Rakuten Offers 100% Rebate on Surfshark Plan to Buy Bilt or Amex Points for 1 Cent Each

Rakuten has introduced a promotional offer allowing new members to effectively purchase Bilt Rewards or American Express Membership Rewards points at the reduced rate of one cent per point. The deal is tied to Surfshark, a VPN provider, offering a compelling 100% rebate on their two-year subscription plan priced at $113.13 before applicable taxes. This rebate essentially refunds the entire purchase price, letting users acquire over 11,000 points at a fraction of their usual cost.

To participate, individuals must register as Rakuten members using a referral link. New members earn a $50 bonus (equivalent to 5,000 points) after making their first purchase of $50 or more. Subsequently, they can select Surfshark’s most expensive plan — the two-year Surfshark One+ plan — which is currently eligible for the full rebate. Once the rebate posts, members can opt to cancel the subscription renewal immediately to avoid recurring charges.

Bilt Rewards points acquired through this offer will be credited by August 15, 2026. Notably, members with Silver or higher status (for example, those holding the Palladium card initially providing Gold status) enjoy a 1:1 transfer rate for Bilt points. Without status, transfers occur at a 50% rate, so members often prefer transferring points to American Express Membership Rewards at the full 1:1 ratio if their status is insufficient.

The value proposition of buying points at one cent each is particularly attractive for frequent travelers seeking to redeem miles with partner airlines such as Alaska Airlines or United Airlines. Hyatt loyalty program redemptions also become more affordable, enhancing options for premium travel experiences. Leveraging transfer bonuses, like the Rent Day event, can further amplify the benefits of purchasing Bilt points through this avenue.

This offer stands out as an opportunity to accumulate miles and points at a price significantly below standard purchase rates. Typically, buying frequent flyer miles or hotel points directly costs considerably more, making this rebate-driven purchase a rare chance to stockpile loyalty currency cost-effectively. The tie-in with Surfshark’s VPN subscription and Rakuten’s cash-back platform underscores an innovative approach to combining consumer tech services with travel loyalty rewards.

Consumers should verify the ongoing availability of the 100% rebate on Surfshark’s site when considering this offer, as promotional terms may change. The rebate applies only to new Surfshark customers on their first purchase, emphasizing the importance of timing and eligibility. By canceling auto-renewal promptly, participants can avoid unintended charges, ensuring the deal remains a one-time acquisition of points.

This promotion exemplifies how loyalty programs and online service providers are crafting creative collaborations that enhance customer acquisition while delivering value to savvy travelers and points enthusiasts. The potential to effectively buy miles at one cent each aligns with the broader trend of maximizing point valuations and travel redemptions using strategic purchase and transfer tactics.

With Bilt points slated to transfer next August and the potential for lucrative airline and hotel redemptions, this Rakuten-Surfshark offer is particularly relevant for those planning premium reward travel in the coming year. The interplay of status levels and transfer ratios highlights the advantage of cultivating or maintaining elite tier status within Bilt’s program to fully capitalize on the offer’s benefits.