Using Rakuten to Get More Points! (Or, just more Cash)

Get straight to the $50 Cash/ 5,000 Points by clicking HERE

I. Earning with Rakuten

Rakuten is probably my favorite shopping portal to use because of their great deals and how easy it is. It can be used on a desktop or app and is advertised as a “cash back” site/ app. However, you can earn American Express Membership Rewards points or Bilt points (new, as of 11/06/25) instead of cash back on all of the purchases you were going to make anyway. 

**Keep in mind, the ratio of points  for Bilt changes in May 2026 if you are not a silver, gold, or platinum member with Bilt, explained further below)**

In order to earn, all you have to do is go to the site or app (or, click a button if you have the extension), choose where you shop, and it takes you right to the normal shopping site for the retailer. Once you complete your purchase, you earn cash back/ points through Rakuten, it really is that easy! 

Essentially, Rakuten is getting a commission to send you to the retailer, and they’re giving us a cut as the consumer. It’s a win/ win because you can use it to just purchase the things you were going to buy anyway.

AmEx Points

If you have an AmEx card that is a Membership Rewards points earning card (i.e. AmEx Platinum, Amex Business Platinum, AmEx Gold, and Blue Business Plus to name a few) you can choose to earn AmEx points instead of cash back (I’ll explain how below)

Bilt Points

You DO NOT need a Bilt credit card in order to earn Bilt points with Rakuten. All you need is a free Bilt account that you can set up at biltrewards.com

Bilt is a favorite among points pros because of its transfer partners. For example, they transfer to Hyatt (where you can get hotel stays starting at 3,500 points), Atmos (the new Hawaiian x Alaska program that no one else transfers to), and they are the only points that transfer at an even rate to Japan Airlines.

I do not have a Bilt card and was able to easily set this up to earn Bilt points. As a bonus, Bilt is actually offering 2,500 points just for linking your Bilt account to Rakuten!

*BUT HERE'S THE CATCH!*

For only 6 months will Rakuten points be worth an even 1:1 with Bilt ($10 on Rakuten is worth 1,000 Bilt points) for all members. After the 6 months, only those with silver, gold, or platinum status with Bilt will still get the 1:1 Rakuten > Bilt ratio.

I cannot find anything official from Rakuten or Bilt, but some very reputable points and miles blogs are reporting it will drop in HALF! So, $10 on Rakuten will be worth only 500 Bilt points. So, for me, my Rakuten will only be linked to Bilt for the first 6 months (meaning I'll set a reminder for May 6 to go back to AmEx membership rewards) since my status is Blue.

II. Why Rakuten and How Many Points Do I Earn?

You’ll find the offers here often beat the other shopping portals. Also, there is the ability to install the extension on your desktop or phone, so if you are shopping at a store, it will give you a reminder that you can use Rakuten and you simply have to click to activate. This is great for those times you forget to go through the site.

The site/ app advertises how much cash back you will get on each purchase. On the date I wrote this there are a few specials running (and they have promos almost every holiday). As you can see from my screenshot below, you can get between 10% - 23% cash back (or 10x - 23x points earned) at multiple stores:

So, if I were to shop at Dermstore, I would get 23% cash back by simply clicking through the link (which would take me to the normal site). But, if earning points, I will get 23 points per dollar spent. So, $100 spent at Dermstore is $23 in cash or 2,300 AmEx Membership Rewards or Bilt points.

I opt for points because of the increased value I can get out of points. If I eventually spend enough to get 60,000 points, that is enough for me to easily get a one-way business class flight to Europe (and I’ve purchased these with as little as 29,500 points).  As little as 6,000 points could get me a one-way economy flight. To me, that is better than the cash. I would much rather have enough points for a business class flight over $600, but you should obviously choose which you would prefer.

Once your purchase is confirmed, the cash will go into your wallet. You will have to wait until the cash is cashed out or points are transferred by Rakuten every quarter on February 15, May 15, August 15, and November 15.

If you are getting cash back - a check will be sent to you of the total amount in your wallet. 

If you are earning points - the points will be transferred to your AmEx account. You will earn 1 point for every 1 cent in cash you would have earned. 

II. How Do I Switch to Points?

In order to start earning AmEx Membership Rewards points (instead of cash back), you have to set it up on your desktop. You have to go to Account > Account settings> scroll down to “how would you like to get paid,” there is where you can change to earn Membership Rewards. 

In order to start earning Bilt points, you have to go into the Bilt app. Right now, it is showing on the front page to earn 2,500 points to link your Rakuten account. Once you click on the link, if you already have the Rakuten app, it will automatically link and change your preference to earn Bilt points (so, if you’d prefer AmEx or cash back, go into your account and chance it back).

III. Get 5,000 Points or $50 Just for Signing Up!

In order to sign up, you can click on the links above or click here. This is my referral link that will give you $50 or 5,000 points after spending $50 through the site within the first 90 days of account opening. This is an elevated offer and it is expected that it will go back down to $30 or 3,000 AmEx Points after spending $30 through the site within the first 90 days of account opening, so it’s worth it to sign up today!