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I used to think the only way to grow my balance of Membership Rewards points was through everyday spending and new card welcome offers. But once I learned how to pair Rakuten with the right rewards card, I started earning points on things I was already buying, without applying for anything new.
If you’re just getting started with points, my Beginner’s Guide is a great place to start.
What Is Rakuten?
Rakuten is an online shopping portal that gives you cash back when you shop through their site or browser extension. But if you have a card that earns Amex Membership Rewards points, you can switch your payout method from cash back to points at a 1:1 rate.
That means every $1 in potential cash back becomes 1 Membership Rewards point, without changing how you shop.
For a deeper comparison of portals, I also break this down in my post on Rakuten vs. Capital One Shopping.
Why Use Rakuten to Earn Membership Rewards?
Growing your points balance through Rakuten lets you keep earning, without worrying about bank rules around card sign-ups or limits on how often you can earn welcome bonuses.
Here’s why it works so well:
Bypass Card Restrictions
Some banks limit how frequently you can apply for new cards or earn welcome offers. Rakuten gives you another way to earn points that doesn’t depend on approvals or new accounts.
Earn on Purchases You’re Already Making
If you’re shopping online anyway, you might as well get points for it. Think of the things you buy all the time: groceries, travel bookings, clothes for kids, gifts; they all earn points.
You also don’t have to use your American Express card to pay for the purchase to earn the points. When I first signed up, I thought I had to use my AMEX card for every purchase to earn the points. However, you can pay with whatever card you like and still earn American Express Membership Rewards in addition to points you are earning on the card you pay with. That is why this program is so cool; it’s considered a true double dip!
How to Use Rakuten with Membership Rewards
Here’s how to set it up in just a few minutes:
| Step | What to Do | Where | Pro Tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Create a Rakuten account and choose “Membership Rewards points” as your payout method. | Join Rakuten → Account Settings → Payout Preferences | New members often see a welcome bonus after a qualifying purchase. |
| 2 | Link a U.S.-based American Express card enrolled in Membership Rewards. | Rakuten → Account Settings → Cards | Once linked, earnings convert from cash back to points automatically at 1:1. |
| 3 | Install the Rakuten browser extension (or start each shop from Rakuten.com). | Chrome/Edge/Firefox extension store or Rakuten.com | The extension prompts you to activate cash back so you don’t miss earnings. |
| 4 | Activate a store offer and click “Shop Now” to start your tracked session. | Rakuten store page for your retailer | Disable ad blockers for checkout; avoid coupon extensions that can break tracking. |
| 5 | Complete your purchase (you don’t have to pay with your Amex—the link is what matters). | Retailer checkout | Keep the same tab/session from Rakuten to checkout to ensure proper tracking. |
| 6 | Confirm your cash back shows as “Pending” in Rakuten (it will convert to points later). | Rakuten → Cash Back Balance / Shopping Trips | If it doesn’t track, submit a missing cash back ticket with your order number. |
| 7 | Watch for seasonal promos (double/triple cash back) to accelerate earnings. | Rakuten homepage / emails | Compare portals when rates are close: see my guide to Rakuten vs. Capital One Shopping. |
| 8 | Receive your Membership Rewards points on Rakuten’s quarterly payout schedule. | Membership Rewards account | Track value as you go with my calculator: Cents-per-point guide. |
| 9 | Put the points to work for family travel via transfers or portal bookings. | Airline/hotel programs or your card’s travel portal | New to transfers? Start here: How to transfer points. |
Why Rakuten Points Add Up Quickly
High Cash Back Rates
If a store is offering 10% back, that’s 10 Membership Rewards points per dollar.
Seasonal Promotions
Rakuten frequently bumps offers to 15%, 20%, or more during sales events.
Quarterly Payouts
Your points transfer to your Membership Rewards account every three months, which makes it feel like a bonus you didn’t have to work for.
Here’s the simple math: a 90,000-point welcome bonus that requires $6,000 in a minimum spend works out to 15 points per dollar (90,000 ÷ 6,000). When you set Rakuten to pay in points, its promo “multipliers” translate the same way: 3× means ~3 points per dollar, 10× means ~10 points per dollar, 30× means ~30 points per dollar. During big sales (think Black Friday/holidays), many stores jump into the 3×–30× range, so a $100 purchase at 15× = 1,500 points and $100 at 20× = 2,000 points, which can match or beat the “earn rate” behind a welcome offer, without opening a new card. Just remember: those high multipliers are temporary and vary by store; everyday rates are lower.
Best Cards to Pair with Rakuten
If you’re curious which cards pair well with Rakuten, you’ll need to choose a card that earns American Express Membership Rewards points. Not all of the cards do, so make sure that the kind of points it earns are specifically the Amex points. For full terms and conditions, this might be helpful.
Earn Even More
Rakuten is one of the easiest ways to grow your Membership Rewards balance without signing up for anything new or changing your spending habits. By turning cash back into points, you’re making everyday shopping work harder for future travel.
If you’re comparing different ways to earn, you might also like this post: Cash Back vs. Transferable Points.
FAQ: Maximizing Membership Rewards with Rakuten
Do I have to pay with my rewards card to earn Membership Rewards points through Rakuten?
No. As long as your card is linked in Rakuten, you’ll earn points even if you pay with a different card.
Can I switch back to cash back later?
Yes. You can change your payout preference in your Rakuten settings at any time.
Are there any fees to use Rakuten?
No, it’s completely free to use.
Is the $30 sign-up bonus real?
Yes. When you join through my referral link, you’ll get $30 after your first qualifying purchase.
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