Rakuten Amex Card Welcome Offer Jumps to $200 or 20,000 Points

The Rakuten American Express^® Card* is now a lot more appealing than before. The online shopping giant has increased the welcome bonus offer from its typical $25 to $200, giving new cardholders much more value than the original launch offer — with no annual fee to worry about.

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

New $200 Welcome Offer and Elevated Cash-Back Rates

Rakuten has given its Rakuten American Express card a meaningful upgrade. The new $200 welcome bonus offer replaces the modest $25 launch offer, marking a major boost for new applicants.

To qualify, you’ll need to spend $2,000 within the first 90 days — more than previous spending requirements on this card, but still a reasonable target for most everyday expenses.

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 or Bilt 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.

Final Thoughts

With its $200 welcome bonus offer and strong cash-back rates, the Rakuten American Express 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. Plus, the ability to receive your earnings as points, rather than cash-back, doubles the value of your rewards.

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.