The Guide to Rakuten, Amex Points & Bilt Points for Hawaii Travelers
1. Why Rakuten Matters for Hawaiʻi Travelers
Flights from Hawaiʻi are expensive. Whether you're flying to the West Coast, Japan, Vegas, or the East Coast, cash prices add up fast.
Rakuten gives you a way to turn shopping you're already doing into:
Amex Membership Rewards points, or
Bilt points, now redeemable for Atmos Rewards (Alaska + Hawaiian), United, Japan Airlines, Hyatt, and more
For locals, this is huge. These points can get you:
Flights from Hawaiʻi to Japan (ANA, JAL, Delta, etc.)
Flights to the mainland (Alaska/Atmos, United, Delta, American, Southwest connections)
Hotel nights through Hyatt, Hilton, Marriott, IHG, and more
This guide breaks down exactly how Rakuten works and how to set up the best strategy depending on whether your main ecosystem is Amex or Bilt.
I recently transferred BILT points I earned from Rakuten to book Hawaiian Airlines Leihoku Suites on a trip to LAX.
2. How Rakuten Works (Simple Explanation)
Rakuten is an online “middleman” between you and the stores you already shop at. When you click through Rakuten, the store pays Rakuten a small commission for sending you there. Rakuten then shares part of that commission with you as cash, Amex points, or Bilt points, depending on what you choose.
So if a store is offering “10% cash back” on Rakuten and you’ve chosen Amex or Bilt as your payout, that “10%” becomes points instead of cash. The key thing to remember is: you pay the same price you would’ve paid anyway, but now you’re earning travel rewards on top.
You don’t have to change where you shop or what you buy. You just need to get into the habit of starting at Rakuten (or letting the browser extension remind you) before you check out.
You start your shopping session through Rakuten (website, app, or browser extension).
Rakuten sends you to the retailer.
Retailer pays Rakuten a commission.
Rakuten gives you cash back, Amex points, or Bilt points.
If a store on Rakuten shows “10% Cash Back”:
Cash back mode = 10% cash back
Amex mode = 10 Amex points per dollar
Bilt mode = 10 Bilt points per dollar (during the 1:1 promo) or 5 per dollar (base tier after promo)
That’s free travel from purchases you already make.
3. Getting Started (Step-By-Step)
First, you’ll need a Rakuten account. Head to the Rakuten website and click “Join Now” or “Sign Up.” The sign-up process is quick, name, email, and password. If you have the chance to use my referral link, do it; Rakuten frequently runs welcome offers that give you a nice bonus after your first purchase.
Use an email address you actually check. Rakuten will send you updates when your cash back/points post, plus reminders about big promotions like “Double Cash Back” days. Treat it like a travel tool, not junk mail.
Create a Rakuten Account
Go to Rakuten.com and sign up.
Use my referral link if possible! LINK HERE www.rakuten.com/r/SCOTTI3109?eeid=28187
Install the Rakuten Browser Extension
This is the most important step for beginners.
Log in once.
Whenever you visit a store that partners with Rakuten, you'll see a pop-up to Activate earnings.
Download the Rakuten App
The app isn’t required, but it’s super helpful, especially if you shop on your phone. You can browse stores, activate offers, and even find in-store and dining deals right from the app. It’s also the easiest way to see your current pending/confirmed earnings when you’re on the go.
For people in Hawaiʻi who might be doing a lot of big seasonal shopping (back to school, Christmas, graduation, etc.), the app is a great way to quickly check “Is this store on Rakuten?” while you’re in line or scrolling on your couch.
4. How to Choose Your Reward Type (Cash, Amex, or Bilt)
Rakuten lets you decide how you get paid. You can stick with traditional cash back (via check or PayPal), or you can upgrade that value into either Amex Membership Rewards or Bilt points. This choice is the heart of your strategy.
