If you’ve been hanging around the points and miles world lately, you know Bilt has been busy. And their latest update might be my favorite one yet — because it gives everyday shoppers a brand-new way to earn Bilt points without needing a Bilt credit card.

Yep, you can now transfer your Rakuten earnings into Bilt points. And that means… hello, Hyatt stays!

Let’s break down exactly why this is exciting — and how you can start earning and using these points, even if you’ve never touched Rakuten before.

Why This Is Huge: Rakuten + Bilt = Easy Travel Points

Rakuten has always been a simple, free way to earn cash back when you shop online or in stores. But now, instead of cash back, you can choose to earn Bilt points instead.

Here’s why that’s exciting:

You don’t need a Bilt credit card to earn Bilt points this way.
You can use those points for amazing travel partners — like Hyatt, American Airlines, Air Canada Aeroplan, and United.
You’re turning everyday shopping into free travel without changing a single habit.

If you’re already using Rakuten for cash back, this is basically a free upgrade to earning travel points instead of dollars.

Bilt Transfer Partners

Here’s a quick look at where your Bilt points can take you. You can transfer to all these programs at a 1:1 ratio:

Airlines

• American Airlines AAdvantage
• United MileagePlus
• Air Canada Aeroplan
• Turkish Airlines Miles & Smiles
• Virgin Atlantic Flying Club
• Emirates Skywards
• British Airways Executive Club
• Hawaiian Airlines HawaiianMiles
• Cathay Pacific Asia Miles
• Iberia Plus

Hotels

• World of Hyatt
• IHG One Rewards
• Marriott Bonvoy

And yes, Hyatt is the big win here — because Hyatt redemptions often give you 2–3 cents per point or more in value.

That means your $10 Rakuten cash back (which becomes 1,000 Bilt points) could easily turn into a $20–$30 hotel night value instead.

How to Link Rakuten and Bilt

Ready to start earning Bilt points with Rakuten? Here’s how:

1. Download the Bilt app (if you haven’t already).
2. Tap Rewards at the bottom.
3. Tap Everyday Rewards at the top.
4. Find Rakuten and tap Link Account.
5. Make sure your email address matches on both Rakuten and Bilt!

If your emails don’t match, the accounts won’t sync correctly — and you’ll risk creating a duplicate account.

Once you link them, your future Rakuten earnings will automatically be converted into Bilt points.

Timing Tip: Make the Switch Before November 15

Rakuten pays out quarterly — and the next payout is November 15, 2025.

That means if you want your next payout to be in Bilt points instead of cash, you need to make the switch before that date.

For the first six months, the conversion rate is awesome:

$10 cash back = 1,000 Bilt points.

After that, if you’re at Bilt Blue status, it drops to $10 = 500 points — unless you reach Silver, Gold, or Platinum, where the higher conversion stays.

How to Use Rakuten (for Total Beginners)

Step 1: Sign up for Rakuten

You can create your account here. It’s 100% free.

When you sign up through my referral link, you’ll get $50 (or 5,000 Bilt points) after spending $50.

Step 2: Add the Rakuten Browser Button

This is the easiest way to make sure you never miss points.

1. Go to Rakuten.com and click “Add to Chrome” (or Safari, Edge, etc.).
2. Once installed, the Rakuten button will pop up whenever you visit a participating store.
3. Click “Activate” before you check out — and boom, you’re earning.

Think of it as a built-in reminder to never forget free points again.

Step 3: Use Rakuten In Stores

Rakuten also works in stores! Here’s how:

1. Open the Rakuten app.
2. Tap In-Store Cash Back.
3. Link your credit card or debit card (it doesn’t have to be Bilt).
4. When you shop in person at participating stores, you’ll earn Rakuten (which now means Bilt points!).

Stores like Ulta, Gap, Old Navy, and Sephora often participate — so don’t skip this step!

How to Use Your Rakuten-Earned Bilt Points

Once you’ve earned Bilt points through Rakuten, you can use them just like regular Bilt points:

• Transfer to Hyatt for incredible hotel stays.
• Book flights with partners like American, United, or Air Canada.
• Use the Bilt Travel Portal to book flights, hotels, or rental cars directly.
• Or even save up for big trips by combining with points you earn from your Bilt card (if you ever get one).

Even if you never hold a Bilt credit card, this Rakuten partnership is your backdoor into one of the most valuable rewards ecosystems in the travel world.

Final Thoughts

If you’ve never used Rakuten, this is the perfect time to start.
You’re already shopping online — why not get rewarded with Bilt points you can use for free travel?

This partnership opens up a whole new way for families, busy moms, and everyday shoppers to start earning travel rewards without juggling multiple credit cards or complicated systems.

Ready to start earning Bilt points on your online shopping?
Join Rakuten here and earn your first 5,000 Bilt points after spending $50.