Cash back is lovely.
Points might fit your plans, too.

Choose what you’ll use.

Rakuten offers points instead of cash to members with a linked, eligible US American Express Membership Rewards account. Its conversion means a $50 eligible reward becomes 5,000 points. A 3% shopping offer becomes 3 points per eligible dollar.

I’d take cash if that’s what helps the household budget. I’d consider points if I already had an eligible account and a trip in mind. Points aren’t a discount on today’s order.

Give the rewards time to arrive.

Only confirmed rewards are paid. Rakuten transfers Membership Rewards quarterly, with at least 501 confirmed points needed for transfer. Returns and exclusions can change what qualifies.

They’re points first, not airline miles.

Any later transfer to an airline is a separate decision. Partner rules and redemption value matter; there isn’t a guaranteed cash value or a promised free flight here.

Check Rakuten’s current account eligibility and payment instructions before changing your payment method.