Rakuten lets you choose how you get paid:
Big Fat Check
PayPal
American Express Membership Rewards
Bilt Points
Where to change this:
Go to: Account → Account Settings → How You Get Paid
If you don't see Bilt on there, you can link it from your BILT account, and then it will appear. You don’t ned a BILT card in order to have an account with BILT.
Earning Amex Membership Rewards via Rakuten
If you already have at least one Amex card that earns Membership Rewards, this is a no-brainer option. Cards like the Amex Gold, Platinum, Green, or Blue Business Plus all feed into a shared MR balance, and Rakuten can dump more points directly into that same pool.
To set it up, go to your Rakuten account settings and choose American Express Membership Rewards as your payment method. Rakuten will have you log in to your Amex account to link everything. After that, all your confirmed Rakuten earnings will show up as Amex points on the quarterly payout schedule.
The best part: you do not have to pay with an Amex card for the points to post. You can pay with whichever card is best for the purchase (maybe a card that earns more in that category), and Rakuten still deposits Amex points just based on the click-through.
Best for travelers who already have an Amex MR-earning card like:
Amex Gold
Amex Platinum
Amex Green
Blue Business Plus
Everyday Preferred
How to activate Amex points:
Go to How You Get Paid.
Choose American Express Membership Rewards.
Log into your Amex account.
Details you need to know:
$1 cash back = 1 Membership Rewards point (100:1 conversion)
You do NOT need to pay with an Amex card, any credit card works
Points deposit every quarter (Feb 15, May 15, Aug 15, Nov 15)
This is one of the easiest ways to build large MR balances without opening more credit cards.
Earning Bilt Points via Rakuten
Bilt is a points program built around renters, but even if you don’t pay rent with Bilt, their transfer partners are extremely strong, especially for Hawaiʻi. With the Rakuten partnership, everyday online shopping can now boost your Bilt balance as well.
You can choose Bilt as your payout in your Rakuten settings, or you can start in the Bilt app, look for the Rakuten integration, and link the two that way. Once linked, your Rakuten earnings will convert into Bilt points instead of cash each quarter.
This is powerful if you’re already using Bilt for rent, dining, and travel redemptions. Rakuten basically becomes a third “pillar” of your Bilt strategy—rent, dining, and online shopping all feeding one unified balance.
Bilt transfers to programs like:
Atmos Rewards (Alaska + Hawaiian)
United
Japan Airlines
Air France/KLM
Hyatt
Marriott / Hilton / IHG
How to activate Bilt points:
You can do it two ways:
In Rakuten under How You Get Paid → Select Bilt
orIn the Bilt app → Link Rakuten → Choose Bilt as payout
During the BILT launch promo (first 6 months):
Everyone gets 1:1 → 10% cash back = 10 Bilt points per dollar
After promo:
Blue (base) members: 1 point per 2 cents → 10% = 5 Bilt points per dollar
Silver, Gold, Platinum Bilt members: 1:1 stays
If you already pay rent with Bilt or earn from Bilt Dining, Rakuten becomes a massive booster.
Can You Switch Between Amex and Bilt?
Yes, you can change your payout method later, so it’s not a forever decision. Just remember that Rakuten pays out quarterly, so if you want your next payout to go to Amex or Bilt, make sure you flip the switch before that quarter’s payment date.
There’s no penalty for changing, but it’s usually better to pick a “home base” for at least a few months so your points build in one ecosystem. That makes it easier to hit big travel goals instead of having tiny balances scattered across different programs.
5. How to Actually Earn Points Through Rakuten
The core flow is simple. You either:
Start at Rakuten, search for the store, and click “Shop Now,” or
Go straight to the store’s website and let the Rakuten extension pop up so you can activate the reward.
Once you’ve activated Rakuten for that session, you just shop normally and check out. You should see a confirmation in your Rakuten account within a few hours to a few days showing the pending earnings. Those eventually become “confirmed,” and then they get paid out according to the schedule.
