If you’ve been looking for one of the easiest ways to earn travel points without spending extra money or opening credit card, this is it.
Right now, Rakuten is offering 40,000 points when you open a SoFi Checking & Savings account and complete a qualifying direct deposit.
And yes, this is one of the highest offers we’ve seen.
Which is why I’m writing this now, not later.
Why We Love This 40,000 Points Offer
Let’s put this into perspective.
Most Rakuten + SoFi offers cap around 37,500 points. This current offer is 40,000 points, which makes it one of the highest publicly available deals.
And here’s the key difference most people miss:
👉 You are not spending $500
👉 You are simply moving $500 you already have
In return, you get:
- 40,000 transferable points (Amex or Bilt)
- A high-yield account earning up to 4.00% APY
- A setup that can unlock $400+ in travel value
This is one of those rare low effort, high return opportunities.
Who Is Eligible for This Offer?
This deal is only for:
✔ New SoFi Checking & Savings account holders
If you already have a SoFi account, you won’t qualify for this specific promotion.
What Is Rakuten and How Does It Work?
Rakuten is a free shopping portal that rewards you with:
- Cashback
- Or points (Amex Membership Rewards / Bilt)
You earn rewards simply by clicking through Rakuten before making purchases, or in this case, opening accounts.
If you’re new to Rakuten, you may also qualify for an additional 5,000 bonus points, bringing your total to 45,000 points.
Step-by-Step: How to Earn 40,000 Rakuten Points
Step 1: Sign Up for Rakuten
Create a free Rakuten account.
👉 If you use a referral link, you can earn an extra 5,000 points
Step 2: Search for SoFi Inside Rakuten
Once logged in:
- Search for “SoFi”
- Click through from Rakuten to SoFi
⚠️ Important: Do NOT open SoFi separately. Rakuten must track your click for points to credit.
Step 3: Open Your SoFi Checking & Savings Account
The application takes about 5 minutes.
You’ll need:
- Basic personal information
- SSN or ITIN
SoFi also offers:
- No monthly fees
- No minimum balance
- 55,000+ fee-free ATMs
Step 4: Set Up a $500 Direct Deposit
This is the step that triggers the 40,000 points.
You must:
✔ Deposit at least $500 within 45 days
✔ Use a qualifying direct deposit
Qualifies:
- Payroll (salary)
- Government payments
Does NOT qualify:
- Bank transfers
- Zelle / PayPal / Venmo
- Check deposits
💡 Easiest method:
Route part of your next paycheck to your SoFi account.
How to Maximize This Deal (Stacking Strategy)
Here’s where this gets even better.
You can stack:
- 40,000 Rakuten points
- +5,000 Rakuten bonus points (new users)
- +Up to $400 SoFi cash bonus
- +Interest (up to 4.00% APY)
All from moving money you already have.
When Will You Receive Your Points?
After your qualifying deposit:
- Rakuten tracks the activity
- Points are credited within a few weeks
Don’t panic if it’s not instant, it will post.
Key Mistakes to Avoid
To ensure you get your points:
- Don’t open SoFi outside Rakuten
- Don’t use bank transfers instead of direct deposit
- Don’t delay beyond the 45-day window
Small mistakes mean no points.
Is This Worth It?
If you’re serious about earning points for travel, this is one of the simplest entry points available right now.
No spending.
No complicated strategy.
Just a smart financial move.
And because this offer is higher than usual, timing matters.
How to Get Started
If you want to grab your 40,000 Rakuten points + additional 5,000 bonus points, sign up, open SoFi, deposit $500, done. 🤝
Disclosure
This post may contain referral links. If you sign up through them, I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. I only share offers I genuinely believe are worth your time, and this is one of them.
