Could you soon be able to earn Bilt Points through Rakuten? That’s what the whispers within the points and miles community and Rakuten’s own Help section are hinting at. It’s not official yet — but the idea of a Rakuten + Bilt partnership is gaining real traction.
If this becomes a thing, it might be one of the most underrated moves in the points space. I’ve earned over half a million Amex points via Rakuten alone — now imagine having the flexibility to pick Bilt instead. That’s the potential upside we’re considering!
And if this ends up rolling out? It’s going to change how we earn, redeem, and strategize our points.
Why Rakuten Is Already a Hidden Gem for Earning Points
If you’ve been in the points and miles game for a while, you already know Rakuten isn’t just another shopping portal — it’s one of the easiest ways to turn everyday purchases into real travel rewards.
Rakuten lets you earn American Express Membership Rewards® points instead of cash back by linking your Amex account. That setup has been a powerhouse for years because it allows you to stack portal bonuses, Amex Offers, or other credit card offers, and your credit card’s category multipliers, all in one move.
The points I’ve earned have covered international flights, luxury hotels, and even premium cabin redemptions that would’ve easily cost thousands of dollars out of pocket.
So, if Rakuten adds Bilt Points as a third option? That’s huge.
Why Bilt Points Are So Valuable
Bilt is already a standout because it’s the only program that lets you earn rewards on rent payments without paying fees — but its value goes far beyond that.
The Bilt Rewards ecosystem includes top transfer partners like:
- World of Hyatt
- United Airlines
- Hilton Honors
- Alaska Airlines (now Atomos Rewards)
- Japan Airlines
- Aeroplan, British Airways, Emirates and more
And then there’s Rent Day — Bilt’s monthly bonus event on the 1st of every month. Depending on your status tier, Bilt has offered transfer bonuses up to 150%, meaning your points can more than double when transferred to certain partners.
Just last month, my rent day benefit was a 60% transfer bonus to Virgin Atlantic (and I am NOT a cardholder), which opens the door to sweet-spot redemptions like ANA’s The Room or The Suite for a fraction of the usual cost.
If those kinds of opportunities become available directly through Rakuten Bilt Points, that’s next-level stacking.
Will You Need the Bilt Mastercard?
That’s still the big question. Currently, Rakuten requires you to have an Amex card that earns Membership Rewards to earn Amex points. So it’s possible that earning Bilt Points through Rakuten might require having the Bilt Mastercard.
But if Rakuten allows anyone with a Bilt Rewards account to earn points — even without the card — that opens the floodgates. It would make Rakuten not just a cashback or Amex portal, but a universal earning hub where you can choose your ecosystem:
- Cash Back
- Amex Membership Rewards
- Bilt Rewards Points
That level of choice would put Rakuten in a class of its own.
Bottom Line
The potential to earn Bilt Points through Rakuten could completely reshape how everyday shoppers and travel hackers approach their points strategy. Between Amex’s transfer network and Bilt’s Rent Day bonuses, this pairing could deliver the kind of value we don’t usually see outside of premium cards or targeted promos.
It’s still early, but the writing’s on the wall — and this could easily be one of the biggest loyalty updates of 2025.
Ready to Start Earning?
If you’re not signed up for Rakuten yet, use my referral link to grab your 5,000-point bonus after your first $50 purchase. You can always switch to Bilt once it’s available, but don’t leave points on the table while you wait.
Join Rakuten Here and Start Stacking
And if you haven’t opened a Bilt account yet, you can learn how Bilt Rewards works here — including the best transfer partners and tips for maximizing Rent Day.
Stay tuned — I’ll update this post the minute Rakuten officially launches Bilt as an earning option.
