As covered in the previous article, a Rakuten Card plays a big role in boosting your point-back rate on Rakuten Ichiba. Here's a rundown of its pros and cons, and who it makes the most sense for.
Rakuten Card Pros and Cons
Pros
- No annual fee, ever, so there's no ongoing cost to hold it
- Boosts your point-back rate when you pay with it on Rakuten Ichiba
- Rakuten Points earned can be used at convenience stores, restaurants, and other everyday spots, not just Rakuten Ichiba
- Comes with extra perks like travel insurance and the option to add an ETC card
Cons
- If you rarely shop on Rakuten Ichiba, it's hard to feel the benefit of the boosted rate
- The base point-back rate itself isn't dramatically higher than other high-reward cards
- There's a credit check, and you generally need to be 18 or older to apply
- Add-ons like family cards or an ETC card each have their own conditions worth checking ahead of time
Who it's a good fit for
It's a good fit if you regularly buy appliances or everyday items on Rakuten Ichiba, want to use Rakuten Points somewhere other than Rakuten Ichiba (convenience stores, restaurants, etc.), or are looking for a no-annual-fee credit card in general. If you're planning a reasonably large purchase on Rakuten Ichiba like the appliances covered in our earlier roundup, the point boost is especially easy to notice. Among the categories we compare here, the gap shows up most in the ones that run into the tens of thousands of yen — mattresses, robot vacuums and dehumidifiers.
Who might want to pass
If you rarely shop on Rakuten Ichiba, or you're already using a different card as your main one and don't have plans to build up Rakuten Points, this isn't a high priority. If you already carry several cards and want to avoid adding another one to manage, it's worth weighing whether adding one more is worth it.
How to apply
The application is entirely online. Roughly, here's how it goes:
1. Fill out the application form on the official site (basic info like name, address, employer)
2. Credit screening (whether the card is issued depends on the results)
3. Card is issued and mailed to you
4. Activate it once it arrives
Things to watch for when applying
Whether you qualify for a specific bonus or campaign can depend on which link or application path you use — the card application itself and a particular campaign's bonus conditions are sometimes set up separately. It's worth checking the campaign terms on the official page before applying. Annual fees, point rates, and other terms are subject to change, so always check the official site for the latest details.
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