Disclosure: This post contains an affiliate links. I only recommend products I believe provide real value to my readers.
If you’re an Amex Platinum cardholder, you already know about the sweet 5x points on flights booked directly with airlines. But what if we told you there are two ways to stack your way past that 5x baseline and earn even more on your next flight?
Here are two powerful ways to double-dip and supercharge your points from paid airfare.
By the way, if you want to make sure you’re always using the right cards for the right purchases (flights, hotels, groceries, etc), make sure to check out this app.
Option 1: Use Rakuten to Earn Even More Amex Points on Select Airlines
If you’re not using Rakuten with your Amex Platinum card, you’re leaving easy Membership Rewards points on the table.
Rakuten is traditionally known as a cashback portal, but you can opt to earn Amex or Bilt points instead of cashback by linking your Membership Rewards account in your Rakuten settings. Then, when you shop through Rakuten’s portal, you’ll earn Amex points at the same rate Rakuten is offering cash back.
You can click this link to sign up for free and earn 5,000 bonus points.
Here are some airline offers currently available through Rakuten (subject to change):
- ITA Airways: 4x points
- Etihad Airways: 2x points
- Condor: 2x points
- Qatar Airways: 1.5x points
- Avianca: 1.5x points
- Virgin Atlantic: 1x point
- Turkish Airlines: 1x point
- British Airways: 1x point
That’s on top of the 5x points you’re already earning with your Amex Platinum card, as long as you book directly through the airline’s site after clicking through Rakuten. So, for example:
- Book a ITA flight via the Rakuten link and pay with your Amex Platinum.
- Earn 5x Amex points from your card + 4x Amex points from Rakuten = 9x points per dollar.
You can view all current travel offers on Rakuten’s site under the “Travel & Vacations” section.
The Platinum Card® from American Express
- ✓ 5x points on flights booked directly with airlines or through American Express Travel (up to $500,000 per calendar year)
- ✓ 5x points on prepaid hotels booked through American Express Travel
- ✓ 1x points on all other purchases
- ✓ $600 annual hotel credit – Up to $300 semi-annually on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings
- ✓ $200 airline fee credit – Annual statement credits for incidental fees like baggage and seat assignments with your selected airline
- ✓ $200 Uber Cash – $15 monthly + $20 bonus in December for Uber rides and Uber Eats
- ✓ $120 Uber One credit – Covers the full cost of an Uber One membership for delivery fee savings and ride discounts
- ✓ $209 CLEAR® Plus credit – Skip the ID check lines at airports
- ✓ $120 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit – Every 4 years for expedited security screening
- ✓ $400 Resy dining credit – Up to $100 per quarter at 10,000+ participating restaurants New
- ✓ $300 digital entertainment credit – Up to $25/month for YouTube Premium, YouTube TV, Peacock, Disney+, Hulu, ESPN+, The New York Times, and more
- ✓ $300 Lululemon credit – Up to $75 per quarter at U.S. stores and online New
- ✓ $300 Equinox credit – Annual credit toward Equinox memberships or Equinox+ digital subscription
- ✓ $200 Oura Ring credit – Toward the purchase of an Oura Ring New
- ✓ $155 Walmart+ credit – Up to $12.95+tax monthly covering full membership cost
- ✓ $100 Saks Fifth Avenue credit – $50 semi-annually for in-store or online purchases
- ✓ Centurion Lounge access – Access to American Express’ exclusive airport lounges worldwide
- ✓ Priority Pass Select – Complimentary membership with access to 1,400+ lounges worldwide plus 2 guests
- ✓ Delta Sky Club access – Up to 10 visits per year when flying Delta (unlimited with $75k annual spend)
- ✓ Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite – Complimentary status with room upgrades, late checkout, and bonus points
- ✓ Hilton Honors Gold – Complimentary status with room upgrades, free breakfast at select properties, and bonus points
- ✓ Leaders Club Sterling status – Complimentary elite status with The Leading Hotels of the World New
- ✓ Car rental elite status – Hertz President’s Circle, Avis Preferred Plus, and National Executive status
Disclosure: This is a referral link. Cloud9Club may earn a commission if you’re approved for this card, at no cost to you. Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required.
Option 2: Book Through Bilt Travel for a Hidden Double Dip
This is one of the most under-the-radar earning strategies out there right now.
Bilt has upgraded its travel portal to allow you to book flights that code as if you booked them directly through the airline — but you’re booking through Bilt Travel.
If you link your Amex Platinum card to your Bilt Wallet and pay entirely with that card (not using any Bilt points), you can:
- Earn 5x Amex Membership Rewards (since it codes as airfare direct with the airline)
- Earn 1x Bilt point per dollar
That’s a total of 6x points per dollar spent — and Bilt points are highly valuable, transferable to programs that Amex doesn’t have, like Hyatt and Alaska Airlines.
These bookings often still count as direct bookings for airline miles and elite status credit.
What You Need:
- A free Bilt Rewards account
- Your Amex Platinum card linked in your Bilt Wallet
Go to travel.biltrewards.com, sign in, and book a flight entirely with your linked card. Don’t redeem Bilt points, as that will cut down on your double dip and provide lower value than transferring to partners.
Final Thoughts
If you’re already paying cash for a flight, why not earn more from it?
By combining:
- Rakuten + Amex Platinum (for select airlines), or
- Bilt + Amex Platinum (on almost all airlines)
…you can level up your earning strategy and regularly hit 6x-9x+ on paid airfare — all while still booking in a way that protects your elite benefits and makes rebooking easier.
The next time you’re about to book a flight, take 60 seconds and make sure you’re not leaving points behind.
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