If you’re not using Rakuten when ordering food online, you’re leaving money on the table. Known primarily for cashback on retail shopping, Rakuten also offers powerful savings for food delivery and takeout through popular platforms like DoorDash, Grubhub, and Uber Eats. Here’s how to make it work for your next meal.
How Rakuten Works for Food Delivery
Rakuten partners with hundreds of brands to provide cashback when users shop or order through their links. For food delivery, it’s as simple as starting your order from the Rakuten website or app. Once you click through to a partnered delivery service, your cashback is tracked and applied automatically.
Popular Rakuten Delivery Partners
- DoorDash: Cashback rates change frequently but can reach up to 5%.
- Grubhub: Periodic offers include percentage-back deals or set cash rewards for new customers.
- Uber Eats: Offers vary but may appear during special promotions or holidays.
Rakuten even includes lesser-known options like Goldbelly or local food merchants via affiliate offers.
How to Use Rakuten for Takeout
- Open the Rakuten homepage.
- Search for your delivery app (e.g., “Grubhub”).
- Click through to activate the cashback offer.
- Complete your order as normal.
- Receive cashback in your Rakuten account—typically within hours or a few days.
Stacking Rakuten with Other Deals
- Credit card rewards: Pay with a credit card that earns points or dining bonuses.
- Referral bonuses: Invite friends to Rakuten and earn extra cashback.
- Promo codes: Apply coupons offered by delivery apps directly—Rakuten doesn’t disqualify them.
- Combine with Ibotta: Use Ibotta in parallel for occasional overlapping rewards.
Pro Tip: You can still earn Rakuten cashback even when using Fluz-purchased gift cards at checkout—just be sure to click through Rakuten first.
Why Rakuten Is a No-Brainer for Food Savings
Unlike rewards apps tied to specific restaurants, Rakuten works across many platforms—making it ideal for diners who switch between Uber Eats, DoorDash, or Grubhub depending on what’s available. And since it costs nothing to use, every cashback dollar you earn is pure upside.
