What if I told you there’s a way to earn thousands of travel points: the kind you can use for flights, hotels, and more without opening a single new credit card?
And what if I told you this works on purchases you’re already making at Target, Amazon, Sephora, and thousands of other stores?
This isn’t too good to be true. It’s exactly what just became possible thanks to a brand-new partnership between Rakuten and Bilt Rewards that launched in November 2025.
If you’re already maximizing credit card welcome bonuses (and if you’ve been reading my blog, you probably are!), this is the perfect way to earn even MORE travel points on your everyday spending, without adding another card to your wallet or worrying about minimum spend requirements.
Let me break down everything you need to know about this game-changing partnership and how to start earning Bilt travel points on every online purchase, starting today.
What Is This Rakuten x Bilt Partnership?
Bilt Rewards and Rakuten just announced an official integration that allows you to convert Rakuten cash back into Bilt travel points, one of the most valuable transferable points currencies out there.
Before this partnership: Rakuten gave you cash back (typically 1-15% depending on the retailer) Or you could choose to earn American Express Membership Rewards points. That was it
Now with Bilt integration:
- You earn Rakuten cash back by shopping at 3,500+ retailers
- That cash back automatically converts to Bilt travel points every quarter
- Bilt Points transfer to amazing partners like World of Hyatt, Southwest, American Airlines, and more
- You’re essentially earning travel points on everyday purchases without opening new cards
And the best part? For the first 6 months, you’re getting a 1:1 conversion rate: $10 in Rakuten cash back means 1,000 Bilt travel points.
That means if you earn $100 in cash back shopping through Rakuten, you’ll get 10,000 Bilt Points deposited into your account, enough for a hotel night at many Hyatt properties or several domestic flights on Southwest.
Earn a Best-Ever $50 Bonus by Joining Rakuten
Why Bilt Points Are So Valuable
If you’re not familiar with Bilt Rewards, let me tell you why this matters so much.
Bilt Points transfer 1:1 to incredible travel partners:
- World of Hyatt (my personal favorite to book amazing hotels for 12,000-15,000 points per night)
- Southwest Rapid Rewards (perfect for earning the Companion Pass!)
- American Airlines AAdvantage
- Alaska Airlines Atmos Rewards
- United MileagePlus
- Virgin Atlantic Flying Club
- Japan Airlines
- Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles
- Air Canada Aeroplan
- And many more
Most people know Bilt as the rent card you can earn travel points by paying rent with no transaction fees. But Bilt Points are incredibly versatile beyond just travel:
- Pay rent (obviously!)
- Book travel through Bilt Travel
- Transfer to airline and hotel partners
- Use for fitness classes and wellness
- Redeem for art and home decor
- Even apply toward a down payment on a home
When you transfer Bilt Points to the right partners, you can easily get 2-3 cents per point in value or more. That means your $100 in Rakuten cash back (converted to 10,000 Bilt Points) could be worth $200 to 300 in travel value.
How the Conversion Works
Let’s talk numbers, because this is where it gets really interesting.
During the First 6 Months (Introductory Period):
Everyone gets the same rate:
- $10 Rakuten cash back equals 1,000 Bilt travel points
- This is a true 1:1 conversion (valuing each Bilt Point at 1 cent)
After the Introductory Period:
The conversion rate will be based on your Bilt status tier:
| Bilt Status | Conversion Rate |
|---|---|
| Blue (starting tier) | $1 = 50 Bilt Points |
| Silver | $1 = 100 Bilt Points |
| Gold | $1 = 100 Bilt Points |
| Platinum | $1 = 100 Bilt Points |
Translation:
- If you’re Blue status after the promo ends: $10 equals 500 Bilt Points (not as good)
- If you’re Silver or higher: $10 equals 1,000 Bilt Points (same great rate!)
My advice: Take advantage of the introductory period while everyone gets the 1:1 rate, and work on earning Silver status or higher if you plan to continue using this long-term.
Real Example: What Can You Actually Earn?
Let me show you how this works with a realistic holiday shopping scenario:
Your Holiday Shopping Through Rakuten:
Target (5% cash back): Spend $300 to earn $15 cash back
Macy’s (10% cash back): Spend $200 to earn $20 cash back
Sephora (4% cash back): Spend $150 to earn $6 cash back
Best Buy (2% cash back): Spend $500 to earn $10 cash back
Lululemon (8% cash back): Spend $250 to earn $20 cash back
Total Rakuten Cash Back Earned: $71. Converted to Bilt Points (during intro period): 7,100 Bilt Points. Real Travel Value: those 7,100 Bilt Points could get you:
- Half a hotel night at a mid-tier Hyatt (many properties are 12,000 to 15,000 points per night)
- Transfer to Southwest for 7,100 Rapid Rewards points (enough for 1-2 one-way domestic flights during sales)
- Transfer to American Airlines for domestic travel
And remember: You still earn your credit card rewards on these purchases! If you’re using a 2x earning card, you’d also get 2,820 credit card points (1,410 x 2) on that $1,400 in spending. Combined: You’re earning cash back/Bilt Points PLUS credit card rewards. That’s double-dipping at its finest!
