# Rakuten drops Bilt Rewards on Bank of America applications

_Oct 27 19:45_

Tags: Bilt, credit card

Type: Program change

## Summary

Members who apply through Rakuten for eligible Bank of America credit cards and are approved now earn only cashback, with Bilt no longer an allowed earning preference.

Some Bank of America card approvals through Rakuten used to pay cashback or Bilt and never paid American Express Membership Rewards. Bilt remains available on certain Citi and Chase applications through Rakuten. Frequent Miler points to Bank of America, not Bilt, as the likely source of the cashback-only rule. A member whose preference is set to Bilt can change to cashback before a Bank of America application and change back later.

Switch the earning preference to cashback before applying for an eligible Bank of America card, then switch back to Bilt afterward.

## Key facts

- **Who qualifies**: Rakuten members applying for select Bank of America credit cards
- **Takeaway**: If you want the Rakuten payout on an eligible Bank of America card, switch your earning preference to cashback before you apply, then switch back to Bilt afterward.

[See all current card offers](https://thetravelsignal.com/now/card-offers.md)

## Sources cited

- [Frequent Miler](https://frequentmiler.com/rakuten-restriction-cashback-only-for-bank-of-america-credit-cards-not-bilt-points) — Rakuten restriction: Cashback only for Bank of America credit cards, not Bilt points

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