Maximize Your Rewards: Earn Amex Membership Rewards Points with Rakuten

Amex has very good earning rates for specific spending categories, like dining and groceries (Amex Gold). But what if you are purchasing something not in those specific categories and you want more than just 1x per dollar spent? Well, Rakuten is your answer.

Rakuten, an Online Shopping platform, lets you earn cash back or American Express Membership Rewards points when shopping at over 2,500 retailers. By choosing to earn Amex points, you can unlock extraordinary travel rewards and elevate your earning potential. Now that it’s getting closer to the Holidays, use Rakuten for your shopping and supercharge your Amex redemptions.

Here’s how to make the most of Rakuten for your online purchases.

How Rakuten Works

Rakuten partners with popular retailers to offer rewards on your shopping. Here’s how it works:

1. Sign up for free at Rakuten.com.

2. Shop at your favorite stores by starting at Rakuten, its browser extension, or mobile app.

3. Earn cash back or Amex points on your purchases, credited directly to your Rakuten account.

For every dollar spent, Rakuten converts 1% cash back into 1 Membership Rewards point when you link your eligible Amex card. With Amex points valued at 2 cents or more, opting for points instead of cash back can double your rewards value.

Switch to Amex Membership Rewards Points

This is the secret sauce of supercharging your Amex Membership Rewards with Rakuten. By default, Rakuten accounts are set to cash back. Switching to Membership Rewards is easy:

• Go to Account Settings in your Rakuten profile.

• Select “Membership Rewards Points” as your payment preference and follow prompts to link your Amex account.

Keep in mind this switch is permanent—once you opt out of Membership Rewards, you can’t switch back. But using this method will significantly increase your Amex Membership Rewards. I’ve done this for a few years now and have earned over 100k Amex Membership Rewards.

Why Choose Amex Points Over Cash Back?

While cash back is straightforward, Amex points are a game-changer for travel enthusiasts. Membership Rewards points can be transferred to travel partners for premium experiences, such as first-class flights or luxury hotel stays.

For example, Rakuten often has cash back values ranging from 10-100%. Currently, Factor (the online meal delivery company) is offering 30% cash back. The 10 meals per week is being offered at $62.49. If you use the 30% cash back via Amex Membership Rewards, this purchase will earn you 1,875 Amex Membership Rewards! Now just image finding a 90% cash back offer!

Maximizing Rakuten Rewards

To supercharge your earnings, stack Rakuten rewards with other offers:

• Credit Card Benefits: Use cards like the Amex Gold or Platinum to earn additional points on Rakuten purchases.

• Amex or Chase Offers: Combine Rakuten rewards with statement credits or targeted discounts.

Rakuten Tools for Seamless Savings

Maximize convenience with these tools:

• Browser Extension: Automatically activates cash back or points when shopping at eligible stores.

• Mobile App: Browse deals, activate rewards, and scan receipts to ensure you never miss earnings.

How and When You’re Paid

Rakuten operates on a quarterly payment schedule, with rewards issued about six weeks after each quarter ends. Whether earning cash back or Membership Rewards points, you’ll receive your rewards like clockwork.

Bottom Line

Rakuten is one of the easiest ways to earn Amex Membership rewards for online shopping you’re already doing. Amex has decent earning rates for specific categories. But what if you are seeking more than just 1x per dollar spent? Think of it as supercharging your Amex Membership Rewards earning strategy.

Sign up today, start shopping through Rakuten, and watch your rewards add up!

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