Read: Earn Chase Ink Business Cards 90,000 Bonus Points with No Annual Fee
How to Set Everything Up (Step-by-Step)
Setting up this partnership takes about 5 minutes. Here’s exactly what to do:
Step 1: Create Your Rakuten Account FIRST
This order matters!
Start by creating your Rakuten account through a referral link (like mine!) to get the $50 welcome bonus (which converts to 5,000 Bilt Points).
If you create your Rakuten account directly through the Bilt app first, you’ll only get 2,500 points. So do Rakuten first, then connect Bilt.
Sign up at: https://www.rakuten.com/r/HILDAO121?eeid=44971
Important: Make a qualifying purchase of $50+ within 90 days to earn your bonus.
Step 2: Download the Bilt Rewards App
Get the free Bilt Rewards app:
- iOS: Download from the App Store
- Android: Download from Google Play
- Or visit: biltrewards.com
Create your free Bilt account. Make sure you use the same email address you used for Rakuten, this is crucial for linking the accounts.
Pro tip: Some people report that the Rakuten option doesn’t show up in their Bilt account until after they’ve added a credit card to Bilt. If you have this issue, just add any card to your Bilt account first.
Step 3: Link Rakuten to Your Bilt Account
Once you have both accounts: click on rewards, then everyday rewards and you should see an option to link both accounts.
If you don’t see the option because the Bilt account is new, I recommend sending a chat to support for a link to connect both accounts. If successful, you will get a message stating both accounts are linked and also an email subsequently
Step 4: Change Your Rakuten Payout Preference
Once you have linked both accounts on Bilt site:
- Log into Rakuten
- Select “Choose How You Get Paid”
- Change your payout method from “Cash” to “Bilt Points”
Note: You won’t see Bilt as an option until you’ve created your Bilt account and the accounts are linked.
Step 5: Install the Rakuten Browser Extension (Optional But Recommended)
This is the secret to never forgetting to earn cash back:
Download the extension:
- Chrome, Edge, Firefox: Visit rakuten.com/extension
- Safari: Available in the Safari Extensions Gallery
- Mobile: Get the Rakuten mobile app
How it works: When you’re shopping online, the extension will pop up and remind you: “Activate 8% cash back at this store?” You click yes, and you’re done. It takes 2 seconds and ensures you never miss out on earning.
Step 6: Start Shopping!
That’s it! Now whenever you shop online:
Option 1: Start at Rakuten
- Go to rakuten.com or open the app
- Search for the store you want
- Click through to the retailer
- Shop normally
Option 2: Let the Extension Do It
- Go directly to the retailer’s website
- The browser extension will pop up
- Click to activate cash back
- Shop normally
Option 3: Shop Through the Bilt App
- Some retailers appear directly in the Bilt app
- These may show Rakuten cash-back rates
- Shop through those links
When Do You Get Your Bilt Travel Points?
Rakuten operates on a quarterly payout schedule. Here’s when you’ll see your cash back converted to Bilt travel points:
| Shopping Period | Payout Date |
|---|---|
| January 1 – March 31 | May 15 |
| April 1 – June 30 | August 15 |
| July 1 – September 30 | November 15 |
| October 1 – December 31 | February 15 |
What this means:
- If you shop in November 2025, your cash back will be confirmed and converted to Bilt Points by February 15, 2026
- The points are deposited automatically into your Bilt account
- No action needed on your part once everything is set up
Important: Your purchase needs to be confirmed by the retailer first (meaning no returns). This typically takes 30-90 days after your purchase, depending on the retailer’s return policy.
Welcome Bonus: Extra 2,500 Bilt Points
When you link your Rakuten account through the Bilt app and make your first qualifying purchase of $25 or more, you’ll receive a welcome bonus of 2,500 Bilt Points.
However: If you sign up for Rakuten through a referral link first (before linking to Bilt), you can get a $50 bonus instead, which converts to 5,000 Bilt Points, double the welcome bonus!