Standard Online Shopping
Go to Rakuten
Choose a store
Click “Shop Now”
Rakuten tracks the visit
Check out normally
Browser Extension = Automatic Protection
Real life is busy; you’re not always going to remember to start at Rakuten. That’s why the extension is so valuable. It quietly watches for participating stores and nudges you with a little banner. The extension will:
Notify you when a store offers points
Show the multiplier
Let you activate without leaving the site
Most people earn 80–90% more with the extension installed.
In-Store & Rakuten Dining
Rakuten also has certain in-store and dining offers, which you can find in the app. For those, you usually:
Link your credit card inside the Rakuten app.
Visit participating restaurants or stores.
Pay with that linked card.
When it works, you’ll earn Rakuten rewards automatically on top of your normal credit card points. This is a nice add-on if you’re eating out often, especially on the mainland or in big city markets where there are more dining partners.
Some restaurants offer 5% back / 5x points.
Travel Through Rakuten
Travel can also earn through Rakuten when you book via online travel agencies (OTAs) or specific travel partners. You might see multipliers for Expedia, Hotels.com, Booking.com, and car rental companies, among others.
This is best for stays where you don’t care about hotel elite benefits or chain points, like independent properties, cheap one-night stays, or when the deal is too good to pass up. Just be aware that travel earnings often take much longer to confirm, typically after your stay or trip is completed.
Rakuten often offers bonuses like:
Expedia
Hotels.com
Booking.com
Car rentals
This is great for:
Non-elite stays
Lower-tier hotels
Using with Amex or Bilt points stacking
Travel earnings confirm only after the trip.
6. Rakuten Payout Schedule
Rakuten doesn’t pay instantly; it runs on a quarterly schedule:
February 15
May 15
August 15
November 15
Anything that becomes “confirmed” before the cut-off for that cycle will be included in that payout. If you don’t meet the minimum (around $5.01 in cash equivalent or roughly 501 Amex points), your balance just rolls over to the next quarter.
This schedule is important if you’re planning around a specific trip. If you want to use Rakuten-earned Amex or Bilt points for summer flights or a winter Japan trip, you’ll want to make big purchases a few months in advance so the points have time to show up.
7. Strategies to Maximize Amex Points
Pick Points Instead of Cash
For travelers, Amex Membership Rewards are generally more valuable than simple cash back, especially when you use them for high-value flights or premium cabins. That’s why choosing Amex points as your Rakuten payout can multiply the long-term value of your shopping.
The same 10% that would have just been $10 cash can easily translate into far more than $10 in travel when used with the right transfer partners. If you’re serious about using points to offset Hawaiʻi’s expensive flights, this is one of the easiest levers to pull.
This is why Rakuten → Amex is the #1 beginner strategy.
Stack Rakuten With Amex Cards
The real magic is when you stack things. Imagine this:
You’re shopping at a store that gives 8% back on Rakuten.
You pay with an Amex Gold that earns 4x on dining or 4x at supermarkets (for gift cards, groceries, etc.).
You’ve set Rakuten to earn Amex points.
Now, for one purchase, you’re earning Amex points from the card and Amex points from Rakuten. Over a year of normal spending—holidays, back-to-school, life, you’ll be shocked how fast this adds up.
Best combos:
Amex Gold → 4x dining + Rakuten points
Amex Gold → 4x supermarkets + Rakuten points
Biz Blue Plus → 2x everywhere + Rakuten points
Best Amex Redemptions for Hawaiʻi
Once you’ve built up a solid pile of Amex points from cards + Rakuten, you can move into the fun part: redeeming. Popular playbooks for Hawaiʻi travelers include:
Transferring to ANA for round-trip flights to Japan (especially in premium cabins if you’re flexible).
Using Delta for routes from Hawaiʻi to mainland hubs.
Leveraging partners like Air France/KLM via the West Coast for Europe trips.
Using redemptions on Hawaiian or partner airlines where it still makes sense for certain routes.
