How to Earn Amex or Bilt Points Every Time You Shop Online with Rakuten
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EDITORIAL DISCLOSURE:
Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
Sign-up for a FREE Rakuten account and start earning extra points (or cash) on all your online shopping!
Ever hit “checkout” and instantly wonder how it’s even possible that your cart went from $40 to $140? 😅 At least now, you can earn points every time that happens, thanks to Rakuten.
What is Rakuten?
Rakuten is an online shopping portal that rewards you every time you make a purchase through one of its partner stores. We’re talking everything from Target and Sephora to Apple and Home Depot! There are more than 3,500 stores in total.
When you shop through Rakuten, you earn cash back OR points (more on that in a bit 👀).
The best part? 👉 You’re getting rewarded for shopping you were already going to do anyway.
If you haven’t joined yet, you can sign up for Rakuten using our referral link and you’ll receive an additional bonus after your first qualifying purchase made within the first 90 days of signing up! It’s a SUPER simple way to start earning rewards right out of the gate.
With more than 3,500 stores on Rakuten, your online purchases will be making you extra points fast!!
How Rakuten Actually Works
Here’s the short version: Rakuten earns a small commission from stores when you shop through their site. Instead of keeping all of it, they share a portion back with you as cash back or, if you set it up right… as points! 🥳 (You know, the reason we’re all here.)
Here’s what the process looks like:
Create a Rakuten account. If you haven’t already, you can sign up for using our link and snag a juicy welcome bonus after your first qualifying purchase. (AKA = FREE MONEY)
Log in to Rakuten before you shop, or install their browser plug-in (we’ll show you that next).
Click through Rakuten to your favorite store - Target, Nike, Lululemon, you name it.
Complete your purchase like normal.
Watch your rewards appear in your Rakuten account, usually within a day or two.
Every quarter, Rakuten pays out what you’ve earned 👆 in either cash or points, based on your chosen method of payout.
Using the Rakuten Browser Extension
This is where Rakuten becomes dangerously easy (in the best way). 😇
Rakuten’s browser extension automatically alerts you when you’re on a site that earns rewards. Instead of remembering to go through the Rakuten website every time, you’ll see a little pop-up that says “Activate 10% Cash Back” or “Activate 10X Points.”
Click the button, shop like usual, and boom 👊💥 points earned!
If you’re anything like me and your online shopping cart somehow always has “just one more thing,” at least let Rakuten make those impulse buys productive. 😆
How to Earn Points Instead of Cash Back
Here’s where things get SUPER exciting for points-and-miles-obsessed travelers, like us. Rakuten gives you the choice to receive your earnings in cash back or… reward points!
:::cue the happy dance::: 💃🏻🕺
1. Earning American Express Membership Rewards
If you hold a Membership Rewards-earning American Express card (like the Amex Gold, Platinum, or Green), you can link your Rakuten account directly to your Amex account. Once connected, your cash-back percentage automatically converts to Membership Rewards points at a 1:1 ratio.
Example: If Rakuten is offering 10% cash back at Macy’s, you’ll instead earn 10 Membership Rewards points per dollar spent.
And THEN… those points can be used for our favorite thing ever: travel! 😍 We’re talking flights, hotels, and transferring them to airline partners for even higher value!
2. Earning Bilt Points
Rakuten recently added the option to earn Bilt Rewards points, which is huge news for anyone collecting Bilt for travel or rent payments.
We are ESPECIALLY stoked about this, since Bilt transfers to a high-value transfer partner: HYATT HOTELS!
You can link your Rakuten account to your Bilt Rewards account, and every time you shop through Rakuten, your earnings go straight into your Bilt balance.
That means your new kitchen towels, jeans, or skincare order could be helping fund your next flight to Greece.
Tips to Maximize Your Rakuten Earnings
Because why earn 2% when you can earn 10X? Here are a few ways to make Rakuten work harder for you:
1. Check for Double Dip Opportunities
If you have a credit card that earns bonus points in certain bonus categories, like “electronics,” “travel,” or “dining”, use it when checking out through Rakuten. You’ll earn both credit card points AND Rakuten points, which means double the fun (and double the reward).
2. Watch for Seasonal Promotions
Rakuten frequently offers limited-time promotions like “Double Cash Back” or “15X Points.” These are perfect times to stock up on big purchases. Think: a big electronics purchase or all your holiday gift shopping.
You can see current promos right on the Rakuten homepage or in their app.
3. Use the App for In-Store Offers
Yep, Rakuten works in-store too! 🎉
Link your credit card in the app or on your desktop page under “Linked Credit Cards” and activate the offers listed under the “In-Store” tab and you’ll be good to go when you swipe at checkout!
4. Use the Plug-in
Because nothing hurts like realizing you missed out on 10X points for the Target cart you checked out at midnight during your scrolling sesh.
It’s a one-time installment on Google Chrome, Safari, or Firefox and it makes this whole process 10000x easier to remember to activate for each online shopping purchase. One less thing to think about!
5. Refer Friends
Once you start earning points, you’ll want to tell literallly everyone (because it’s just TOO easy to earn extra points). When your friends sign up using your link and make their first purchase, you’ll earn a referral bonus too. A total win-win.
We can relate. 😆 That’s why we always recommend joining through a referral. Sign up here to get your bonus and start earning on your next purchase made within 90 days of sign up!
Bottom Line
Rakuten is one of those brilliant tools that actually rewards you for doing something you’re already doing: shopping online. Whether you choose Amex Membership Rewards or Bilt Points, every purchase becomes a step closer to your next trip.
Between the plug-in, seasonal promos, and the ability to convert cash back into valuable travel rewards that could take you all the way to Italy… Rakuten is a no-brainer for anyone serious about maximizing points.
So go ahead: activate your offer, add to cart, and start stacking up those points. You’ll thank yourself at the boarding gate. 😎✈️
👉 Sign up for Rakuten today to start earning rewards on your next purchase.
Editorial Disclosure: Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.