My recommendation:
- Sign up for Rakuten through a referral link ($50 = 5,000 points)
- Then link it to your Bilt account
- This way you get the larger bonus
Rakuten Cash Back Rates: What to Expect
Rakuten’s cash-back rates vary by retailer and change frequently. Here’s what you can typically expect:
Standard Rates:
- 1-2%: Amazon, Walmart, grocery stores
- 3-5%: Target, Old Navy, Gap, many clothing retailers
- 5-10%: Macy’s, Nordstrom, Sephora, Ulta
- 10-15%: During special promotions and sales events
Special Events: Rakuten regularly runs Big Bonus events where rates are elevated:
- Black Friday/Cyber Monday: Rates often jump to 10-20%
- Back to School: Elevated rates in July-August
- Holiday Shopping Season: Higher rates in November-December
- Quarterly bonus events: Watch for announcements
Pro tip: Stack Rakuten cash back with:
- Store sales (Black Friday, clearance, etc.)
- Credit card bonus categories
- Manufacturer coupons or promo codes
- Store loyalty programs
You can literally earn 4-5 different types of rewards on a single purchase!
Who Should Use This Partnership?
This is perfect for you if:
You’re already a Bilt member or pay rent (perfect synergy!)
You value flexible, transferable points over cash
You shop online regularly at major retailers
You want to earn more points without opening new credit cards
You’re working toward a specific redemption goal (like Southwest Companion Pass)
You like stacking rewards and maximizing value
You might skip this if:
You prefer straight cash back and don’t care about travel rewards
You rarely shop online
You’re already earning Amex Membership Rewards through Rakuten and prefer that
You don’t want to manage another loyalty program
Rakuten + Bilt FAQs
Can I still earn credit card rewards when shopping through Rakuten?
Yes! Shopping through Rakuten doesn’t affect your credit card rewards at all. You’ll earn Rakuten cash back (converted to Bilt Points) PLUS whatever rewards your credit card offers. It’s true double-dipping.
What if I’m already earning Amex points through Rakuten?
You can switch between earning Amex Membership Rewards and Bilt Points anytime. Just change your payout preference in your Rakuten account settings. However, you can’t split earnings, it’s one or the other.
Do I need a Bilt credit card to participate?
No! You don’t need the Bilt Mastercard to earn Bilt Points through this partnership. You just need a free Bilt Rewards account. Shop with whatever credit card you want.
Can I use coupon codes and still earn cash back?
Generally yes, but it depends on the retailer. Manufacturer coupons and most promo codes work fine. However, some cash-back sites (not Rakuten specifically) won’t give you cash back if you use certain affiliate or cash-back stacking codes.
What happens if I return something?
If you return an item, the corresponding cash back will be deducted from your Rakuten account. This is why there’s a waiting period before cash back is “confirmed” and paid out.
How long does it take for purchases to show up in my Rakuten account?
Purchases typically appear in your Rakuten account within 1-3 days. However, they won’t be “confirmed” (and thus eligible for payout) until the retailer’s return window has passed, usually 30-90 days.
Is there a limit to how much I can earn?
No! You can earn unlimited Rakuten cash back (and thus unlimited Bilt Points). Shop to your heart’s content.
What if my Rakuten and Bilt accounts won’t link?
Make sure you’re using the same email address for both accounts. If that doesn’t work, try adding a credit card to your Bilt account first. Some users report this triggers the Rakuten option to appear.
Can I change my mind and switch back to cash instead of Bilt Points?
Yes, you can change your payout preference anytime in your Rakuten account settings. Any earnings you’ve already accumulated will be paid out according to the preference you had when you earned them.
Final Thoughts
If you spend $5,000 per year shopping online (which many families easily do), and you average 5% cash back through Rakuten, that’s $250 in cash back. Converted to Bilt travel points during the intro period, that’s 25,000 Bilt Points.
25,000 Bilt travel points could get you:
- 2 hotel nights at mid-tier Hyatt properties
- Multiple domestic flights on Southwest
- A solid chunk toward an international business class ticket
And you didn’t have to open a single new credit card, meet any minimum spend, or change your shopping habits. You just clicked a button before checking out.
My bottom-line recommendation:
- Sign up for Rakuten through a referral link (get that $50 bonus = 5,000 Bilt Points)
- Create your free Bilt account and link it to Rakuten
- Install the browser extension so you never forget
- Start shopping and watch the Bilt travel points roll in quarterly
This is free money (well, free travel points) on purchases you’re making anyway. And if you’re already in the points and miles game, this is just another tool in your arsenal to maximize rewards.
Shopping just got way more rewarding. Don’t leave travel points on the table!
Thank you for using my affiliate links when you sign up for Rakuten or apply for credit cards. There’s no additional cost to you, and it helps support my small business. I genuinely appreciate it more than you know!
Opinions expressed here are my own, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity.
This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within this post.
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