5 days ago
Rakuten And Amex Launch New Credit Card With Up To 10% Cash Back
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Shopping online isn't just about convenience—it's a chance to save more on your purchases. Rakuten, a well-known cash back platform, has partnered with American Express to launch a new credit card that helps members earn even more rewards.
Powered by fintech startup Imprint, The Rakuten American Express® Card * offers boosted rewards across everyday spending categories, including an extra 4% cash back on top of the cash back earned through Rakuten, on up to $7,000 in purchases per calendar year.
Rakuten fans no longer have to limit their rewards to online shopping, as this new card brings those perks to in-store and restaurant purchases, too.
The Rakuten American Express® Card * offers perks for shoppers looking to maximize their rewards. In addition to regular Rakuten cash back, cardholders earn an extra 4% cash back at more than 3,500 partner stores, whether online or in person, on up to $7,000 per calendar year. That means if you spend $100 at one of these stores, an extra $4 goes back in your pocket.
If you love dining out, the card shines with a whopping up to 10% cash back at more than 22,000 Rakuten partner restaurants, thanks to an additional 5% back on top of base rewards. You'll also earn 2% cash back in popular spending categories like groceries and restaurant visits, and 1% on all other purchases.
Alongside the cash back rewards, the card charges no annual fee, making it accessible for many shoppers. Plus, new cardholders can earn a $25 bonus after spending $500 in the first 90 days of account opening.
If you're looking for a simple, no-hassle rewards card that complements your existing Rakuten usage, this card deserves a close look.
The Rakuten American Express® Card * works smoothly with the Rakuten platform, making it simple to earn cash back when shopping at partner stores. Plus, if you link your Rakuten account to American Express Membership Rewards® , you can earn Membership Rewards points instead of cash back—giving you more flexibility in redeeming your rewards, including transferring them to Amex's 15-plus travel partners .
If you want to squeeze every bit of value from this card, start by installing Rakuten's browser extension or using its app. It automatically applies cash back deals and coupons when you shop online. Also, try to do most of your shopping during big sales, such as upcoming back-to-school or holiday promotions. That way, you can get both the sale price and plentiful cash-back rewards.
Finally, routinely check your Rakuten and American Express accounts for limited-time deals or bonuses—these can add up over time.
For a card with no annual fee, The Rakuten American Express® Card * offers strong rewards, especially if you prefer to earn cash back as a check or PayPal deposit—the current payout options Rakuten supports.
However, if you're not already a Rakuten user or don't often shop or dine with its partner retailers and restaurants, you may want to explore other credit cards that offer shopping rewards .
Take the Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card , which earns 6% cash back for the first year in the eligible category of your choice, 2% cash back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs (up to $2,500 in combined choice category/grocery store/wholesale club quarterly purchases), and unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases. After the first year from account opening, earn 3% cash back on purchases in your choice category and 2% cash back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs up to the quarterly maximum.
$200 online cash rewards bonus after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening
Credit Score ranges are based on FICO® credit scoring. This is just one scoring method and a credit card issuer may use another method when considering your application. These are provided as guidelines only and approval is not guaranteed.
One of the categories you can choose to earn 6% cash back in with this card for the first year is online shopping. Factoring in its $2,500 quarterly maximum for these rewards, you could earn 6% cash back on up to $10,000 in your first year on online shopping spending (this rate drops to 3% after your first year), which may trump the 4% or more cash back you'd earn on up to $7,000 in purchases annually with Rakuten's partners using The Rakuten American Express® Card * .
Overall, The Rakuten American Express® Card * still stands out for loyal Rakuten users, offering strong cash back potential within the shopping platform. For American Express customers, the ability to turn Rakuten cash back adds flexibility to explore redemption options beyond just cash.
