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If you’re wanting to earn MORE points (or cash!!), without opening more credit cards, you’re going to want to read this: using the Rakuten shopping portal can earn you POINTS, even if you don’t hold a credit card. The best news – Bilt has some amazing travel partners (peep – Hyatt, Southwest, American, and more!). Seriously – look how great these travel partners are!!

           As a kid I remember my mom using a company called Rakuten (formerly named eBates) to earn cash back on her every day purchases. Teenage Amber probably rolled her eyes thinking “How much cash back will you really get? Is it worth the time?” And then I grew up. I now actually like Rakuten (and brussel sprouts).

Rakuten

Rakuten is a shopping portal that offers cash back, American Express Membership Rewards® Points, and now Bilt Points. Bilt just announced an integration with Rakuten so Rakuten cash-back earnings can be converted into Bilt Points. For an introductory period, Rakuten cash back converts at a favorable rate (announced as a 1:1-style initial conversion where $10 cash back = 1,000 Bilt Points). That makes shopping through Rakuten a new way to earn Bilt currency for travel. Instead of shopping at oldnavy.com (or target.com or ulta.com – you get it), you go to rakuten.com (or the Rakuten app) first. Then, click on the Old Navy icon which takes you to oldnavy.com. Then you shop like normal. The beauty of Rakuten is that you can:

How to Set It Up

STEP 1 – Open a Rakuten account FIRST. My referral link will give you an $50 bonus cash back (converted to 5,000 Bilt points). If you create a Rakuten account through Bilt, you will only earn 2,500 points.

STEP 2 – Create a free Bilt account from the Bilt mobile app (or visit the Bilt website). Look in the rewards/integrations or payments area for the Rakuten connection. Make sure you use the same email address to create both accounts or they will not link. When my husband set up his account the Rakuten would not show up until after we added a credit card into his Bilt account (any card!) OR it could be a timing thing. You could wait a few hours and let Rakuten and Bilt sync – that’s helped for several people I’ve spoken with. Moral of story – don’t stress out. Just wait.

STEP 3 – In Rakuten, set your payment method to Bilt Points (Click on Account. Select “Choose How You Get Paid.”) Note – you may not see Bilt as an option until you have created a Bilt account.

STEP 4 – Start shopping! You’ll always start your shopping through Rakuten (though you could shop through the Bilt app if they show Rakuten partner links). I have the Rakuten browser extension downloaded on my computer and phone. Then, when I’m about to check out, I’ll get a pop up saying, “Would you like to save 2x on Rakuten.” I click “yes” and continue my purchase. That makes it easy!

If you prefer to earn American Express Membership Rewards® Points instead of Bilt Points, read this article.

When Will We See the Big Fat Check (or Points Deposit):

Rakuten pays out on a quarterly schedule (so expect conversion/payment on Rakuten’s payout dates — check your Rakuten account for the exact next date). Confirmed cash back is paid on that schedule and will arrive as Bilt Points.

Purchased between January 1 – March 31 – Payment sent by May 15

Purchased between April 1 – June 30 – Payment sent by August 15

Purchased between July 1 and September 30 – Payment sent by Nov 15

Purchased between October 1 – December 31 – Payment sent by February 15

In Conclusion

Don’t get me wrong – I’m not opposed to opening up multiple credit cards each year to take advantage of huge welcome offers but I absolutely LOVE Rakuten because it allows me to earn even MORE points on everyday spending – and this partnership with Bilt is easily the best points news we’ve heard all year. This partnership creates a simple, powerful way to convert everyday online shopping into Bilt Points – especially worthwhile during the introductory conversion window and big holiday promo events. Link the accounts, enable your extension, and watch those quarterly deposits turn everyday purchases into travel with my favorite travel partners. Let me know if you have any questions!

As always, thank you for using my links when you sign up for Rakuten or apply for a new credit card. It allows me to keep providing free content and I appreciate it more than you know!

xo Amber