Rakuten Travel runs a monthly campaign called "Tokutabi" that gives you up to 15x points on hotel bookings. Most people just use those points for shopping — but there's a smarter move.
You can transfer your Rakuten Points to Rakuten Securities and use them to buy index funds, stocks, or even invest through a NISA tax-free account.
Here's how the whole flow works.
The Points You Earn Are "Regular Points"
First, the important part: the bonus points from the Tokutabi campaign are regular points (not limited-time points). That means they're eligible for Rakuten Securities' point investment program.
Campaign details:
- Frequency: Monthly
- Entry: Required before booking
- Bonus rates: up to 10x for same-month or next-month stays, up to 15x for bookings 2+ months ahead
- Points awarded: About 10 days after checkout
What Is Rakuten Securities Point Investment?
Rakuten Securities lets you use Rakuten Points at 1 point = 1 yen to buy:
- Mutual funds / index funds (lump sum or recurring)
- Japanese stocks
- US stocks (yen settlement)
- NISA tax-free accounts
For beginners, recurring purchases of a global index fund is the easiest way to start.
Step-by-Step
- Book a hotel on Rakuten Travel (enter the Tokutabi campaign first)
- Check in and stay
- Receive points (~10 days after checkout)
- Set up point investment on Rakuten Securities
- Buy an index fund
Preparing Your Rakuten Securities Account
If you don't have an account yet:
- Account opening: Free, fully online
- Maintenance: Free
- Point course: You need to switch to "Rakuten Point Course" in your account settings
Recommended Funds
- Rakuten Whole World Index Fund (global diversification)
- Rakuten All-US Equity Index (S&P500 tracking)
- Rakuten Balance Fund (automatic diversification, good for beginners)
Important Notes
- Limited-time points cannot be used for point investment. Only regular points qualify.
- Selling fund units purchased with points gives you cash (yen), not points.
- Point investment is available in NISA accounts — use it to maximize tax-free gains.
- There are upper limits on how many points you can invest per transaction.
Summary
Turning travel rewards into investments is a simple shift that turns "spending" into "building assets." The Tokutabi campaign runs every month, so keep it in mind next time you book a trip.
