The Rakuten shopping portal lets you earn a percentage of cash back (usually 1% to 10%) on everything from travel bookings to everyday household items, but the real magic happens when you swap those cash-back earnings for Amex Membership Rewards points. Suddenly, every routine online purchase becomes an opportunity to earn valuable travel rewards without changing a single thing about how you shop.
And here’s why that matters: Amex points are some of the most flexible and powerful travel rewards points out there. You can transfer Amex points to top airline and hotel partners, redeem them for premium flights, or stretch them even further with occasional transfer bonuses. In other words, turning Rakuten cash back into Membership Rewards points can get you a lot closer to your next big trip – simply by clicking through a portal you might use anyway.
That said, there are some rules to understand if you want to turn Rakuten rewards into Amex points. There are also moves that can help you earn considerably more cash back or travel rewards points over time.
What is Rakuten? How does Rakuten work?
Rakuten is an online shopping portal that rewards you for making purchases at more than 3,500 stores. Compared to other shopping portals and online shopping portals, Rakuten stands out by allowing you to earn either cash back or American Express Membership Rewards points for your online purchases. Instead of going directly to a retailer’s website, you start your shopping journey through Rakuten, click through to the store you want, and complete your purchase as usual. Behind the scenes, Rakuten earns a commission for directing shoppers to partner retailers and shares a portion of that commission with you—offering cash back or Amex Membership Rewards points when you shop through their links.
Signing up is free, and you can earn Rakuten rewards in a few simple ways:
- Using the website: Search for a retailer, click the link, and shop normally.
- Installing the browser extension: Rakuten will automatically notify you when a site offers rewards.
- Using the mobile app: The Rakuten app is handy for shopping on the go.
No complicated steps or hoops to jump through – just click, shop, and earn. And if you decide not to turn your Rakuten rewards into Amex points, other default options include a check in the mail or a transfer to your PayPal account.
How Rakuten partners with retailers
Rakuten works with thousands of retailers across nearly every category: fashion, travel, electronics, beauty, pet supplies, home goods, and more. Brands like Macy’s, Walmart, Sephora, Expedia, Nike, and hundreds of others partner with Rakuten because it drives traffic their way. When you make a purchase after clicking through Rakuten, the store pays Rakuten a commission.
Instead of keeping all of that commission, Rakuten passes some cash back to you, allowing you to earn rewards for your purchases. That’s how you end up earning 1% to 10% (and sometimes even more during special promotions) on purchases you were already planning to make.
Because rewards are tied to retailer partnerships and promotions, rates fluctuate. This means some stores offer more cash back some times of the year than others, and that you’ll want to keep an eye out for the best offers. Special promotions or stacking opportunities can also help you earn additional rewards beyond the standard rates.
Difference between cash back and Amex points
Cash back earned through Rakuten is straightforward. When a retailer offers 10% back and you click through the Rakuten portal to spend $100, you earn $10.
Amex Membership Rewards points, however, can be much more valuable. When you opt to earn points instead of cash, you receive 100 Amex points for every 1% cash back you would have earned, based on each dollar spent at participating retailers. The conversion rate is $1 cash back equals 100 Membership Rewards points. That means a 10% cash-back offer becomes 10x points per dollar – an impressive return that’s tough to beat with the best rewards credit cards.
But the value doesn’t stop there. Membership Rewards points can be transferred to airline and hotel partners, redeemed for premium flights, or used strategically to get outsized travel value. It’s not uncommon for savvy travelers to redeem Amex points for 2 cents per point (or even more), making those Rakuten earnings far more rewarding than simple cash back.
➤ SEE MORE:Best credit cards for online shopping
How to set up and link Rakuten to Amex
If you want to start earning American Express Membership Rewards points instead of plain cash back, you’ll need to make a couple of quick tweaks to your Rakuten account. It’s essential to have active accounts with both Rakuten and American Express to participate. As a Rakuten member, you must link your Amex Membership Rewards account to your Rakuten account to start earning points through this program. The good news? The entire setup process is straightforward and can be completed online in just a few minutes.
Create a Rakuten account
You can sign up for a free Rakuten account directly on the cash back portal website. You’ll need to enter your email and come up with a password to get started. After that, you’ll share some basic personal and contact information to create an account.
