Rakuten American Express Card Review: Earn Cash Back or Flexible Travel Rewards

The Rakuten American Express Card offers cash back or flexible travel rewards with no annual fee. Members earn elevated rewards on Rakuten purchases, Rakuten Dining, everyday dining, and groceries, with a welcome bonus of $25. The card offers Amex Offers, purchase protection, extended warranties, and access to Amex Experiences. Cash back is given out every three months, with redemption options including PayPal transfer, check in the mail, or gift cards.

The Rakuten American Express Card, a no-annual-fee credit card, offers a unique blend of cash back and flexible travel rewards. This card is designed to enhance the shopping experience for Rakuten members by providing elevated rewards on various purchases. Here’s a detailed look at its features and benefits.

The Rakuten American Express Card offers a welcome bonus of $25 for spending $500 within 90 days of account opening. This welcome bonus, while not the highest available in the market, still provides a modest incentive for new cardholders Rakuten American Express® Card review: Earn cash back or flexible travel rewards^[2].

One of the standout features of the Rakuten American Express Card is its elevated cash back rates on specific categories. Members earn 4% cash back on Rakuten purchases, up to $7,000 in credit card spending each calendar year, and 5% cash back on Rakuten Dining purchases. Additionally, members earn 2% cash back on groceries and other dining purchases, and 1% cash back on all other purchases Rakuten American Express® Card review: Earn cash back or flexible travel rewards^[2].

The card also provides access to Amex Offers, which can further boost rewards on eligible purchases. These offers are unique to American Express and can significantly increase the value of your spending. Moreover, the card comes with purchase protection and extended warranties, providing an extra layer of security for purchases made with the card Rakuten American Express® Card review: Earn cash back or flexible travel rewards^[2].

The Rakuten American Express Card allows members to convert their cash back into American Express Membership Rewards® points if they have another qualifying American Express card that earns these points. This feature can be particularly appealing to those who prefer travel rewards over cash back. The conversion rate is $1 in cash back for 100 Membership Rewards® points Rakuten American Express® Card review: Earn cash back or flexible travel rewards^[2].

Cash back earned with the Rakuten American Express Card is given out every three months, with redemption options including PayPal transfer, check in the mail, or gift cards. This flexibility allows members to choose how they want to use their rewards Rakuten American Express® Card review: Earn cash back or flexible travel rewards^[2].

However, there are some drawbacks to consider. The Rakuten American Express Card has a variable APR that can be much higher than average credit card interest rates, which could negate the value of rewards if a balance is carried over. Additionally, rewards are only available every three months, which might be inconvenient for those who prefer more frequent redemption options Rakuten American Express® Card review: Earn cash back or flexible travel rewards^[2].

In conclusion, the Rakuten American Express Card offers a compelling set of features for those who shop through Rakuten or are interested in earning elevated cash back and travel rewards. While it has its limitations, such as a lower welcome bonus and infrequent cash back payouts, its unique benefits make it a strong contender in the cash back credit card market.