📣 Bilt + Rakuten = 100 Bilt points per dollar cash back (first 6 months) at 3,500+ stores
😮 2,500 bonus points when you link accounts + make first $25 purchase through Bilt app
🏨 New $50 Rakuten signup bonus beats Bilt's offer by 2,500 points ($55 vs $27.50 value)
Good morning and welcome back to Miles & Points Daily — the newsletter that helps you turn everyday spending into business class flights faster than you can say "sold out."
Something wild just dropped yesterday, and honestly? The timing couldn't be better with Black Friday two weeks out.
🎯 Bilt + Rakuten: Your Holiday Shopping Just Got Way More Valuable
Bilt and Rakuten officially launched their partnership on November 6th, and this one's actually a game-changer for how you earn transferable points.
Here's the deal: Link your Bilt and Rakuten accounts, and every dollar of Rakuten cash back converts to 100 Bilt points for the first six months. That's a 1:1 conversion — $10 cash back = 1,000 Bilt points.
The math gets interesting when you consider Bilt points are valued at 2.2 cents per point by The Points Guy. So that $10 in cash back? It's actually worth $22 in potential travel value when you transfer to partners like Hyatt, Air Canada Aeroplan, or Alaska Airlines.
Let's say you're doing your holiday shopping. You buy a $600 laptop through Rakuten at Best Buy (currently offering 2% cash back). You earn $12 cash back, which converts to 1,200 Bilt points. Transfer those to World of Hyatt and you're looking at $26.40 in hotel value — more than double your cash back.
And honestly? With Black Friday approaching, stores are already pumping up their Rakuten rates. We're seeing offers like 15% back at Lululemon, 10% at Samsung, and elevated rates at hundreds of retailers.
Heads up: After the six-month intro period, only Bilt Silver/Gold/Platinum members keep the 1:1 rate. Blue status (entry-level) members drop to 50 points per dollar, cutting the value in half. So if you're not planning to level up in Bilt's program, this partnership makes most sense during these first six months.
The key detail: You don't need a Bilt credit card to do this. Zero. Just a free Bilt membership account. This is pure earning without opening any new cards.
To link your accounts, download the Bilt app, navigate to "Rewards" → "Everyday rewards" → "Earn points with Rakuten." Your email must match on both accounts. Points post quarterly following Rakuten's normal payout schedule.
💰 The Welcome Bonus Math: Go Directly to Rakuten First
Bilt's offering 2,500 bonus points if you sign up for Rakuten through their app and spend $25+.
But here's where it gets interesting: Sign up through a standard Rakuten referral link instead, and you'll get a $50 bonus after spending $50+.
Option A (Bilt route): 2,500 points = $27.50 in travel value at 1.1 cents per point minimum
Option B (Rakuten route): $50 cash back = 5,000 Bilt points = $55+ in travel value
You save $27.50 by going direct to Rakuten first, then linking your Bilt account after. The $50 Rakuten bonus is live through mid-December and works at thousands of stores — Apple, Samsung, Lowe's, eBay, Chewy, even travel sites like Booking.com and Hotels.com.
Once you get that $50, convert it to 5,000 Bilt points, then link your accounts for all future shopping.
Warning: You need to make the qualifying purchase within 90 days of signing up to get the bonus. And it only works for brand new Rakuten members.
✈️ When This Partnership Actually Makes Sense (And When It Doesn't)
If you've been using Rakuten to earn American Express Membership Rewards points, should you switch?
Maybe. Maybe not.
Amex points transfer to Rakuten at 1:1 (1 cent cash back = 1 Amex point). The Points Guy values Amex points at 2.0 cents each. So $10 cash back = 1,000 Amex points = $20 in value.
Compare that to Bilt during the intro period: $10 cash back = 1,000 Bilt points = $22 in value.
Bilt edges out Amex by 10% during these first six months. Plus, Bilt has 22 airline and hotel transfer partners versus Amex's 20, including some Amex doesn't have like Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan.
But here's the thing: If you're a Blue status Bilt member after six months, your conversion drops to 50 points per dollar. That's only $11 in value from $10 cash back — 45% less than sticking with Amex.
Bottom line: Use Bilt for the next six months of holiday shopping. Rack up points at the 1:1 rate. Then reassess in May 2026 based on your Bilt status level.
Don't care about travel points at all? Just take the cash. No judgment here.
Not a bad Thursday. See you tomorrow.
— Miles & Points Daily
P.S. — Already have both Bilt and Rakuten accounts but never linked them? Do it before your next purchase. Takes 90 seconds and your future self will thank you when you're booking that flight to Tokyo.