Rakuten UK: Boost Your Christmas Shopping with Up to 70% Cashback

With Christmas fast approaching (yes, it really is just a few weeks away), most of us are about to embark on the annual gift-buying frenzy. But before you start clicking 'add to basket' everywhere, there's a simple trick that could put some serious cash back in your pocket – and it takes about two minutes to set up.

I'm talking about Rakuten UK, a cashback platform that's currently running some genuinely impressive Cyber Week rates – we're talking up to 70% cashback at selected retailers, with plenty of big names offering 15-24% back on your purchases.

If you're not familiar with Rakuten, it's essentially a cashback portal. You click through their website or browser extension before making a purchase at a participating retailer, and you earn a percentage of your spend back as cash. Simple as that.

Unlike loyalty points or miles that require some mental gymnastics to value, Rakuten pays out in cold, hard cash – deposited directly to your PayPal or bank account once you hit the minimum threshold.

Right now, Rakuten is running their 'Cyber Week Super Cashback' promotion with some eye-catching rates. Here's a taste of what's on offer:

These aren't your typical 1-2% cashback rates you might be used to. When you're spending hundreds (or let's be honest, potentially thousands) on Christmas gifts, the savings can genuinely add up.

Here's where it gets particularly interesting for those who haven't signed up yet. New Rakuten members currently get an extra 10% cashback on top of the advertised rates, capped at £40 back.

To qualify, you need to make a qualifying purchase within seven days of signing up. Given that most of us will be doing some Christmas shopping anyway, this is essentially free money waiting to be claimed.

The 10% extra is available at merchants where it's advertised (excluding travel), so check the site to see which retailers are participating.

Now, for my fellow points collectors, here's where the strategy gets fun. Rakuten cashback stacks perfectly with whatever rewards you're earning on your credit card.

For example, if you're using an American Express card earning 1 Membership Rewards point per pound, you'll still earn those points AND get the Rakuten cashback on top. It's not either/or – it's both.

This is what I'd call a genuine 'double-dip' opportunity. You're earning rewards through your card issuer while simultaneously getting cash back through Rakuten.

Getting set up with Rakuten takes just a couple of minutes:

The browser extension is particularly handy – it pops up automatically when you visit a participating retailer, so you never forget to activate your cashback.

Already a Rakuten member? There's also a referral programme running. When you refer friends and family (perfect timing with Christmas gatherings coming up), you each get £25 once they sign up and spend £50 (excluding VAT) within 90 days.

The £50 spend can be across multiple purchases at different retailers, so it's not a particularly high bar to clear.

I'll be honest – cashback portals aren't the most exciting topic in the travel rewards world. They don't have the aspirational appeal of redeeming miles for business class flights to far-flung destinations.

But here's the thing: every pound saved on everyday spending is a pound that can go towards your next adventure. If you can get 20% back on Christmas gifts you were going to buy anyway, that's real money that could fund your next trip – or at least cover a few airport coffees.

The key is making it habitual. Once you've got the browser extension installed and you're used to checking for cashback before purchases, it becomes second nature. And over the course of a year, those percentages really do add up.

With the current Cyber Week rates and the new member bonus, there's probably no better time to give it a try if you haven't already. Your Christmas shopping list is the perfect testing ground.

Sign up for Rakuten UK here and start earning on your festive purchases.

Happy shopping (and saving)!

Jack