How I earned almost 30,000 American Express Membership Rewards points with help from Rakuten

It is not typically that alternatives to earn numerous factors in a single transaction come up. That is why I used to be ecstatic once I checked out Rakuten’s Money Again Unwrap calendar for 2024 and noticed it aligned with a TV buy I had deliberate. On Nov. 20, 2024, Rakuten provided a bonus of 20% money again (or 20 American Specific Membership Rewards factors per greenback spent) on LG purchases.

Here is how I made essentially the most out of this chance and the way you could find possibilities to earn hundreds of bonus Membership Rewards factors your self.

Since Rakuten’s particular LG deal solely ran for at some point, I needed to be aware of timing my buy proper. I charged my new TV to The Platinum Card® from American Express, a card I not too long ago opened and am working to earn a welcome offer.

By way of the Rakuten supply, I earned 26,000 Membership Rewards factors. Based on TPG’s December 2024 valuations, Membership Rewards factors are value 2 cents per level. Which means these 26,000 factors are value $520 when used with Amex’s hotel and airline transfer partners.

If you wish to benefit from a Rakuten supply, make sure you start your purchasing journey at Rakuten’s website and click on via to your required service provider. Alternatively, obtain the Rakuten Chrome extension and activate the relevant supply when prompted by the service provider.

By default, you may obtain rewards from Rakuten as cash back. When you’re like me and like to earn Membership Rewards factors, you have to connect your Amex Membership Rewards account.

Remember the fact that Membership Rewards factors is not going to be immediately out there from Rakuten. The truth is, it might probably take as much as 100 days to your rewards to be confirmed. Additionally keep in mind that Rakuten solely pays factors out each three months.

On prime of the 26,000 factors earned via the Rakuten supply, I additionally earned factors from my Amex Platinum. My TV buy did not fall below any of the Amex Platinum’s bonus categories, so I earned simply 1 level per greenback. I can not complain about that on this occasion, although.

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Because the buy totaled $1,299.99, I earned 1,300 factors from my Amex Platinum. That brings my grand complete of Membership Rewards factors as much as 27,300, value $546 in accordance with TPG’s December 2024 valuations. That definitely eased the ache in my pockets.

It is value noting that you just need not use a Membership Rewards-earning card to obtain bonus factors from Rakuten. You should use any card you need, even a cash-back card. No matter what card you utilize, your Rakuten rewards can solely be obtained as money again or Membership Rewards factors.

You need not fear about linking your card to Rakuten, both, except you are making the most of one in all its in-store presents.

For starters, ensure you’ve signed up for Rakuten. The truth is, new members can earn a one-time bonus of $30 after becoming a member of through this link and spending a minimum of $30 at eligible retailers within the first 90 days. This preliminary bonus can be paid out in money again, however you may change your incomes choice to Membership Rewards factors to make sure further rewards are delivered as factors.

After establishing your account, don’t be concerned should you missed out on earlier offers. Rakuten has dozens of wonderful presents all year long. I’ve seen presents like 10% again on PetSmart and Lululemon purchases, whereas many retailers went as much as 15% (and even increased) throughout Rakuten’s Black Friday and Cyber Monday promotion.

Only a few playing cards supply greater than 5% to six% again on purchases, so I undoubtedly attempt to benefit from Rakuten presents at any time when I see them. I additionally strongly advocate putting in the Rakuten Chrome extension. It’s going to robotically provide you with a warning with a pop-up at any time when a bonus supply is obtainable.

Rakuten even supplies in-store presents for choose retailers. Merely activate them on-line (or through the Rakuten app), after which hyperlink the cardboard you propose to make use of for the acquisition. Fashionable shops eligible for in-store rewards embody CVS, Petco and Carter’s.

Except for Rakuten, maintain an eye fixed out for particular presents out of your bank cards. I verify my Amex Offers two to 3 instances per week since they typically match my way of life and spending habits. You probably have an eligible Chase card, make the most of Chase Offers as properly. Since these usually require purchases instantly with a service provider, they’re normally stackable with purchasing portals like Rakuten.

Lastly, verify different online shopping portals earlier than buying. You may generally discover higher presents for a similar service provider on completely different websites, although you may solely earn rewards with a single portal. Different in style choices embody:

A shopping portal aggregator is an effective way to see all of the presents for a single retailer and make sure you’re selecting the most effective one.

Associated: The beginners guide to airline shopping portals: How to earn bonus points and miles

Do not have a Membership Rewards-earning card but? Try our picks for the best American Express cards that will help you make your alternative — and be sure you join Rakuten today for the possibility to earn a one-time bonus of $30.