Rakuten Amex Card Welcome Offer Is Now 4 Times Larger With a $100 Bonus

Updated: October 17, 2025, 4:41pm CDT

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New $100 Welcome Offer and Elevated Cash-Back Rates
Final Thoughts

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The new Rakuten American Express^® Card is now a lot more appealing than before. The online shopping giant has increased the welcome bonus offer from $25 to $100, giving new cardholders 4 times the value of the original launch offer — with no annual fee to worry about.

Let’s take a look at the details of this new offer.

New $100 Welcome Offer and Elevated Cash-Back Rates

Rakuten has given its Rakuten Amex card a meaningful upgrade. The new $100 welcome bonus replaces the modest $25 launch offer, marking a major boost for new applicants.

To qualify, you’ll need to spend $1,000 within the first 90 days — double the original spending requirement, but still a reasonable target for most everyday expenses.

Rakuten American Express Card — Image Credit: Rakuten

The card’s rewards structure remains focused on loyal Rakuten users who shop or dine through the platform:

4% cash-back on eligible Rakuten purchases (online or in-store) up to $7,000 per calendar year, then 1% afterward.
Extra 5% cash-back at Rakuten restaurant partners — stacking on top of the standard 5% Rakuten portal rewards.
2% cash-back at grocery stores and restaurants.
1% cash-back on all other eligible purchases.

Because the card is issued by First Electronic Bank and powered by Imprint on the American Express network, cardholders also receive added perks, such as purchase protection and extended warranty coverage.

Although the 4% cash-back boost on Rakuten purchases is capped annually, the elevated earnings still offer meaningful value for anyone who frequently shops through Rakuten’s portal or uses its restaurant network. And if your Rakuten account is linked to American Express Membership Rewards, you can opt to earn points (which we recommend you do if you value travel rewards) instead of cash back — adding even more versatility to this upgraded offer.

Hot Tip:

If you’re not too familiar with Rakuten, it’s one of our favorite shopping portals for earning cash back or Membership Rewards points on online purchases. Refer to our Rakuten review and learn how it works.

Final Thoughts

With its $100 welcome bonus offer and strong cash-back rates, the Rakuten Amex card is now a much more compelling no-annual-fee option. The extra 4% on Rakuten purchases and 5% at restaurant partners make it especially valuable for frequent users.

If you shop a lot on Rakuten, this card could make sense — especially if you want to maximize cash-back and rewards through the portal. Now is a good time to consider applying before the welcome offer changes again.