Each program has its own sweet spots and quirks, but the key is that Rakuten is feeding Amex with “bonus” points that came from your shopping, not just from your card spend.
8. Strategies to Maximize Bilt Points
When Bilt Beats Amex
Bilt shines if your lifestyle already fits into its ecosystem. If you’re paying rent with Bilt, using Bilt Dining, and like the idea of flexible airline and hotel partners with no annual fee card, then funneling Rakuten earnings into Bilt helps centralize your strategy.
During any 1:1 promo period between Rakuten and Bilt, this can be especially attractive because every cent of cash back translates 1:1 into Bilt points. Even after promo periods, if you hit Bilt elite status, that 1:1 rate can stick around and make Rakuten → Bilt an excellent long-term play.
Why Bilt Is Amazing for Hawaiʻi Travelers
Bilt has some partners that line up extremely well for Hawaiʻi flyers. Atmos Rewards combines Alaska and Hawaiian, which are huge carriers for us. United covers many mainland and international routes from the West Coast. JAL gets you to Japan in style. Hyatt has great hotel options in both Japan and major US cities.
When you add Rakuten into this mix, you’re basically saying:
“My rent and my online shopping both help pay for my big trips.”
That’s a very different way to think about everyday expenses, and it’s one that works especially well when flights from Hawaiʻi are consistently expensive.
You don’t need a BILT credit card to transfer points to BILT from Rakuten, but stay tuned, BILT will be launching a cluster of new cards in 2026.
Bilt transfers 1:1 to programs like:
Atmos Rewards (Alaska + Hawaiian)
United
JAL
Air France/KLM
Hyatt
These are game-changing partners for Hawaiʻi flyers.
Best Setup for a Bilt-First User
If you’re Bilt-first, your setup might look like this:
Rent: paid via Bilt, earning Bilt points monthly
Dining: targeted Bilt Dining offers when you go out
Online shopping: always through Rakuten, payout set to Bilt
Redemptions: focus on Atmos Rewards for Hawaiʻi flights, United and JAL for long-haul, Hyatt for good hotel value
Over time, the combination of rent + dining + Rakuten turns into serious firepower for booking big trips without blowing up your cash budget.
Example Setups for Hawaiʻi Travelers
Setup A: Amex-First Traveler
You’re the Amex person. You already have a Gold, Platinum, or another MR-earning card and you want to build one huge pool of Amex points to use for big redemptions.
Your game plan:
Set Rakuten payout to Amex Membership Rewards
Install the Rakuten browser extension on your main browser
Always activate Rakuten for big purchases (electronics, appliances, gift seasons)
Pay with the Amex card that earns the best category bonus
Use those combined Amex balances to target ANA, Delta, and other strong partners
This is a great setup for families planning Japan trips, mainland visits, or occasional premium cabin “bucket list” flights.
Setup B: Bilt-First Traveler
You’re all-in on Bilt. You’re already paying rent through Bilt, maybe using Bilt Dining, and you like that there’s no annual fee card while still getting solid transfer partners.
Your game plan:
Link Rakuten and set payout to Bilt points
Use Rakuten for everyday online shopping, especially during promo periods
Keep racking up Bilt through rent + dining
Focus redemptions on:
Atmos Rewards for Hawaiʻi ↔ Mainland/Japan
United for long-haul
JAL for Japan in premium cabins
Hyatt for good-value hotel stays
This setup is especially strong if you don’t want multiple premium cards with high annual fees but still want high-value travel.
Scottie’s Take
For people living in Hawaiʻi, every dollar matters when it comes to travel. Rakuten is one of those tools that feels small at first but becomes a powerhouse over a year. If you set it up right, browser extension on, rewards method locked in, and purchases routed the right way, you’ll quietly stack thousands of Amex or Bilt points without thinking.
Those points turn into real travel: Japan, Vegas, Seattle, San Francisco, New York, even Europe depending on the partner. And all from buying the things you already buy.
Build the habit, stack the bonuses, and your points will start working for you.
