Rakuten American Express Card Welcome Bonus: $100, Sometimes $200
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The Rakuten American Express Card welcome bonus sits at $100 right now. Rakuten and Amex have pushed it up to $200 several times in 2026, sometimes only for a single day. If you already shop through Rakuten’s cash back portal, this no-annual-fee card gives you a second way to earn on top of it.
The bonus level depends entirely on when you apply. Here is what the offer looks like today, how the $200 version works when it shows up, and how to get more value out of the card once you have it.
What the Rakuten American Express Card Offers
The Rakuten American Express Card carries no annual fee. Cardholders earn an extra 4% cash back on purchases made through Rakuten’s shopping portal, on top of Rakuten’s regular cash back rates at more than 3,500 stores. That extra 4% is capped at the first $7,000 of card spending each calendar year.
Outside of Rakuten purchases, the card earns at a lower standard rate, so it works best as a companion to your everyday spending card rather than a replacement for it.
Current Welcome Bonus: $100, With Periodic Jumps to $200
As of today, Rakuten advertises a $100 welcome bonus for new Rakuten American Express Card holders. That is the baseline offer you should expect to see most days.
| Offer Level | Spend Requirement | Points Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| $100 (standard) | Check current terms at application | 10,000 Amex Membership Rewards or Bilt points |
| $200 (periodic flash offer) | $2,000 in purchases within 90 days | 20,000 Amex Membership Rewards or Bilt points |
When the $200 version appears, it has required $2,000 in purchases within the first 90 days each time. If your Rakuten account is set to pay out in points instead of cash, and you hold an eligible Amex or elite-status Bilt account, that $200 bonus converts to 20,000 points. Terms change often and without much notice, so confirm the exact requirement shown when you apply rather than assuming it matches a past offer.
Turn Rakuten Cash Back Into Amex Points
Rakuten pays most members in cash by default. You can switch your account to earn American Express Membership Rewards points instead, at a rate of one point per penny earned through the portal. That setting applies to all your Rakuten shopping, not just purchases made with the Rakuten Amex Card itself.
- No annual fee: the card costs nothing to keep long-term.
- Extra 4% at Rakuten: capped at $7,000 in card spending per calendar year.
- Points option: set Rakuten payouts to Membership Rewards points for transfer value instead of a flat cash payout.
- Stacks with other cards: works alongside a stronger everyday spending card for non-Rakuten purchases.
Should You Wait for the $200 Offer?
If you already have a Rakuten shopping habit and want the card now, the $100 bonus is still free money for a card with no annual fee. If you are not in a hurry, the flash $200 offers have come around often enough this year that waiting a few weeks is a reasonable bet. Either way, the card is an add-on, not your main rewards card. Pair it with a stronger cash back card for spending outside Rakuten’s partner stores.
Bottom Line
The Rakuten American Express Card welcome bonus is $100 today, and it has jumped to $200 multiple times in 2026 without warning. There is no annual fee to worry about either way, so it is a low-risk add to your wallet if you already shop through Rakuten. Route your Rakuten earnings to Membership Rewards points if you want travel value instead of a flat cash deposit, and check our best credit cards for everyday spending for a primary card to pair it with.
Rakuten American Express Card Welcome Bonus – Frequently Asked Questions
What is the current Rakuten American Express Card welcome bonus?
The standard offer is $100 for new cardholders. Rakuten has periodically raised it to $200 throughout 2026, sometimes for a single day.
What do I need to spend to get the $200 offer?
Past $200 offers have required $2,000 in purchases within the first 90 days of account opening. Always confirm the exact terms shown when you apply.
Does the Rakuten American Express Card charge an annual fee?
No. The card has no annual fee, so there is no cost to keep it open long-term.
Can I earn Amex Membership Rewards points instead of cash back?
Yes. You can set your Rakuten account to pay out in Membership Rewards points instead of cash, at a rate of one point per penny earned.
How much cash back can I earn shopping through Rakuten with this card?
You earn an extra 4% cash back at Rakuten’s partner stores, on top of Rakuten’s standard rates, capped at the first $7,000 you spend on the card each calendar year.
Is the $200 bonus available all the time?
No. The $200 level comes and goes without much notice and sometimes lasts only a day. The $100 offer is the more consistent baseline.
