Rakuten + Amex: Turn Shopping Cash Back Into Membership Rewards Points
Why Rakuten is special for Amex
Rakuten is unique: alone among shopping portals, it lets Amex Membership Rewards cardholders take their earnings as Membership Rewards points rather than cash, at a rate of 100 points per $1 of cash back. Because transferable points can be worth far more than a cent each, taking points often beats taking the cash for someone who values travel redemptions.
How to set it up
You need an Amex card that earns Membership Rewards. In your Rakuten account settings, under how you want to get paid, choose to switch to Membership Rewards points and log in to link your Amex account. After that, your Rakuten earnings convert to MR points and post quarterly on Rakuten payment schedule (you generally need a minimum confirmed balance before a payout). Verify the current rate and terms, since programs change.
Stack it for more
The real power is stacking: start your purchase at Rakuten (earning MR points), pay with an Amex card that bonuses the category (earning card points), and add any active Amex Offer for that retailer (a statement credit). All three hit the same purchase. If you carry the Rakuten American Express Card you can go a step further and double-dip the portal with the card’s own 4% Rakuten bonus, which also converts to Membership Rewards; our guide to stacking the Rakuten Amex Card for massive Membership Rewards lays out the full play. See also reward stacking and shopping portals.
Stop guessing at point values. Look up the real award price and live availability for a specific trip before you transfer.
Search award flights on seats.aero →Frequently asked questions
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