Earning Rewards with the Rakuten Card

Use your Rakuten American Express® Card to earn:

• An extra 4% Cash Back on qualifying purchases made through Rakuten (both online and in-store)
• 10% Cash Back on Rakuten Dining (that’s an extra 5% on top of 5% Dining Cash Back)
• 2% Cash Back on groceries and restaurants
• 1% Cash Back on all other purchases made everywhere else American Express is accepted

For non-Rakuten purchases or Rakuten purchases that are excluded from Cash Back, use your Rakuten Card to earn 1% Cash Back.

Is there a limit to the amount of Cash Back I can earn with my Rakuten American Express Credit Card?

Yes. For Rakuten purchases you can earn 4% Cash Back* on the first $10,000 of credit card spending each calendar year. Once you exceed this amount, you will continue to earn unlimited 1% Cash Back on additional Rakuten purchases.

Rakuten Dining spend does not count toward the $10,000 spending threshold.

*Exclusions apply to Coupons Only stores, travel transactions other than direct airlines or pre-paid travel bookings, and purchases paid for via Buy Now Pay Later services.

See the full Terms.

Where can I check my Cash Back?

Track your Rakuten Card Rewards in your Rakuten account. You’ll see all of your Rakuten shopping and earning activity here.

When will I get my Cash Back?

You’ll be paid for any confirmed Cash Back, bonuses and other rewards via the payment method you selected (check, PayPal or American Express Membership Rewards® points) every three months. Pending Cash Back will remain in your account until it becomes confirmed. We’ll send your Cash Back every 3 months, according to the schedule below.

Rakuten Payment Dates:

• February 15
• May 15
• August 15
• November 15

You need minimum confirmed earnings of $5.01 Cash Back before the next payment date to get paid. Cash Back must be confirmed by the store before the payment date to be included in your payment. If your Cash Back Balance is $5.00 or less, it will carry over to the next payment date.

Want your Cash Back faster? Redeem your Cash Back for a gift card any time. Only available in the Rakuten App.

Note: Gift card redemption requires at least $5.00 in confirmed Cash Back and is subject to certain limits. Don't see this option? Check out our Gift Card FAQ for details.

How do I get my Cash Back?

There are three ways to receive your Cash Back payments:

1. PayPal: We transfer Cash Back to your PayPal account.
2. Check: Get your Cash Back in the mail.
3. American Express Membership Rewards® Points: We transfer your points to your Membership Rewards account.

You can also redeem your Cash Back for a gift card any time, only in the Rakuten App.

Why do I have a negative Cash Back balance?

If you returned all or part of a purchase after receiving your Cash Back payment, your confirmed or pending balance will be adjusted accordingly.

Why is there a negative Cash Back adjustment in my account?

If you returned all or part of a purchase, your Cash Back will be adjusted accordingly.

Why didn't I earn extra Cash Back on my Rakuten purchase?

With Rakuten, you can earn Cash Back on almost everything. If you didn’t earn Cash Back and think you should have, or didn’t get the amount you expected, here are a few reasons why.

• Check if a Shopping Trip was activated before making the purchase.
• Make sure your purchase was not excluded from earning extra Cash Back–exclusions apply to Coupons Only stores, travel transactions other than direct airlines or pre-paid travel bookings, and purchases paid for via Buy Now Pay Later services.
• Have you reached the limit for this calendar year? You can earn 4% Cash Back on the first $10,000 of credit card spending each calendar year. Once you exceed this amount, you will continue to earn unlimited 1% Cash Back on all additional purchases.
• Did you cancel your order? If you canceled your order, it’s no longer eligible for Cash Back.
• Did you make any returns? If you returned all or part of your order, the store will let us know and we will adjust your Cash Back accordingly.

Learn more

Why are my Card Rewards still pending?

Once we receive your purchase details, your Card Rewards will be pending. This waiting period exists in case of returns, exchanges, exclusions or other changes to your purchase. Rewards will be added to your confirmed balance and included in your next payment, unless we receive new information about your purchase.

For Rakuten purchases

Card Rewards for online and in-store purchases are usually confirmed within 3–14 weeks.

Card Rewards on Rakuten Dining will be confirmed within 3 to 5 days after you dine.

Card Rewards on travel are typically confirmed within 6–17 weeks after your booking is complete. Learn more about travel purchases with Rakuten.

For non-Rakuten purchases

Card Rewards on gas, groceries and restaurants are typically confirmed 1–2 days after your purchase.

Card Rewards on other categories are usually confirmed within 4 weeks after your purchase.