f you’re serious about earning cash back or points on everyday purchases, there’s one platform you absolutely shouldn’t ignore: Rakuten. Formerly known as Ebates, Rakuten is a free cashback and shopping rewards portal that pays you for doing what you’re already doing — shopping online.
But here’s the real game-changer: if you link your American Express account, you can convert cash back into valuable Membership Rewards points, giving you even more travel and rewards value. ✨
🔍 What is Rakuten and How Does It Work?
Rakuten is a shopping portal that partners with thousands of retailers (like Walmart, Target, Sephora, Apple, and more). When you shop through Rakuten’s site or app, they earn a commission from the retailer and share a portion of that with you — in the form of cash back or points.
🛒 Here’s How It Works:
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Sign up for a free Rakuten account
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Start your shopping journey at rakuten.com
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Click through to your favorite store
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Complete your purchase like normal
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Earn up to 40% cash back (depending on the store)
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Get paid every quarter via PayPal or check — or even better, in Amex Membership Rewards points 💳
🔗 Why You Should Link Your Amex Account
Here’s where things get seriously valuable for points enthusiasts:
When you link your American Express Membership Rewards account to Rakuten, you can opt to earn 1 Amex point per $1 cash back instead of receiving a check or PayPal payout.
📈 Why This Matters:
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Amex Membership Rewards points can be worth 2¢ or more per point when transferred to travel partners (like Delta, ANA, or Emirates).
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This effectively doubles or even triples the value of your Rakuten cash back.
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Instead of earning 5% cash back, you could be getting 5x Amex points — which could translate into 10–15% in travel value.
This makes Rakuten the only cashback portal that also acts as a powerful points-earning engine for Amex users.
🎯 Why Rakuten Stands Out Among Cashback Portals
✅ User-friendly browser extension that alerts you of cashback opportunities while shopping
✅ Thousands of top brands — including exclusive cashback deals during seasonal promos
✅ High cashback rates, often better than competitors like Honey or TopCashback
✅ Double-dip possibilities when stacking with Amex Offers or store promo codes
✅ Works with in-store purchases via linked cards (at select merchants)
✅ Referral bonuses when you invite friends to join
And don’t forget — Rakuten sometimes runs limited-time new user offers like $30 bonuses after your first qualifying purchase!
✈️ Travel Hack: Turn Your Groceries and Shopping into First-Class Flights
When paired with your Amex card, Rakuten becomes a secret weapon for travel hackers. Imagine earning:
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10x points on Nike during a promo → Book your next flight on Delta with those points
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15x at Bloomingdale’s → Upgrade to business class on Emirates
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5x at Apple → Save for a luxury hotel redemption through Amex Travel
If you’re already using Rakuten for cash back, it’s time to start leveraging Amex points instead for higher long-term value.
📝 Final Thoughts — Why You Should Join Rakuten Today
If you’re not using Rakuten, you’re leaving free money (and points) on the table. It’s easy to use, works with thousands of brands, and offers one of the most lucrative ways to earn Amex Membership Rewards points without changing your shopping habits.
💥 Sign up today using my referral link to get a welcome bonus:
👉 www.rakuten.com/r/4LIRAJ?eeid=28187
Whether you’re a cashback lover or points junkie, Rakuten is a must-have in your rewards strategy.
