If you’re planning to do some holiday shopping, the Rakuten American Express Card is worth considering.
For a limited time, new cardholders can earn a $200 bonus after spending $2,000 on qualifying purchases within 90 days of account approval.
The catch? You must apply by November 13, 2026, to qualify.
There’s also a separate promotion offering elevated cash back at Walmart through December 31. Beyond these limited-time offers, the card has some rewarding benefits for anyone who regularly shops through Rakuten.
Current Rakuten Amex Card Offers
Here’s what’s currently available with the Rakuten Amex Card:
- $200 welcome bonus: Apply by 13, 2026, and spend $2,000 within 90 days of account approval. The bonus is awarded after the 90-day period ends and may take another 15 days to appear in your Rakuten account.
- 4% cash back at Walmart: Earn an additional 3% on top of the card’s standard 1% rate on up to $1,000 in eligible Walmart purchases through December 31, 2026. That’s up to $40 in total cash back, including $30 from the promotion.
- Extra 4% on Rakuten purchases: Earn an additional 4% cash back on eligible online and in-store Rakuten purchases, on top of the retailer’s regular Rakuten cash back rate. This ongoing benefit applies to the first $10,000 in eligible purchases per calendar year. After reaching that cap, eligible Rakuten purchases earn 1% from the card.
The card also offers the following standard earning rates:
- 10% cash back through Rakuten Dining, combining the card’s additional 5% with the program’s regular 5%.
- 2% cash back at grocery stores and restaurants.
- 1% cash back on other eligible purchases.
The Rakuten American Express Card has no annual fee.
You’ll need a Rakuten account to earn rewards with the card. If you don’t already have one, it’s free to join, and new members can earn a $50 bonus after spending $50 when signing up through a referral link by December 31, 2026.
More on This: Earn $50 or Up to 5,000 Amex or Bilt Points With Rakuten’s New Member Bonus
Why the Rakuten Amex Is Worth Considering
The card’s biggest draw is its ability to stack rewards. If a retailer is offering 10% cash back through Rakuten, for example, paying with the Rakuten Amex could bring your total return to 14%, provided the purchase qualifies for the additional 4%.
And there’s another reason points-and-miles enthusiasts might find the card appealing.
Rakuten offers several ways to receive your rewards, including:
- Check
- PayPal
- American Express Membership Rewards points
- Bilt Rewards points
- Samsung Cash
That means you can use Rakuten for everyday shopping and potentially turn those rewards into transferable points for travel, rather than taking cash back.
The card also includes several American Express network benefits, such as access to Amex Offers and Amex Experiences, along with retail protection for eligible purchases damaged or stolen within 90 days and extended warranty coverage of up to 12 additional months, subject to the applicable terms.
Just note that certain Rakuten purchases, including those made using Buy Now, Pay Later services and most travel purchases, earn only 1% rather than the additional 4%. Rakuten Dining also requires linking the card to your Rakuten wallet.