Once your account is active, you can browse participating retailers, view cash back rates, and start earning immediately.
Rakuten often offers special sign-up bonuses or incentives for new members, so be sure to check for any exclusive rewards available when you join.
How to change Rakuten to Amex points
Once your account has been created and you’ve started earning cash back, you need to decide on how to get paid. You can select the cash back option to receive Rakuten rewards as a check in the mail, or you can opt to get them as a PayPal transfer. As of Nov. 2025, you can also turn Rakuten rewards into Bilt points.
If you have an eligible Amex credit card that earns travel points, you can turn your Rakuten rewards into Amex points. You can do this by logging into the site, toggling over to your account settings, and choosing a payment method for your rewards, where you can switch between the cash back option and earning Amex points.
When you opt to earn Amex points, you’ll be prompted to connect your Amex Membership Rewards account to your Rakuten account. This is what to look for as you learn how to link Rakuten to Amex:
If you move forward, the site will take you to American Express so you can log in. When you log into American Express, you’ll get the chance to link an eligible card and start earning Amex points via American Express and Rakuten.
How to earn Amex points with Rakuten
Once your Rakuten account is linked to your American Express card, the rewards earned through your purchases can be maximized by choosing to earn Membership Rewards points instead of cash back. You can earn Membership Rewards points for both online and in-person purchases, making it easy to accumulate points on all your credit card spending through Rakuten. There are several ways to make sure every purchase counts toward your Amex points balance, both online and in real life.
Start shopping through the Rakuten portal
The easiest way to earn points is to start your online shopping journey through the Rakuten website. Before you head to your favorite retailer, log in to Rakuten, search for the store, and click through the link. Then shop as you normally would.
By making online purchases this way, Rakuten tracks your order and automatically credits your account with the points you’ve earned.
Use the Rakuten browser extension
To make things even easier, consider installing the Rakuten browser extension. Once it’s active, the extension alerts you whenever a site you’re visiting offers rewards. One click can activate the offer, so you don’t have to manually start each shopping session through the portal. With the extension, you can easily activate cash back offers with a single click, ensuring you never miss out on rewards.
The browser extension works seamlessly in the background, making it almost effortless to maximize your points without adding extra steps to your routine.
Shop via the Rakuten mobile app
If you do a lot of shopping on your phone, the Rakuten mobile app is a game-changer. It works similarly to the website but offers a more streamlined experience for mobile purchases. Once you download the app, you can search for retailers, activate offers, track your earnings, and view and manage your earnings balance in real time, all in one place.
Activate in-store offers
Rakuten isn’t just for online shopping. Certain retailers offer in-store cash back or Amex points when you activate their offer in the app before heading to the store.
Just select the deal, shop as usual, and pay as you normally would. The Rakuten and Amex points post automatically, giving you extra value for in-person spending you were already planning, and providing the opportunity to earn additional rewards through in-store offers.
Use Rakuten Dining for extra points
Looking for ways to earn points outside of shopping? Rakuten Dining lets you earn bonus Amex points at participating restaurants when you sign up for the program and make eligible purchases. You earn bonus points for every dollar spent at these restaurants.
Simply make a reservation or check in through Rakuten Dining, enjoy your meal, and watch the points roll in. While participating restaurants change over time, Rakuten says more than 22,000 eateries are currently part of the program.
Tips to maximize your Rakuten Amex Rewards points
Now that you know how to get Amex points on Rakuten, it’s time to ensure you’re maximizing your points for every dollar spent. By applying these smart strategies, you can supercharge your rewards and transform everyday shopping into your dream trip with Amex. With a few simple moves, you’ll make the most of every purchase and can boost your travel rewards balance significantly.
Stack with Amex Offers and other promotions
One of the easiest ways to boost your Amex points is by stacking Rakuten purchases with Amex Offers. These are limited-time promotions that provide bonus points or statement credits when you spend at specific retailers using your Amex card. If a store is offering 10% back through Rakuten and you have an Amex Offer for 2x points on purchases there, you can essentially double-dip on rewards.
