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Use Rakuten to Earn American Express Points for Disney: Complete Guide [2025]

Danielle

October 11, 2025

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If you’re a savvy shopper, you’ve probably heard of Rakuten, the popular shopping portal that lets you earn rewards when shopping online. Most people think of Rakuten as a cashback service, but did you know that you can also use it to earn American Express Membership Rewards (MR) points instead of cash?

American Express Membership rewards can be used for many travel options. Amex membership rewards can be used in the Amex travel portal, be transferred to various American Express partners (hotels and airfare), or can be used for Disney World tickets when purchased through certain third-party vendors that allow payment via PayPal such as Undercover Tourist and Expedia. This flexibility makes Amex points perfect for comprehensive Disney vacation planning, where you can cover flights, hotels, and experiences all with points.

Rakuten is a great way to earn American Express membership rewards points for your online purchases. 

What Is Rakuten and How Does It Work?

Rakuten is one of many online shopping portals that partners with thousands of retailers to give you a percentage of your purchase back every time you shop through their portal. It’s as simple as creating an account, clicking through Rakuten before you shop online, and earning rewards on your purchases. 

The great thing about Rakuten is that you have two reward options:

1. Cash Back – Earn a percentage of your purchase as cashback
2. American Express Membership Rewards – If you have an eligible Amex account that earns MR points, you can opt to receive your rewards in the form of Membership Rewards points instead of cash.

How to Link Rakuten with Your Amex Membership Rewards

To start earning Amex points simply change your payment method in Rakuten: 

1. Sign up or log into Rakuten.
2. Go to account settings and choose Membership Rewards Points under How You Get Paid.
3. Link your Rakuten account to your eligible American Express account that earns Membership Rewards points.
4. From now on, every time you shop through Rakuten, you’ll earn MR points instead of cash back!

Amex Membership Rewards vs Cashback: Which Is Better?

• Cash Back: When you opt for cash back, you’ll receive a percentage of your purchase in cash. For example, if a retailer offers 5% cash back and you spend $100, you’ll get $5 back.
• Amex Membership Rewards Points: If you choose to earn MR points, you’ll earn points instead of cash at a rate of $1 Cash Back = 100 Membership Rewards points. 
• Transfer Amex Reward Points: Amex membership points can be transferred to partners to use for hotels and airfare for your Disney Vacation. Points can also be used toward Disney World Park Tickets when purchased through a 3rd party vendor,

Why Choose Amex Membership Rewards Points?

1. Potential for Higher Value: This is where things get exciting! MR points can be worth far more than 1 cent per point when redeemed for travel, especially if you transfer them to airline or hotel loyalty programs. For example, you could transfer points to book Disney-area hotels using Marriott pointsFor example, you might redeem MR points for 1.5 cents or more per point when booking flights with certain airlines, making your Rakuten earnings more valuable in the long run. You can use Amex membership rewards for your flight to Disney World, your Disney area hotel, or even Disney World tickets.  When combined strategically, these redemptions can dramatically reduce trip costs – see how we booked a complete Disney trip for just $1,414 using similar points optimization techniques.
2. Leveraging Bonus Categories: If you use a rewards credit card that offers bonus points on travel purchases, Rakuten’s Amex Membership Rewards point offers can stack with the bonus rewards you earn from your Amex card, maximizing your total rewards.For example, Expedia and Orbitz often offer 5-20% cash back offers or discount coupons through Raktuen, and perhaps the credit card you are using offers bonus points for travel purchases. Then a purchase on Expedia through Rakuten, using a credit card that offers bonus points for travel purchases would get you 5-10% cash back as points to your Amex membership rewards account, plus extra points on the card you use to make the purchase.

How to Maximize Your Amex Points with Rakuten

To get the most out of Rakuten with Amex Membership Rewards, here are a few tips:

1. Stack Your Rewards: If your Amex card offers bonus categories like 3x points on dining or 2x points on travel, combine that with Rakuten’s portal to double-dip on rewards. This stacking approach works perfectly with our Disney trip hacking strategies to maximize savings across every aspect of your vacation.
2. Look for Special Promotions: Rakuten often offers double or triple cash-back days, which also apply to Amex points. Take advantage of these promos to boost your points earnings.
3. Shop During Sales: Combine Rakuten’s rewards with online coupons, sales or discounts at your favorite stores to maximize your savings and earn extra rewards.
4. Rakuten App: If you are like most people and often shop online retailers through your phone, the Rakuten App makes it simple to rake up the Rakuten rewards.
5. Everyday Purchases: Check the Rakuten portal or app for your everyday spending. Lucrative rewards and discount codes are available for many retailers you may use on a regular basis. Smart everyday spending strategies like this are especially valuable when planning a budget-friendly Disney trip, where every point earned helps reduce your vacation costs.
6. You can charge your purchase to any rewards credit card, and still earn American Express membership rewards.

Turn Everyday Shopping into Disney Magic

Rakuten is a fantastic way to earn rewards for your everyday shopping, and choosing Amex Membership Rewards is a great way to help meet your Disney World on-points goals. If you’re looking to travel in style and get the most value out of your rewards, Amex points are the way to go. Using the Rakuten portal is an easy way to earn additional points for your dream Disney World Vacation and save money on your everyday purchases as well.  Don’t forget to use these savings for Disney packing guide essentials that enhance your park experience – every dollar saved through Rakuten can go toward making your trip more comfortable and enjoyable. Additionally, consider leveraging Marriott Bonvoy points for Disney to further maximize your vacation budget. By combining your Amex Membership Rewards and Marriott Bonvoy points, you can enjoy luxurious accommodations while still managing to save on park-related expenses. This strategic approach allows for a more memorable experience at Disney World without breaking the bank. Another excellent strategy is to research and apply for hotel credit cards for Disney stays, which often provide valuable perks such as free nights or bonus points after reaching a spending threshold. Utilizing these cards can not only enhance your stay with complimentary amenities but also contribute positively toward your overall travel rewards strategy. By strategically planning your expenses and using the right credit cards, you can elevate your Disney experience while maximizing savings.