Rakuten Rakuten American Express® Card
Issued by Imprint
Reviewed by the CardCurator Editorial Team
Before you apply
Use this quick check so you click out only when the offer and fee structure really fit.
- Best fit: strongest ongoing earning is 10x on Rakuten Dining.
- Bonus hurdle: spend $2,000 in 3 months.
- Annual fee: No annual fee.
- Offer status: Offer is below the strongest historical bonus we have tracked.
- Who should skip: people chasing premium perks, lounge access, or outsized transfer-partner upside.
- What happens next: you will leave CardCurator for the issuer or partner application page in a new tab.
Confirm current issuer terms and approval rules before you submit an application.
Earning Categories
Current Welcome Bonus
Earn $200 cash back (or 20,000 Amex Membership Rewards points for MR-linked accounts) after $2,000 spend in 90 days.
Year 1 net value: +$2 (bonus − annual fee)
Maximize Your Rakuten Points
Expert tips to get the most value from this program
Program Overview
Rakuten is a cashback shopping portal (formerly Ebates) that pays cashback on purchases made through its links to over 3,500 online retailers. Cashback rates range from 1% to 15%+ depending on the retailer and promotion. Cashback pays quarterly via PayPal or check ("Big Fat Check"). For Amex cardholders: Rakuten offers an Amex-linked option that deposits cashback as Amex Membership Rewards points rather than cash (typically 1 MR point per cent of cashback earned, at ~2¢+ value). This makes Rakuten one of the best ways to boost Amex MR balances without spending on a new card. Best for: online shoppers who want to earn automatic cashback on purchases at major retailers (including Walmart, Macy's, Nike, Hotels.com, Expedia), and Amex cardholders who want to convert shopping cashback into Membership Rewards points.
Earning Tips
How to use Rakuten: 1. Sign up at Rakuten.com (or install the browser extension) 2. Click through Rakuten before shopping at participating retailers 3. Cashback earned automatically on qualifying purchases Amex MR option: link your Amex card and earn Membership Rewards points instead of cash (1 MR per 1¢ cashback). Given MR's value at 2¢+/point, this effectively doubles the value of Rakuten cashback. Highest-earning categories: travel (Hotels.com, Expedia, Hilton), clothing, electronics. Rates fluctuate — check portal for current rates before purchasing. Browser extension highlights when a store has active Rakuten cashback as you browse.
Redemption Tips
Rakuten cashback pays quarterly: - Cash option: PayPal or paper check (February, May, August, November) - Amex MR option: credited to your linked Amex account the same quarter Minimum payout: $5.01 (check) or $1.00 (PayPal). Amex MR option has a 1,000-point minimum. For maximum value: choose Amex MR points over cash if you hold a premium Amex card (Gold, Platinum, Business Gold, Business Platinum). The 2¢+ per MR point effectively doubles your return.
Rakuten Program
Based on 10,000 points transferred
Compare This Card
See how the Rakuten American Express® Card stacks up against other cards side by side — fees, bonuses, earn rates, and more.
Approval Insights
Recent community application data for this card. Issuers make the final decision, but this gives you a public read on how similar applicants have been doing lately.
How to use this
- Use the approval summary as a signal, not a guarantee.
- Combine it with issuer rules like 5/24, Amex lifetime language, and velocity limits.
- Open the full approval page to see recent datapoints, profile bands, and notes.
Most card pages stop at a generic credit-score range. CardCurator layers real community submissions on top of card detail, rewards value, and application strategy.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the annual fee for the Rakuten American Express® Card?
- The Rakuten American Express® Card has no annual fee.
- What is the best category to use the Rakuten American Express® Card for?
- The Rakuten American Express® Card earns 10x on Rakuten Dining, making it the strongest earning category for this card.
- What is the Rakuten American Express® Card welcome bonus in 2026?
- The Rakuten American Express® Card currently offers a welcome bonus of 20,000 points after spending $2,000 in the first 3 months.
- Does the Rakuten American Express® Card charge foreign transaction fees?
- No, the Rakuten American Express® Card does not charge foreign transaction fees, making it a good choice for international purchases.
Need more travel card options?
Browse partner travel cards if this card is not the right fit but you still want points, transfer partners, or stronger travel perks.
What to check before you leave
- Look for a welcome bonus you can realistically earn.
- Compare the annual fee against lounge access, travel credits, or hotel perks.
- Check issuer rules and current terms before you apply.
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