Also, remember that you don’t have to pay for Rakuten purchases with an Amex card to earn Amex points. You can pay with any other rewards credit card you have, which paves the way to maximizing rewards with bonus categories or programs like Capital One offers and Chase Offers. This strategy allows you to earn additional credit card rewards—such as points, miles, or cashback—on top of your Rakuten points, especially when your card offers special bonus offers for online shopping portals.
Sign up for the Rakuten American Express Card
For shoppers who want to maximize Rakuten earnings even further, the $0 annual fee Rakuten American Express® Card, also known as the Rakuten Card, is a natural fit. This co-branded card offers bonus points for purchases made through Rakuten and other categories, making it easier to rack up Membership Rewards faster.
Using the Rakuten Card in combination with the Rakuten portal ensures you’re getting both your card’s points and Rakuten points, effectively stacking rewards on top of rewards.
➤ SEE MORE:Best American Express credit cards
Look for limited-time promotions
Rakuten frequently runs special promotions that temporarily increase cash back or points rates at select retailers. Compared to other online shopping portals, Rakuten often stands out by offering the ability to earn American Express Membership Rewards points instead of, or in addition to, cash back during these promotions. These can range from 2% back to 20% cash back or more at popular stores.
Keeping an eye on these promotions and timing your purchases accordingly can make a noticeable difference in your points balance over the course of the year. Bookmark the Rakuten site or app and check it before big purchases to take advantage of these limited-time boosts.
Refer friends to earn bonus points
Rakuten also rewards you for sharing the love. When you refer friends by sharing your unique referral link, both you and your friend can earn bonus points after their first purchase. It’s a simple, no-risk way to grow your Amex and Rakuten points balance while helping someone else get started with the portal.
Important rules and limitations
While Rakuten Amex Membership Rewards are fairly easy to earn, some rules and limitations apply. These rules dictate who qualifies to earn Amex points this way, when you actually receive your rewards, and more.
- Amex card requirements: You can only earn Rakuten Amex Membership Rewards if you have an eligible Amex card that earns flexible travel points. Eligible cards include the American Express(R) Gold Card discontinued_disclaimer, the American Express Platinum Card(R) discontinued_disclaimer, the American Express Green Card®, and more. JENN
- Promo code restrictions: Rakuten makes it difficult to use other promo codes while shopping through the portal. This means you’ll typically earn cash back at Rakuten in place of other discounts you find online. Be aware that other restrictions may also apply to earning rewards, so always check the terms before making a purchase.
- Minimum payout thresholds: No matter the type of rewards you’re earning, you have to have a minimum confirmed earnings of $5.01 in confirmed rewards to get paid by the next payment date. Rakuten members must meet the minimum confirmed earnings to transfer points to their Membership Rewards account.
- Quarterly payout schedule: Rakuten pays out rewards four times per year on the 15th of February, May, August, and November. This means you can only access rewards you earn at these times, and any small balances are rolled over to the next quarter.
- No switching from Amex to cash back: Rakuten Membership Rewards transfers only go one way. This means you cannot turn Amex points back into Rakuten cash back if you change your mind.
- Redemption options: Redeeming points for card charges may offer less value than using points for travel or with transfer partners. Consider your options to maximize the value of your rewards.
Conclusion
Taking advantage of the Rakuten American Express partnership is one of the most effective ways to boost Amex points on purchases you’re already making. Whether you’re shopping online, in-store, or even dining out, Rakuten turns everyday spending into a steady stream of points that can help you reach your travel goals faster.
By taking advantage of strategies like stacking with Amex Offers, watching for limited-time promotions, and referring friends, you can maximize every dollar you spend. Just remember that you need an Amex credit card that earns Membership Rewards points to qualify.
Frequently asked questions about Rakuten and Amex
How does Rakuten work with Amex?
Rakuten lets you convert your cash-back earnings into Membership Rewards points. When you link an eligible Amex card, every purchase through Rakuten automatically earns Amex points instead of cash back
Can you turn Rakuten rewards into Bilt points?
As of Nov. 2025, you have the option to turn Rakuten Rewards into Bilt points. This is important since Bilt rewards can be used for flexible travel redemptions, including transfers to Bilt airline and hotel partners.
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