How I earned almost 30,000 Amex Membership Rewards points with help from Rakuten
It isn't often that opportunities to earn a large number of points in one transaction arise. That's why I was ecstatic when I looked at Rakuten's Cash Back Unwrap calendar for 2024 and saw it aligned with a TV purchase I had planned. On Nov. 20, 2024, Rakuten offered a bonus of 20% cash back (or 20 American Express Membership Rewards points per dollar spent) on LG purchases.
Here's how I made the most out of this opportunity and how you can find chances to earn thousands of bonus Membership Rewards points yourself.
The Rakuten offer
Receiving 20% cash back on anything is nothing short of extraordinary, but since I was in the market for a new TV, I knew I was in a really good spot to get tons of rewards. The TV I was looking at was a 65-inch LG C3 that was marked down to $1,299.99 for Black Friday.
Since Rakuten's special LG deal only ran for one day, I had to be mindful of timing my purchase right. I charged my new TV to The Platinum Card® from American Express, a card I recently opened and am working to earn a welcome offer.
Through the Rakuten offer, I earned 26,000 Membership Rewards points. According to TPG's December 2024 valuations, Membership Rewards points are worth 2 cents per point. That means those 26,000 points are worth $520 when used with Amex's hotel and airline transfer partners.
If you want to take advantage of a Rakuten offer, ensure you begin your shopping trip at Rakuten's site and click through to your desired merchant. Alternatively, download the Rakuten Chrome extension and activate the applicable offer when prompted by the merchant.
By default, you'll receive rewards from Rakuten as cash back. If you're like me and prefer to earn Membership Rewards points, you must connect your Amex Membership Rewards account.
Keep in mind that Membership Rewards points will not be instantly available from Rakuten. In fact, it can take up to 100 days for your rewards to be confirmed. Also remember that Rakuten only pays points out every three months.
Points from my Amex Platinum
On top of the 26,000 points earned through the Rakuten offer, I also earned points from my Amex Platinum. My TV purchase didn't fall under any of the Amex Platinum's bonus categories, so I earned just 1 point per dollar. I can't complain about that in this instance, though.
Since the purchase totaled $1,299.99, I earned 1,300 points from my Amex Platinum. That brings my grand total of Membership Rewards points up to 27,300, worth $546 according to TPG's December 2024 valuations. That certainly eased the pain in my wallet.
It's worth noting that you don't need to use a Membership Rewards-earning card to receive bonus points from Rakuten. You can use any card you want, even a cash-back card. Regardless of what card you use, your Rakuten rewards can only be received as cash back or Membership Rewards points.
You don't need to worry about linking your card to Rakuten, either, unless you're taking advantage of one of its in-store offers.
How you can find great offers
For starters, make sure you've signed up for Rakuten. In fact, new members can earn a one-time bonus of $30 after joining via this link and spending at least $30 at eligible merchants in the first 90 days. This initial bonus will be paid out in cash back, but you can change your earning preference to Membership Rewards points to ensure additional rewards are delivered as points.
After setting up your account, don't worry if you missed out on previous deals. Rakuten has dozens of amazing offers throughout the year. I've seen offers like 10% back on PetSmart and Lululemon purchases, while many merchants went up to 15% (or even higher) during Rakuten's Black Friday and Cyber Monday promotion.
Very few cards offer more than 5% to 6% back on purchases, so I definitely try to take advantage of Rakuten offers whenever I see them. I also strongly recommend installing the Rakuten Chrome extension. It will automatically alert you with a pop-up whenever a bonus offer is available.
Rakuten even provides in-store offers for select merchants. Simply activate them online (or via the Rakuten app), and then link the card you plan to use for the purchase. Popular stores eligible for in-store rewards include CVS, Petco and Carter's.
Aside from Rakuten, keep an eye out for special offers from your credit cards. I check my Amex Offers two to three times a week since they often fit my lifestyle and spending habits. If you have an eligible Chase card, utilize Chase Offers as well. Since these typically require purchases directly with a merchant, they're usually stackable with shopping portals like Rakuten.
Finally, check other online shopping portals before purchasing. You'll sometimes find better offers for the same merchant on different sites, though you can only earn rewards with a single portal. Other popular options include:
- Shop Through Chase
- Capital One Shopping
- American AAdvantage eShopping
- Delta SkyMiles Shopping
- Southwest Rapid Rewards Shopping
- TopCashback
A shopping portal aggregator is a great way to see all the offers for a single store and ensure you're picking the best one.
Related: The beginners guide to airline shopping portals: How to earn bonus points and miles
Bottom line
It definitely put a smile on my face to see so many Membership Rewards points come into my possession. It made all the time I've spent scrolling through Rakuten looking for deals worth it. Whether you're a points and miles beginner or a pro, using shopping portals is one of the best ways to get the points you need for your next dream vacation.
Don't have a Membership Rewards-earning card yet? Check out our picks for the best American Express cards to help you make your choice — and be sure to join Rakuten today for the chance to earn a one-time bonus of $30.
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits.Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits.Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.