Bilt members have had a really good run with Rakuten over the last several months.
Since the partnership launched in late 2025, Rakuten users have been able to convert cash back into Bilt Points at a full 1:1 ratio, regardless of elite status. Even better, you did not need a Bilt credit card to participate, which made this one of the easiest ways to earn transferable travel points from everyday spending.
As I mentioned in my previous post on the Rakuten x Bilt partnership launch, this was an incredible opportunity if you knew how to strategically stack portal bonuses, online shopping offers, promos, and everyday purchases.
Earn BILT Points Through Rakuten: How to Link and Maximize Rewards
Unfortunately, that introductory earning rate officially changes after the May 15, 2026 payout.
What’s Changing With Rakuten and Bilt?
Through the May 15 payout cycle, all Bilt members earned:
- 100 Bilt Points per $1 in Rakuten cash back
However, starting after May 15, 2026, earning rates now depend on your Bilt status tier.
New Rakuten x Bilt Earning Rates
- Blue Members: 50 Bilt Points per $1 in cash back
- Silver Members: 100 Bilt Points per $1 in cash back
- Gold Members: 100 Bilt Points per $1 in cash back
- Platinum Members: 100 Bilt Points per $1 in cash back
For Blue members like myself, that means earnings have officially been reduced by 50%.
In my opinion, earning Bilt Points at a 1:2 ratio is significantly less attractive than the original launch offer.
Why This Partnership Was Such a Big Deal
What made the Rakuten and Bilt partnership so valuable was accessibility.
Unlike many transferable points programs, you did not need:
- a new credit card,
- a large welcome bonus,
- or heavy spending requirements
to earn a meaningful amount of points.
You could simply:
- shop through Rakuten,
- stack promotions,
- earn cash back,
- and convert those earnings directly into Bilt Points.
For people under 5/24, avoiding new inquiries, or simply wanting another way to earn transferable points, this was one of the better earning opportunities we’ve seen recently.
How Many Bilt Points Did I Earn?
Since the partnership launched, I earned close to 115,000 Bilt Points through:
- Rakuten shopping
- everyday spending
- promotional offers
- and strategic stacking
And honestly, I’m not mad about it.
That is more than many travelers earn from traditional credit card welcome offers with significantly higher spending requirements.
While Bilt has increased its welcome offer in the past, the earning potential from this Rakuten partnership was still extremely valuable, especially considering many people earned these points without opening another card.
Should Blue Members Switch Their Rakuten Payout Method?
If you currently have:
- Silver,
- Gold,
- or Platinum Bilt status,
nothing changes for you.
However, if you are still a Blue member, it may be worth reviewing your payout preferences.
Rakuten still allows users to earn American Express Membership Rewards points at a full 1:1 ratio. For many users, earning full-value Membership Rewards points may provide more value than earning Bilt Points at half the previous rate.
Just remember:
To earn Membership Rewards through Rakuten, you must hold an eligible American Express Membership Rewards-earning card.
Once I confirmed that my May 15 payout had successfully posted to my Bilt account, I switched my Rakuten earnings preference back to American Express Membership Rewards.
Final Thoughts
Even with the reduced earning rate for Blue members, the Rakuten partnership still gives users another option for earning Bilt Points without needing a Bilt credit card.
That said, the value proposition looks very different now.
If you maximized this partnership while the 1:1 rate was in effect, you definitely came out ahead. For now, Blue members should double-check their Rakuten payout settings and decide which earning currency makes the most sense moving forward.
