantage of Rakuten’s holiday weekend promo (or simply looking to make the most of your online purchases), now could be a great time to get ahead of your upcoming summer purchases.
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What you need to know
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(Screenshot courtesy of Rakuten)
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The promotion runs from today through Monday and features 84 retailers on the sale page for in-store and online purchases. Stores are offering 3% – 22.5% cash back (or 3x – 22.5x Amex points). Noteworthy retailers that are offering a nice return rate on purchases are:
- Forever 21 15%
- New Balance Factory Store 12%
- Michaels 10%
- Adidas 9%
- Dell 8% (stack with Amex Biz Platinum Dell credit and Dell Rewards)
- Macy’s 6%
- Nike at 6%
- Banana Republic 6%
© The Points Guy
(Screenshot courtesy of Rakuten)
![graphical user interface, application: (Screenshot courtesy of Rakuten)](https://r.search.yahoo.com/_ylt=AwrXgiNzcbNghTwAtVrQtDMD;_ylu=Y29sbwNncTEEcG9zAzIEdnRpZAMEc2VjA3Ny/RV=2/RE=1622401523/RO=10/RU=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.msn.com%2Fen-us%2Fmoney%2Fother%2Frakuten-offering-3x-amex-points-cash-back-for-memorial-day-at-select-stores%2Far-AAKw4RP/RK=2/{"default":{"load":"default","w":"80","h":"38","src":"//img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/AAKvXSo.img?h=380&w=799&m=6&q=60&o=f&l=f&x=1485&y=185"},"size3column":{"load":"default","w":"62","h":"30","src":"//img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/AAKvXSo.img?h=297&w=624&m=6&q=60&o=f&l=f&x=1485&y=185"},"size2column":{"load":"default","w":"62","h":"30","src":"//img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/AAKvXSo.img?h=297&w=624&m=6&q=60&o=f&l=f&x=1485&y=185"}})
In 2019, Rakuten added the ability to earn American Express Membership Rewards instead of cash back, proving lucrative as TPG values Amex points at 2 cents each, effectively doubling the cash back rate Rakuten offers.
Gallery: Under-the-Radar Online Grocery Stores — And How Much They Charge for the Convenience (GOBankingRates)
![The fee is minimal if you use the service only when you’re spending more than $100. Who is Peapod best for? Peapod is a good fit for some, but not all, shoppers. Peapod is best for shoppers who want to purchase individual grocery items and meal kits all at the same time. Shoppers who live in outlying areas should avoid Peapod to avoid paying a fuel surcharge.](https://r.search.yahoo.com/_ylt=AwrXgiNzcbNghTwAtVrQtDMD;_ylu=Y29sbwNncTEEcG9zAzIEdnRpZAMEc2VjA3Ny/RV=2/RE=1622401523/RO=10/RU=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.msn.com%2Fen-us%2Fmoney%2Fother%2Frakuten-offering-3x-amex-points-cash-back-for-memorial-day-at-select-stores%2Far-AAKw4RP/RK=2/{"default":{"load":"default","w":"80","h":"45","src":"//img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/BB14r6dQ.img?h=450&w=799&m=6&q=60&o=f&l=f"},"size3column":{"load":"default","w":"62","h":"35","src":"//img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/BB14r6dQ.img?h=351&w=624&m=6&q=60&o=f&l=f"},"size2column":{"load":"default","w":"62","h":"35","src":"//img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/BB14r6dQ.img?h=351&w=624&m=6&q=60&o=f&l=f"}})
Use the right credit card
The rewards you earn through Rakuten are in addition to the points or miles on the actual rewards credit card you use, allowing you to double-dip your rewards. So it’s important to use the right credit card when making online purchases and pay attention to any bonus categories that might apply to the merchant at which you’re shopping. If there’s no additional bonus or discount potential, you’ll want to use a card that has high earning rates on everyday spending.
Related: Your guide to maximizing shopping portals for your online purchases
Bottom line
If you have purchases coming up, this weekend may be optimal for making them with Rakuten’s promo offers. This promotion is an easy way to boost your rewards, but you’ll need to act fast as it’ll only be available until Monday.
Additional reporting by Juan Ruiz.
Featured image by LWA/Getty Images.
SPONSORED: With states reopening, enjoying a meal from a restaurant no longer just means curbside pickup.
And when you do spend on dining, you should use a credit card that will maximize your rewards and potentially even score special discounts. Thanks to temporary card bonuses and changes due to coronavirus, you may even be able to score a meal at your favorite restaurant for free.
These are the best credit cards for dining out, taking out, and ordering in to maximize every meal purchase.
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