Online shopping portals have quietly become some of the easiest ways to earn extra rewards on purchases you already plan to make. Rather than changing how you shop, you simply click through a portal first-and collect bonus cash back or points on top of your credit card rewards.

Right now, one portal stands far above the rest: Rakuten is offering its largest new-member bonus ever, and the value is better than it looks at first glance. Thanks to a limited-time $50 referral bonus, new users can effectively get $50 back on a $50 purchase and even turn that bonus into valuable travel points.

This is one of the most time-sensitive and highly lucrative shopping portal offers currently available, considering that it will only be available until December 31, 2025.

Why Shopping Portals Matter More Than Ever

Shopping portals are often neglected because they tend to feel optional or unnecessary. In reality, they are among the lowest-efforts to multiply rewards.

Here's how they work in simple terms:

• You initiate your shopping via a portal like Rakuten.
• You complete your purchase as usual at a retailer you already trust.
• You get extra rewards without paying anything extra

These rewards are in addition to whatever your credit card already earns. That means one purchase can yield:

• Credit Card Points
• Portal cash back or points
• Sign-on or referral bonuses

Rakuten is always positioned among the best portals because it has an extensive coverage of retailers and a unique capability of converting cash back into airline and travel points.

Rakuten's Best-Ever $50 New Member Bonus Explained

For a limited time, Rakuten is offering an enhanced refer-a-friend bonus that beats any that have been offered previously. When a new user signs up through an eligible referral link and completes $50 in purchases, both parties receive $50 in rewards.

What makes this bonus exceptional:

• It's the biggest Rakuten referral bonus ever.
• Only a $50 spend is required.
• The bonus posts quickly after qualifying purchases.
• Available only through select referral links.

In practical terms, new users are essentially getting $50 back on a $50 purchase, which feels very much like free money.

Easy ways to trigger the bonus without overspending

And one of the most appealing things about this offer is how easy it is to unlock: no need to search out any obscure deals or purchase something one doesn't need.

Simple ways to qualify include:

• Buying a $50 gift card from a major retailer
• Purchasing everyday essentials you already planned to buy
• The completion of one qualifying order of $50 or more

Once the purchase has been confirmed, the $50 bonus reaches your Rakuten account. From there, the rewards can either be taken as cash or, more importantly, can be converted into points with significantly higher potential value.

Why Rakuten Beats Other Shopping Portals

What sets Rakuten apart, though, is that it's not just about plain old cash back: It lets you transfer rewards to Amex Membership Rewards points or Bilt Rewards points, two of the most valuable currencies in the travel rewards pantheon.

This flexibility turns Rakuten from a casual shopping tool into a serious points-earning platform.

Unlike many portals, which offer only statement credits or checks, Rakuten gives the user control over how they would like to redeem their earnings of particular appeal to travelers and points enthusiasts.

Turning Rakuten Rewards into Amex Membership Rewards Points

Rakuten has a long-standing relationship with American Express, whereby instead of cash back, users could earn Amex Membership Rewards points.

Here's how it works:

• 1¢ cash back = 1 Amex Membership Rewards point
• A store offering 10% back becomes 10x Amex points.
• You must have an American Express card that earns Membership Rewards

This conversion will happen automatically once enabled in your account settings for eligible purchases.

Amex Membership Rewards points are very valuable since they can be transferred to airline partners for premium travel. Many travelers use them for:

• International business class flights
• First-class airline awards
• Luxury hotel stays

Because of this flexibility, many users value Amex points far more than simple cash frequently at well over 1.5 cents per point.

Important note: The $50 welcome bonus itself cannot be converted to Amex points, however all spending after that absolutely can.

Earning Bilt Rewards Points Instead of Cash Back

Rakuten also partners with Bilt Rewards, which adds another robust redemption option.

For payments through May 15, 2026:

• Members of Bilt will all earn 1 Bilt point per cent cash back earned.

After that date,

• Bilt Elite members continue earning at 1:1
• The non-elite members earn 1 point per 2 cents.

One especially valuable feature of Rakuten is that it allows retroactive conversion of cash back into Bilt points for the entire payout period. That means:

• Referral bonuses can be turned into Bilt points.
• Previous quarterly rewards earned through shopping can be switched

This is an especially attractive option given the general difficulty of earning Bilt points outside of rent payments.

Amex Points vs Bilt Points: Which to Choose?

Choosing between Amex Membership Rewards and Bilt Rewards will depend on your goals.

Amex points are ideal for you if:

• Want access to a variety of different airline partners
• Book international premium cabin flights frequently
• Already earn Amex points through credit cards

Bilt points could be better if you:

• Value airline transfer partners such as American Airlines
• Want flexible redemption options
• Don't earn many Bilt points elsewhere

When the earning rate is a full 1 point percent, the Bilt points can be especially compelling. If the rate drops, Amex may offer better long-term value.

Why This Bonus Is So Time-Sensitive

The $50 Rakuten referral bonus is only valid through December 31, 2025, and it's limited to referral links provided by eligible existing members. In the past, referral bonuses at Rakuten have been capped at $30 or $40. Once it's over, there is no guarantee that anything similar will return.

For those who:

• Shops online even occasionally
• Collects travel rewards
• Wants an easy win with little effort

This is one of the most straightforward deals out there.

Long-term value beyond the welcome bonus

Even beyond the free, $50 bonus, Rakuten continues to provide value:

• Ongoing cashback or points on everyday shopping
• Seasonal promotions with increased earning rates
• Stacking rewards with credit cards and store sales

Consistently used, Rakuten quietly earns tens of thousands of points a year-with absolutely no changes in spending habits.

Final Takeaway

One of the most generous and low-effort promotions available right now is Rakuten's best-ever $50 new member bonus. For a purchase requirement of just $50, new users can nearly break even instantly-and then go on earning rewards that are well worth it long thereafter.

The ability to convert rewards earned into either Amex Membership Rewards or Bilt Rewards points significantly elevates this offer beyond the standard cash-back portal for travelers who seek a more premium redemption.

This is a legitimately rewarding opportunity, that's rare in and of itself, and carries a deadline of December 31, 2025, whether you're new to shopping portals or deep into the points-and-miles game.